NCJW-SF is very pleased to announce that we are partnering with The Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club this year for our annual Hanukkah party:

Wednesday, December 14th

6:00 – 8:30  at La Victoria Bakery

2937 24th St, San Francisco, CA

We’ll enjoy tasty Hanukkah treats from a Jewish/Eastern European “pop-up” Mission restaurant and celebrate this festive time of year. December 14th is also Jewish Volunteer Day, so why not join us in making a difference during the morning, and in making merry in the evening?

Please come along, and feel free to bring family, friends, and potential members!

Please RSVP to 415-346-4600 or info@ncjwsf.org

Happy Holidays!

NCJW-SF Board and Staff

NCJW-SF is very happy to announce that we are joining Project Homeless Connect, The Jewish Community Relations Council, and many other wonderful organizations for this year’s annual Jewish Volunteer Day! We would be thrilled if you would like to volunteer do great work and represent NCJW-SF at the event.

For full details of the day, please click here.

Thanks very much, and hope to see you there!

Best,

NCJW-SF Board and Staff

NCJW-SF Announces TWO Very Exciting November Events!

NCJW-SF is thrilled to announce two very special events in November:

A Panel on Human Trafficking in San Francisco and California

in collaboration with SAGE & Jewish Coalition to End Human Trafficking

and in conjunction with One Day on Earth

 November 11, 2011

9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services-Olive Room

2150 Post Street * San Francisco, CA 94115

One Day on Earth is a global day of media. October 10, 2010, people and organizations around the globe collaborated to produce the first-ever simultaneous filming event occurring in every country of the world. This film will be screened worldwide in February 2013.

On November 11th, 2011, across the planet, documentary filmmakers, students, and other inspired citizens will record the human experience over a 24-hour period. This will be edited as a feature film. NCJW is excited to be a part of this year’s One Day on Earth production and we look forward to spreading awareness about human trafficking.

Panel of speakers includes:

Annie Fukashima, Ph.D. candidate (ABD), Advisory Board, The SAGE Project
Francine Braae, Trafficking Survivor and Staff Member, The SAGE Project
Daphne Phung, Executive Director, California Against Slavery
A California legislator (invited)

A light breakfast will be served.
This event will be filmed for possible inclusion in the One Day on Earth production.

Please RSVP to amybacharach@aol.com by 11/9/11

This event will be filmed for possible inclusion in the One Day on Earth production.

An Exclusive Screening of Miss Representation

NCJW-SF is very pleased to join the United Way of the Bay Area in presenting a special screening of the award-winning documentary, Miss Representation.

Monday, November 14, 2011

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

PG&E Atrium

77 Beale Street * San Francisco, CA 94105

Miss Representation looks at the way that women are represented in our mass media, and explores how that representation contributes to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. You can view the trailer here.

We are very excited to be joined by the film’s director and writer,
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, for a Q&A session following the film.

This event is free, but you must use this embedded link reserve a free ticket by November 11.

For further information on this event, please contact our office at info@ncjwsf.org or 415-346-4600.

Hope to see you soon!!

A minority in the US Senate recently prevented a full vote on the confirmation of UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Goodwin Liu to the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit – to NCJW’s great disappointment.

On the bright side, NCJW was thrilled to hear that Mr. Liu has been nominated to be Justice of the Supreme Court of California!! The confirmation hearing will take place on August 31st. Until then Californians have an open comment period, whereby we can write to the Commission on Judicial Appointments and tell them what we think. If you are a California resident, please consider sending in a letter of support for Goodwin’s nomination. Here’s how:

1. You can submit a customized letter through an automated online system: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Confirm_Goodwin

2. You can write a letter and mail it to:
Commission on Judicial Appointments
c/o Chief Justice of California
Supreme Court of California
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, California 94102
Attention:  Ms. AhMoi Kim, Secretary to the Commission

3. You can fax a letter to (415) 865-7181

Heads Up! All letters must be mailed or faxed in to the Commission no later than 5 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 24.

Your participation will be truly appreciated!
NCJW-SF Board and Staff

On August 1, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decided that insurance plans must cover certain preventive services for women -  including contraception – without co-pays or other out-of-pocket costs!

Though this is wonderful news, there remains a serious catch – the HHS also proposed a refusal or ‘conscience’ clause for religious institutions, which would allow them to opt out of providing these benefits to their employees.

Take action: The details of this clause are still uncertain, and the HHS wants to hear from the American public before they make a final decision.   Here’s one great way you can join in the national discussion:

1. Read the article that ran in our local San Francisco Chronicle last week.

2. Write a letter to the editor supporting every woman’s access to the full range of HHS approved preventive health benefits. The sooner you send it, the more relevant it will be, and the more likely it is to be used. If you need some help, you can refer to the NCJW’s guidance on writing effective Letters to the Editor.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the powerful talk with ADL Education Director, Nina Grotch.  We had over 20 people in attendance.  Also many thanks to our lovely hosts, Louise Sampson and Sara Keyak, for making this event possible. 

Here are some photos from the event: 

Nina Grotch Speaking

Louise Sampson

Antonia Lavine and Emily Salgado

Antonia Lavine & Jamie Wolfe

We have opened up our Study Group event to the community so they can share this special opportunity with us. 

Combating the 21st Century:

Fighting Hate on the Internet

Tuesday, May 17, 5:30 – 8pm

 Nina Grotch, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Education Director, will provide information on cyberbullying and its connection to hate and prejudice.  She will cover the ADL program against cyberbullying which has increased awareness and teaches students how to protect themselves or take action when others are targeted. 

It will be held at the private residence of Mrs. Louise Sampson at

3945 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA

Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. Suggested Donation is $5+.

The following members have recently passed away.  We send our condolences to their families and are deeply appreciative of their many years of service.

Marian Lippman

Betty Cable

Carolene Marks

Ruth Gilbert

By clicking on the above names you will follow a link to their obituaries in the SF Gate. 

HR 3 – The No Taxpayer for Abortion Act

NCJW-SF strongly opposed to HR 3 as it impedes upon women who receive health care through federal government, those with coverage under the new health law, and even those with private insurance. 

HR 3 would  . . .

• Make the Hyde Amendment permanent.  Currently it is voted on each year.
• Eliminate the availability of abortion coverage in the new health market.
• Impose New Taxes on Consumers and Businesses.  Today, nearly 87% of typical employer plans offer abortion-inclusive health insurance.   HR 3 would raise taxes on small employers if they offer comprehensive coverage, potentially impacting 4 million small businesses. 
• Restricts Liberty. By reducing access, individuals are prevented from making their own decisions based on their personal religious or moral beliefs. 

Save Choice.  Save Women’s Rights.  This is being voted on today – speak now!

Call our representative and say no to HR 3!

Make a call to Representative Nancy Pelosi’s Office:
Phone: (202) 225-4965
District Phone: (415) 556-4862