Happening
Where to go for what if you're Jewish and Female
ACCESS THESE ARCHIVES
A resource center for New York women, opened in 1992, assists women and organizations that serve them with information, networking, a Hbrary, files of women-owned businesses, and a monthly calendar of women-related events. General membership, $35;patrons, $100. The Women’s Resource Center of New York, Inc. 2315 Broadway, #306. New York, NY 10024 . (212)875-8533.
The Dance Library of Israel is the largest in the world after New York’s Lincoln Center. Founded in 1975, it houses a catalogued collection of books, slides, recordings of classical and ethnic dance on film and videotape, photographs, and dance memorabilia, and is a resource for dancers, teachers. dance therapists, choreographers, musicians and historians. Visit: Dance Library of Israel, 26 Bialik St. 65241, Tel Aviv, ISRAEL. (03)658106. Contribute: The International Committee for the Dance Library of Israel, 890 Broadway, #7A, New York, NY 10003. (212)475-1883.
BODY/POLITIC
Women’s Health Matters is a campaign by the American Social Health Association dedicated to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, which are contracted by 12 million Americans each year. A free brochure, “How to Talk to Your Doctor About Sexual Health” is available from (800)972-8500. Hotlines also operated by ASHA for AIDS, (800)342-2437; TDD Service for the Deaf (800)243-7889; STD Hotline (800)227-8922; National Herpes Hotline (919)361-8488.
Resources to help cope with illness and death: For Families of the Jewish Terminally III; At Bedside: Insights into Visiting the Sick and The Jewish Orphaned Adult, (each booklet $3.00). On audiocassette is Strategies for Jewish Care: Insights into the Care of the Seriously III and Their Families ($18.00 for a 2-tape package), and a free leaflet is How to Console. All available from National Institute For Jewish Hospice, Publications Dept., 247 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #21, Palm Springs, CA 92262. A nationwide telephone counseling help and refeiral service of the NIJH 1-800-446-4448.
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is the new name of the former Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights. Its mission has expanded to promote dialogue in congregations, and to encourage individuals to advocate— as religious people—for comprehensive reproductive health care. Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, 100 Maryland Ave., NE#307, Washington, DC 20002-5625. (202)543-7032, FAX (202) 543-7820.
PEACE WORK
The Abraham Fund provides grants to many of the more than 300 organizations in Israel that work for Jewish/Arab coexistence. An example: a leadership training program for Jewish and Arab women health professionals to enable them to advocate together for change in the Israeli health-care system. A free videotape highlights projects supported by the fund. which was founded in 1989 by Alan B. Slifka and Eugene Weiner. Tax deductible contributions to Abraham Fund, 477 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10126-1570. (800)301-FUND..
Funds to assist in relief efforts in the former Yugoslavia are being collected by American Jewish World Service-Bosnia Relief Fund, 15 West 26th St, New York, NY 10010. (212)683-1161.
BE AN ANGEL
A documentary exploring the lives of women rabbis “Shekhina, the Feminist Essence of God” by filmmaker Leslie Krongold, requires funding for completion. Featuring Einat Ramon, an Israeli based in Berkeley, CA, performing the first Bat Mitzvah in St. Petersburg; Margaret Holub, working with the homeless in Los Angeles and leading a rural community in Northern California; Linda Holtzman of Philadelphia, the first woman rabbi to have her own congregation, performing a newborn girl naming ceremony; Shoni Labowitz, from a family of Orthodox rabbis, leading a weekend experience in mystical Judaism in South Florida; and other rabbis at a Women’s Rabbinical Network retreat. Hold a benefit screening of a rough cut of the film at your home or office; groups raising $200 or more will be listed in the credits; tax deductible contributions to Film Arts Foundation/Shekhina Project; or purchase the documentary on completion. Shekhinah, 726 37th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121. (415)666-3075.
Why women choose Orthodox Judaism is explored in “Baalot Teshuva: The Return of Sarah’s Daughters” by filmmaker Marcia Jarmel, who is seeking funds to match a grant from the California Humanities Council. Tax deductible contributions to the Film Arts Foundation/Baalot Teshuva. Marcia Jarmel, 735 11 Avenue #3, San Francisco CA 94118. (415)387-5912.
YOUR TALENT NEEDED
Call to artists: for a juried show “Jewish Visions by Women Artists” to be exhibited at UJA Federation in New York City in the Fall of 1994, in honor of LILITH Magazine’si 8th anniversary, send an SASE for specifications to Jewish Women’s Art Exhibit, UJA Federation, 130 E. 59th St., #447, New York, NY 10022.
Experts from North America interested in meeting with colleagues in Israel—in fields such as civil rights, domestic violence, rape counseling, bilingual education, TESL, community organization, fundraising, media—are invited to contact a technical assistance project helping Israeli nonprofit organizations working for social change. Brenda Needle, Coordinator of Volunteers, Shatil, 9 Yad Harutzim St., 93420 Jerusalem, Israel. 972-2- 723597, FAX 972-2-735149.
THE ARTS
The ideal woman, according to the acrostic from Proverbs is interpreted by 32 contemporary artists from the USA and Israel in the Yeshiva University Museum exhibit Aishet Hayil, A Woman of Valor, on display through June 1994. Yeshiva University Museum, 2520 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10033. (212)960- 5390.
Truth tellers: Jewish Women in Jewish Song are celebrated by Laura Wetzler in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino and English, with guitar and Yemenite drum accompaniment. Songs of garment workers, teachers, lovers, resistance fighters, the woman who hates to cook, the Jewish matriarch, and lullabies. Nervy Girl Productions, 557 Union St. #2, Brooklyn, NY 11215. (718)596-5725.
The American Society for the Cameri Theatre supports Israel’s landmark repertory company, which produces classics and contemporary Israeli dramas. In a field dominated by men, the Cameri has produced several plays by women (Shulamit Lapid, Ruby Shoval Porat—see LILITH Fall 1993-and soon Savion Librecht) and plays dealing with women’s issues. Simultaneous English and Russian translation at selected showings. The company often tours outside Israel. Aaron Ziegelman, American Society for the Cameri Theatre, 15 E. 26 St. #1915, New York, NY 10010. (212)468-2773..
EDUCATION
Custom Made Education Packets on Jewish feminist issues: LILITH will create packets of back issues of the magazine on a theme of your choosing which we are happy to offer at a reduced price to participants/students in your college course, adult education class, women’s group. Some suggested topics might be: women in the Holocaust and Resistance movement; new women’s rituals & celebrations; health as a feminist issue; Jewish women in the arts, including fiction & poetry; women in Israel; women in the Jewish family. LILITH, 250 West 57th St., New York, NY 10107.
Jewish student groups on college campuses can apply for grants for publications, social actions projects, feminist retreats, and political education. Priority is given to innovative programs, demonstration projects, outreach efforts and activities serving a wide constituency. Groups may apply—at least two months prior to need—for amounts up to $500. Brenda Gevirtz, North American Jewish Students Appeal, 165 Pidgeon Hill Rd., Huntington Station, NY 11746-4511. (516)385-8771, FAX (516)385-8772.
Families learn together during the summer at Ulpan Akiva, where students include Israelis, tourists, temporary residents, new immigrants, Jews and non- Jews, civil servants, teachers on sabbatical, and students of all ages. Parents and teenagers learn Hebrew or Arabic, five hours a day, while younger children join a nearby day camp. Ulpan Akiva, P.O.B. 6086, 42160 Netanya, Israel. 972-53- 352312, FAX 972-53-652919.
Women on Campus, a quarterly newsletter, addresses campus climate, the academic workplace, women in the curriculum, student life, sexual harassment and assault, gender issues, women’s colleges, women’s leadership, and includes job openings, conferences, publications, workshops, and fellowships. Subscriptions $20 per year. The National Association of Women in Education, 1325 18th St. NW, #210, Washington DC 20036-6511. (202)659-9330.
Awards for Women’s Research relevant to the education and personal and professional development of women and girls will be given—a $750 honorarium each—to a graduate student and to a person at any career/professional level. Research may be historical, philosophical, experimental, evaluative or descriptive. National Association of Women in Education., Women’s Awards Committee, Mary E. Abrams Jefferson Community College SW, 1000 Community College Dr., Louisville, KY 40272. (502)935-9840.
New Generations, an initiative of the New Israel Fund, educates progressive Jews in their 20’s and 30’s about social justice issues in Israel and hopes to cultivate future leaders and donors. Local commitees develop programs of study and discussion groups, community events, outreach to synagogues and havurot, and special fundraising projects. Minimum annual (tax deductible) contribution $36.00; $18.00 for students. Send in names of others you think might be interested. Contact: in Boston, Andrea Hodas (617)969-2056; in New York, Marci Resnicoff (212)302–0066; in Washington, DC, Susan Bandler (202)223-3333 or New Israel Fund/New Generations, 1101 15th St., NW. #304, Washington DC 20005.
The Melton Catalog, published annually, offers materials suitable for familes and useful for individuals teaching their children in small towns with no local Jewish school. Melton Research Center for Jewish Education,3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027. (212)678-8031.