Meeting Minutes: December 10, 2002

Minutes of December 10, 2002 meeting, Temple Judea, Coral Gables

Present: Helen Beloff, Gertrude Berman, Kathleen Clotfelter, Robin Coller, Ena Dankmeijer, Linda Datko, Rosemary DePalila, Heidi Estrin, Inez Feingold, Jackie Fine, Etta Gold, Phyllis Gutmann, Andrea Kalish, Adele Katz, Sue Kirschner, Charles Meyers, Arthur Quinn, Phyllis Robarts, Saresta Rolland, Sara Schandelson, Schlomit Schwarzer, Alice Shook, Walter Spielman, Lee Wixman

Heidi Estrin called the meeting to order at 12:35pm, thanking Phyllis Robarts for hosting, and welcoming two guests from Curaçao: AJL member Ena Dankmeijer and her friend Rosemary DePalila, a public librarian.

Heidi announced that the annual convention organizers have offered each chapter the opportunity to contribute to a presentation in the programming. Etta Gold suggested a presentation on the newsletter. Schlomit Schwarzer suggested speaking about how to maintain a cohesive chapter. Etta suggested combining the topics. Members shared their thoughts on what keeps our chapter going: Alice Shook commented that our chapter is very supportive of its members. Walter Spielman said that there is very good communication to members. Helen Beloff said that the luncheons are excellent. Kathleen Clotfelter said that the diversity in the chapter is a strength.

Heidi announced that the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County asked the chapter for suggestions each month of adult Judaic books which could be posted on the Federation's website. SFAJL will commit to this as an ongoing project. Members present suggested various titles.

Heidi presented the chapter's pre-certification process for libraries seeking accreditation. This process is intended to draw positive attention to the accreditation process. One of the steps is to present a certificate to the administrator and to get letters of support from library patrons. Julie Lambert, director of education at Temple Judea, spoke about her support of the library and Phyllis' hard work. Heidi then presented Ms. Lambert with a Pre-Certification certificate and a "Love My Library" mug. Members were then given questions pertaining to the collection at Temple Judea and asked to offer comments on their impression of the library.

Swap & Share: Ideas for books related to Tu B'Shvat were shared by the membership. Heidi Estrin, Etta Gold and Jackie Fine had brought books to show, and others suggested additional titles:

Behold the Trees by Sue Alexander

Noah's Trees by Bijou Le Tord

Solomon and the Trees by Matt Biers-Ariel

The Tree That Cried by Doris Schwerin

Where Once There Was a Wood by Denise Fleming

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynn Cherry

The Never Ending Greenness by Neil Waldman

Pearl Moskowitz's Last Stand by Arthur A. Levine

A Tree Full of Mitzvos by Dina Rosenfeld

Joshua's Dream by Sheila Segal

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

A Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

A Seder for Tu B'Shevat by Harlene Winnick Appelman

Poem: "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer ("I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree...")

Jewish National Fund web site at www.jnf.org

In chapter news, Lee Wixman announced that the library at the newly built Temple Sharee Shalom in Boynton Beach will be dedicated to Irene Levin-Wixman. Andrea Kalish announced that the theater group at Hillel Community Day School in N. Miami Beach will present Shylock December 13 and all members may attend. The playright will be present. Adele Katz announced that Israel needs English books shipped there. Adele may be contacted for details. Sue Kirschner thanked the chapter's response to her offering of donated and duplicate books. Etta announced that Der Yiddisher Mikado will be playing at Dade and Broward locations January 16, 19 and 20, presented by the Yiddish Light Opera Company of Long Island. The next meeting will be at Temple Israel, West Palm Beach on February 12.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15pm.

Meeting Minutes: October 16, 2002

Minutes of October 16, 2002 meeting, Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Boca Raton

Present: Gertrude Berman, Kathleen Clotfelter, Robin Coller, Heidi Estrin, Inez Feingold, Jackie Fine, Etta Gold, Wendy Grant, Phyllis Gutmann, Sandy Hirshhorn, Minerva Katz, Sue Kirschner, Charles Meyers, Arthur Quinn, Arlene Robert, Saresta Rolland, Ethel Rothenberg, Tobias Rothenberg, Sara Schandelson, Ellen Schnier, Stephanie Schoenberger, Alice Shook, Walter Spielman, Ruth Weiner, Lee Wixman

I) Etta Gold commenced the meeting at 12:05pm at the request of President Heidi Estrin.

II) Prior to lunch, guest speaker, Robin Heston, was introduced and gave a brief announcement regarding her position as regional representative of Gale Publishing Group. She offered us a discount on Gale books.

III) Etta acknowledged Phyllis Gutmann for her hospitality in hosting the meeting today. Etta also explained details about organizational and chapter membership in AJL, which are separate.

IV) Phyllis Gutmann spoke of her library's Birthday Book Club at Donna Klein Jewish Academy. For a donation of $25, a patron can purchase a new book for the library with a plate commemorating their child's birthday. During the month in which the birthday occurs, a list of children's names is posted, drawing attention to this program. The birthday child is offered first crack at the new book. Jackie Fine of Greenfield Day School in Miami also has a Birthday Book Club. Jackie said that the most important result is teaching children the importance of giving and specifically of libraries. Children can donate to the program annually. Other members contributed information about their programs and methods of fundraising.

V) Jewish Book Month occurs during the 30 days before Hanukah. This year, it begins in late October. Members shared announcements of events scheduled to take place this month and into early next year. It was noted that the audiobook company Jewish Contemporary Classics has announced that November is henceforth Jewish Audiobook Month. Suggestions for related activities are available on their website at www.jccaudiobooks.com/lib-audiomonth.htm. Heidi also mentioned that a number of good Jewish Book Month suggestions are available on a school web site at www.akivaschool.com/jbm.htm.

VI) Phyllis Gutmann requested assistance cataloging in the Weine system. Sandra Hirschhorn of Jewish GenMall asked if anyone would like to be on her mailing list.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:25pm.

Meeting Minutes: August 22, 2002

Minutes of August 22, 2002 meeting, Central Agency for Jewish Education, Miami

Present: Margot Berman, Robin Coller, Heidi Estrin, Etta Gold, Sandy Gottesman, Bea Muskat, Art Quinn, Phyllis Robarts, Sara Schandelson, Schlomit Schwarzer, Alice Shook, Walter Spielman, Lee Wixman, Shirley Wolfe

I) President Heidi Estrin opened the meeting at 12:25pm. Heidi thanked Shirley Wolfe for hosting the meeting at her library. Shirley gave some background as to the loss of funds for her library budget over the past few years. The new director of CAJE seems to be taking more of an interest in the library, but it is unknown whether the CAJE library will continue to be viable.

II) Convention news- Heidi announced that eight chapter members attended the convention in Denver this past June. Heidi, Etta Gold and Lee Wixman all spoke of their experiences at the convention. The new president of ALA, Mitch Freedman, spoke at the convention highlighting the need to raise the level of respect and pay of library professionals. His speech was part of the inspiration for our chapter's new "pre-certification" project.

III) Pre-certification- Heidi spoke of the accreditation process and a new program created by our chapter to help promote the importance of the library. This pre-certification step is not an official requirement of accreditation but it is suggested that those librarians seeking accreditation participate in this extra step. Those interested would host a chapter meeting and invite the administrator of the host institution to speak at the meeting about the importance of the library, at least to raise consciousness of the library. Participants should also compile letters of appreciation to demonstrate the impact of the library on its users. During the pre-certification meeting, chapter members would help the host to assess their library in order to fill out the accreditation paperwork more easily. For a full explanation, see the cover story in Headlines & Footnotes, August, 2002.

IV) Chapter business- members discussed topics for future meetings, such as birthday book clubs, senior book clubs and teaching through historical fiction.

Membership dues ($15.00) should be sent to Heidi.

Heidi issued a press release on the chapter's representation at the Denver convention, which was published in the Sun-Sentinel's "Shalom Today" section, August 8, 2002. The tour coordinator of FAU's Judaica Collection, upon reading the article, contacted Heidi to invite SFAJL to visit the collection and perhaps to hold a meeting there. Other SFAJL members are encouraged to use this press release in their own local papers, or to create press releases when appropriate.

Lee Wixman shared a letter from Palm Beach County Library System announcing its joining AJL.

V) Swap and Share- Shirley, Heidi, and Etta shared information on publications related to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Some other members said that their congregations will have services remembering the attacks but have had little publicity. Other members had been asked by law enforcement not to have services on that date.

VI) YOUR News- Sandy Gottesman announced she is getting married in October. Robin Coller announced her graduation on August 10 from USF's library science program. Phyllis Guttman's mother in New York recently passed away.

The next AJL meeting will be at Temple Israel in West Palm Beach on October 16. Alice Warren Shook will be our hostess, and we will initiate the pre-certification process for accreditation during the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45pm.

Meeting Minutes: May 15, 2002

Minutes of May 15, 2002 meeting, Temple Beth Emet, Cooper City

In attendance: Heidi Estrin (Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton); Sandy Hirschhorn (Jewish Genealogy On-Line Mall); Etta D. Gold (Temple Beth Am, Miami); Jackie Fine (Greenfield Day School, Miami); Wendy Grant; Beatrice Citron; Phyllis Gutmann (Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Boca Raton); Lillian Beer (Beth David, Miami); Robin Coller (Gordon Day School, Miami); Andrea Kalish (Hillel Community Day School, Miami); Lee Wixman (AJL Newsletter); Charles Meyers (Temple Emanu-El, Palm Beach); Walter Speilman (Temple Anshe Shalom); Shirley Wolfe (CAJE, Miami and Temple Beth Emet).

Host Shirley Wolfe welcomed us and gave a brief history of the congregation and the direction it is headed. The building is less than a year old and is quite beautiful. Beth Emet recently re-located to this Flamingo Road site and grew from a couple hundred families to approximately one thousand.

President Heidi Estrin began the meeting with the announcement that Muriel Efron is continuing to work on the project of sending children's books (in English) to a JCC in Odessa, Russia. Anyone with appropriate material should contact Muriel at efronm15@aol.com.

Meeting dates and possible hosts for next year were discussed. Etta Gold, Andrea Kalish, Phyllis Gutmann, and Walter Speilman volunteered their institutions. A short discussion ensued regarding the day of the week to meet. Several people spoke in behalf of scheduling the meetings to occur always on the same day. Phyllis and Andrea believe that the same day works better for those in day school settings, while Lee stated that alternating days are best. We voted to continue our current mode of alternating days for now.

Topics for next year: Kathleen suggested having author Barbara Udell of Boca Raton speak to us about her book on Spirituality and Jewish women; Charles suggested programs on The Media And Israel and Jewish parenting; Etta recommended presenting workshops about our own successes, where we would invite people from the community to attend in order to publicize our organization.

Heidi was our speaker and presented a preview of her upcoming Convention presentation "Is the Rainbow Fish Jewish? Secular Picture Books that Reinforce Jewish Concepts and Values." Why not use Jewish books to begin with? We live in a secular community; mainstream culture is all pervasive. Additionally, secular books are generally less didactic and thus have more kid appeal. Since Jewish values can be found all over - Judaism is a way of looking at the world - one need only look for mitzvoth in stories. It's a good idea to translate values from the Hebrew into English and then do a search. When one asks children how to be nice, they generally come up with a list of "don't"s. It's more important to give them a list of "do"s. In The Rainbow Fish, the fish learns to be generous, for example.

Another suggestion for ferreting out positive values in stories is to have children award a Mitzvah Medal to characters in the stories they're read. Some good resources for locating values can be found in Jewish Every Day by Maxine Segal Handelman. Additional sources are listed in 2 handouts.

For the "Swap and Share" segment of our meeting, we discussed ways in which to promote your library. Don't talk about what you've got, but why the library is important. Have a packet about the library included in give-aways to new employees and/or members. Much of our discussion re-focused on what to do with existing libraries that are now in a state of disrepair. Bea asked advice for how to proceed with a neglected library where the powers-that-be believe that the library is passé. Shirley suggested delivering a sermon, as she does monthly, about books is productive. It was suggested that we present something about libraries to a PAC (Judaic Principals) meeting at CAJE. We (our chapter) need to design a presentation, as there is much mis-information. Lillian Beer says she has a different problem, one that pertains to adults rather than children. She wants to know how to promote her library to adults.

The meeting was adjourned at about 2:30 and we toured the facility, which is still under construction.

Meeting Minutes: March 14, 2002

Minutes of March 14, 2002 meeting, B'nai Torah Congregation, Boca Raton

Present: Sharon Argov, Robin Coller, Heidi Estrin, Etta Gold, Anita Greene, Michael Greene, Phyllis Gutman, Andrea Kalish, Sue Kirshner, Arthur Quinn, Rabbi Tobias Rothenberg, Barbara Samuels, Schlmoit Schwarzer, Edith Sherman, Miriam Shulman, Walter Spielman, Lee Wixman, Shirley Wolfe

President Heidi Estrin opened the meeting at 1:05pm. Heidi thanked Sue Kirshner for hosting the meeting at her library. Heidi gave some information about the passing of member Ruth Abelow on March 7 from cancer. Heidi will publish some biographical information about Ruth in the chapter newsletter. Etta Gold mentioned that Ruth was a charter member of our AJL chapter.

Heidi introduced the speaker, Michael Greene, author of the recently published book and CD set Tzedekah and the Precious Pushke.

Mr. Greene talked about his start in writing children's songs about 13 years ago. He also wrote two other children's books, Gee I Wish I Had a Bedroom That was All My Own and The Green Pea. His latest book is accompanied by a CD with songs and stories and has been acquired by many libraries across the country. Heidi asked how an amateur might publish. Mr. Greene said he would first prove that a book has a market before actually publishing the book. Usually 5,000 copies sold is sufficiently convincing for a publisher to make the investment. Publicity can be through conventions, book fairs, fund raising events, etc. Mr. Greene also demonstrated how printing in color is done. At the end of his presentation, he distributed order forms for members that might like to acquire this title.

Heidi announced that subsidies for attending convention were available from national AJL, but the request forms must be postmarked March 15. Heidi also said that the chapter may be able to assist attendees and encouraged attendance for the good experience that the convention offers. Etta also encouraged attendance to take advantage of meeting members from different cities and learning from various sessions. Heidi announced that our chapter has an ad in the convention program book and passed around a sample. We decided that we will buy another ad in memory of Ruth Abelow.

Heidi moved on to the "Swap 'n Share" session to discuss member contributions to newsletters published by their institutions and schools. Heidi brought samples of her articles and also brought articles from Sandy Gottesman. Etta brought an issue of The Commentator printed monthly by Temple Beth Am to which she contributes regularly. Other members shared their contributions to newsletters printed by their institutions. The next Swap 'n Share topic will be to share how librarians can promote the importance of the library to those in authority of their respective institutions.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30pm.

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.