Women’s Association of the JSA holds annual meeting

Outgoing Co-President Marcia Gerstein passes the gavel to incoming President Bernice Weiner. /JSAWARWICK – After more than a decade at the helm of the Women’s Association of the Jewish Seniors Agency, Co-Presidents Sylvia Brown and Marcia Gerstein ushered the Women’s Association into a new era at the Association’s annual meeting on Nov. 16.  It was held at the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence and was attended by more than 40 members and guests.

During the business portion of the meeting, participants celebrated the accomplishments of Sylvia and Marcia, approved a revised set of bylaws, and elected a new slate of officers, new directors and a nominating committee.  JSA Executive Director Paul Barrette presented Sylvia and Marcia each with a Citizen Citation from Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, commending them for their “dedication and loyalty to the mission of the Women’s Association of the Jewish Seniors Agency of Rhode Island.” Rabbi Ethan Adler conducted an induction ceremony for the new officers and directors, after which outgoing Co-President Marcia Gerstein proudly passed the gavel to her daughter, incoming President Bernice Weiner.

The other newly elected officers and directors are:  Marilyn Smith (Vice President), Myrna Levine (Recording Secretary), Seena Dittelman (Director) and Jane Jacober (Director).  Marcia Gerstein will continue as Treasurer and Sylvia Brown will continue as Corresponding Secretary.  The newly elected nominating committee will be chaired by former president and permanent Director Estelle Klemer, and will include Marcia Gerstein, Jane Jacober, Marilyn Smith and Lila Winograd.

Following the drawing of the winners of this year’s raffle prizes, the meeting culminated in an afternoon of mah jongg, knitting, socializing and refreshments.

Last March, the Women’s Association hosted an evening of mah jongg, which drew close to 80 participants.  That event, which was co-chaired by Maybeth Lichaa, Roberta Schneider and Marilyn Smith, was so popular that the association is planning a series of smaller-scale mah jongg evenings in the coming months.

MYRNA LEVINE is the recording secretary of the Women’s Association.