Sisterhood
Chisuk Emuna Sisterhood was created to be a fundraising arm for the synagogue as well as a vehicle for women to enhance their lives and their families and the community through educational, social means and purposeful work.
Sisterhood, today, remains a viable force in the life of Chisuk Emuna. With 101 members strong and a surplus in the budget sisterhood with its many entities continues to meet the needs and demands of the synagogue and the members it serves. Our Baking Ladies led by Bessie Johnson continue to provide revenue and special treats at simchas and special programs. Debby Swimmer manages our Leagrams, Cheryl Sinoway organizes our Shiva meals, Charlotte Spector handles our youth scholarships, and Bessie Johnson wears a second hat to manage our Torah Fund. Linda Laff led the way to an extreme make-over with our gift shop. There is new merchandise and a resurgence of interest in purchasing as well as volunteering to work in the gift shop with regular and expanded hours. Natalie Damrauer continues to collect the dues for membership and is the editor and chief of the newsletter
Programs were offered throughout the year to provide social, recreational and educational opportunities for the women of Sisterhood. Additionally, its purpose is to advance the congregational institutions, to promote a more thorough knowledge and appreciation of our Jewish heritage.
Brotherhood
The Chisuk Emuna Brotherhood was formed to promote fellowship and friendship among the men of the congregation. Additionally, its purpose is to advance the congregational institutions, to promote a more thorough knowledge and appreciation of our Jewish heritage. The Brotherhood also hopes to stimulate religious, cultural and social activities for the men in our congregation as well as all members. We also assist in the financial support of the congregation.
It is our hope that everyone in the congregation will feel welcome to join in Brotherhood activities and be pleased and proud of our Brotherhood and the work that it does.
Rosh Chodesh: It's a Girl Thing
It’s a Girl Thing is a wonderful program based on the Jewish tradition of women’s New Moon celebrations to build the self-esteem, Jewish identity, leadership skills, and friendship networks of adolescent girls. The monthly meetings provide a supportive environment where girls can explore the social and cultural issues they encounter, as they become adults and, derive their own authentic Jewish values in response to the challenges they face. The small groups are designed to provide a celebratory, empowering setting in which girls can support each other in growing and learning while having lots of fun. The program’s success is due, in part, to the participatory mixture of discussing issues, traditions and role models: making crafts and writing stories, rejoicing with song and dance, socializing and eating pizza!
This group meets on Shabbat mornings 11-noon. Check the calendar for dates. This program is open to all women of the congregation.
Kadima
Kadima is the middle school age affiliate of United Synagogue Youth and the United Synagogoue of Conservative Judaism. Children in grades 5th through 7th meet monthly with the Kadima advisor to participate in services, community service and social activities. For more information, please contact Holly Glauser Abel at hglauser@phfa.org.
USY
United Synagogue Youth (USY) is the high school age youth movement of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. USY offers a full range of trips, speakers, discussions, games, dances, inter-chapter meetings and overnight weekends. Founded in 1913 by Solomon Schechter as the association of Conservative synagogues in North America, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism serves as a resource to its affiliated congregations and works to formulate a Conservative Jewish response to pressing social and religious issues. Our local chapter combines both Chisuk Emuna and Beth El youth in 8th through 12th grades who enjoy community service, fun, and being Jewish. There are roughly 3-4 local events each month. For more information, please contact Jill Henig at 717-234-9912 or henig@juno.com.
