Tools for Sisterhood → Sisterhood Sharing → Kol Hadash Awards #8594; Women of Valor
Women of Valor Awards 2010-2012
WHO CAN I FIND? FOR HER PRAISE IS ABOVE RUBIES.
Book of Proverbs 31
The following women were nominated by their sisterhoods for their outstanding dedication to sisterhood, temple and community. Although never seeking praise or the spotlight, these dedicated women are our Women of Valor!
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Pamela J. Carlton - Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island, NY
Pam has always been there, not only to help sisterhood, but also to help in the day-to-day running of the temple office. She offers her home for meetings and choir practice when the temple is not available. She stores rummage sale donations in her garage.
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Heather Cieply - Temple B'nai Israel, Southbury, CT
Heather began with us in 2006 on the original nominating committee and became treasurer. Her four years are up. However, we are reorganizing and Heather agreed to remain our treasurer as part of our Council of Leadership. She is one of our most valuable Executive Committee members. She keeps very fine records, by hand, and does not miss a beat. She attends all activities and takes care of income and expenses on the spot. Heather was recognized for her gifts to the school and synagogue several years ago with the Volunteer of the Year award. What is so remarkable is she has continued with her quiet work. Heather has been a very important arm of our sisterhood and is indeed a Woman of Valor.
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Carol Desforges - Sisterhood of Temple Beth El, Providence, R.I.
Carol has been devoted to sisterhood for many, many years. She is the one who reaches out and gets women involved. She steps forward to take on any job where there is a need, no matter how difficult. She has a very generous heart, giving to organizations and friends in need, whatever her own situation. This year, she is head of publicity and chairperson for the women's seder, as well as working on the donor event, and whatever other committee may come up. She also served as president for several years and is always available as a consultant on questions that arise. Carol is a dynamo and can do any job.
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Jean Messinger - Temple Beth Am Sisterhood, Williamsville, NY
Jean has been a tireless worker. She lends her artistic abilities not only to sisterhood, but also to our temple as a whole, to individual groups within temple- our religious school and various temple committees. These demands place a great burden on Jean, but uncomplaining, she always complies. She volunteers to work on sisterhood committees and attends all of our functions. She is always there for us, can always be counted on, and always comes through.
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Lois Packard - Beth El Temple Center, Belmont, MA
Lois has been recording secretary of our sisterhood for the past three years. She has also written, organized and led our sisterhood Shabbat services for the past four years. Lois is a very spiritual, talented sisterhood member and very dedicated to both sisterhood and temple. She volunteers for many activities whenever needed. She chants Torah, teaches Hebrew and also Jewish culture in our religious school, and has many talents to share.
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Sheila Plotkin - WRJ Sisterhood of Temple Am Echad, Lynbrook, New York
Sheila is always the first to step forward to chair any event or project. Nothing is too big or too small for her to undertake. She has chaired and hosted phone-a-thons for membership, chaired major fundraisers, and volunteers in the religious school office. When she is in charge of a dinner, not only is the food delicious and plentiful but the room always looks beautiful. Sheila knows that you always taste with your eyes first. At times of contention Sheila is a fair voice of reason and excels at calming the tension in the room. She is generous to a fault, donating her time and energy, as well as her dollars, to all that sisterhood does.
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Babs Putzel-Bischoff - Temple Concord Sisterhood, Binghamton, NY
Babs has been on the Board since 1978, doing publicity since 1979 and serving as director on the Executive Board since 1980. Babs works behind the scenes as a leader and recruiter of volunteers. She says, "It's much harder to say no to a person than to an email." Since 1992, she's organized the sisterhood sponsored Rosh Hashanah oneg and is the unofficial historian. Babs is irreplaceable. She makes sure things are done in a timely fashion. Babs is one hundred percent dependable. Her institutional memory is long, accurate, and invaluable. Babs has served as president for more than 20 years, without ever having the title. She inspires us and is our invisible leader. Babs received a Service to Sisterhood pin in 2009.
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Arlene Ruderman - Temple Judea, Manhasset, NY
Arlene has contributed to the growth of our WRJ. She brings her energy and leadership qualities to both WRJ and Temple Judea as chairperson of our sisterhood's membership and nominating committees. She attended more than ten conventions; she shared our sisterhood's creative programs and returned with innovative program ideas. She is an active participant in fundraising programs. As an Executive Board member, Arlene welcomes younger members and mentors them to become committee chairs. She co-chairs many annual WRJ events and edits WRJ information for the temple bulletin. She has been WRJ president twice and president of temple. Arlene continues to bring her tireless passion, time and vast experience to our sisterhood family. She does things in a quiet way, especially when we need to negotiate for the things that are important to the members and the temple.
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Cathy Sacks - Temple Beth Sholom, Flushing, NY
Cathy has served as president of her sisterhood and continues to work tirelessly on the Executive Board. She has been a WRJ delegate at conventions for her sisterhood and is registrar for this NE District Convention. Cathy epitomizes the best of Women of Reform Judaism, the sisterhood and congregation of Temple Beth Sholom. Her sisterhood is extremely proud of her dedication and commitment to Reform Judaism.
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Betty Weiner - Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA
Our board has selected Betty Weiner to be nominated as a Woman of Valor for her incredible dedication to sisterhood. After serving for two years as president, we are so fortunate that Betty continues to be extremely active, attending almost every board meeting, participating on many of our event committees, assisting our sisterhood in so many ways, and serving as a wonderful mentor. She has been a huge proponent of the WRJ YES Fund and is co-chairing an event this December, which will honor one of our rabbis, Michele Lenke, while raising much needed funds.
