Phyllis Bernstein: "Israel Bedouin -- The Changing Landscape"

As a member of the Jewish Federation of
Greater MetroWest NJ, Phyllis Bernstein has met representatives of Bedouin
communities living in Israel’s Negev region. She has learned firsthand about
the dilemmas facing this population, many of whom are still nomadic and many of
whom live in settlements the Israeli government doesn’t recognize and therefore
won’t provide with basic amenities. Some financial support is given, and there
are attempts underway to improve the living conditions of the Bedouin
communities, but in so many ways there are great gaps and conflicts between their
treatment as compared to the Jewish Israelis.

Bernstein was a CPA/Personal
Financial Specialist for many years and now makes art from her heart. She
paints in oil, acrylic,and mixed media, and makes jewelry. She serves on the
board of the NJ Jewish News and the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ,
where she serves as co-chair of the Arab Citizens of Israel Study Group. Bernstein
actively serves on the Inter-agency Task Force for Israeli Arab Issues and the
Jewish Federation of North America’s Social Venture Fund for Jewish Arab
Equality and Shared Society.

The Ethical Culture Society of Essex
County is a progressive non-theist religion dedicated to living ethically in a
complex world. Founded in l876 and established in Maplewood in l945, over the
years the ethical culture movement (known as The American Ethical Union) has
been instrumental in launching Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, Visiting Nurses, New
York Settlement House, Fieldston School, and National Ethical Service at the UN.
The Society began a long-running Ethics for Children program and most recently,
Time Essex Exchange (a time bank facilitating the exchange of services) among
other initiatives. The Maplewood Society was the first peace site in the
country. Its motto is: to act so as to bring out the best in ourselves by
bringing out the best in others.  

Contact information:
973-763-1905; www.essexethical.org. Join us for
weekly programs, discussions, and fellowship Sundays at 11 am. All are welcome.