WCA adds several stops along the Zoom highway

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

When writing about WCA’s successful transition to Zoom in the March 2020 Federation Star, I had no idea of the scope of activities WCA would soon be offering on its “new” Zoom platform. I think you will be as surprised – and impressed – as I am at the extent of WCA’s virtual programming.

Previous articles described our flourishing Speaker Series, WCA North and WCA South activities, and our extremely successful Welcome Back “Happy Hourand-a-Half.” Now read about several WCA interest groups that are thriving using Zoom:

Single Girlfriends

Started in 2016, this group meets monthly to provide a social opportunity for single women to have fun and make lasting friendships. During the pandemic, the group added a second monthly meeting to discuss movies they view in advance.

Gusti Rosenauer, the group’s facilitator, explains, “We are able to share tips for coping with social isolation and help members who may need assistance, but most of all, we meet to enjoy each other’s company. It has been a pleasant surprise how Zoom allows us to happily connect with each other. We all greatly appreciate that WCA provides Zoom for our use.”

The Couples Group

With more than 500 couples, this is one of WCA’s most popular interest groups. Creating an interesting, interactive couples’ program on Zoom presented a challenge that was successfully met! In December, the Couples Group held its first Zoom event — a Chanukah party planned by Felicia Anchor. Couples lit menorahs, sang songs and then joined breakout rooms to share Chanukah memories. It was such a huge success that another virtual event has been scheduled for February — a book discussion of “House on Endless Waters” by Emuna Elon.

Couples Group facilitator Phyllis Strome comments, “While meeting on Zoom is not as good as meeting in person, it does offer couples the opportunity to have a very enjoyable evening.”

Mel and Leslie Springman after lighting their menorah at the Couples Chanukah party

Let’s Knit and Stitch

This group started in December 2009, shortly after WCA first began. After meeting monthly in women’s homes for several years, under the direction of Barbara Karp and Luba Rotsztain, the group started meeting at Pelican Isle Yacht Club. Approximately 24 women would enjoy lunch and then show off their latest knitting, crocheting and needlepoint projects, which included tallit, bookmarks, blankets and even dresses.

When COVID-19 struck last March, they stopped meeting. Barbara confessed that when Elaine Soffer suggested meeting via Zoom, she was very reluctant, but agreed to try. Surprisingly, many members of the group (about 20) wanted to participate.

At first, the meetings began as usual, with “Show and Tell.” Then the conversation would branch out to unrelated topics. Barbara now picks focus questions for these discussions. Everyone enjoyed the gatherings so much that they now meet twice a month!

Barbara comments, “Before, women would just talk to the people sitting next to them, but now they can talk with everyone. Most of us have known each other for a very long time, but never had a chance to share so much before. It is absolutely wonderful.”

The New Yorker

This discussion group is now led by Dina Shein, Luba Rotsztain, Patricia Trumps and Judy Wertz, after having been led by Linda Smith for many years. Since COVID-19, participants meet monthly on Zoom to read and discuss one fiction and one nonfiction article that have been selected by the discussion facilitators.

Dina comments, “Meeting through Zoom enables people who are not in town to join us. We typically have 35 women participating. It’s wonderful!”

New Yorker 2

The New Yorker discussions were so popular that a second monthly discussion group began last season, with Estelle Rauch as the liaison. Participation in the New Yorker 2 is limited to 15 women, to ensure that there can be a highlevel discussion of the nonfiction and short stories.

Estelle comments, “This is a sophisticated group of readers and writers, making for dynamic discussions. Zoom has had its challenges, especially when we first started to use it, but with wonderful support from Elaine and Nancy, we are now Zooming successfully.”

Contemporary Fiction

This active group has been growing for about 18 years, having started while WCA was still Brandeis Women. Recently, the focus expanded to include more historical contemporary fiction. In April, the group started holding its monthly meetings on Zoom, with about 20 to 50 women participating in each discussion.

Sue Bookbinder, the group’s liaison, feels that meeting on Zoom has brought numerous benefits. “Members from anywhere can participate. Pre-pandemic, we had to hold two sessions a month to accommodate the larger group of women who were here in season. Now, we can accommodate any number of women, up to 80! Participants also enjoy meeting on Zoom — they don’t have to travel to the session, they can call in from their northern home and they don’t have to wear shoes! I love using Zoom. I love that the women’s names show up on the screen, making it easier to call on someone who wants to speak. And I like seeing everyone’s face up close,” she says.

The WCA article in the March Federation Star will describe several other programs and interest groups successfully meeting on Zoom. A special thank you to Elaine Soffer, Robin Mintz and Ann Cowen for their technical assistance in setting up many of WCA’s Zoom meetings!