From blankets and pillows to warm clothing and comfort toys, NCJW/CLE volunteers knit warmth, love and security into teddy bears, scarves, hats and mittens, which they donate to hospital patients, veterans, assisted living residents and others. The volunteers knit together weekly as they share friendship and creativity.

Chair: Anita Pupa

Two performing groups travel the community to bring broadway-style music and magical joy to those in nursing homes, senior housing and independent living facilities.

Chairs: Linda Barnett at linbar0617@gmail.com or Lynn Kleinman at lekchoral@aol.com

NCJW/CLE instills love of reading in children around the Cleveland area Programs include a monthly Book Club for fifth graders; Readers’ Theater (three-week program for fourth graders that combines reading and performing); Building Bridges with Books (NCJW reinvigorates local school libraries); and Reading Buddies (volunteers work one-on-one with first graders once a month to help them learn how to read.)

Chair: Debbie Joseph and Lee Apple

NCJW/CLE advocates on behalf of teens aging out of the foster care system and provides direct and indirect service to help children age out of foster care and into the community successfully. Current programming includes working with the Sullivan-Deckard scholars at Cleveland State University and engaging with other local social service agencies to determine current needs of foster youth.

Chairs: Cheryl Miller and Kate Brown

NCJW/CLE has officially adopted and taken the reigns of Little Free Libraries – auditing, consistently re-stocking and keeping them up to date and functional – so that kids can still take books, give books and continue to foster a love of reading.

Chairs: Debbie Joseph and Lee Apple

This is a volunteer opportunity that is customizable and connects you with preschool children. Volunteers meet with a classroom teacher and agree on a day and time. Since JDN is open year-round, volunteers aren’t restricted to a traditional school year calendar. Teachers appreciate the time that you give and the preschoolers benefit from the additional attention.

Volunteers bring holiday cheer to clients with special needs at the Jewish Family Service Association. Volunteers plan programs with Jewish themes and “serve” fellowship, friendship and full holiday meals.

Chair: Shelley Friedman

Coats! Hats! Scarves! Boots! Gloves! Socks! Underwear! Operation Warm Up is our annual collection of winter clothing items for those in need.

Chairs: Rena Wertheim and Ann Markoff

A committee dedicated to performing "Acts of Kindness" projects in the community, to support the NCJW/CLE mission.

Co-Chairs: Maureen Ordman-Fike (rainslicktwo@yahoo.com) and Joanie Rubinstein (joanierubinsteinrdh@gmail.com)

SWYW collects, then distributes, clothing and supplies to children in need or in crisis through school and agency social workers. At our in-house store, volunteers fulfill orders by personally shopping our inventory of donated new and gently-used clothing to create gender and size specific clothing bags. New toiletries and school supplies, also provided through donations, are included upon request.

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