SUBJECT: Sisterhood Monthly Newsletter- August 2026
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER- AUGUST 2026
Message from Our Sisterhood President
Dear Sisterhood Friends,
I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and staying cool! As everyone starts returning to town, I’m so looking forward to catching up and seeing you all soon.
We have some exciting events and updates coming up:
Shabbat Dinner & Kabbalat Shabbat Service
A big thank you to Vikki Silvis and Lynda Markowitz for coordinating our Shabbat dinner menu, and to Lisa Miller and Rivkah Morris for crafting a meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat service.
Everyone is Welcome: Spouses, children, and friends are all invited to join us for dinner and services!
Registration Details: There is a charge for dinner, but if you renewed your Sisterhood membership with the bundle package, your dinner is already included. Please remember to submit a reservation by August 10th for yourself and any guests so we have an accurate headcount (bundled members will not be charged).
Special Guest: We’re honored to welcome Sherry Lynn Rubin, who will present us with the Jewel of the Crown Award during services! (This is like the Men’s Club Torch Award.)
Torah Fund Announcement: We will also be announcing our upcoming Torah Fund event during the evening!
Gift Shop Sale at "Get the Scoop" – August 16th
Shout out to Debbie Krochtengel, Jeri Galperin, and Sherry Zorinsky for getting our gift shop stocked and ready! Be sure to stop by during "Get the Scoop" on August 16th to check out new items and great sale prices.
Knit Night has a new name: The Creative Thread
Join Ellen Schachter every third Wednesday of the month where we transform the membership library into a place for conversation and crafts of your choosing. Bring your knitting, crocheting, diamond art or any other projects that you are working on. We may even bring in specialists to share their talents and teach us some new skills. Stay tuned for more details.
Preparing for Elul & the High Holy Days
The month of Elul begins on August 13/14. As the final month of the Jewish year, it’s a wonderful time for quiet self-reflection and spiritual preparation leading into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
I came across a great article sharing 10 Spiritual Hacks to Embrace During Elul:
Read some Jewish classics
Go on a digital detox
Join a class
Get into a shofar mood
Reach out to friends and family
Learn how to forgive
Embrace a healthy diet
Get outside
Start embracing the future (includes a wonderful video from Rabbi Sacks!)
Internalize your relationship with Judaism
You can read the full article and explore these ideas at Unpacked Media.
With gratitude,
Rhonda
We Won the Jewels in the Crown Award!
The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) gathered recently for its convention, bringing together sisterhood leaders, educators, clergy, and lay volunteers from across North America and beyond.
Among the most meaningful moments of the convention was the presentation of the Jewels in the Crown awards—national recognition bestowed upon sisterhoods that demonstrate exceptional achievement, creativity, and commitment in their programming and community engagement. This year, ICR’s Sisterhoods proudly earned a number of these distinguished honors.
A Celebration of Excellence
The Jewels in the Crown award recognizes sisterhoods that excel in areas such as:
Torah study and Jewish learning
Social action and community service
Support for synagogue life
Leadership development
Innovative programming
Engagement of diverse generations of women
ICR stood out for its consistent dedication to meaningful programming and its ability to bring women together in ways that strengthen both the synagogue and the broader community. Judges noted the sisterhood’s blend of tradition and creativity—ranging from holiday workshops and social justice initiatives to intergenerational events and educational programs that deepen Jewish identity.
Leaders expressed gratitude to the volunteers whose energy fuels every program, as well as to the synagogue community that supports and participates in sisterhood initiatives. The award serves not only as a national acknowledgment of excellence but also as inspiration for continued growth and innovation.
Congregation Beth Torah Sisterhood was one of nine groups to be awarded the prized Jewels in the Crown Award!
Sisterhood Membership 2026-2027
JOIN TODAY FOR THE 2026-2027 YEAR – NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS
We hope we can count on you to join us this year. We invite you to get involved and make a difference! Please complete both the membership form and the volunteer interest form.
We have a new option this year to purchase a program bundle which includes 7 events throughout the year, over $100 in value for 20% off:
Just like last year, we’re excited to offer a dedicated Social Play area! This fun, relaxed option was a favorite for those who love Mah Jongg but aren’t quite ready to dive into tournament play.
For every donation of $25 to Beth Torah Sisterhood, you will receive an entry into the drawing for an electronic mah jongg table.
Raffle Prize description: Automatic Mahjong Table with 2 Sets of 152 Tiles (36mm), Folding Mahjong Table with Wheels Suitable for American Mah Jongg, including 4 player racks. Valued at approximately $950. Note: Table comes unassembled with online tutorial available for set-up.
Raffle drawing will take place at the end of the 8th Annual Esther Cohen Mah Jongg Tournament on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Congregation Beth Torah, 720 W. Lookout Drive, Richardson 75080. You do NOT need to be present to win. We will notify the winner if not present. Table will be shipped to your home.
Join Ellen Schachter every third Wednesday of the month where we transform the membership library into a place for conversation and crafts of your choosing. Bring your knitting, crocheting, diamond art or any other projects that you are working on. We may even bring in specialists to share their talents and teach us some new skills. Stay tuned for more details.