Volunteer of the Month Archives

The Volunteer of the Month recognition is given to a volunteer who is a paid-up member in good standing who has demonstrated passion, long-standing service and commitment to our Section’s goals and values.

Ginny Wasserman: May 2017

Ginny grew up in the Bronx, earned her BA at City College, her MSW at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and was a doctoral candidate at Columbia University. She then worked as a psychotherapist and social worker in a number of community agencies and education and academic facilities. She retired in 2002 from Hackensack Medical Center after 20 plus years as a behavior health clinical supervisor and administrator.
After joining NCJW, she co-chaired the extremely interesting and highly successful Council Trips program for the past six years, participated in the human trafficking advocacy program, and served on program, study group and nominating committees.
Ginny and her pediatrician husband raised two daughters. Her two young grandchildren make her smile and keep her young, she says. She enjoys worldwide travel, the theatre and movies and is active in professional and community organizations.

Carla Silver: April 2017

National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section is pleased to announce that Carla Silver has been selected as its April 2017 Volunteer of the Month.
Carla grew up in the Bronx and Queens and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Business Education from Baruch College in New York. She worked as a business education teacher for 3 1/2 years before moving to Bergenfield with her husband and daughter 41 years ago. She has two other children and was a stay-at-home mom for 14 years, devoting her energies to bringing up her children and volunteering for B’nai Brith Women, Temple Emeth and the Bergenfield PTAs.
Carla returned to the work force in 1995 and continued to work as an office manager in two different synagogues. She joined NCJW in 2012 and became a life member the next year. She has volunteered weekly at the Council Thrift Shop and at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh Gift Shop and continues to work as needed in other areas.
NCJW is delighted to recognize Carla Silver’s many contributions to bettering the lives of children with this month’s Volunteer of the Month award.

Ellen Ptalis: November 2016

Ellen has devoted her professional life to educating children. After earning bachelor and master’s degrees from NYU and the University of Pennsylvania, she taught in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn. She and her husband then moved to Glen Rock, where they had two daughters and subsequently relocated in Hackensack.
Ellen returned to teaching, this time in the Bronx, and finding the commute onerous, became a mentor at Montclair University, from which she recently retired. Since then, she has devoted herself to volunteering for NCJW at the Center for Food Action, the Council Thrift Shop and HIPPY, and is co-chair of the Holley Center program (Club NCJW). She also helps with mailings and participates in a NCJW book group.

Ava Silverstein: October 2016

Ava was given the October Volunteer of the Month Award in recognition of her work for the past six years as physical therapist at the weekly Multiple Sclerosis Swim-In program run jointly by NCJW and the MS Society. This program could not functioned without her. Ava grew up in New Rochelle, NY, and she and her husband moved to Woodcliff Lake 28 years ago to raise their family of two daughters. After earning her degree in occupational therapy at SUNY in Buffalo, Ava worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She subsequently earned a master’s degree in physical therapy at Columbia University and went on to work at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York. She first met Ruth Cowan when she volunteered at the NCJW’s After Breast Cancer Surgery program and continued with her as a volunteer at MS Swim-In. Ava was president of NCJW Mid-Bergen Section for two years and co-president for another year. She has also been involved with Jewish Federation of Northern NJ and the Melanoma Research Foundation of which her husband is president. In her spare time, Ava loves traveling, biking, painting, needlepoint and gardening and is presently studying at an Ulpan to learn conversational Hebrew.

Evelyn Masheb: September 2016

Evelyn Masheb, National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section’s September Volunteer of the Month, was a retired early childhood school teacher, reading specialist and staff developer looking for a way to keep busy after retirement. Then she found NCJW BCS, and the rest is history. Evelyn volunteers at the Children’s Court Care Center at the Bergen County Courthouse, organizes activities for children at the Holley Center, and handles countless mailings of NCJW bulletins, newsletters, etc. at her home with a cadre of volunteers. She also helps out at HIPPY programs when needed. Evelyn is the mother of a daughter and a son and has four grandchildren. We are delighted to recognize Evelyn Masheb’s numerous and enthusiastic contributions to bettering the lives of children with this month’s Volunteer of the Month award.

Aida Melamed: May 2016

Aida was born in Cuba after her parents emigrated from Russia and spoke only Yiddish until she went to school. She was always interested in numbers and helped her father in his business while she was in high school. After earning her degree in accounting from the University of Havana, she worked as an accountant and then ran two stores with her husband. Aida married in 1960 and immigrated to the United States, settling first in Brooklyn and then in Fair Lawn. She joined the Jersey Hills Section of NCJW in 1974 and served as its president for several years. When Aida moved to Fort Lee, she became active in the Bergen County Section and quickly assumed the role of Treasurer of the Thrift Shop, a job at which she works very energetically and efficiently, saving the section money by carefully scrutinizing every bill. She is an invaluable volunteer.

Ruth Wolf: April 2016

Ruth is being honored for her many years of volunteering at the Council Thrift Shop. She was born in Germany and left in 1933 when her family emigrated to Israel, where she lived for 25 years. While there, she served in the Israeli Army. After coming to the United States, she married and had three sons, including a pair of twins, and has three grandchildren. She has lived in Dumont since 1964. Ruth had a varied and interesting work experience through the years, including sales at Macy’s for five years, 12 years at Scholastic Magazine where she assisted in choosing books for schools all over country and 21 years at Cablevision, servicing cable boxes! She is a valuable Thrift Shop volunteer who brings her experience and her charm to her job there.

Sylvia Silver: March 2016

For over fifteen years, Sylvia Silver has been a faithful and valued volunteer at the Council Thrift Shop. She came to NCJW after 26 years of teaching art in elementary schools in New York City. Born in the Bronx, Sylvia earned her bachelor’s degree at Hunter College and a master’s degree at City College and Columbia University. She is widowed and the mother of three children and grandmother to four.
When interviewed, Sylvia noted that she always looks forward to coming to the shop and that in addition to her volunteering, she is “its best customer” since she always finds a treasure or two to take home. The Council Thrift Shop just wouldn’t be the same without her.

Michael Silverstein: November 2015

Michael’s first project was hanging T-shirts for the Clothesline Project for the Rape Crisis Center, part of NCJW StoP (Strategies to Prevent Domestic Violence) program. He was very much in demand because, being a sailor, Michael could tie the ropes so the clothesline didn’t sag to the ground.
When he retired almost 17 years ago as a full-time professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, his wife Ina volunteered Michael for NCJW’s Swim-In program, thinking it would be good exercise. He was thoroughly taken with the community of MS clients and volunteers, working as co-chair of the Swim-In board with Ruth Cowan for many years. After Ruth relocated to Dallas, Michael remained in that position, as it became a priority in his life.
Michael volunteers at Family Promise of Bergen County Walk-In Center, feeding the homeless with NCJW. In addition, he has picked up bread on Sunday nights at a local bakery, delivering it to Center for Food Action on Monday morning. When the section established the Waiting Room (for victims of domestic violence at the Bergen County Courthouse) which not so coincidentally was co-chaired by Ina, Michael made himself useful hanging artwork and installing the donated television set.
Michael, November 2015 Volunteer of the Month and NCJW Life Member, is a jack-of-all-trades and a wonderful NCJW BCS volunteer.

Anna Burris: October 2015

Anna Burris, a longtime member of NCJW Bergen County Section, began her work at the section by immediately becoming Corresponding Secretary. She served as Vice President of every department, except Fund Raising, has sat on various committees, and continues to volunteer at the Adler Aphasia Center and the Children’s Court Care Center at the Bergen County Courthouse. She is always available to help out Vice Presidents and has proven herself to be invaluable in many ways over the years.

Ruth Kornheiser: September 2015

Ruth is being honored as this month’s Volunteer of the Month because of her continued dedication to the work of NCJW.
For over 20 years, Ruth has volunteered at the Multiple Sclerosis/NJCW Swim-In, helping handicapped adults enjoy the benefits of the program by assisting in the dressing room and in the pool.
Ruth served on the Board of Trustees for many years in a variety of areas: as a Vice President for membership and for fund-raising and as a member of many committees. She also volunteered at the Children’s Court Care Center at the Bergen County Courthouse, at HIPPY, and at the Council Thrift Shop.
Ruth truly fits the criteria of this award as a volunteer who is a paid-up member in good standing and who has demon-strated passion, long-standing service and commitment to our Section’s goals and values.
Ruth truly fits the criteria of this award as a volunteer who is a paid-up member in good standing and who has demon-strated passion, long-standing service and commitment to our Section’s goals and values.

Abby Reff: May 2015

I am honored to be the first man selected to be a “Volunteer” of the Month by NCJW BCS. In 1996, when my wife, Roxanne, became an active member in NCJW, I started to assist in her volunteer efforts. I became a member of NCJW in September 2006, following my retirement from full-time employment. In the early years, 1996 – 2006, my activities included picking up bread and other baked goods from a local bakery and delivering them to the shelter in Hackensack or to the Senior Citizen housing project in Fort Lee multiple times a week. I also assisted in the Clothesline Project and of course attended many fund raising functions related to YCS (Casino Night) and CFA (Wine and Chocolate function) to name a few. In late 2006 I became a full volunteer and Board Member of the MS Swim-In program which is tremendously rewarding.
Also, I am involved in the Family Promise Walk-In Center, buying food, bringing it to the center and assisting in the feeding of the hungry. I man the warming ovens and insure that the serving trays are full. With respect to the Holley Birthday Cake project, we have purchased cakes and delivered them to the children’s center to insure that a child’s birthday is something to be celebrated and not forgotten. For the past several years I have assisted in serving at the Chanukah party at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh and most recently donated time to wrap holiday gifts in the Paramus Mall for the benefit of Center for Hope & Safety.

Jane Moser: April 2015

I moved into Teaneck in 1959. When my kids went off to school, I felt I wanted to volunteer in something related to nursing, as I was an RN. When I got in touch with Ruth Cowan, she told me about a Breast Cancer group that met in the mornings at the Washington Township Y. Ruth was instrumental in starting the NCJW Swim-In group almost 40 years ago, which met at the Teaneck Jewish Center. I eagerly volunteered there and many more venues before we found our home at the JCC on the Palisades. I have attended almost every Wednesday since the group’s existence. While I initially worked one-on -one with the clients in the pool, helping MS and other handicapped swimmers, I now find myself in the locker room, helping the wheel-chair bound getting ready for the swimming sessions and then later on extend assistance when they finish their sessions.
Swim-in has been my passion with NCJW BCS for almost half my life. I get lots of satisfaction from volunteering with this group. I give such a small amount of attention and assistance to people who are super-appreciative and am rewarded ten times over for my efforts. What could be better?

Alice Kanrich: March 2015

I grew up on Long Island and graduated from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA with a major in English. After six weeks learning Speedwriting I was hired by Mademoiselle Magazine as general secretary and soon promoted to Editorial Assistant to the Press Editor. What a fabulous and fun place to work for two years as a young college grad. I met and married Ken Kanrich and have two sons, Jeff and Andy. We lived in Louisville, KY for two years, then moved to Teaneck where I joined NCJW in the late 60’s. I completed my Elementary Education Certification at William Paterson and taught Special Ed in Teaneck for a short time.
I became active in NCJW Evening Branch and for several years worked on and then chaired the Art Show which was held at Fairleigh Dickinson over Thanksgiving weekend. After retiring from work, I was involved with Solos from 2008 thru 2011, as well as co-chairing Study Groups. I am currently chairing mailings with Evelyn Masheb.
My major career was in travel for many years, where I worked for World Travel in New York City in their Leisure Dept. I have been very fortunate to have traveled to many parts of the world, including five continents—my favorite and most unusual trip was heli-hiking in the Pacific Northwest.
I consider it a privilege to volunteer for many of NCJW’s worthy causes, making special friends along the way.

Judy Myers: January 2015

I have been a member of NCJW BCS for more than 25 years. It seems like yesterday that I moved into Horizon House and was introduced to Roz Suchow. She spoke so highly of NCJW and convinced me to join. Soon afterwards she invited me to go with her to Council Thrift Shop and we spent many wonderful days in Teaneck. It was always fun and rewarding working with customers and helping them when needed.
Since I spent many years working in a boutique in Fort Lee, the Shop was a “perfect fit” for me. Now in Bergenfield, it’s also been a great experience and I enjoy my Monday routine. Working with different people is certainly rewarding but just knowing Estelle (Greene) is around is a pleasure for me.

Grace Fuld: November 2014

My friend Nan Matlick called and invited me to a NCJW general meeting about 8 years ago.
I was so inspired by the work she and her colleagues were doing for the section, I immediately joined and signed up to volunteer for community services. Over the years I have helped children at HIPPY and Holley Center and seniors at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, as well as working in their gift shop. I have been on many committees, including organizing Solos events for two years, and Co-chairing the Membership Luncheon with Ruth Dinkes for several years.
I am currently co-chairing the Scholarship committee. A few years ago, we had six girls who qualified but only enough to budget for five students. I donated $1000 for the sixth girl to also receive our scholarship. I have continued to donate $1000 every year to supplement the Section’s budget for female Jewish public high school graduates. Not only is it a worthy cause but I get an amazing feeling of satisfaction helping to further the education of a deserving student.
Every year I spend my winters in Florida. This upcoming February I will host a luncheon for our NCJW BCS members in my home. Hope to see as many of you as possible!

Susan Laskin: October 2014

I joined NCJW as a young mother 30 years ago. I became involved in the original Mid-Bergen Section with my friends and neighbors and became Vice President of Programming for a number of years. In1995 I joined NCJW’s ABCs program (After Breast Cancer Surgery). I became President of that organization for 10 years, helping many women recover emotionally and physically from a breast cancer diagnosis and surgery (myself included).
When Mid-Bergen Section merged, I became a member of our Bergen County Section, serving on the Board for many years, while enjoying a full time career as a realtor. I have been Israel Granting Program Chairperson and currently am in charge of NCJW BCS’ new and exciting Facebook Page (please go to facebook, look up NCJW BCS and please remember the space; and then click LIKE!!). I also represent our section by singing at various NCJW BCS programs and holiday events (Rockleigh Jewish Home’s annual Chanukah party, etc). It is easy for NCJW to become your passion. We accomplish so much good for so many people on so many levels. I am proud to be a member of this dynamic group of women.

Florence Sarfin: September 2014

I have been a member of NCJW for more than 50 years. My first involvement was in the Northern Valley Section. My dear friend, Harriet Ozer, was President at that time and asked me to join. Within one year I became Vice President of Administration, handling all correspondence and running the Board meetings which were held at the homes of various members. There were about 25 members on the Board at that time. I served with many wonderful and dedicated women.
I became Chair of the Book and Author event, which grew out of my love for reading and from the business I ran with my husband Mannie in Manhattan, “Cards, Books and Cameras.” For more than 25 years this event has been a successful fundraiser for Council. My son Ken, who also runs a bookshop, “Books and Greetings,” has donated many gifts and prizes for the seniors at Rockleigh and other events whenever asked. My family and friends know how dedicated I am to NCJW BCS. I hope I can continue to be active for many years in the future.

Ellen Pell: May 2014

I joined NCJW almost 20 years ago. During this time I have met and worked with many amazing and dedicated women.
I began my volunteer work at the Thrift Shop. There I shared many hours each Friday afternoon with two wonderful women, Bea and Sylvia. Bea was in her 80’s and Sylvia in her nineties. These women taught me that you are never too old to help others. We enjoyed our time together, assisting customers, talking with the diverse people who came into our store; from the patrons who needed to buy our inexpensive clothing and housewares, the antique buyer looking for that hidden gem, or the customer who normally shopped at those pricey stores, but was searching for a unique designer piece at a very bargain price. (And I must admit that I have found a few bargains myself.)
In addition to working at the Thrift Shop, I was Thrift Shop Volunteer Coordinator, served on the Thrift Shop Committee, assisted with mailings, volunteered at the Rockleigh Home, and worked on publicity for special events.
I now spend half the year in Florida, so my participation in the New Jersey section has been much reduced. I will, however, continue to spend my Friday afternoons at the Thrift Shop when in New Jersey. And I will always value the knowledge that in some small way, I have helped our section to improve the lives of those less fortunate.

Ruth Dinkes: April 2014

Eight years ago I began devoting a significant portion of my time to volunteering at NCJW BCS and have not looked back since. I find it intrinsically rewarding to make a difference in people’s lives, and I feel great satisfaction in bringing a project to a successful conclusion.
Some of my volunteer activities include collecting and collating raffle purchases, collecting for paid-up membership, volunteering for HIPPY and Holley, and setting up tables prior to events. I have volunteered for myriad organizations throughout my life, and I want to note that the energy and camaraderie that is evident within our organization is incredible.
Doing volunteer work is so important, and it is even more special when I am surrounded by my acquaintances at NCJW BCS. Knowing I make a difference in people’s lives while performing mitzvot with friends is a wonderful experience, and I am proud to be a part of this organization.

Roslyn Lynn: March

I joined Council about 9-10 years ago at the urging of my sister-in-law, Corinne Weiner. She told me about all the wonderful things that NCJWBCS does in our community and I told her, “I’m in!” At first, I did stuffing meetings and other activities for new members. Later on, after my good friend Bernice Pollack passed, I took on her responsibilities for hosting general meetings. For the last six years I have taken great pride in seeing that all of our members have the appetizing refreshments for our terrific meetings. I, too, am amazed at all the varied and worthwhile speakers that our program committee arranges. Even after giving up driving three years ago, I have been able to continue my participation in hosting under the supervision of the Administration VP’s. I have enjoyed knowing that we provide something important to our community and helping others who are less fortunate. I hope that as my 90th birthday approaches I will continue to be able to provide the pastries and assorted goodies that go along with our Public Affairs and Education. Volunteering for such worthwhile causes makes me feel proud, indeed.

Erika Reis: January 2014

Some 13 years ago I was smart enough to join NCJW BCS! I have become acquainted with a group of highly motivated and dedicated women doing important community-based work. After retirement I was anxious to fill my time with volunteering and found the Center for Food Action (a major NCJW project). Every Tuesday morning I answer dozens of calls from clients in need of food. I set up appointments, do intake and where applicable, refer clients to other social service agencies. It is very gratifying to meet clients when they come to pick up their packages and see how it eases their burdens in these difficult times.
When Marcia Levy, VP of Community Services, found out my background in Bergen County Division of Aging, she steered me to a project that Council was just starting at the Bergen Family Center. Every month a group of us help celebrate the birthdays of the frail elderly, blind and disabled who come to the Center. We provide all kinds of goodies, play games, give out prizes and have musicians and dancers entertain. We know how welcome we are just by the grins and greetings we get when we come in. Volunteering has been a real high for me and the friends I have made are a big bonus.

Sabina Sicklick: November 2013

I joined NCJW BCS ten years ago, after losing my husband. I was retired and alone and felt I wanted to be involved in something worthwhile. I had heard NCJW was a “hands on” organization. A close friend, Marcia Levy, invited me to a meeting where I was warmly welcomed. Joining NCJW was a decision I am glad I made.
Hospitality was my first committee. Marcia, knowing I liked to knit, asked me to chair a new Community Services project, the “Knit Wits.” With the help of many members, we have made hats for Israeli soldiers, hats and scarves for Holley Center, Kilbarchan and the Drop-In Center, stuffed bears, lap robes for the Jewish Home at Rockleigh and blankets for Katrina victims. I also collect toiletries for the Drop-In Shelter in Hackensack. I am thankful for all the friendships I have made over the years. Volunteering is a wonderful experience in helping others.

Harriet Breuer: October 2013

Joining NCJW BCS has helped me in so many ways. I got involved in chairing and volunteering in Council Thrift Shop, writing the invocations for general meetings and the annual Installation journals, and reading and engaging in discussions with my Book Group sponsored by Section.
I spent many years on the Executive Team as Vice President of Public Affairs and Education, Administration and the Thrift Shop. I loved working at the store and seeing its success benefit our Section. Most importantly, I am active in an organization that is helping women, children and families in need.

Phyllis Becker: September 2013

As a member of Evening Branch, I was on the Board and active at Holley Center.
When I retired from teaching in 2001, I joined the full-time NCJW section. I have been the Co-chair of the Children’s Court Care Center for the last 10 years: first with June Marks, who sadly passed in 2012, and with Evelyn Masheb since then.

We are ably assisted by a cadre of dedicated volunteers. I am so proud that NCJW BCS received the 2013 Citizen Community Achievement Award from the Bergen County Bar Foundation for both the Children’s Court Care Center and the Domestic Violence Waiting Room at the Courthouse in Hackensack, NJ. I also participate in the Clothesline Project with StoP (Strategies to Prevent Domestic Violence) and Hippy. It has been my great pleasure to be a Board member of NCJW BCS and I hope to be able to serve for many years to come.

Henrietta Wolfeiler: June 2013

My first volunteer position for NCJW in 1960 was chair of refreshments for Evening Branch. From there I volunteered wherever needed (too many positions to count.) Full time retirement brought me back to NCJW, and now my passion has been volunteering in our community service projects, namely establishing the volunteer schedule for the waiting room for victims of domestic violence. This has been gratifying as I have seen the enthusiasm on the part of the volunteers and the clients. I also co-chair StoP (Strategies to Prevent Domestic Violence) and under the StoP umbrella I am involved in the Clothesline Project, where victims of domestic violence share their story through art on t-shirts. I look forward to continuing my NCJW BCS volunteering wherever needed.

Edna Lewitz: May 2013

I had been a member of the YCS Northern Regional Advisory Council for some time when Ellen Jacobs invited me to join NCJW BCS to serve as the community liaison between YCS and NCJW.  Living up north in Mahwah,I was not familiar with the organization. I was and still am in awe of the enthusiasm and commitment to the many special interests and community outreach of the Section.  Of course, my personal passion has always been for the welfare of the children of the Holley Center.  It is so heartwarming to know that these children are cared for by so many women of the Section.  It has been such a joy hearing how receptive everyone has been to the Birthday Cake program and helping to put a smile on a child’s face on their special day. I am truly honored to be part of this outstanding organization. I will always remember Bernice Pollack, our first Birthday Cake Lady.

ARLENE FRIEDMAN: April 2013

I became involved with the Walk-in-Center about 20 years ago, as member of the Northern Valley Section of NCJW. A member whose family was in the wholesale chicken business donated the “main course” and the meals evolved from there and into the merged Bergen County Section. We are one of the many congregations and groups to each serve the homeless about six times, covering the entire year.

I have served in all five Hackensack locations, and the amount of meals we prepare is now over 100. We have a wonderful group of both women and men volunteers cooking at home and serving at the facility. Unfortunately, our services are needed now more than ever. We are constantly rewarded by the thanks and appreciation we receive from the community we serve.

EVALYN BROWNSTEIN: March 2013

Volunteeering for NCJW BCS has been a very fulfilling experience for me because it has allowed me to continue my lifelong commitment to education. Through my work with HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), I have played a role in a program that helps parents gain the confidence and skills to become a child’s first teacher. Also, as member of the Scholarship Committee, I have been privileged to help the young women who will be the leaders of a new generation. Lastly, I have found chairing the Awards and Nominating Committees to be valuable experiences providing me further opportunities to work with the multi-talented, creative and dedicated women of Bergen County Section.

ROZ WILSON: February 2013

I had been a passive member of Council for quite some time when the pattern of my life changed.  At the suggestion of a fellow Council member, I started to actively volunteer my services.  I began to work at Council Thrift Shop more than 20 years ago.  I found that when you give a little, you get a lot in return. My tenure at the store has been quite fulfilling.  The customers that we serve enjoy the treasures and bargains they find, and I enjoy helping them.  Service to the community with NCJW BCS, has been rewarding indeed.

PHYLLIS SCHRIGER: January 2013

I joined NCJW over 40 years ago, becoming past President of Northern Valley Section. After my husband’s death, I became an active Solos member in Teaneck and ran it for many years. I volunteered in the Thrift shop from 2004-2008 and put on clown shows for Holley Center at Christmas time. My current passions are Bergen Family Center, Shining Lights seniors program and Hippy in Englewood. I have always enjoyed hands-on projects where I could gain satisfaction knowing I’ve helped those less fortunate in our community.

CELIA ARGINTAR: December 2012

I have been a Board member of Council for nearly 30 years. During this time I have
served on many committees. Volunteering at the Senior Center at the Bergen Family Center
has been the most satisfying experience of all. I have learned how much benefit we
provide to our community when we work as a group dedicated to improving the lives
of those in need.

GLORIA ANSH: NOVEMBER, 2012

When I first joined Evening Branch, I was given a major job working on Art Show, an important fund raiser. Later I chaired Jewish Affairs, Nominating Committee, the Journal and continued to bake goodies for section events. I soon became deeply involved with our Thrift Shop, coordinating fashion shows, decorating windows and staffing the store as the volunteer coordinator. I have found that volunteering has its own rewards, especially in an organization such as ours.

BETTY FEUER: OCTOBER, 2012

Project Literacy was the first community service for which I volunteered after my retirement. I especially like the excitement for my students and me when we see their gradual growth from a non-reader to successfully reading and comprehending. I also enjoy working with the members of the Aphasia Center in Maywood. Holley Center gives me the chance to work constructively with the children and let them know how much we care for them. My other passions have been working and playing with HIPPY children whose parents are taught how to help their children at home. I also enjoy interviewing the young women applicants who apply for one of our section’s scholarships.

JUNE MARKS: September 2012

To be an NCJW BCS volunteer is an honor, and to be chosen as the Volunteer of the Month by our membership is truly overwhelming. I am very proud to be part of this organization of unique and powerful women. My passions have been volunteering at Council Thrift Shop for the past 15 years as well as working with the Children’s Court Care Center at the
Courthouse in Hackensack, NJ. Being able to give back to the community that has been my home has not only been fun, but has given me a deep sense of achievement and satisfaction.