March/April 2023

In this issue...

Who Has a Big Heart?

Unpacking the Crisis in Israel

HugPack Packing

4th Thursday Movie Night

Volunteers Needed to Cook and Serve Those in Need

Interfaith Worker Justice Passover Seder

Membership Social, Elections and Panel: Hot Topics in Social Justice

Lobby Day

Annual Book Review Is on YouTube

Caring Corner

Save the Date!

Our NCJW section is seeking individuals interested in promoting the NCJW mission of supporting women, children and families. Be part of the solution and join the NCJW Board and committees! If you are interested in what we work on — reproductive justice, get-out-the-vote, helping the unhoused and food insecure, packing hugpacks for foster youth, senior outreach and so much more — then we want you! NO previous experience needed, just a big heart and willingness to help. For more information, contact Maria Osorio at president@ncjwlongbeach.org.

NCJW’s Kalela Lancaster will be in conversation with special guest Esther Solomon, editor-in-chief of the Ha'aretz English Edition. A veteran analyst and journalist, Esther will help us understand the various elements of this unprecedented moment of crisis, discuss possible scenarios of how it might play out, and share thoughts about the impact of the protest movement in Israel and internationally. She will also focus on concerns for freedom of the press in Israel and the critical role of the media at this time. RSVP here.

Many helping hands are needed, so join us in giving a "hug" to vulnerable children entering the foster care system!

Snacks and drinks are provided, and doing good will feel so great!

Vaccinations are strongly recommended. Please RSVP ASAP if you want to help: communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org or call (657) 235-2511.

At this month's movie discussion, we plan to talk about Oscar-nominated Argentina, 1985, in which a team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time. The film was inspired by the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo and their young legal team of unlikely heroes in their David-vs-Goliath battle to prosecute Argentina's bloodiest military dictatorship to bring justice to its victims. The film won this year's Golden Globe for Best Picture - Non-English Language. Watch it on Netflix before we meet.

Our affiliate Temple Israel is joining with other churches in the community to help feed those in need at Christian Outreach in Action (COA) at 3rd and Linden, so we're lending a hand! Volunteers are needed to give 3 - 4 hours a month to prepare a meal on the 4th Monday of each month, starting March 27.

A coordinator will assign food and do the shopping. The first shift of volunteers will cook at the temple, and the second shift will transport the food, serve, and clean up. All safety precautions will be followed and managed by COA. If you'd like to bake cookies, donate apples or oranges, or sponsor a meal, that would be greatly appreciated too!

Please respond ASAP to help us plan for the first meal in late March. For more information, contact Community Service VP Andrea Friedenthal at communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org or leave her a message at (657) 235-2511.

NCJW is joining CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) and Temple Israel’s Social Action Committee to cosponsor a free Interfaith Worker Justice Passover Seder! While it's both in person and virtual, we urge you to attend in person! RSVP here! To volunteer or for more information, contact co-VP of Advocacy Cynthia Gordon at advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org.

Come for the election and stay for a challenging program!

And for the comraderie!

In addition to the election of NCJW officers for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the Membership and Advocacy Committees will be presenting a joint program -- “Hot Topics in Social Justice - Fulfilling Our Mission to Help Women, Children, & Families.”

The program will consist of three speakers in the high priority areas of Homelessness, Women’s Reproductive Rights, and Human Trafficking. Check out the personal bios of our guest speakers:

Julie Lie is chair of the City of Long Beach Homeless Advisory Services Committee. She has lived in Long Beach for over 35 years and received a master’s degree from CSULB. Julie is passionate about helping people secure basic needs and has served on the Boards of multiple local outreach organizations. In those positions she has worked to increase economic inclusion and started a community garden and a free shower program, in addition to teaching at Lydia House.

Krista Hollinger is CEO of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernadino Counties. She has worked in healthcare and public policy for 25 years and has an MPH from UCLA. She now oversees operations for nine health centers which provide reproductive and health services 7 days a week, in addition to overseeing initiatives such as the Abortion Aid program which responds to the needs of women from other states that need to travel to receive abortion care.   

Mariah Marple-Sewe is the founder of Survivor Mentality Foundation and is also a Core member of the Long Beach Human Trafficking Task Force.

Being a survivor herself, she serves as a mentor, advocate, and case worker for sex trafficking victims. Mariah has worked with Homeland Security and local nonprofits to help combat and rescue sex trafficking victims. Her story is published in the book Brave in Real Life: Stories From Women Who Have Overcome Sexual Exploitation. 

The panel of speakers will each give a 15-minute presentation, followed by 10-15 minutes of questions, after which there will be small group discussions between each speaker and those attendees interested in learning more, as well as how they can help. Light snacks will be offered. While there is no charge to attend, contributions to defray the costs of programming are appreciated.

Please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/2p9dvn8w or leave a message at (657) 235-2511. We look forward to seeing you.

Join us for a virtual Lobby Day on April 26 and for legislative meetings in the days after (photo is from an earlier and exciting Lobby Day). We will be lobbying on bills in these high-priority areas: abortion access and reproductive health, housing/homelessness, and child care/poverty/education. WE NEED YOU! Email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org to sign up or for more info.

Hear Laura Kaplan, the author of The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service, discuss her first-hand experiences in the fight for reproductive access. You can find the Youtube video here, or find it in our archives here.

Jeanne Halliday is waiting for your calls and emails! Please let Jeanne know about such things as illnesses, deaths, simchas, honors, etc., in our community.

You can look up Jeanne's phone number or email in the Membership Directory, or you can call us at (657) 235-2511 or email us at info@ncjwlongbeach.org to request a card to be mailed.

Thursday, March 30: Board Meeting, 6:45 - 8:45 pm. We are meeting in person at the AJCC in Room 61/62. All members are welcome! RSVP here.

Thursday, May 4: Board Meeting, 6:45 - 8:45 pm, AJCC. RSVP here.

Wednesday, May 24: Program focusing on Juvenile Justice, at AJCC. More info coming soon.

Thursday, June 8: HugPacks Packing, 6 - 7:30 pm, AJCC. RSVP here.

Charter Day: Coming in June! Keep an eye out for information on this fun and important event as we present the Hannah G. Solomon Award, fundraise for our important work and enjoy each other with food, drink and comradery.

HOW TO REACH US

Email us at info@ncjwlongbeach.org, call (657) 235-2511, or send mail to NCJW Greater Long Beach & West Orange County, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Please add this contact information to your contacts list.