NCJW takes progressive stance on issues


    The Frederick Section of National Council of Jewish Women dates back to April 1921 when some local Jewish women formed a chapter in downtown Frederick. NCJW is a volunteer organization that has been at the forefront of social change for over a century. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW takes a progressive stance on issues involving children and women. NCJW was formed under the leadership of social activist Hannah Greenebaum Solomon at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions in Chicago to make the world at large and their community in particular a better place.

    This year, NCJW donated more than $1,000 to local organizations such as the ARC, Montevue Home Auxiliary, Frederick Cancer Patient Assistant Fund, Frederick County Animal Control, Mission of Mercy, Heartly House, Cold Weather Shelter and to the Frederick High School Safe and Sane. NCJW awarded their annual $500 scholarship to a FCC Nursing Student in memory of Ruth Tick. By selecting groups such as Heartly House or the Cold Weather Shelter we help decrease violence in our community and promote peace. By supporting the local animal shelter we help animals, especially those abused, find a more peaceful existence.

    Although not a main focus, fundraising is important for this group as we try to help our community. Last year’s fundraisers included Chanukah photos, No Show Tea, calendar/directory sales and a Caribbean Night party with a silent auction. NCJW also participates in other organizations’ fundraising activities such as the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk and Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake.

    Each year for the holidays, NCJW adopts two families in need: a Christian family from Frederick and a Jewish family from the Baltimore area. These families enjoy a more peaceful holiday season not having to worry about providing for their children as a result of the kindness of NCJW and Beth Sholom members.

    Our most significant way of walking the path of peace is our direct involvement is with two Frederick organizations. The first group is Frederick Interfaith which is composed of different religious groups working for peaceful understanding in the Frederick Community. The second group is “A Season for Non-Violence” that brings together different organizations in Frederick that is working for peace. For the second year we shared a program with Frederick Interfaith for “A Season for Non-Violence” program. This year we had a dramatic reading of “Golda’s Balcony,” with a facilitated discussion following concerning Golda Meier, peace and violence in the Middle East.

    Continuing with our tradition, on the fourth Sunday in November, NCJW members and their families prepared and served a hot meal at the Frederick Soup Kitchen. The families’ teenagers help with the cleanup and their enthusiasm is always inspiring. NCJW also spent a Sunday afternoon at Montevue Nursing Home running a bingo game for the residents and providing a healthy snack afterwards.

    NCJW offers unique programs throughout the year. This year’s programming included a morning Koffee and Kibbutz, a brunch and inspiring audio interview of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a brief presentation of the history of NCJW Frederick Section during a Friday night Sabbath service, and an educational presentation by Renee Groban from the Somerford Organization on Alzheimer’s Disease. All programs were free and open to the public.

    Each year, Beth Sholom conducts a remembrance service in the spring, providing an opportunity for the community to learn about and remember the Holocaust. In addition to providing financial support for this important event, this year NCJW members baked desserts using recipes from a Holocaust cookbook that is a compilation of recipes and stories provided by Holocaust survivors and their families. By remembering the past, we hope to make the future more peaceful as we say “never again” whether in Darfur or any other place experiencing genocide.

    In 2008, our collection projects began running in conjunction with the Kol Ami Social Action Committee, increasing the effect of our outreach efforts for a more compassionate community. These projects included collecting items for the Cold Weather Shelter, our CRIB project (Collecting Relevant Items for Babies) for Frederick infants and toddlers and school supply collections for a local elementary school.

    Peace can used to describe a relationship between people characterized by respect, justice, and goodwill. NCJW Frederick Section focuses its efforts on local causes and organizations that foster these types of relationships. NCJW meetings will restart in September. For nformation on NCJW Frederick Section, send an e-mail to NCJWFrederick@hotmail.com.

    If you are interested in contributing an article to the Paths to Peace series or have a comment, we would like to hear from you, e-mail path2peace07@yahoo.com.

Taylor

Erlichman