The Sisterhood of Temple Israel of Natick is part of the New England Branch of the Women's League for Conservative Judaism. Our mission is to strengthen traditional Judaism by furthering the spiritual, material and social interests of Sisterhood and the Temple, advancing Jewish education in the congregational affiliated groups, emphasizing the Jewish religious practices of the home, and aiding charitable groups to promote a spirit of civic cooperation.
Sisterhood's calendar features many events. Sisterhood typically holds general meetings in September, October, January, March and April. General meetings are free and open to everyone. During November we host a Paid-Up Supper which is an evening of dinner and entertainment. It is free, and open only to those Sisterhood members who have paid their dues for that year. Donor Dinner is an annual favorite that is held in May. This fund-raising event, which is open to everyone, often includes boutiques, a catered meal, and entertainment.
Sisterhood proudly sponsors many Temple-wide events. Sisterhood provides a Kiddush each Shabbat when there is no other sponsor. We also provide Kiddush for Passover, Succot and Shavuot, as well as the break-fast for the first born prior to Passover. Sisterhood sponsors the Tu B'Shevat seder, and a congregational luncheon on Succot. Sisterhood also provides the Oneg at the Friday night service held on the first Friday of the month from October through May. Sisterhood Shabbat is also an annual favorite. Typically held during the winter, this Shabbat program features Sisterhood women participating in the service, a guest speaker, and a congregational luncheon.
Sisterhood also strengthens our Temple Israel community through its support of numerous aspects of synagogue life, and life-cycle events. For example, Sisterhood offers financial support to the Temple for operating expenses, youth programming, the Hakol, and babysitting on Shabbat. Sisterhood also offers scholarships to children of its members for USY on wheels and summer trips to Israel through an approved youth program that are at least four weeks in duration. We also present gifts to parents of new babies, and to youth becoming B'nai Mitzvot. Our extensive Leagram program enables members of our community to support each other by acknowledging simchas, and offering comfort during a time of illness or loss. Sisterhood has a Judaica shop at the Temple that offers a wide variety of Judaic products, including items for all of the holidays.
Sisterhood is also involved in numerous social action and community-based projects. Sisterhood prepares three dinners each year for the Open Door program, which provides meals to those in need in the community. Other social actions programs have included supporting our troops in Iraq, providing Chanukah presents to children in need, and collecting toiletries for local shelters. We also hold a rummage sale in November and May which is open to the community. The leftover clothing and items are given away to various charitable organizations for distribution. Sisterhood supports the Jewish Theological Seminary through its Torah Fund projects, and makes donations to a variety of charitable organizations.
| Officers | |
| President | Karen Block |
| VP Education | Sue Saber |
| VP Fellowship | Joanne Shulman |
| VP Ways and Means | Deborah Brun |
| VP Administration | |
| Treasurer | Ellen Miller |
| Financial Secretary | Ann Daitch |
| Corresponding Secretary | Rochelle Lerner |
| Recording Secretary | Irene Perlmutter |
| Administration | |
| Budget & Auditing | Margie Golden |
| Membership | Laurie Gorelick |
| Nominating | Gail Gilvarg, Chair |
| Maxine Rogers | |
| Sue Linden | |
| Parliamentarian | Harriet Merkowitz |
| Publicity | Elena Berelowitz |
| Education | |
| Adult Education | Frieda Shear |
| Israel Affairs | Fran Elovitz |
| Jewish Living | Kathy Burg |
| Programming | Ellen Harris |
| Ritual | Margie Matross |
| School | Debbie Feldman |
| Nursery School | Julie Barth |
| Sisterhood Shabbat | Robin Sparr Rothman |
| Social Action | Davida Dinerman |
| Torah Fund | Ruth Levy |
| Visual Techniques | Heather Margulis |
| Fellowship | |
| Good Cheer | Nancy Kaftan |
| Hospitality | Dalia Ron |
| House | Debby Iken |
| Oneg Shabbat | Lorraine Telegen |
| Kiddush | Randi Joress |
| Suzette Friedlander | |
| Special Events | Marilyn Goldberg |
| Ways and Means | |
| Donor Dinner | Sheryl Katzman |
| Judaica Shop | Alysia Stark |
| Holly Tursky | |
| Leagrams | Dee Unger |
For further information about Sisterhood, please contact either the Temple office at (508) 650-3521 or email us at sisterhood@tiofnatick.org