history & traditions
The shaarie torah
sisterhood
The Congregation Shaarie Torah Sisterhood was established as the B’Noth Auxiliary in 1918 and has been the backbone of the synagogue through the generations, much like a mother is the backbone of her family.
supporting the shul for every generation of women
The members of the CST Sisterhood are passionate about supporting our synagogue and helping each other and the community. The Sisterhood membership remains a group that not only works together for a fully functioning Shul, but also provides a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
Gift Shop at Shaarie Torah
Sisterhood also runs the Diane Nemer Sisterhood Gift Shop which is named for its beloved and longtime organizer. Founded over sixty years ago with one donated display case, the Gift Shop’s purpose was to fund the Sunday School (this is still true today, where 100% of its proceeds go directly to the Etz Chaim Religious School). This was the first shop in the city to stock Judaica items where people could shop directly instead of the Rabbi having to order items like yarmulkes and ketubahs.
Years of Hard Work & Incredible Events
Over the decades, Sisterhood has hosted luncheons, fashion shows, card parties, book reviews and speakers as well as blood drives. The original Silver Tea, held right after Yom Kippur, kicked off the year by the passing of the pushka box to raise funds for the year’s projects.
Today, Sisterhood still oversees the kosher kitchen, Social Hall rentals, and encourages and maintains standards for family events and programming, provides scholarships for kids for camp and school, and enjoys social and community activities.
The Hamentashen Project
In the 1950s, Sisterhood also began its most famous fundraiser, the baking of hamentashen, and in its first year sold 100 dozen. In the warm, noisy kitchen, experienced cooks teach the novices how to roll dough, shape balls of fruit, knip, egg wash, bake, and pack. In 2009, Sisterhood sold nearly 3,000 dozen and ships them all over the world.
Sisterhood Board
Our dedicated and strategic board members.
President: Shira Newman
Treasurer: Trudi Stone
Recording Secretary: Rose Schneier
Corresponding Secretary: Barbie Enkelis
Programming Chair: Linda Weiner
Recently, Sisterhood has continued on a growth curve, welcomed new members, created communication tools and timelines, expanded activities as well as roles and functions within the Shul, and multiplied Gift Shop offerings. In our recent down economy, Sisterhood has still managed to increase contributions, continued to sponsor kiddushes, Wednesday night school kosher dinners, and numerous educational activities, as well as building maintenance repairs and upgrades. To top it all off, we recently introduced a new flavor of Hamentaschen! Shaarie Torah Sisterhood is welcoming new members. Membership dues are $25.00 for the year.
The Sharron Scales Scholarship Fund
The Sharron Scales scholarship is a fund that has been established and maintained by Shaarie Torah Sisterhood to assist with student’s financial needs to help attend a Jewish camp or other Jewish educational activity.
Recent Years