Reaching Out
To Jewish Women
H
JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER
W
hen Hadassah enlisted
the help of Brandeis
University in looking at
who the American Jew-
ish woman is, the organization
knew it had to do more than just
release findings and statistics.
Somehow, the largest Jewish
women's organization had to un-
derstand Jewish identity, vol-
unteerism and community as
each relates to today's Jewish
woman.
Last year, Hadassah, in con-
junction with the Cohen Center
June
16-27
Meadow
Brook
On The Oakland
University Campus
Charge tickets at (810) 645-6666 and
all
outlets
Info call (313) 923-8259
Community Box Office Meadow Brook
Theatre Open Mon — Fri 9 Am. — 6 P.M.
An International Freedom Festival Event
Big Apple Circus is a not-for-profit
performing arts organization
PU1 C)NSDNEO
M11)J-LEr m- tro
Wi}UN
MICED
the only local woman participat-
ing in the project.
This survey pulls together in-
formation we may already know
and takes it to the next step of
what to do with it, Ms. Konviss-
er said.
"The question we are asking
ourselves is, what kind of creative
and relevant actions can we
take?" she said.
While findings will not be
available until the fall, Ms. Kon-
visser said the commissioners
came to understand that there is
not one definition of the Ameri-
can Jewish woman.
Their work indicates Jewish
women lead complex lives,
blending family and profession-
al obligations. Time for volun-
teerism is limited, interests have
expanded beyond the Jewish
world and there is no longer the
same common vision or purpose
for the community. Israel is less
of a priority, said Ms. Konviss-
er.
Commissioners spent Sunday
and Monday in Boston devising
a plan of action to implement
their vision: taking steps that will
bring women closer to Jewish
communal life while addressing
their individual needs.
Zieva Konvisser
Hadassah commissioned the
study because it wants to look to
for Modern Jewish Studies at the future in creative and innov- H
Brandeis, began to look at these ative ways so it can attract young
issues.
Jewish women, Ms. Konvisser
They pooled a sampling of said.
Jewish women from across the
Findings and recommenda-
county for focus-group discus- tions will be targeted for all agen-
sions to determine what is rele- cies and organizations in the
vant in the lives of American Jewish community, not just
Jewish women. A National Com- Hadassah.
mission on American Jewish
"This is the first time we've
Women was appointed to exam- gone into this kind of serious
ine the results and come up with multi-level study," said Jane
a plan of action.
Zolot of Philadelphia, Hadas-
The commission, made up of sah's strategic planning chair-
23 prominent women, met earli- person. "We realized needs of
er this week to review the find- women have changed. We found
ings. Among the commissioners little data about Jewish women
is Zieva Konvisser, a Chrysler and their needs and expecta-
Corporation automotive execu- tions, so we commissioned a
tive from Orchard Lake. She is study." ❑
Publicity Deadlines
WEINTRAUB JEWELERS
In Store Specials Everyday
Sunset Strip 29436 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield • (810) 357-4000
Hours: Mon.-Sat 10-5
The normal deadline for local news and publicity items is noon
Thursday, eight days prior to issue date. The deadline for birth
announcements is 10 a.m. Monday, four days prior to issue date;
out-of-town obituaries, 10 a.m. Tuesday, three days prior to issue
date.
All material must be typewritten, double-spaced, on 8 1/2x 11
paper and include the name and daytime telephone number of
sender.