As the year winds down and December invites us into reflection, celebration and a sense of completion, there’s something deeply fitting about gathering to share stories. Stories help us mark endings, honor transitions and step forward with intention — and few organizations do this better than The Moth. For Janel Schermerhorn, storytelling has long been […]
Janel Schermerhorn
Janel Schermerhorn’s Service to SC JFKS Berlin
From 2019 to 2021, Janel Schermerhorn served as the Treasurer of Sport-Club John-F.-Kennedy-Schule Berlin e.V. (SC JFKS). In her role, Schermerhorn was tasked with helping to strengthen the organization at a pivotal time. When Janel Schermerhorn moved to Berlin with her family, she sought more than daily routines and school schedules — she searched for […]
Giving Thanks from Across the Ocean: A Note to the American Women’s Club of Berlin
Janel Schermerhorn, former President of the American Women’s Club of Berlin, extends warm Thanksgiving wishes to AWC members and reflects on the spirit of gratitude that unites women across continents. As November settles in, I find myself thinking fondly of my years with the American Women’s Club of Berlin — the laughter that echoed through […]
Mom’s Secret Fort: A Podcast of Quiet Courage & Connection
In the early days of pandemic lockdowns, while so many felt uprooted and overwhelmed, Janel Schermerhorn retreated — not to silence, but to a sanctuary of storytelling. From her cozy “secret fort” in Berlin, she launched Mom’s Secret Fort, a podcast born of necessity, openness, and the belief that shared vulnerability brings us closer, not […]
German Culture: Introduction to German Greetings
When learning a new language, the first words we often reach for are greetings. More than just polite phrases, these words open doors, spark connections and build bridges across cultures. For Janel Schermerhorn, former President of the American Women’s Club of Berlin, greetings are more than a formality. These statements are the foundation of belonging […]




