Meeting Minutes: January 23, 2002

Minutes of January 23, 2002 meeting, Greenfield Day School, Miami

Present: Sharon Argov, Robin Coller, Babette Elfenbein, Heidi Estrin, Inez Feingold, Jackie Fine, Etta Gold, Annette Goldsmith, Sandy Gottesman, Sue Kirshner, Charles Meyers, Arthur Quinn, Phyllis Robarts, Fran Tropp, Alice Warren, Lee Wixman

President Heidi Estrin opened the meeting at 12:30pm. Rabbi Sparks welcomed AJL members. Heidi thanked members for attending and Jackie Fine for hosting the meeting. Heidi wanted to be certain that all members have been receiving electronic messages and newsletters, and asked for current information from anyone not receiving communications.

Heidi introduced the speaker, Fran Tropp, from the Anti-Defamation League(ADL).

Fran discussed the history and work of ADL. Fran is in charge of education programs in Florida. She presented a short video, "Hate Hurts," and distributed the book, Hate Hurts, along with other literature aimed at overcoming prejudiced influences of children. Fran stressed that it is not enough to ignore biased remarks or jokes but to interrupt them and seize the opportunity to educate.

Sidney Taylor awards were announced by Etta Gold. Winners were Sigmund Freud by Catherine Reef and Rivka's First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Rael. An honor book was A Cloak for the Moon by Eric Kimmel. Etta also announced that Heidi is now on the Sidney Taylor Committee. Sandy Gottesman added that she is on the manuscript committee which reviews unpublished manuscripts.

Heidi moved on to the "Swap 'n Share" session to discuss books that deal with helping people cope with problems. These titles will shared with the Florida West Coast chapter, because the Sarasota Jewish Family & Children's Services is creating a Healing Library. Sandy Gottesman, Jackie Fine and Annette Goldsmith also discussed books in this area.

When a Grandparent Dies by Machama Levenson

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

When Dinosaurs Die by Lauren Krasny Brown

The Big Storm by Rhea Tregebov

Sam Who Never Forgets by Eve Rice

Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel

No, David by David Shannon

Shalom, Chaver by Barbara Sofer

My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringgold

Hokusai by Deborah Kogan Ray

What Have You Lost? by Naomi Shihab Nye

Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

Mean Soup by Betsy Everitt

Tell me Something Happy Before I Go To Sleep by Joyce Dunbar

Do You Know What I'll Do? by Charlotte Zolotow

Families by Ann Morris

You Go Away by Dorothy Corey

You Hold Me and I'll Hold You by Jo Carson

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst

Member news:

Lee Wixman is now advertising manager for the AJL national newsletter and is on the convention committee.

Sandy Gottesman is looking for an author or artist that is knowledgeable of Spanish Judaica or art forms as a speaker for her congregation.

Lee also announced that a new library being founded in Flemington, NJ will be dedicated to Irene Levin-Wixman.

Charles Meyers brought used books for other members to select.

Heidi asked for information for the chapter newsletter and thanked those that have contributed.

Sandy Gottesman suggested that members share with each other anything that is published in their respective institutional newsletters.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:25pm.