The National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis has planned two new advocacy series, starting this month. Events in both series take place at NCJW’s office, 295 N. Lindbergh Blvd. in Creve Coeur. Events are free and open to the community, but RSVPs are requested to [email protected] or 314-993-5181. For more information, contact NCJW Marketing Manager Stacy Kress at 314-993-5181 or [email protected]. 

Advocacy skills training

To meet increasing interest in advocacy efforts, NCJW is launching a year of training and activities to educate, train and engage women around a variety of social justice issues and provide a how-to guide to advocacy skills necessary to make a difference. 

• On Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. lobbyist Sarah Martin and Alix Hallen, Minority Council for State Rep. Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, will present a session on how to most effectively work with legislators in Jefferson City and at in-district meetings. Bring a lunch; dessert and drinks provided.  

• On Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., NCJW holds a workshop on writing effective opinion pieces and letters for publication. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.  

• On Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. NCJW St. Louis State Policy Advocacy Chair Melissa Alper will lead a hands-on class on social media advocacy. There will be bagels, juice and coffee served.

The advocacy training program will be overseen by a new Advocacy Working Committee of about 30 women, headed by co-chairs Marilyn Ratkin, Linda Dahl and Jessica Igielnik. Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout the year. Issue-specific trainings and advocacy how-to sessions are also available on-site for host groups like congregations, campus groups, senior residences, neighborhood groups and others. Groups interested in hosting trainings can contact Heather Silverman at 314-993-5181 or [email protected].

Monthly Advocacy in Action series

NCJW’s new, monthly Advocacy in Action evening series to address core issues facing women and children. The series will begin on Thursday, Feb. 16. Sessions will take place on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  Light snacks will be served. 

Topics and dates include:

• Feb. 16: Reproductive Health

• March 16: LGBT/Transgender Issues

• April 20: Courts Matter

• May 11: Healthcare 

• June 15: Common-Sense Gun Control

• Sept. 14: Mental Health and Advocacy Fatigue 

• Oct. 19: Racial Justice

• Nov. 16: Violence against Women

Attendees are encouraged to come early and bring donations to The Resale Shop, which helps fund NCJW’s programs and projects.  Shoppers coming to the Advocacy in Action sessions will be offered a 25 percent discount in The Resale Shop immediately prior to the event. Advocacy in Action is chaired by Amy Hammerman, working in coordination with VP of Advocacy Nancy Litz.