Dear {Contact_First_Name},

Happy Halloween! Here are some fun activities to do this Halloween in Berlin.  Missing from this list are trick-or-treating on Goldfinkstrasse and Lützelsteinerweg, and Halloween at the Botanischer Garten and Karls Erdbeeren Hof. Have a wonderfully gruselig time!

This month, our club is bustling with activities. In addition to regular activities, we are excited to be able to offer a general meeting with our FAWCO charity recipient coming from Jordan, a weekend talk with a female Israeli artist and gallerist (partners invited), our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, and a commemoration of the UN Declaration of Human Rights (teens invited). So, do take advantage of the full calendar, which was nicely planned by Lissa and her Programs team for you.

Speaking of Programs team, I'd like to welcome our new volunteers: RSVP managers Maya Guice & Silvia Malo, and activity coordinators Beate Tenberg-Sprang, Cindy Brown, Diana Groehn, and June Lee. Beate will coordinate Art & Culture, Cindy Walking Tours, Diana Cooking events, and June will co-coordinate Dining Out with Betty Ehmann.

We still need help with:

1. General Meetings Event Management - 7 times a year
2. Special Events Event Management - 3 events (July 4th, Thanksgiving, AGM/Holiday Party)
3. Advertising/PR Manager
4. Activity Coordinator - "Better Me" Personal/Skills Development type activities 4x year
5. Activity Coordinator - "Creative Pursuits" type activities 4x year (e.g. photography, painting, sewing, beading, etc.)

Love,

My-Linh

My-Linh Kunst
President, The American Women's Club of Berlin
president@awcberlin.org

VOTE in the MIDTERMS!!!!! Don't forget to mail/send in your ABSENTEE ballot. Check Absentee Ballot deadlines by state here. Depending on your voting state, you may be allowed to email or fax in your ballot, but many require ballot to be mailed in.

AWC Berlin 2019 Board Nominations

We are happy to announce the nominations for the AWC Berlin 2019 Board of Directors. The Board serves a one-year term, beginning in January, 2019:

• President - Janel Schermerhorn
  
• First Vice-President - Lissa Rosenbloom
  
• Second Vice-President - Allison Siegert
  
• Secretary - Sara Switzman
  
• Treasurer - Angela Andersen

AWC Berlin FACEBOOK Private Group

If you are not already a member of our private members only Facebook group, please click here and join "AWC Berlin Members Only PRIVATE".

The AWC Berlin Members Only PRIVATE is open to current members only and is a casual, respectful and friendly forum for member announcements (for example, babies! weddings!, etc.), discussion, information and questions regarding AWC-related topics and/or life in Berlin. 

• Please do note create "FB EVENT" in this FB group. Refer to the calendar on our website for all events.
  

• Please do not post charity donation requests or political items not related to the AWC Berlin.

• You are invited to let us know about your business, but please limit commercial, self-promotional posts to Mondays and be sure to preface your post with MARKETING MONDAY. No comments are allowed on these posts.

• When in doubt, please contact My-Linh at president@awcberlin.org.

Thank you for your cooperation!

AWC Berlin Facebook Page | AWCB Website

Welcome to our New Members

We look forward to seeing you at one of the events below!

Member Announcements

Congratulations to: 

• Claudia Tessier on recently passing the B1 exam! AND on getting married in October to long-time partner Peter Waeggemann.
  
• Dominique Daniel on recently passing the B1 exam AND on getting married over the summer!
• Kelly Koertner on her new position as Project Coordinator for the Mobility Division at HERE Technologies in Mitte!
• Cristina Nardini on her new position as a psychologist at a therapeutic residence!
  
• Jacqueline Routier on her new position as Director of Marketing & Communications at CytoSorbents Europe GmbH!
• Elizabeth Kang on opening her own art gallery, Kang Contemporary, in Kreuzberg in September!
• Cheryl McLandrich and her husband on the birth of their son, Finn, in June!
  

We want to celebrate YOU! If there is something similar you would like to share with the membership, please email membership@awcberlin.org and we will include it in the next newsletter!

Looking for 30 Christmas Angels!

We are seeking AWC volunteer sponsors to provide holiday cheer to young women. AWC is partnering with Agape Tree again this year, offering a Holiday Shoebox for single girls/women (refugee and local), and single mothers with children, at Leben Lernen e.V., mainly between 15-21 years of age. Volunteers will be provided details about their recipient, and guidelines as to the kinds of items to include in their box. We'll fill and wrap our boxes together (date & location tbd) or you could drop off your wrapped box at a drop off point.

Leben Lernen’s goal is to shelter young single women and single mothers for up to two years (in secure homes in Schöneberg & Kreuzberg), teach them life skills, and help them build a foundation for living successful, independent lives. Your contribution as a CHRISTMAS ANGEL will go a long way in creating a positive shift in the feeling these women have around the holidays - often associated with stress, violence, and abuse - transforming it into a more joyous season.  If you’re interested, please email Molly Brown at community@awcberlin.org.

Special Event: Thanksgiving Luncheon

You are invited to our annual members-only Thanksgiving Luncheon at the lovely home of Christine Bonello. Turkey and drinks will be provided, please bring along potluck sides and dessert, ideally something in keeping with a traditional Thanksgiving or Autumn meal.

For inquiries, please contact president@awcberlin.org

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. 

When: Tuesday, November 21st - 11:30am-2:00pm 
Where: Christine Bonello's home in Westend, Charlottenburg 14055
RSVP in 2 steps: to your EVITE and indicate here what you will bring to the Potluck.

November General Meeting

Our General Meeting guest speaker is Amanda Lane, Executive Director of Collateral Repair Project (CRP), chosen as the beneficiary of the FAWCO Target Program Education 2016-2019. Since 2016, AWC Berlin has donated  7700 Euro to CRP through FAWCO, so come hear what has been done with our funds.

Amanda, an American living in Jordan, will shed light on the situation in the Middle East by presenting comprehensive, comparative numbers and bringing stories to life from the refugees she serves, thus connecting us first-hand to their situations.

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. 

When: Wednesday, November 7th, 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: Kaffeehaus Mila Grolmanstraße 40 , Berlin, 10623

RSVP to your EVITE here by Nov 3rd and include your menu selection.

Featured Event I: Gallery Talk

You and your family are invited to a talk with artist Alona Harpaz at her gallery CIRCLE 1 in Schöneberg with reception to follow. This event is kindly sponsored by Laura Kam, AWC member and wife of Israeli Ambassador, Jeremy Issacharoff.

Ms Harpaz will speak to us about her journey from Israel and how Berlin has influenced 

her art, about the motivation behind her founding of CIRCLE 1, and about the meetings

it has fostered between artists from Arabic countries and Iran, something that would not 

have been possible in Israel. 

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. 

When: Saturday, November 10th - 3:00-5:00pm 
Where: Circle 1 Gallery, Hauptstraße 101 Berlin, 10827
RSVP: to rsvp@awcberlin.org and specify the number of people attending in your group

Featured Event II: Human Rights Reading

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, we invite you and your teens to join us in celebrating the Declaration, and reaffirming the importance of upholding these principles and standards worldwide. Let's also draw attention to the fact that women are still awaiting equality.

Everyone is invited to read one of the articles in your own language, or just come along to bear witness. Once you rsvp, you will receive more details from president@awcberlin.org.  We're extending a special invitation to your teens from 15 years old.

This evening is part of the UN’s Stand Up 4 Human Rights campaign to promote understanding of the Universal Declaration and reflect on how each of us can stand up for human rights.

Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. 

When: Thursday, November 29th - 7:00-9:00pm 
Where: Janet Chesterman's home Berlin, 10707
RSVP: to rsvp@awcberlin.org 

Join the AWC Berlin

We are a vibrant group of women of all ages and our members come from not only the USA but from other countries around the world. Please spread the word and invite your friends to join!

Ask your friends to visit us on Facebook or on our website!

Did you know that the Club has a blog? Our Berlin Americana Blog is a space for members to share their creative writing, reflections on personal or club experiences, or thoughts on global and local issues. If you have thoughts swirling around in your head that you'd like to share, then write a poem, a paragraph, or a short essay and submit them to Blog Editor, Janel Schermerhorn, at blog@awcberlin.org. Musings can take any format - short or long, serious, tough, funny or anything in between. In keeping with our non-partisan status, please no political pieces. Check out the blog: https://www.awcberlin.org/blog 

November 2018 Calendar of Events

Daytime Activities

Celebrating Women Photographers

Wednesday, November 7th 11:30am - 2:00pm Location: Willie's Bistro at  Wilhelmstraße 140, in der Passage des Willy-Brandt-Hause Berlin, 10963 Cost is free but bring ID! RSVP rsvp@awcberlin.org

Join us for Lunch and the opportunity to enjoy exhibits of two fascinating photographers: Bernice Kolko and Vivian Maier, at the Willy-Brandt-Haus.  American street photographer Vivian Maier (1926-2009) didn't share her life's work with others, so it wasn't seen by the public until it was discovered in a garage sale! Incredible story, incredible work.  Bernice Kolko (1905-1970) was born in Poland, came to the US as a teen, and her photography took her all over the world from Mexico to Israel to much of Asia. Featured in this exhibit is her most famous subject, Frida Kahlo. For more information click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Tour of Welcome to Jerusalem €13-18

Wednesday, November 14th 12:00pm-1:30pm Location: Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstraße 9-14  Berlin, 10969 RSVP: to rsvp@awcberlin.org

Meet two people who will show you the Welcome to Jerusalem exhibition and discuss their highly personal relationships with the city with each other and with you. All guides had personal connections to Jerusalem: some were born and raised there, others have worked there as a photographer, journalist, or tour guide, or have engaged with the city artistically: a Jew with Ukrainian roots, the leader of a Berlin mosque, a Christian Arabist, and a Muslim Judaism scholar describe Jerusalem’s significance for their own religion or family. Tour lasts 1.5 hours. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early due to security screening at the museum. Cost is 8 Euro entrance plus 5-10 Euro per person for guide, depending on number of participants. Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Calling Bloggers - roundtable meet-up

Thursday, November 15th 11:00am - 1:00pm Location: Wiener Conditorei Caffeehaus, Reichsstraße 81 Berlin, 14052 RSVP by November 13th rsvp@awcberlin.org

Do you manage your own blog or are interested in starting one? Did you start a blog and it has been left to collect dust ever since? If this rings true, please come join us for an informal round table discussion. We hope to all benefit from the exchange of our own personal experiences and to identify the areas in which we all could use a little help. You should come if for no other reason than to have an excuse to order cake. We look forward to seeing you there. P.S. If you are extremely interested, but not available during daytime hours please let us know so that we can plan an evening get-together. For more information click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Calling Travel Enthusiasts - Travel Bug Forum

Friday, November 16th 10:30am-12:30pm Location: Goldhahn & Sampson Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorfer Straße 102/103, 10629 Berlin RSVP: rsvp@awcberlin.org

Inspired by travel? You’re invited to come hear about, dream about, and/or share weekend get-aways and holiday travel adventures with like minded AWC members. Find out where to go when. What to pack, what to buy, and where to eat! Share your experiences and learn from others at this relaxed travel bug meet up. See event here in AWC calendar.

Thanksgiving Luncheon 

Wednesday, November 21st 11:30am-2:00pm Location: Cristine Bonello's home in Zehlendorf RSVP in 2 steps: to your EVITE and indicate here what you will bring to the Potluck.

As Featured Above See event here in AWC calendar.

Make your Own - Porcelain Christmas Ornament €15

Two Sessions: Friday, November 23rd & Friday 30th 11:00am-2:00pm Location: Beate Ceramics at Bautzener Str. 8 Schöneberg, 10829 Germany RSVP: rsvp@awcberlin.org

Would you like to make a snowman? Or a snowflake, star or other lovely porcelain holiday decoration?  Porcelain, cutting tools etc will be provided. Bring your own cookie cutters or create free style pieces. After a short drying period, your creation will be bisque fired.  Once this step is done, in the 2nd workshop, you return to the studio to polish and possibly glaze your  art before it is glaze fired. They should all be done in time for Christmas. See event here in AWC calendar. And click here to see workshop leader AWC member Beate Tenberg-Sprang's work!

Recurring Daytime Activities

Kaffee Klatsch West

Friday, November 2nd 10:30am-12:00pm Location: centrally located Park Cafe, (Fehrbelliner Pl. 8, 10707 Berlin (at U7/U3 stop)

Kaffee Klatsch is our monthly “Coffee Chat” from 10:30 to 12:00. Stop by to connect, catch up with old friends or make new ones. No RSVP needed, just show up. There will always be someone there, with whom to chat. Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar. No RSVP needed, just show up!

Kaffee Klatsch Ost

Tuesday, November 6th 10:30am-12:00pm Location: Chipps at Jägerstraße 35  Berlin, 10117

Kaffee Klatsch Ost is our eastside “Coffee Chat” from 10:30 to 12:00. Stop by to connect, catch up with old friends or make new ones. No RSVP needed, just show up and there will be someone there from AWC to chat with! Click here for details about this event in the AWC calendar.

Tennis

Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm Location: Steglitz Blue/Gold Club (Leonorenstraße 37-39  Berlin, 12247) RSVP: tennis@awcberlin.org

All levels are welcome to join our weekly group! Price is 700€ for the Winter season, lessons for Beginners would be at extra cost. Meeting dates: Thurs Nov 1, Mon Nov 5, Thurs Nov 8, Mon Nov 12, Thurs Nov 15, Mon Nov 19, Thurs Nov 22, Mon Nov 26, and Thurs Nov 29. Click here for more details about this event in the AWC calendar.

German Conversation

Mondays 10:30am - 12:00pm Location: Wiener Conditorei at Truman Plaza (Clayallee 175 in Dahlem) RSVP: by emailing: german@awcberlin.org

Come join us for weekly German conversation over coffee in a safe and judgment-free environment. We always have a good time! Usually we are joined by AWC Berlin members who are native-German speakers. Please check the AWC Facebook page or email before heading over, to make sure that someone will be there.   Click here to learn more about this event in the AWC calendar.

Creative Writing Practice

Tuesdays, November 13th, 20th, 27th 10:00am-12:30pm Cost: 8 wks/€100, 6 wks/€75 RSVP: writingclass@awcberlin.org

Join this diverse group of writers, whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional. No previous experience necessary!  At our weekly gatherings, we apply various writing prompts as springboards to unlock and unleash our authentic voices, and share these writings in an atmosphere of trust and deep listening. Uncover the building blocks of good storytelling and discover the seeds of fuller, more developed pieces - from memoir to fiction. If you've never taken the class before, your first one is free. No classes during school holidays.  See event here in AWC calendar.

Evening Activities

Evening Book Club 

Tuesday, November 6th 7:00pm-9:00pm Location: Sara Switzman's in Berlin 10117 RSVP: by emailing bookclub@awcberlin.org

We’ll be discussing People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Please bring a light snack to share. Sara will provide wine and water. Open to AWC Berlin members only, except nonmembers may attend once prior to joining. You can get Sara's address in the Mitte area in your members directory copy, or when RSVPing.  Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

November General Meeting Dinner €16-19

Wednesday, November 7th 6:30pm-9:00pm Location: Kaffeehaus Mila Grolmanstraße 40  Berlin, 10623 RSVP to your EVITE here by Nov 3rd and include your menu selection.

As Featured Above See event here in AWC calendar.

Girls Night Out 

Tuesday, November 13th 7:00pm-9:00pm Location: Pasternak Restaurant at 22-24, Knaackstraße  Berlin, 10405 RSVP by Nov 12th: to evening@awcberlin.org

As the Berlin days start cooling down, we thought it would be a great idea to warm our souls with some Russian fare.  Join us at Pasternak in Prenzlauer Berg for our next Girls Night Out. Excite your palate with blinis, Jewish specialities dumplings and more. Click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

20s & 30s Christmas Market

Tuesday, November 27th 7:00pm-9:00pm Location: Meet at front of snow slide RSVP: jgianas@gmail.com

Specifically for (but not limited to) our members who are in their 20s & 30s. we'll be jumping right in to Weihnachten Season at Potsdamer Platz. Meet in front of the snow slide. Please check the calendar here for details on this event in the AWC calendar.

Evening Reading - Human Rights Declaration 

Thursday, November 29th 7:00pm-9:00pm Location: Janet Chesterman's home in Berlin, 10707 Germany RSVP: rsvp@awcberlin.org

As Featured Above See event here in AWC calendar.

Recurring Evening Activities

Evening Creative Writing Practice

Wednesdays, November 14th, 21st, and 28th 6:30pm-9:00pm For more information email Molly: writingclass@awcberlin.org

Join this diverse group of writers, whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional. No previous experience necessary!!  At our weekly gatherings, we apply various writing prompts as springboards to unlock and unleash our authentic voices, and share these writings in an atmosphere of trust and deep listening. Uncover the building blocks of good storytelling and discover the seeds of fuller, more developed pieces - from memoir to fiction. If you've never taken the class before, your first one is free. No classes during school holidays. For more information click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Weekend Activities

Gallery Talk: CIRCLE 1

Saturday November 10th 3:00pm-5:00pm  CIRCLE 1 Gallery, in Schöneberg at Hauptstraße 101 Berlin, 10827 RSVP: rsvp@awcberlin.org

As featured above.  For more information click here to see this event in the AWC calendar.

Dining Out: Tapas

Saturday, November 17th 7:00pm-9:00pm Location: AndaLucia Tapasbar & Restaurant Savignyplatz 2, 10623 Berlin RSVP: diningout@awcberlin.org

It is tapas time.  You and your partner are invited to join us on our weekend dinner out. Enjoy Spanish flair close to Kudamm. At the AndaLucia – Tapasbar & Restaurant you can experience original Spanish meals! Only a few foot steps away from train station Savignyplatz you can escape from the noise of metropolis and plunge into the cozy world of AndaLucia. Try the variety and richness of the Spanish cuisine: in addition to a numerousness number of tasty main courses you will find a tremendous choice of tapas… and excellent Spanish wines, a lot of them self imported. Click here to find this event on the AWC calendar.

View the AWC November Calendar

FAWCO Update

Reading material? FAWCO members are advocates for issues around the globe, with four areas of focus for "taking action": health, education, environment and human rights. Read more about them on the FAWCO website at www.fawco.org and click "Subscribe" for regular update emails. Education Awards. You, AWC Berlin member, are also a member of FAWCO. So you, your children, and/or your grandchildren may be eligible to apply for $5,000 Educational Awards. There are nine of these awards! For specifics, go to www.fawcofoundation.org. As your FAWCO representative for AWC Berlin, I am available to discuss these opportunities and/or write a recommendation. The deadline for applications is January 27, 2019. We have two past Educational Award winners among us: My-Linh Kunst and Susanne Ollmann.  Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 63) at the United Nations in New York City is scheduled to take place March 11-22, 2019. Our FAWCO member status makes us eligible to attend these meetings as delegates. You do not have to attend for the full 2 weeks. I recommend this experience if you want to learn more about global women's issues and how the UN promotes women with a focus on 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.  Biennial FAWCO Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland Thursday, March 21 through Sunday, March 24 with both pre- and post-conference travel options. More information available here: https://www.fawco.org/about/conferences/upcoming-conference. Please contact me if you're interested in or have questions about attending this conference, and networking with women from around the world!   Please email me, Karen Castellon, if you wish to explore any aspect of FAWCO at FAWCO@awcberlin.org or KarenCastellon908@gmail.com

Forward this newsletter to your friends in Berlin!