The First Hebrew Congregation Sisterhood is an award-winning organization. We have now won the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism’s Jewels in the Crown award four times. This represents Sisterhood’s high commitment to education, programming, membership, and Torah Fund which supports the seminaries of the Conservative movement.
Always looking to engage with both our local and global communities, we support many worthy organizations. We provide our local food pantry with monthly deliveries of nonperishable foods collected from the FHC family. This year, we transitioned our food donations to financial donations from our members during the pandemic. We have supported local homeless shelters and services for victims of domestic violence in Northern Westchester and neighboring Putnam county.
Yearly, as part of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, we engage in “Sisterhood Shabbat”, a Shabbat service lead almost exclusively by women. Sisterhood Shabbat is a celebratory event accompanied by a special luncheon and heartily enjoyed. Even in light of the pandemic, Sisterhood Shabbat will be held in one form or another.
We also actively raise funds to support the FHC community. The Sisterhood of the 1950s helped pay off the mortgage on the synagogue building while our current Sisterhood contributed generously to the renovation of the sanctuary in 2014. Each year we provide the Book of Remembrance for Yizkor at the holidays, the Shalach Manot packages for Purim and run the Passover Wine Sale. Our wonderful gift shop has items for all your holiday, special event and gift giving needs!
Creative and inspirational programming is our foundation. We have hosted Women’s Seder in celebration of Passover, tea in the Sukkah in the fall to welcome and celebrate our members and the High Holiday season, and diverse guest speakers who bring their knowledge to our community. Meetings are held monthly from September to May. Some of our most recent programs were “Memories and Momentos,” where members brought in special items and explained their histories, a presentation by Joe Rosenstein editor of Eitz Chiam siddur, “Women in the Hanukah Story” led by Rabbi Dana, “You Be the Judge” about Jewish ethics and the Talmud, and a healthy summer cooking class over Zoom with the chef Paula Shoyer.
Sisterhood offers something for everyone! All are welcome. Join us!
Contact Sisterhood@firsthebrew.org.