Board Meetings

From now on, we're opening our Board meetings to every member As a general rule, we'll be holding these monthly Open Board Meetings-with a different spotlighted topic each month-on the third Monday of the month, unless there's a conflict. Board meetings generally begin at 7:15 p.m., and we always have some refreshments on hand (an added incentive for you to come!). You'll get an insider's view of how our section works, how our section fits into the National NCJW structure, and how you can make a difference in our community and our world through NCJW. For the most part, we meet in members' homes, but sometimes we venture out to more public venues, like the Randolph Public Library, where we held our August Board meeting. As a new part of our Board meetings, we'll focus on one aspect of NCJW each month, offering everyone valuable training in what NCJW is all about and how to make the most of your NCJW membership. For instance, at the September Board meeting, we'll report on NCJW's response to the crisis in Israel and what we can do to help. In October, we'll spotlight NCJW's efforts to restructure the organization in light of contemporary fiscal realities, and how that will affect our section. November's training topic (still somewhat tentative, depending on what's happening here and in Israel) is a look at the National NCJW website and how to use the site to advocate for issues of concern to all of us. You'll learn something interesting each time, get to know everyone on the Board, and find your niche within the group. This is a great opportunity, especially for those of you who work during the day and are looking for something meaningful to do in the evening, those new to the area and interested in making friends, and those who want to find out more about what NCJW is all about, in the company of some really wonderful women!

Partners for Parks

For ten years, Partners for Parks has been caring for the public outdoor spaces in Morris County. Our Section helped to spruce up the gardens at Macculloch Hall and rebuild a "zigzag" fence in Jockey Hollow as part of this program. On May 18, the Morris Land Conservancy recognized all the organizations that have participated in the Partners for Parks program by having a huge reception, attended by over 200 people. This, however, was just a fraction of the 5,200 people who have given their time volunteering. We were very proud to see photos of so many of our Section members displayed at the reception, pulling weeds, clipping vines, and lugging logs. If you are interested in participating in a Partners for Parks project, please call (888) 895-3059.

Silent Witness Grant

Terrific news! Our member who coordinates our Silent Witness exhibit honoring women who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence, has received a $300 grant from College of St. Elizabeth, earmarked for the maintenance of the poignant exhibit.

Cultural Enrichment & Fun

What a lovely day we had at the Montclair Art Museum, an excursion arranged by our co–vice president of fund-raising. We had a docent-led tour of the museum’s collection from the 18th century through contemporary works, including a fascinating look at Native American art and artifacts and African-American art. Then we enjoyed a taste of the Mediterranean at Lalezar, a Turkish restaurant across the street. Several of our members participated in this cultural and culinary adventure.

Run for Rachel

NCJW West Morris is once again handling the Food Tent at the Run for Rachel on Sunday, April 13th, at the Livingston Oval, and we’re looking for volunteers. The Run for Rachel is the major fund-raiser of the Rachel Coalition, the MetroWest community’s response to domestic violence. We need volunteers to help set up the tent and distribute the food to the runners following the running and walking races. Please contact us to sign up as a volunteer for this worthwhile endeavor.

2008 Personal Giving Campaign

Each year at this time we write to you to ask for your personal support for the community service projects sponsored by our section. Your generosity helps NCJW West Morris to make a meaningful and significant contribution to our local community as well as to communities in other parts of the United States and in Israel through many activities. NCJW West Morris is very active and has many commitments for community service projects. We hope that you will generously support this work with your personal gift.

We also want you to know that our section is always open to new ideas. Many of our projects started with a member who saw a need and brought it to our attention, and we hope that you will feel free to do the same.

Our goal for this year's Personal Giving Campaign is $7,500 and every gift is important. Please give as generously as you can to help NCJW West Morris to make a difference, for so many individuals, in so many places, in so many ways. Every member of our section will receive a letter from the chair of our Personal Giving Campaign. Please take the time to fill out the return form and send it back with your check.Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.

In appreciation of your generosity, we would like to invite you to attend a talk on Spring Planting on May 4th, 10am at one of NCJW's own members

Women's Fund of New Jersey Gala a Huge Success ers

On November 10th at the Palace in Somerset, the Women's Fund honored the women in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate, and celebrated the election of Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg to the District 37 Senate seat for (Bergen County) and the election of Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (Dist. 15-Mercer County) as Majority Leader in the Assembly. The Gala was also treated to a visit from Governor-elect Jon Corzine, whose support for the issues and causes of women in New Jersey is well known. The NCJW sections participating in the Gala were West Morris, Bergen County, Clearbrook and Concordia, all of whom sent volunteers and goods for the silent auction. West Morris had 3 volunteers in attendance.

Marrow Donor Drive in Whippany: An Outpouring of Help

In a tremendous outpouring of support, more than 230 people signed up as prospective marrow donors last month at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany. The drive was held to try to find a matching marrow donor for Cedar Knolls father Paul Baran. Our Section helped offset the cost of marrow typing for the drive, as did Marrow Power, the nonprofit organization founded and headed by Lee March Grayson, and the Junior League of Morristown. Volunteers at the drive included Meghan Keenan, her sister Brittany and Brittany’s friend Megan Tallman, and Meghan and Brittany’s mom Maureen—plus West Morris members and supporters Diana Grayson, Stella Hart Grayson, Lee Grayson, Robert Grayson and Leonard Grayson. Our West Morris Section participated in a massive community effort several years ago to find a matching marrow donor for Meghan Keenan, now 11 years old, who had leukemia. Like Lee Grayson, Meghan found a matching marrow donor through a drive like the ones we’ve been supporting. Other volunteers included Pat Dwyre, Demaris Gurowsky and Meg Wiviott. Our Section cosponsored drives for Demaris’ husband Philip and Meg’s sister Julia Ward. We should all feel proud of our role in this lifesaving endeavor!

Stella Hart Grayson, Marrow Donor Project Chair

Feelie Hearts Comfort Katrina Victims

For years, our small, soft, stuffed, hand-sewn fleece hearts, known as feelie hearts, have been comforting grieving children here and in Israel. Two more batches have gone Down South in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Jeffrey Spector, a child psychologist, closed his practice for three weeks and traveled to New Orleans to offer free counseling to young children in crisis as a result of losing their home, their possessions, a beloved pet, or in some cases a relative when Hurricane Katrina unleashed her fury on the now-decimated city. Dr. Spector, who heard about our hearts from an NCJW West Morris member, took along with him a batch of the handmade hearts to give to each child he was counseling. He was delighted to bring these small tokens to the children. Another batch of our feelie hearts went to Bridges: A Center for Grieving Children in Tacoma, WA, the organization that started the Feelie Hearts program. Bridges sent this batch down to the Gulf Coast as well through organizations they work with. To make hearts yourself, call (888) 895-3059. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has helped make this such a successful project!