July 2022 Newsletter

It seems impossible to fathom that we are mourning the loss of lives from another mass shooting and the regular news of young people killed violently in Pittsburgh. We will continue to share actions that trusted community partners are initiating via Facebook and Instagram.

National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh is excited to announce two important staffing changes to the organization's leadership. First, Marissa Fogel has been hired as the new Executive Director. Marissa follows Sara Segel, who served in an interim role for the past two years. Marissa joins NCJW Pittsburgh as a seasoned non-profit leader with 20 years of experience in program direction, operations design, and management education. 

Marissa’s past accomplishments include developing 412 Food Rescue’s Good Food Project, one of the world’s first zero waste kitchens. With a passion for community, Marissa is drawn to work that builds local impact while simultaneously focusing on affecting the systems changes needed to empower the communities with which NCJW Pittsburgh engages.

In addition, Megan Rose has been promoted to Senior Director for Community Engagement. Megan has been with NCJW Pittsburgh since 2019. As Director of the Center for Women, Megan was the catalyst for evolving the program into MomsWork, a program powered by NCJW Pittsburgh that encourages, inspires, and supports moms to earn a paycheck and search for new employment, all while they manage their family’s evolving needs. This new role allows Megan the opportunity to better integrate projects and programs across the organization, encouraging efficiencies and cross-discipline collaboration. Megan is a licensed attorney with experience in nonprofit management and a passion for policy. 

Andrea Glickman, NCJW Pittsburgh’s Board President says, “Our team may be small, but we are mighty. I know I speak for the entire Board and staff when I say how fortunate we all feel to have such a strong team in place to take NCJW Pittsburgh to the next level.”

Due to the holiday weekend, we combined the monthly and mid-month emails this month.

 
 

Sex Work IS Work (and Moms Work)
TOMORROW, July 12, Noon

Sex workers can also be parents and operate with no regulations or protections. We have a conversation planned to discuss perspectives on the intersection of NCJW / MomsWork child care and reproducitve rights advocacy priorities and sex work. We will also have Pulitzer prizewinning author Debby Applegate to offer insight into the Jewish history of sex work. Register HERE.

 

Remote Work Job Search
Friday, July 22, Noon

Are you interested in looking for a fully or partially remote job? This lunch and learn program will help you learn tricks and tools to search for remote positions. Register HERE.

Child Care Advocacy #2: Storytelling
Friday, July 29, Noon

America's child care system is in crisis. Learn what YOU can do about it! Join child care advocates to hear developments in child care in our region and state. Learn successful strategies to advocate for your needs as a working parent to your legislators, employers, or anybody who will listen! Register HERE.

 
 
 

So You Think Your Child Needs an IEP?
Wednesday, August 3, Noon

Join Susan Killmeyer and Cindy Duch from The PEAL Center to understand the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and the process used to assess your child's needs and to determine whether this is a tool that might be useful for your family. Register HERE.

MomsWork Podcast Club #3: Good Child Care CAN Work
Monday, August 1, Noon

Let's empower each other to share our stories with employers, legislators, media, anybody who will listen! Join our MomsWork Podcast Club (like a book club but listening to a podcast) to round out your knowledge gaps of child care, meet other moms like you, and laugh, cry and be outraged together. Let's empower each other to share our stories with employers, legislators, media, anybody who will listen! Register HERE, and listen to this episode and bring your thoughts.

Working Moms Support Group
Friday, August 5, Noon

In parenting, and in life, it seems the only constant is change. Join MomsWork and local expert Brenda Levin, LCSW, for this free virtual session covering how using an active listening approach with our children can promote a smoother transition to a new school year, child care, and managing life's changes in general. Register HERE.

 

Help Us Fight for Reproductive Justice

The Supreme Court Dobbs decision has been made and the protections that Roe offered for the last 50 years are now gone. We are with you as you rage, mourn, and sit in disbelief. We have all loved someone who has had or has contemplated having an abortion. It is inconceivable to know that reproductive healthcare is no longer a legal right and is even less readily available.

As the closest city with multiple providers, Pittsburgh will be the first option for abortion access for not only our own residents, but also those living in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and beyond. As the primary Jewish organization in Pittsburgh focused on reproductive rights, NCJW Pittsburgh will rally our community to support those who need it most.

NCJW Pittsburgh has been working for months in anticipation of this decision, in partnership with other reproductive rights organizations in the area:

 
  • We hosted educational programs with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Planned Parenthood of Western PA, and Women’s Law Project, to inform and prepare the community, including a Reproductive Weekend with legal and historian scholars discussing the unjust consequences of the Dobbs decision. 
  • When the SCOTUS draft was leaked, we were able to quickly respond to the call from Women’s March Pittsburgh to help organize two marches in 10 days.
  • NCJW Pittsburgh staff and volunteers attended NCJW National Washington Institute to learn the latest on repro actions. 
  • Just this past weekend, we organized a Havdalah service as a space for people to gather in community to have a moment to reflect on feelings and offer support to one another before getting back to action.

This struggle will take all of us working together over a sustained time. NCJW’s strong relationships with our partner organizations will allow us to present a united front to work together to meet community needs. We have been participating on phone calls with a group of scholars, providers, and activists to learn what programs are in place and what might be needed in the future. Our future plans may include bystander and activist training, coordinating efforts to help transport and house those coming from out of state, public updates, and ongoing education, etc.

NCJW Pittsburgh needs your help to run these actions and programs. Thank you for considering a donation to help us support this work.

In Gratitude and Solidarity,

Andrea Glickman, President NCJW Pittsburgh

 
 
 
 

Thriftique has tons of inexpensive furniture for you to satisfy your DIY cravings!

Do you need a table for your hallway or something to set your plants on but don’t want to spend too much money or settle for bland big box furniture? Have you seen the inspirational TikTok and Instagram videos on easy, DIY chalk paint projects? Well, it’s time for you to give it a go! Stop by Thriftique and start your project by finding a piece of pre-loved furniture that could use some attention. Buy some chalk paint in a color that speaks to you, some wax and a brush. Shine up the hardware and in a few hours you will have a unique and fun piece of furniture to give your home some pop.

 
 
 
 

The National Council of Jewish Women is a volunteer organization that has been at the forefront of social change for over a century. Inspired by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (“healing the world”), NCJW courageously takes a progressive stance on issues such as child welfare, women’s rights, and reproductive freedom. And we encourage everyone—people of all faiths—to join us.

Copyright © 2022 NCJW Pittsburgh Section, All rights reserved.

National Council of Jewish Women - Pittsburgh Section
1620 Murray Ave  | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217
412-421-6118 | info@ncjwpgh.org

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