Dear fellow Rotarians,
The first month of the new year has been filled with interesting meetings, speakers and activities. We started off with hearing from our very own Kim Wall, Diane Nelson and Steve Hornstein who updated us on the latest information and tax rules so that we can best complete this year's taxes. Thank you to all three speakers for their timely information.
To distract us from thinking about our taxes, a group of Rotarians met at The Dish restaurant in La Canada and enjoyed a wonderful meal together followed by the beautiful Enchanted Forest of Light display at Descanso Gardens. Thank you to Mona for planning this memorable evening.
Ferne Saltzman delivered an impassioned speech to our club on the 11th, reporting on the urgent need to stop sex trafficking of young women in our community. She has raised funds that will go toward that cause this Rotary year and she has our full support. (See story below)
The District Brunch was well attended and we learned valuable information about hope. Photo at left: Babasa-Thompson Redy (l to r), Jun Jun (Phapanuj).and Sandy Rosenholz.
The campaign begins this month for "The Woodland" with the Woodland Hills, Malibu, and West San Fernando Valley Rotary Clubs partnering to support the Hope of the Valley's efforts to transform the former 818 Hotel in Woodland Hills into a residence for homeless mothers and children. The residence will provide shelter, three meals a day, preschool, job training and placement, and permanent housing for these families.
This is a huge opportunity for us to help the underserved in our very own backyard. There is a donation spot under our Rotary heart site which is listed as The Woodland.
Here you can donate to the Woodland and preschool. It is $5,000 to purchase a room; $500 for bunkbeds; $500 for a bed in a bag; and $25 for a hygiene kit. Of course, any amount is very much appreciated. The clubs have also applied for District grants. I am asking that Rotarians to donate, and to reach out to friends, family and businesses to support our effort to help these homeless families in Woodland Hills.
Anna and I, who spoke to the club in January about the environment, will be starting an environmental committee for members to implement and participate in activities to keep our environment healthy. Invitations will go out shortly for our first meeting. All are welcome.
At the Gather and Give Saturday on the 21st Rotarians presented the blankets that we made for the residents of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House along with other items purchased from their wish list. Following the presentation, we met at a nearby restaurant for lunch.
We will once again be sponsoring three high school students to attend RYLA in April. This is a very important opportunity for underserved youth to learn about leadership and helping their communities.
It is such a joy to share all of this important information with you. The Woodland Hills Rotary Club is doing a lot to help those in our community who are less fortunate. Thank you to all of you for your huge hearts and kindness.
Warmly,
Shelley
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) falls on April 18. Given the alarming increase in Anti-Semitic attacks here and abroad, this Remembrance Day is more important now than ever before. As a club we have gathered to remember the innocents murdered during that horrific time. In doing this we are living the words “Never Again.” In the past our programs have been at our meetings. This year a special opportunity has presented itself. At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library there will be a traveling exhibit called, “Auschwitz: Not Long Ago, Not Far Away.” This ground- breaking exhibition brings together more than 700 original artifacts and 400 photographs from over 20 institutions from around the world.
It is important that you RSVP as soon as possible to ensure that we have the sufficient attendees for a group discount. We have 30 slots reserved and if we go over that number, the library needs to know ASAP. Friends and family are encouraged to attend.
Ferne Saltzman is our Rotarian of the month for January. She delivered an impassioned speech to our club on stopping human trafficking. She has raised funds toward this effort by selling her beautiful photographs at her art shows and by selling her important and beautiful book, The Facets of My Soul. Every dollar goes directly to helping young women ages 12 to17 to be rescued from the streets and rehabilitated to live a full life in our community. Ferne attends all Rotary meetings and events and is also our club photographer. She has the heart of a Rotarian and more energy than all of us put together. Thank you, Ferne, for all that you do.
How can WE prevent this? 
On January 7, 2023 a great group of 18 Woodland Hills Rotarians and friends met at Dish Restaurant in La Canada to partake in food, beverage and friendship. Afterwards we headed to Descanso Gardens to see the Enchanted Forests of Light. Once inside we started our adventure through the 10 “forest” areas. Each one lit magically by colorful lighting which followed the rhythm and mood with different music. It truly was magical. It was a beautiful evening and everyone really enjoyed the time together. Many thanks to all who attended and making the evening very special: Kim and her husband, John Berweiler; Diane Nelson and her daughter Jodi; our lovely president Shelley and her husband Jerry; Joanne Ward; Jay and Ferne Saltzman, and thanks for taking pictures Ferne.; the Hornstein family; Dale Barnes; Greg Abrams and his lovely friend, Kristy Corwin; Mona Spector and Arlan Pfohl.
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