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NA’AMAT honors Pallers’ years of service
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By: SUSAN H. KAHN Assistant Editor
Cleveland couple committed to helping others here and in Israel
For Edith Paller, joining NA’AMAT U.S.A. (formerly Pioneer Women) in 1951 as a young bride was a given. From the time she was a little girl, the native Clevelander remembers her mother’s devotion to the Zionist organization. And for Edith’s spouse Ed, joining a cause his wife was passionate about came naturally, too.
For their 54 years of dedication and service, the Cleveland Council of NA’AMAT will honor the Pallers with a tribute dinner on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.
Founded in 1925, NA’AMAT was an outgrowth of the first feminist movement (Working Women’s Council) in Palestine which sought to become full partners with men in the life of the Labor movement.
When one of the founders was trying to establish a tree nursery in the desert, she needed money to build a well. She wrote to a friend in New York for help. That friend raised $500 from six other women and sent it to Israel. These seven philanthropic women formed Pioneer Women, beginning a partnership linking American Jewish women with Israeli women trying to build a homeland and to find equality for themselves.
Edith has had a long career as a NA’AMAT volunteer. She twice served as president of Azour chapter, one of four in the Cleveland area. From 1965-67 she headed the Cleveland Council, which coordinates local activities. In the 1970s and again today she serves on the NA’AMAT national board, where she is responsible for planning programming.
“Probably the only job in the organization that I never held was treasurer,” says Edith. “And I used to teach math!”
Education and community service have been the twin pillars of the Beachwood couple’s lives. While their three children were small, Edith taught religious school and Hebrew school at Fairmount Temple. In 1970, she earned a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University and worked in managerial positions with numerous nonprofit organizations, including Hillel and Menorah Park.
In addition to NA’AMAT, Edith has worked tirelessly for other Jewish and secular community organizations including Jewish Community Housing, Montefiore Auxiliary, Friends of Siegal College Library, and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. A longtime member of Fairmount Temple, Edith has served on its board of trustees and been active with the Sisterhood.
NA’AMAT’s activities include fundraising and advocacy, particularly around women’s issues. Helping Israeli women and children who are victims of domestic violence is one of its major efforts. The organization advocates for American women on Capitol Hill as well. The Pallers offer particular praise for the group’s educational programming.
“We have stimulating, topical monthly programs that are designed to teach people about American issues and Jewish issues,” says Edith.
Education is also important to Ed who served as an English and social studies teacher and guidance counselor for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School system for 38 years. He has been a youth group worker for the Jewish Community Center and Fairmount Temple and has taught in the Fairmount Temple High School. In 1966-67, he took a leave of absence from teaching to coordinate the Jewish Community Federation’s Glenville Project, aimed at strengthening that struggling neighborhood. Like his wife, Ed has taken leadership roles on the boards of numerous local Jewish institutions.
“Because we believe so strongly that education represents a life-changing opportunity, we chose to direct the money raised from this tribute event to five different Israeli scholarships,” says Ed.
Israel holds a special place in the Pallers’ hearts and not solely because of their involvement in NA’AMAT. The Jewish state is home to their son, a daughter, eight grandchildren and two nephews, so the Pallers try to visit every year. The whole clan, including their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren from Chicago, will be in Cleveland to attend the tribute event, and coincidentally, to celebrate Ed’s 80th birthday.
“As a vital part of my life for many years, NA’AMAT has strengthened both my knowledge and my commitment to Israel, Judaism and leadership,” says Edith. “Ed and I honor the organization as they honor us.”
The 7 p.m. havdalah service will be followed by a dairy dinner and a musical tribute to the Pallers. Call 215-321-2002.
For Edith Paller, joining NA’AMAT U.S.A. (formerly Pioneer Women) in 1951 as a young bride was a given. From the time she was a little girl, the native Clevelander remembers her mother’s devotion to the Zionist organization. And for Edith’s spouse Ed, joining a cause his wife was passionate about came naturally, too.
For their 54 years of dedication and service, the Cleveland Council of NA’AMAT will honor the Pallers with a tribute dinner on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.
Founded in 1925, NA’AMAT was an outgrowth of the first feminist movement (Working Women’s Council) in Palestine which sought to become full partners with men in the life of the Labor movement.
When one of the founders was trying to establish a tree nursery in the desert, she needed money to build a well. She wrote to a friend in New York for help. That friend raised $500 from six other women and sent it to Israel. These seven philanthropic women formed Pioneer Women, beginning a partnership linking American Jewish women with Israeli women trying to build a homeland and to find equality for themselves.
Edith has had a long career as a NA’AMAT volunteer. She twice served as president of Azour chapter, one of four in the Cleveland area. From 1965-67 she headed the Cleveland Council, which coordinates local activities. In the 1970s and again today she serves on the NA’AMAT national board, where she is responsible for planning programming.
“Probably the only job in the organization that I never held was treasurer,” says Edith. “And I used to teach math!”
Education and community service have been the twin pillars of the Beachwood couple’s lives. While their three children were small, Edith taught religious school and Hebrew school at Fairmount Temple. In 1970, she earned a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University and worked in managerial positions with numerous nonprofit organizations, including Hillel and Menorah Park.
In addition to NA’AMAT, Edith has worked tirelessly for other Jewish and secular community organizations including Jewish Community Housing, Montefiore Auxiliary, Friends of Siegal College Library, and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. A longtime member of Fairmount Temple, Edith has served on its board of trustees and been active with the Sisterhood.
NA’AMAT’s activities include fundraising and advocacy, particularly around women’s issues. Helping Israeli women and children who are victims of domestic violence is one of its major efforts. The organization advocates for American women on Capitol Hill as well. The Pallers offer particular praise for the group’s educational programming.
“We have stimulating, topical monthly programs that are designed to teach people about American issues and Jewish issues,” says Edith.
Education is also important to Ed who served as an English and social studies teacher and guidance counselor for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School system for 38 years. He has been a youth group worker for the Jewish Community Center and Fairmount Temple and has taught in the Fairmount Temple High School. In 1966-67, he took a leave of absence from teaching to coordinate the Jewish Community Federation’s Glenville Project, aimed at strengthening that struggling neighborhood. Like his wife, Ed has taken leadership roles on the boards of numerous local Jewish institutions.
“Because we believe so strongly that education represents a life-changing opportunity, we chose to direct the money raised from this tribute event to five different Israeli scholarships,” says Ed.
Israel holds a special place in the Pallers’ hearts and not solely because of their involvement in NA’AMAT. The Jewish state is home to their son, a daughter, eight grandchildren and two nephews, so the Pallers try to visit every year. The whole clan, including their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren from Chicago, will be in Cleveland to attend the tribute event, and coincidentally, to celebrate Ed’s 80th birthday.
“As a vital part of my life for many years, NA’AMAT has strengthened both my knowledge and my commitment to Israel, Judaism and leadership,” says Edith. “Ed and I honor the organization as they honor us.”
The 7 p.m. havdalah service will be followed by a dairy dinner and a musical tribute to the Pallers. Call 215-321-2002.
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