Fundraising

Sisterhood engages in fundraising activities throughout the year, so that we can offer programs to the community and raise money to fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah (charity).

Rummage Sale

The Rummage Sale is one of Temple Isaiah Sisterhood’s most important fund raisers and most important
community services. Every year we send hundreds of post cards to families who have asked to be reminded about this event. We receive notes from parents telling us they could not provide proper clothes for their children without our Rummage Sale.

This year spring rains flooded basements, destroying many clothes that were set aside for donations. Please dig a little deeper into your closets, drawers, and cabinets for donations. Search your schedules and find some time to help. Don’t wait for us to call you, please call us and let us know when you are available. Your donations, your volunteer work, and your purchases are appreciated by many.

All the items in the Rummage Sale are donated from the Temple Isaiah community.

Community service letters are available for high school students. Tax receipts are available to donors.

These are the dates and times for the 2011 Rummage Sale:

• Rummage Sale drop-off is on Sunday, October 23rd between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
• Get first pick on Monday, October 24, from 9 am to 6:30 pm.  
• All items are half price on Tuesday, October 25, from 9 am to 6:30 pm.  
• Fill a grocery bag for a flat fee on Wednesday, October 26, from 9 am to 1pm.

The Rummage Sale is open to the general public.

Holiday Marketplace

Every year, Sisterhood sponsors a Holiday Marketplace in the month before Chanukah. Over 50 artists and artisans participate in this annual craft fair.

Buyers can choose from handcrafted items. Browse through baby and children items including clothing, educational toys, dolls, bibs,and bedding. Try on some of the adult clothing, flip flops, hair supplies, knit sweaters, hats, scarves, pashimas, jewelry and handbags. Browse through household items such as ceramics, metal sculptures, and several different types of wood creations. Shop our classic and new vendors as well as our Temple Isaiah Judaica Shop. 

We also sell homemade lunches, snacks and desserts. Choose from lasagna, chicken soup, salad, bagels, and other foods.

Proceeds from Holiday Marketplace benefit over 50 charities, from hospices to women's shelters and breast cancer research, as well as Israeli and international Jewish organizations.

The Holiday Marketplace is open to the general public.

Judaica Shop ... Your Source for All Things Jewish

The Sisterhood also runs the Judaica Shop, which is open most Sundays between 9:00 and 1:00 when the Hebrew School is open as well as other times when we have volunteers to staff it. Sisterhood members are encouraged to volunteer at the Judaica Shop. Call the telephone number posted on the door of the Judaica shop to arrange an appointment to shop outside of our regularly scheduled hours.

Please see more information at our Shopping page.

Shop Sisterhood’s New Online Judaica Store and Support The Temple

Temple Isaiah Sisterhood has established a partnership with the Judaica Beautiful Company to allow you to shop online from home, when traveling, or when you want to have a gift packaged and shipped to someone. Just go to http://templeisaiah.judaicabeautiful.com.

Please see more information at our Shopping page.

Donor Events

Many years in the spring, Sisterhood has sponsored fundraising social events, like the Artist Within Us (2007) and the Chai Tea (2009).

A theme is chosen, and people make donations. In some cases the donation is made in memory of a loved one, or in honor of a special event, or in honor of children or grandchildren. Various vendors also make donations to the event as well.

The Artist Within Us

In 2007, we had an art exhibit showcasing works by artists and craftspeople within our Sisterhood. Elegant hors d'oeuvres, wines, and desserts were served. We also raffled centerpieces donated by local florists. 

Chai Tea

In 2009, for the Chai Tea, local florists donated flowers or tea sets for raffle prizes. Sisterhood members brought a variety of beautiful tea pots in which to serve tea. The event was catered with traditional English cucumber sandwiches, scones, and other savories and sweets.

Plans are in the works for a Spa and Fitness Day in 2011.

Purim Basket

Let Sisterhood provide you with the opportunity to give friends and relatives a Mishloach Manot basket, the traditional Purim gift of food and candy.  To celebrate the victory of the Jewish people over evil Haman, it has become customary to “send sweet portions (special gifts of food) to one another” – the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot. In the tradition of Purim, Sisterhood donates proceeds from Purim Baskets to Tzedakah.

Look for your order form in the mail in mid-January.  The deadline for ordering is Sunday, January  29, 2012.  Sisterhood will be delivering the baskets to Temple members’ homes on Sunday,March 4.

Contact Gini Shevrin (see Temple Directory) if you have questions. 

Stationery for Simcha 

Please contact our Stationery and Invitation Chairperson, Karen Zallen to make an appointment for your simcha invitation or holiday gift stationery. All profits support Sisterhood’s annual contributions to our Temple and community.

More information is available on the Shopping page.

Women of Reform Judaism's YES Fund Brunch

You are cordially invited to join Women of Reform Judaism/Temple Isaiah Sisterhood on June 12, 2011 to honor Pam Awrach and Sandy Bornstein for their continuing devotion to Youth, Education, and Special Projects.

Please complete the attached form and return it to Lois Woodbury by June 3, 2011.

Just as our Sisterhood supports the Religious School, LEFTY, college students, and special programs and projects within Temple Isaiah, WRJ provides financial support for similar programs throughout North America and around the world through the Y.E.S. Fund (Youth, Education, & Special Projects).

W.R.J.'s Y.E.S. Fund is able to achieve what no one individual, one sisterhood, or even a group of local sisterhoods could do. The Y.E.S. Fund represents the collective efforts of YOU, our sisterhoods, to strengthen congregations, meet the needs of rabbinical and cantorial students, youth, programs, and institutions of Reform Judaism.

The final allocation of money from the Y.E.S. Fund is authorized by WRJ's executive committee. An official report of the distribution of the Y.E.S. Fund is sent annually to each sisterhood to be shared with sisterhood members.

The Circle of Service links you to the worldwide network of Reform/Progressive Jews who benefit from WRJ's Y.E.S Fund scholarship's and grants. Contribute $36 or more for your annual membership to Circle of Service. You may join today.

Other Fundraising

Other Sisterhood fundraising projects include:

• Entertainment Boston coupon books

• A Double Mitzvah for Mother's Day
  
  

  
  This year Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 8th. Once again, Sisterhood is providing a special way to honor your Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter or Friend, while at the same time making a donation to benefit homeless women who are trying to improve their lives.
  
  For only $18 Sisterhood will send a beautiful card featuring “Miriam’s Dance” by artist Michael Bogdanow wishing your loved-one a Happy Mother’s Day. The card will inform her that a donation was made in her honor to On the Rise, an organization dedicated to helping women in crisis discover new possibilities.