Welcome, Madame chair

Harry Gluckman, the Alameda e-purveyor of jokes and news/info, tells Faces that San Francisco Unit No. 21 B’nai B’rith is “plodding new ground.” In a local history-making event, Aleksandra Fliegler, newly installed vice president of the unit, presided over the group’s meeting. It was the first time a woman had served in that role since the chapter was established 151 years ago. Also new: Three women and four Russian-born members were named to the executive board, including president Alan Slepoy.

In other B’nai B’rith news, Frank D. Winston is the new president of the Golden Pacific Region for the Central California area.

Checking it out

When the new Denver Art Museum held its grand opening earlier this month, several Contemporary Jewish Museum folk were celebrants. Among them were board chair Cissie Swig with her grandson Ben Swig (son of Sari Swig and Rick Swig — he popped in from his Vail home), Joe and Randee Seiger of Los Altos Hills, Alison Geballe of San Francisco, and CJM CEO Connie Wolf. The connection — it’s the work of noted architect Daniel Libeskind, who is designing the new CJM, due to open in spring, 2008. They loved what he did, CJM’s Susan Mall reports. By the way, our Jewish museum was Libeskind’s first American client. The Denver folk called Connie Wolf for a reference.

Calling Marin teens

The Marin Jewish Community Teen Foundation is recruiting teens in grades 8 through 12 who want “to become thoughtful grantmakers and to practice tikkun olam with other socially conscious peers.” There is a year commitment to the project, which includes choosing a social action theme, learning about philanthropy and distributing funds. Participants will spend time with colleagues on teen boards in the Peninsula and the East Bay. It’s a project of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation’s Jewish Community Endowment Fund. To apply, visit www.sfjcf.org and search for “teen foundation/marin” or contact director Michelle Schectman at (510) 219-2408. The deadline for applications has been extended to Oct. 26.

Woman to watch

Jewish Women International has named Susan Manheimer, chief of police in San Mateo, among 2006 “Women to Watch.” She’s one of 10 women from the U.S. and Israel who will be honored in December in Washington, D.C., and profiled in the fall issue of Jewish Women magazine. Manheimer was selected for “her inspiring professional achievements rising to the top of a traditionally male-dominated field.” Among her accomplishments are spearheading a worker resource center for day laborers and developing the city’s First Responders School Violence Protocol. Mazel tov!

Desperately seeking Susans

If you’re a Susan (or some derivative), you’re invited to the annual Susan Gathering, co-founded by Susan Mall, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at S.F.’s Tres Agaves Restaurant. Visit www.susangathering.com for info.