The Vassar Temple Sisterhood is a dynamic group of women who support the activities of Vassar Temple and who promote fellowship and programming geared toward the interests of the women of our congregation. It is a network of women who share a love of Judaism and who care about one another.
Sisterhood offers the women of Vassar Temple many diverse opportunities, such as:
- Opening Dinner~ a time to socialize and kick off a new year
- Book Club~ lively discussions of books of current interest
- Lectures and Programs~ authors, artists, and speakers
- Donor Dinner~ raises money for the temple and for Sisterhood programs, plus entertainment, good food, and great company
- Closing Dinner~ share recipes and conversation
- Chai Noon Luncheons – held at various Dutchess County restaurants when the 18th of the month is a weekday. Dutch treat and great conversation.
- Happy Hours – sponsors monthly happy hours dinners before Shabbat services
- Generation Dinner and Shabbat – honors those who have been members of Vassar Temple for 40 or more years
- Fannie Berlin and Doris Berlin Ackerman Lecture – A fund that sponsors lectures of interest on a Jewish subject
Sisterhood contributes in many ways to the Temple and our greater community, as it
- Hosts Tiny Temple and Shabbat Y’ladim for young children and their families
- Provides financial support for temple programming and “wish-list” items
- Raises money by holding two annual rummage sales
- Oversees the temple kitchen
- Coordinates the Oneg Shabbats
- Manages the Judaica Shop
- Puts together the Sisterhood Friendship Calendar, which lists our members’ birthdays and anniversaries, as well as Jewish holidays and Yahrzeit commemorations
- Reaches out to our college youth
- Bakes hamentaschen for Purim at the temple and for congregant and college student outreach
- Makes arrangements for our Shabbat flowers
- Coordinates one of the monthly Lunchbox meals at the Family Partnership
Sisterhood is part of the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), which works for women’s and Jewish causes around the world by
- Providing scholarships for rabbinic and cantorial students
- Educating about women’s health issues
- Supporting youth activities through the YES Fund
- Working to end domestic violence
- Supporting the Jewish Braille Institute
- Supporting the World Union of Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).
Sisterhood is open to all women of the Temple. For more information, please contact Marcia Tanzman, Sisterhood President, at sisterhood@vassartemple.org.
Click here for the Sisterhood Facebook page!
Click here to open and edit the Sisterhood application.