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At Congregation Beth Israel, WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood’s mission is to bring women together to support and benefit Congregation Beth Israel and the community by providing opportunities for friendship, service, spiritual growth, and learning.
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood is a warm community of all who identify as women as well as those who identify as transgender, gender-queer, non-conforming, or non-binary.
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Mahjong Meetup
Wednesday, December 4, 6:30 PM
In-Person ONLY
Shirley and Herbert Semler Board Room
Join us for a fun evening of games and greetings. It does not matter what your experience level with mahjong is you are welcome to join us; please RSVP.
Need your 2025 Mah Jongg card?
If you’d like to support Jewish Family and Child Service, here’s all you have to do.
standard size cards are $14.00.
large size cards are $15.00.
Mail a check made out to Rosanne Levi with your order by Friday, January 24; reach out to the CBI Office for her address. Want to pay via PayPal or Zelle? Let us know and we can help you do so.
WRJ Pacific District Virtual Chanukah Party
Wednesday, December 4, 7:00 PM
Online ONLY
Click to RSVP
Join the Women of Reform Judaism Pacific District for a virtual Chanukah party for songs and a show-and-tell menorah schmooze! PD President Carol Schuster will lead a singalong, and Evelyn Bell will demonstrate fun craft and candy demonstrations.
Chanukah Gift Wrap Sale
Sunday, December 8, 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM
In-Person ONLY
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Gift Shop
Our gift shop is stocked with wonderful gifts—and we have a sale coming just in time for Chanukah! Get 20% off all paper products including wrapping and tissue paper, gift bags, bows, napkins, paper plates and more.
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Board Meeting
Thursday, December 12
6:30 PM (Meeting)
Online ONLY
Join via Zoom
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Meetup
Monday, December 16, 10:30 AM
In-Person ONLY
Hostel Café (1810 NW Glisan)
Please join us for coffee at The Hostel Café, 1810 NW Glisan Avenue, Portland, Oregon to visit and connect. Just buy yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy each other’s company. All are welcome
Chanukah/White Elephant Party
Thursday, December 19, 7:00 P.M.
Goodman Hall
Join us for the annual Chanukah & White Elephant Party on Thursday, December 19!
The Sisterhood White Elephant gift exchange is almost here! Look for an invitation in your inbox soon, and start thinking of what item you’ll bring as a gift (or re-gift!) with a suggested value of $15-20.
We’ll also be collecting donations of winter accessories for Transition Projects, along with joining a volunteer opportunity at Transition Projects the following day.
Don’t forget to bring your clothing donations for the Naked Lady Party !
Volunteering at Transitions Projects
Friday, December 20, 10:00 AM
In-Person ONLY
Transitions Projects
Joining us for the Chanukah Party? Bring winter accessories to donate to Transition Projects such as warm hats, gloves, mittens, scarves. The following day, December 20, we have a volunteer opportunity at Transition Projects to sort donations from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMgnXEqs-Fqzf2_hUM2gipxBRhDh-ZQXA1lqruNW845TLpsw/viewform
Naked Lady Clothing Exchange
Sunday January 5, 2025, 9:30 AM
In-Person ONLY
Blumaur Auditorium Balcony
We can’t wait for this year’s Naked Lady party!
Women’s clothes, shoes, jewelry and more available for $5 each. Boutique table with specialty items $10 – $20 each.
Donate a bag of gently used clothes and get a raffle ticket for one item from the boutique table. Label your bag and drop off by December 24.
There is a barrel for donations in the foyer of Schnitzer Family Center.
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood January Membership Schmooze
Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 PM
In-Person ONLY
Private Home; RSVP for address
The next Schmooze, our gathering for new members to CBI and/or Sisterhood, will take place at a private home in northeast Portland at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday January 22, 2025.
The Sisterhood Gift Shop has great gifts for weddings, Shabbat, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and more: Kiddush cups, jewelry, books, candles, and other Judaica. Profits go to the Religious School. Gift shop hours are Sunday, 9:15 AM. – 12:15 PM.
A limited selection is available in the CBI Main office; please call 503-222-1069 to arrange a visit.
If you are a new Sisterhood member, let the staff know so you can get a one-time 10% discount on your purchase. Contact Bonnie Barg for any questions.
Sisterhood Board Meetings
All are welcome to join us for our monthly board meetings and quarterly gatherings, which are listed below. You can also always find the full schedule of CBI events at www.bethisrael-pdx.org/joinus.
Thursday, November 14, 6:00 PM schmooze, 6:30 PM meeting
Thursday, December 12, 6:00 PM schmooze, 6:30 PM meeting
Want to be up-to-the-minute with all things Sisterhood? Read on, or click one of the buttons below.
Sisterhood Leadership
Immediate Past President – Susan Berniker
President – Ellen Zellinger
Vice President – Nadine Block
Treasurer- Julie Stone
Recording Secretary – Rita Effros
Corresponding Secretary – Michael Richman
Membership Co-Chairs – Elaine Berman and Rhonda Daniels
Fundraising Co-Chairs – Michelle Shari Kruss and Melissa Himmelman
Programming Co-Chairs- Reilly Kwaitkovsky and Debbie Geller
Emertia -Ellen Bick
Gift Shop – Bonnie Barg
GS Bookkeeper – Judy Stone
Social Action Co-Chairs – Lara Guroff andJennifer Pesetsky
Religious Liaison – Sally Swire
Outreach to Robison – Virginia Gitter
Volunteer Coordinator – Debbie Braymer
Communication/Newsletter – Rose Marshall
Social Media – Kate Royston
College Outreach Co-Chairs – Leslie Berman andLeslie Geller
Rosh Hashanah Sweets Table -Davina Doby andSue Gordon
Community Seder Co-Chairs -Virginia Gitter, Rhonda Daniels and Kristen Siemon
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