Home Sweet Home jumpstarts Women’s Alliance Annual Campaign

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Barbara Sheer, left, and Marilyn Katz enjoyed the program. /Brian SullivanTwo dozen women gathered at the home of Mitzi Berkelhammer on Sept.12 for a “special edition” Lion of Judah Home Sweet Home event to hear about programs sponsored by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and to make their commitment to the Annual Campaign. “This is such a wonderful way to jumpstart the campaign and create momentum,” said Berkelhammer, who chairs the Lion of Judah program at the Alliance (for women who donate more than $5,000 annually). The women raised $120,000 in a few short hours; these donations will help feed the hungry, assist the elderly and engage families in the Jewish community.

Michelle Cicchitelli, Director of Jewish Life at the Alliance, spoke about the impact of the programs the Alliance delivers. She noted that through Shalom Rhode Island/Community Concierge, Jewish Volunteer Connection, Shalom Baby and Mothers Circle, the Alliance has connected with people in more than 180 zip codes and has sent books to more than 1,300 children in the past five years. She said, “We have welcomed more than 100 new families and more than 300 new babies to Rhode Island. We have helped mothers learn how to raise Jewish children and have aided in the formation of relationships between people and Jewish tradition and culture. Even if these services haven’t touched you directly, they might have played a role in the life of your child, grandchild, neighbor or colleague.”

Linda Miller and Claire Perlman, participants on the Alliance Cuba Mission in April, recounted the highlights of the trip. They spoke about the poverty in Cuba and the meager rations supplied by the government. Miller noted, “The Jewish community is greatly assisted by missions that visit on a weekly basis and have created their own pharmacy funded by tourists.” In addition, donors are supporting a program to buy milk for kids and ensure that the Jewish community receives extra food and supplies. Perlman educated the group about the history of Cuba and added “most of the services for the Jewish community are organized by The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which also brings a rabbi once a month from Argentina to conduct Jewish ceremonies, such as weddings, b’rit milah ceremonies and burials.” In addition, the JDC funds a young married couple living in Cuba who serve as community organizers. The JDC is funded by Federations across the U.S., including the Jewish Alliance. Both speakers emphasized the pride they felt to be able to help the Cuban delegation participate in the Maccabiah games in Israel this summer.

Berkelhammer poignantly reminded the women in attendance that “the Lion of Judah is a symbol of strength and majesty in the Jewish world and a reminder that each woman can make a significant contribution to the Jewish community.”

For more information: contact Trine Lustig, Senior Development Officer at the Jewish Alliance at tlustig@jewishallianceri.org or 421-4111 ext. 223.