[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE WOODMERE SISTERHOOD OF CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the past, 
present and future female congregants of Congregation Sons of Israel--
Woodmere Synagogue.
  For over 70 years, the Woodmere Sisterhood organization has promoted 
ideals that lie not only at the core of Judaism, but at the core of 
humanity. Their involvement on Long Island has affected individuals on 
many levels. Hundreds of women have dedicated themselves to bettering 
our community and on June 2, members of the Congregation will honor the 
Sisterhood at the annual Journal Dinner Dance.
  These women led other congregants in perpetuating the rich heritage 
of the Jewish people through a variety of community outreach programs. 
These included trips to various museums, ``Lunch and Learn'' Sabbaths, 
screenings of pertinent films and lecture series.
  They established and maintained a Judaic library and Video Center for 
the use of the congregation and Hebrew School. They also created 
several scholarship funds. One offers teens the opportunity to spend a 
summer in Israel; one offers partial tuition to the Hebrew High School; 
one offers needy children partial tuition to the Morgenstern Hebrew 
School; and one subsidizes camp tuition. They also have a Torah Fund 
for the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.
  The Sisterhood plays a crucial role in certain day-to-day operations 
of the Synagogue. Their participation in the local community varies 
from providing new floral arrangements for the sanctuary every Sabbath 
to gift-giving on special occasions: Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings and 
births. The Sisterhood was also instrumental in hosting Bat Mitzvah 
classes for adult women in the congregation.
  The Sisterhood is involved in International matters, especially those 
concerning Israel. The current situation has greatly affected all 
members of Congregation Sons of Israel-Woodmere. The Sisterhood just 
concluded a fund raising drive to purchase an armored school van for an 
Israeli school.
  The list of the Sisterhood's accomplishments and contributions is 
endless. Today I rise in recognition of the countless women who have 
contributed to this effort, in particular the following past Sisterhood 
presidents:
  Florence Behrens, Rosetta Sokoloff, Jeanette Kirshenbaum, Roslyn 
Mayer, Gertrude Wicksel, Ann Studner, Mildred Kreiss, Gertrude 
Leinwand, Mollie Lewitt, Rose Lewis, Sherle Gross, Dorothy Feldman, 
Charlotte Koss, Dorothy Kimmel, Bertha Snyder, Blanche Finkel, Lila 
Goldman, Anne Selier, Barbara Semel, Arline Slepoy, Edna Ritzenberg, 
Muriel Liebowitz, Rosalie Bachana, Karen Boxer, Joan Mann, Shirley 
Fisher, Audrey Liberstein, Leslie Aronin, Teri Stein, and Liane Feuer.

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