CBD Women’s Initiative (WI)
Strengthening our local community through
shared values, interests and acts of Tikkun Olam.
2025 Highlights
Happy New Year! Thank you to the CBD board and congregation for your enthusiastic participation and generous support of the Women’s Initiative (WI). The WI mission is, “Strengthening our local community through shared values, interests, and acts of Tikkun Olam.”
In 2025, we provided Tikkun Olam support to CT & NY food pantries and domestic violence prevention agencies, and enriched our CBD women’s community through cultural experiences and activities.
2025 was the first full year of the WI and, together, we exceeded expectations. Your generosity, and the CBD $5,000 WI match grant, made it possible to donate +10,000 diapers, +$3,000 gas cards, hundreds of feminine hygiene products, a car load of toys … and so much more:
Focus Agency Support
Activities
We should all be proud of the positive impact the CBD WI had in 2025! In 2026, we look forward to further enriching our local community and the CBD women’s community.
On behalf of the WI, we sincerely thank you for your amazing participation and generosity. Wishing our CBD family good health, happiness and shalom in the new year.
In 2025, we provided Tikkun Olam support to CT & NY food pantries and domestic violence prevention agencies, and enriched our CBD women’s community through cultural experiences and activities.
2025 was the first full year of the WI and, together, we exceeded expectations. Your generosity, and the CBD $5,000 WI match grant, made it possible to donate +10,000 diapers, +$3,000 gas cards, hundreds of feminine hygiene products, a car load of toys … and so much more:
Focus Agency Support
- Project SAGE: Gas card donations, volunteered at Trade Secrets, attended domestic violence prevention vigil
- Grace Smith House: “Pack a Purse” donations, sponsored Clothesline Project, “Sponsor a Family” donations
- The Corner Food Pantry: Diaper & feminine hygiene products donations
- Comida de Vida/Food for Life Pantry: “Desperate for Diapers” donations, Bake Sale donations, Holiday gift cards
Activities
- Food Insecurity & Domestic Violence Prevention education: CBD panels led by Sherry Frankel and Abby Auerbach
- Cultural events: Anne Frank exhibit with Stephanie Wasser, Central Synagogue with Amy Goldberger, Gail Rothschild’s art studio, Jewish Museum with Ellen Glass Birger
- Book Club: Discussions with Rachele Rosenberg and Jane Morgan
- Duchess County Sheriff support: Toy drive organized by Joan Blankstein
We should all be proud of the positive impact the CBD WI had in 2025! In 2026, we look forward to further enriching our local community and the CBD women’s community.
On behalf of the WI, we sincerely thank you for your amazing participation and generosity. Wishing our CBD family good health, happiness and shalom in the new year.
Left: Women's Initiative Hosted Domestic Violence Prevention Panel
Right: Joan Blankstein led the Women's Initiative Holiday Toy Drive
to benefit Dutchess Country Sheriff's Department
Right: Joan Blankstein led the Women's Initiative Holiday Toy Drive
to benefit Dutchess Country Sheriff's Department
Left: WI tour of Central Synagogue with docent Amy Goldberger
Right: Desperate for Diapers donation drive organized by Kathie Gordon
Right: Desperate for Diapers donation drive organized by Kathie Gordon
WI Updates
Many thanks to Sherry Frankel for hosting our November mtg. Exciting plans were put in motion for social/cultural activities for the CBD women, and to advance Tikkun Olam support for our four focus organizations:
Donations and Drives
Stay tuned for WI donations and drives to support our focus organizations. We’ll let you know when and where to volunteer and bring items for donation. Some organizations post their ongoing needs. Please pick the drives that feel right to you, or support them all!
Reminder: When you volunteer and donate to the organizations the WI supports please let them know you are part of the CBD WI. An important aspect of our work is building goodwill for CBD with the local community.
To learn more about the WI and its focus organizations, feel free to ask: Sherry Frankel, [email protected] (Corner Food Pantry), Abby Auerbach, [email protected] (Project SAGE), Kathie Gordon, [email protected] (St. Thomas Food Pantry), and Stephanie Wasser, [email protected] (Grace Smith House)
- Domestic Violence Support Agencies - Project SAGE/CT & Grace Smith House/NY
- Food Pantries - The Corner Food Pantry/CT & The St Thomas Comida de Vida/Food for Life/NY
Reminder: When you volunteer and donate to the organizations the WI supports please let them know you are part of the CBD WI. An important aspect of our work is building goodwill for CBD with the local community.
To learn more about the WI and its focus organizations, feel free to ask: Sherry Frankel, [email protected] (Corner Food Pantry), Abby Auerbach, [email protected] (Project SAGE), Kathie Gordon, [email protected] (St. Thomas Food Pantry), and Stephanie Wasser, [email protected] (Grace Smith House)
Contact [email protected]
to join and suggest initiatives.
to join and suggest initiatives.
