Our Chapter

Our chapter consists now of women of all ages, many with professional careers, many with families in varying stages of launch, and all with a dedication to the values and ideals of Na'amat to which they generously volunteer their time and energies.

In addition to fundraising activities, we have monthly meetings involving guest speaker presentations on a variety of topics. These have included issues related to Judaism and Israel, current events, social activism, and health. On the lighter side we enjoy a Chanukah party and a closing pot-luck dinner. Na'amat Nitsan also supports some local causes, focusing specifically in recent years on the Dress for Success program where club members (and their friends and relatives!) contribute gently used business attire to help women who are preparing for new jobs or attending job interviews. Our chapter also looks towards having a retreat together every few years where we can, over a weekend out of town, review and refresh ideas within the group.

Na'amat Hamilton City Notes 2007-2008
In November, Dr. Gabriel Ronen, a pediatric neurologist at McMaster University, will discuss his research on the habilitation of disabled children in Vienna.

Our December meeting will be our Chanukah party. Guest speaker will be Sharon Nadler, a Life/Humour columnist and photographer with the Hamilton Spectator.

In the new year we are looking forward to hearing recent research of other McMaster professors. In January, Billy Shaffir will share his research on 'Accommodation and Tolerance'. Louis Greenspan will discuss 'Jews in China' in February.

In March, Rabbi Jordan Cohen from Temple Anshe Sholom will discuss the Interfaith Institute.

Sunday, April 6th is the date of our Third Seder. April's meeting will host Professor Aaron Hughes, visiting scholar in Jewish Studies at McMaster. He will speak about Muslim/Jewish relations.

Lawyer Janice Criger will speak at our May meeting about a legal health check-up.

Tuesday May 27th is the date of our biggest fundraiser, the Celebrity Author Luncheon featuring Nino Ricci.

We will close the year with our pot luck dinner.

Events Calendar:

City Highlights

Celebrity Author's Luncheon Tuesday May 27th, 2008 12:00pm – 1:00pm Adas Israel Synagogue, 125 Cline Ave S  Na'amat Hamilton's 23rd annual Celebrity Author's Luncheon will be featuring Nino Ricci, acclaimed author of Lives of the Saints and, Testament (Trillium Award co-winner.) Entry fees are $17.00 students/seniors or $20.00 general admission. For more information, contact us at naamathamilton@gmail.com.

Warm and Meaningful Women Seder The Nitsan chapter held its third Women's Seder on the evening of April 6th. This innovative program was attended by both our members and some guests. It was a warm and participatory event, held in a pot-luck format, with readings from a specially created Haggadah that had been revised and personalized for the evening.

FabFour Fabulous Evening Was Fantastic! On February 17th, our chapter held an exciting and successful Beatles tribute fundraiser featuring the FabFour band, a silent auction, and a reception. The community was enthusiastic in its response and the evening was filled with good food, good music, and good fun. This fundraiser was especially gratifying for us in that it saw the participation of most members of the chapter, who were eager to lend a hand in one or more capacities. In the end, the event was true to its name: fabulous!

Upcoming Meetings December: Chanukah Party. Guest speaker will be Sharon Nadler, a Life/Humour columnist and photographer with the Hamilton Spectator. January: Accommodation and Tolerance, a lecture by Billy Shaffir who will share his research. February: Jews in China, with guest speaker Louis Greenspan. March: Rabbi Jordan Cohen from Temple Anshe Sholom will discuss the Interfaith Institute. April: Professor Aaron Hughes, visiting scholar in Jewish Studies at McMaster, will speak about Muslim-Jewish relations. May: Lawyer Janice Criger will speak at our meeting about a legal health check-up.

22nd Annual Author's Luncheon We held our 22nd Na'amat Author's Luncheon featuring Noah Richler on May 1st 2007. It was a success from all perspectives as a good crowd enjoyed Mr. Richler's stories of growing up in Montreal and heard him relate ideas and passages from his book, This is My Country, What's Yours? A Literary Atlas of Canada. Mr. Richler is particularly dedicated to promoting Canadian literature in schools and many secondary school students were among the audience for the luncheon, and enjoyed the presentation which focused on Stories and What They Do. As always, a light lunch was made and served by our members. Guests at the event had the opportunity to ask questions of the author as well as to purchase books and have them signed by Mr. Richler. We are now looking forward to the 23rd Celebrity Author's Luncheon to take place in the spring of 2008. Details to follow!

Women of Inspiration Evening Our Women of Inspiration Evening took place December 3, 2006. It was a fundraiser event organized to honour four outstanding women of our community, Dr. May Cohen, Mary Blum Devor, Dr. Sharon Hart, and Gloria Silverman. Each of these women has made longstanding contributions to social action, health care and education. Their work embodies the values and ideals promoted by Na'amat Canada.   The tribute evening, held at the Beth Jacob Synagogue, included a reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres, music, and luscious desserts, all prepared by members of our chapter. Funds raised were directed toward the restoration of the Carmiel daycare centre, which was damaged by rocket attacks in the summer of 2006.

Evening With Jean Beliveau
The Evening with Jean Beliveau attracted a wide representation of Canadiens' fans in exile, who were happy to experience a little bit of the warmth that accompanied their sweet Montreal memories. The evening was sponsored by three local donors: Score Media, Parkdale International, and Ron Joyce, former owner of the Tim Horton's franchise. It started with an intimate dinner for Jean Beliveau and 22 of his closest fans, enhanced by a 1971 recording of Beliveau's 500th goal. Thanks to Alan Feldman who compiled this recording and presented it to Jean Beliveau at the dinner.

Following the dinner there was a talkback session with Jean Beliveau that was open to the public. The questions and discussion stimulated a wonderful evening of sharing memories and camaraderie. Event patrons were able to buy Beliveau's book, My Life in Hockey, and have it personally autographed by the hockey legend. Guests were also able to participate in our silent auction of three original hockey jerseys and win a variety of hockey memorabilia through our raffle. Part of the proceeds from this outstanding event has been designated to a Na'amat playground in Israel that will be dedicated in Jean Beliveau's honour.

   

Edeet Ravel at Na'amat Hamilton's 21st Celebrity Author Luncheon The 21st Celebrity Author Luncheon featuring Edeet Ravel, the author of the Tel Aviv Trilogy, was the success we have come to expect of ourselves. She was promoting her recent book, A Wall of Light, nominated for the Scotia Giller Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Award, Canada/Caribbean Region. Edeet read from her book and handled questions with tact and diplomacy. A light lunch was served and the guests had the opportunity to ask questions and to have their books signed by Dr. Ravel. We were delighted to welcome, as our guests at the luncheon, Na'amat National President, Ester Rodzynek, and Lorraine Levene, Na'amat Toronto Executive Director. We are looking forward to the 22nd Celebrity Author Luncheon that will take place in the spring of 2007. Date and details to follow as they become available.