CHAI LINES
The Newsletter of the International Northeast Region
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
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SISTERS JOURNEYING TOGETHER
Serving Conservative Jewish Women
in New York State, Ontario, and Quebec
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LIKE OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK
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From Our Region President
Joan Lowenstein
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Dear Friends,
Have you registered for convention yet? Have you placed your Ad in the Virtual Ad Journal yet? What are you waiting for? Zoomburg is just a few short weeks away!
I have written previously about my first experience participating in Tefilot at a Women’s League Convention with strictly women and how moving it was for me to hear all of the women’s voices, watch all of the women wearing tallit and tefillin and how it made me feel. It was an extension of my USY experience years ago. I am certain that our virtual Shecheyanu moment, Healing Service and Memorial Service with Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro and our own Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields will elicit similar feelings for me.
I am also looking forward to the Social Justice program with Rabbi Cheryl Peretz and Marc Swatez and Rebecca Fletcher of The ARK Chicago. I have seen Rabbi Peretz speak both at the WLCJ Convention in 2017 and recently on AJU Zoom Webinars where she is the Associate Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. Rabbi Peretz is insightful and dynamic. I also happened to research The ARK Chicago when I first heard about them oh so many months ago before any of us ever heard of Covid-19. It is an amazing organization doing unbelievable things for the Jewish Community in Chicago. I highly suggest you check them out online. We should all be so lucky to have such an organization in our own communities. I am very much looking forward to hearing this discussion.
And although it will be bittersweet to say goodbye to Chancellor Arnold Eisen, how wonderful it will be to welcome the first female Chancellor to the Jewish Theological Seminary, Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz. And there will be so much more, something for everyone. There will be breakout sessions, and even schmooze sessions in chat rooms so that even though we aren’t “seeing” each other in person we will be able to catch up with our friends from near and far.
You will be able to come and go as you please throughout the day and attend as many or as few sessions as you wish. There will be hygiene breaks and coffee breaks and such so we are not going to be sitting in front of our computers for eight hours straight! So go ahead and get registered at
https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=11563&id=7362
.
And don’t forget to place your ad in the Virtual Ad Journal. Congratulate the outgoing or incoming international boards, one of our Jewels in the Crown Sisterhoods, or one of our International Northeast Sisters who will be a part of the incoming International Board. And now, it is even easier for our Canadian Sisters to place those ads which they can now do via a credit card! (See the detailed instructions below.) If you are located in the U.S., click
Here
to place your Ad.
Ultimately, it is all in support of Women’s League, so as Nike says “Just Do It”!
I wish, above all else, good health for you and your loved ones, and of course, a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Joan
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Convention 2020
Sisters Journeying Together
Virtual Ad Journal
Procedures for Canadian Donors
We have developed the following procedures to facilitate the placement and payment of virtual journal ads from Canadian donors.
1.
Go to the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism website at
wlcj.org
. Click the Donate tab in the upper right-hand corner (on pink strip).
2.
Enter your donation amount in US dollars. Decide which journal category you are selecting. For the selected category, convert the amount expressed in Canadian dollars to US dollars based on the current conversion rate, which you can google. For example, if you chose the Supporter category for $180, at today’s conversion rate of .75, the US dollar amount you would pay is $134. Therefore, you should enter $134 where it says Donation amount.
3.
Click continue.
4.
Enter the information requested for email, name, address and phone.
5.
Select email or other.
6.
DO NOT select a fund.
7.
DO NOT enter occasion.
8.
This next step is very important: You must write Virtual Journal Ad in the details box. You should also indicate which journal category you chose and the conversion rate. Finally, you can include the text of your ad.
9.
Enter your credit card information. We are unable to process Canadian checks. The only form of payment is VISA or MasterCard.
10.
Check not a robot.
11.
Click Process Donation
Thank you so much for your Virtual Ad. We sincerely appreciate your support of Convention 2020 and Women’s League for Conservative Judaism by taking a Virtual Ad. We look forward to seeing you on July 12, 2020.
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Zoom information will be provided when you RSVP
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From Women's League for Conservative Judaism
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WLCJ 2020 Virtual Convention
Sunday, July 12, 2020
10:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT.
Convention Schedule
10:00am
Convention Opening
10:30 - 10:40am
Tefillin
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Shehecheyanu
Moment
10:40 - 11:30am
Healing Service, Psalms Study, In Memoriam
Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro and Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
Featuring Zoomria - The WLCJ Choir:
Marilyn Cohen, International Northeast Region
Barbara Ezring, Seaboard and Southern
Toby Holtzman, Seaboard
Razel Kessler, MetroNorth Region
Debbie Lempert, Central Great Lakes Region
Lauren Rudin, Mid-Atlantic Region
Dana Sirkin, North by Northwest Region
Adele Weinstein, International Northeast Region
Gilda Zucker, Intracontinental Region
Conducted by: Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro and
Cantor Leon Sher, Congregation Beth El, Voorhees, NJ
11:30am - 12:00pm
Chatting in Zoomburg Meeting Rooms
12:00 - 1:00pm
Social Justice Panel
Social Justice: Torah, DNA or Both?
Rabbi Cheryl Peretz
Assoc. Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies; Sara Bresnick Tennen
Exec Dir, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project;
Dr. Marc Swatez / Rebecca Joy Fletcher, The ARK, Chicago
1:00 - 1:30pm
Chatting in Zoomburg Meeting Room
1:30 - 2:45pm
WLCJ Plenary Session
Rules of Convention
Bylaws Vote
ELECTIONS
State of the League
Torah Fund:
Rabbi Bradly Shavit Artson,
Chancellor Arnold Eisen, and
Chancellor-elect Shuly Rubin Schwartz
Jewels in the Crown Awards
2:30 - 3:00pm
Zoom Meeting Room - Virtual Journal
3:00 - 4:00pm
Sisterhood Workshops
Presidents: Toby Maser, Carol Simon, Meryl Balaban, and Cory Schneider
This day will be spent in such an inspiring, happy Convention. You will enjoy a smooth journey as a
Sisterhood President.
Torah Fund: Randy Schwartz, Barbara Ezring, Lisa Paule, Jeanette Brownstein, and
Donna Burkat
All you need to know to create a successful Torah Fund campaign in your Sisterhood.
Membership: Sandy Blumenthal, Sue Benegle, and Regina Newman
Membership Express: Journey with us on the road to what it is and what it can be.
Advocacy: Ardis Wexler, Marlene Oslick, and Karen Cuker
Advocating for Women’s League Resolutions.
Engagement/Programming: Grace Schessler and Karen Seltzer
Programming for today’s Sisterhoods: A look at relevant and accessible ideas.
Communications: Debi Bruce, Rachel Ferber, and Sheila Kaufman
Tools to engage and inform your community.
4:00 - 4:30pm
Cocktails with Margie and Debbi
4:30 - 6:00pm
Installation Ceremony and Celebratory Concert
Be a part of this historic moment in WLCJ's history and be sure to
REGISTER
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Shabbat Message: June 27, 2020
By Esta Zide Lichtenstein, North Atlantic Region President
The beauty and flavor of the pomegranate
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In last week’s NAR region newsletter I chose to write about challah baking. This week I am writing about pomegranates. What is the connection? In last week’s Torah portion, Shelach Lekha both challah and pomegranates are mentioned, along with grapes and figs. Much of Judaism has a basis in agriculture, the growing season and the 7 species (figs, grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates, wheat and barley.)
I love baking challah, and I try to do so each week. I am also very intrigued by the pomegranate. It has that beautiful red color and magnificent crown. Perhaps it is also because of the story that describes this fruit as containing 613 seeds (the same number as there are commandments in the Torah.) Have you ever counted the seeds? We tried, when our children were smaller, however we were never quite able to complete the task.
The pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub that grows between 5 and 10 m tall (15-30’) with multiple trunks. The pomegranate originated in the region extending from Iran to northern India, and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.
My niece, Tamar, took a film class at Boston University in 2007 and focused on the pomegranate. She did an amazing amount of research and put together a great film! We actually showed it quite a few years ago at one of our NAR conferences. From her film, we learned that the pomegranate has played an important part in many nationalities and religions including Greek mythology and Christian art work from the middle ages. Turkey has ancient coins, from the 5th century BC, stamped with the image of a pomegranate.
The pomegranate has had influence across many varied cultural traditions. They are often associated with fertility, because the seeds represent fertility, and the flesh, the composition of our bodies.
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Song of Songs 7:13
Let us go early to the vineyards;
Let us see if the vine has flowered,
If its blossoms have opened,
If the pomegranates are in bloom.
There I will give my love to you.
Over the years, I have collected pomegranates and pomegranate art as well as pomegranate fabrics. I have purchased many pomegranates and dried them. If done correctly, they are also quite pleasing to the eye and if you shake them you can hear the seeds rattle. I especially like baking, cooking with them and pomegranate molasses. I also like adding the arils(seeds) to salads. I have found that the easiest way to remove the arils is to score the pomegranate with a sharp knife in 4 vertical spots and submerge the entre fruit in a bowl of cold water. Then peel back the outer skin. Many people now espouse the health benefits of eating pomegranates due to their high level of antioxidants (who knew?)
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On another note, were you aware of The Pomegranate Guild of Judaic needlework? It began in 1977 by a group of passionate, professional Jewish artists in New York. There are chapters in 12 states, according to their website, and two of those states are in the North Atlantic Region. Its mission is to pass traditions on to the future. I joined the guild and purchased this mezuzah pattern. I use my quilting experience to make these mezuzot as gifts, completing the backs and rolling up a kosher klof to fit inside. I have enjoyed making them. Note: If you look closely, you can see that the outer fabric of the mezuzah on the right has pomegranates on it.
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In closing, I just want to wish you all the beauty and flavor of the pomegranate.
Shabbat Shalom and stay safe, sane and healthy.
Esta Z Lichtenstein
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Lois Silverman Offers
Jewish Women in Film Session #6,
1967-1970 The Times They Are A-Changin
Monday, June 29, 2020 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT,
followed by Q & A
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During these very difficult times why not learn more about Jewish women in the movies. with Lois Silverman.
Don't forget the popcorn! All are welcome ! Tell all your family and friends !
Please see zoom instructions below.
(Recordings of past sessions are available on the Women's League website,
wlcj.org under NEWS)
"When we view a film, we enter a new, often unfamiliar world," said Silverman. "If the film is well constructed, we become engrossed in how the inhabitants of that world react with each other. But when we study a film, we learn more about that world; we see how the inhabitants of that world interacted and why they acted as they did. To study film is a means of viewing history and studying it," explained Silverman as she described her upcoming course. Silverman teaches a film course at SUNY/POLY in Utica/Rome New York.
Lois Silverman earned a B.A. cum laude and an M.A. in English Literature from Montclair State University, NJ. She has taught American and English literature, writing, and media studies as well as many adult education courses. Presently she is teaching film studies at SUNY/POLY (Utica/Rome). Having been sisterhood president of Temple Beth El, Utica, and NY State Branch President, she has also served as WL’s Program/Music Chair, Youth/School Chair, and is now Internet Services Chair. Lois has written many programs and publications for WLCJ
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 890 8155 6104
Password: 514845
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,89081556104# US (New York)
+13017158592,,89081556104# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 204 272 7920 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+972 3 978 6688 Israel
+972 55 330 1762 Israel
Meeting ID: 890 8155 6104
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Love WLCJ!
Follow WLCJ on her Social Media Sites
If you aren't already following Women's League for Conservative Judaism on all her social media sites, now is the time to do so. It's a great way to keep in touch with the latest news and events. Here are WLCJ's links, including LinkedIn, which has recently been added to the website homepage.
Stay tuned over the next months for quick tips on how to help maximize WLCJ's impact on all her social media sites.
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Weekly Words of Torah goes PC
Parashat Korach (Shabbat 6/27/2020)
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Executive Director
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In
P
arashat Korach, Korach and his followers, ( 250 Chieftains), rebelled against Moses and Aaron. God ends the rebellion and threatens to destroy everyone. This time Moses and Aaron intercede, and only the rebels are punished. We learn of more laws about the duties of the Kohanim, the priests and the levites; the laws of the first one that should go to the priests and laws of tithing, ma’aser the donation of a tenth of what one produces. This week, a special
C
hesed project, directly related to our Torah Fund Chesed campaign which is coming to a completion, is to empty your tzedakah boxes, check your pockets for spare change, and send a check to Torah Fund, to help complete the Chesed campaign. Together we can make our goals, and look forward to the next Torah Fund Campaign!
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*Make sure you're getting the most out of Zoom.
If you haven't already done so, update your
Zoom version 5.0 in order to access all Zoom programming. To update, visit the Zoom
download center and press the big blue "Download" button. The update should take place automatically. A video to help
video
.
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Daily Virtual Virtual Psalm Study & Kaddish Sunday - Friday 1:00PM EDT
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As it has become the new reality that people are not physically allowed to gather in large groups, and many cannot attend Services to say Kaddish. We do not want you to be feel alone, and want our sisters throughout the world to know that although we may not physically be together, we can come together virtually.
WLCJ has created an avenue for our WLCJ Sisters, to read and study a Psalm every day, and say Kaddish. Since Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 1 pm EDT, we have offered a Virtual Minyan for us to come together, to read and study a Psalm and say Kaddish. We will do this every day, but on Shabbat, and holidays.
This is a situation of Sha'at HaDichak, a pressing time, where things are different, and so as Mara D'atra of WLCJ, I am saying that since we cannot all be part of a physical minyan of ten, ten coming together via zoom will be a minyan. Since we are in different time zones, we will not have a full Service, but rather read and study a chapter from the Book of Psalms, and then say Kaddish. The chapter will be on your screen, as well as Kaddish - we just need ten together on the zoom.
The following is the call in information for each day at 1 pm ET, and will continue every day, but Shabbat, and the holy days of holidays
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,630830287# US (New York)
+16699006833,,630830287# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+972 55 330 1762 Israel
+972 3 978 6688 Israel
One does not have to pre-register, just call in.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Margie Miller
WLCJ President
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
WLCJ Executive Director
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Become a member of, or renew your membership to Mercaz
The new membership year begins July 1, 2020.
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The mission of Mercaz is to support religious pluralism in Israel and to strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. That mission is as critical today as it ever has been. As Masorti Jews, we know how important it is to support religious and cultural pluralism, in Israel and in our hometowns.
In the beginning of 2020, Mercaz USA was the voice of worldwide Conservative Judaism in the U.S. as we campaigned for our slate in the World Zionist Congress election. We were delighted that we received almost 50% more votes than in the last election (2015), thanks to all of you who VOTED MERCAZ.
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Throughout the campaign, we raised awareness about the vibrancy of Masorti Judaism in Israel – and the challenges Masorti communities and organizations face in gaining legitimacy from the Israeli government – in hundreds of communities across the country.
As we enter our new fiscal year this July, we ask that you continue to be our partner in fulling the mission of Mercaz. And, if you have never supported us before, this is a great year to become a part of our Mercaz community! There are two ways you can become a supporter of Mercaz:
Despite the many challenges ahead, we are optimistic and excited by our vision for how Mercaz can impact the lives of Masorti Jews in Israel, here in the U.S., and across the globe. We hope you will join us! With best wishes for a safe and joyous summer,
Marilyn L. Wind, President Sarrae G. Crane, Executive Director
P.S. Some synagogues provide a line-item on your congregational membership dues statement for ‘MERCAZ USA.’ If so, you can make your membership dues donation directly through your synagogue.
If you prefer to contribute membership dues by check,
520 Eighth Avenue, 4th Floor New York, NY 10018
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Tefillin refresher class with Janet Kirshner
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Monday, July 6 at 8 pm
Get ready for a Tefillin Shehechyanu moment at our virtual convention.
A recording of the original class is on the Women's League website under News.
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Topic: Tefillin recap
Time: Jul 6, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 870 6997 1876
Password: 508033
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,87069971876#,,,,0#,,508033# US (New York)
+13017158592,,87069971876#,,,,0#,,508033# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 204 272 7920 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+972 3 978 6688 Israel
+972 55 330 1762 Israel
Meeting ID: 870 6997 1876
Password: 508033
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Program Showcase for June
Congregation Har Shalom Sisterhood, Seaboard Region, had their final member and volunteer appreciation on Zoom. They secured a speaker who talked about staying positive during this time of being in quarantine and over 57 women attended via zoom. They had a toast and offered the recipe for an artichoke dip that was typically served at the event each year. Some people made it at home and had it during the talk!
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WLCJ American Mothers of Olim GoogleGroup
WLCJ Has googlegroups that benefit many of our communities.
There is a group for sisterhood presidents, for Judaica shop chairs, and Women's League Reads.
A lesser known group is for
American Mothers of Olim
(Children who have made aliyah to Israel). With more people staying in place and travel being put on hold, there has been renewed interest in this group. Women's League members are invited to participate,
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Women's League Calendar Diary 2020-2021 Order Now
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JTS Appoints Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz as Institution’s Eighth Chancellor
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June 1, 2020 — New York, NY
— The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), one of the world’s preeminent centers of Jewish higher education and the intellectual and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism, today announced that it has selected
Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz to be its eighth Chancellor. A renowned expert on Jewish American history with more than three decades of experience as a professor and institutional leader, Dr. Schwartz will be the first woman to lead as chancellor of JTS in the institution’s 134-year history.
Dr. Schwartz will assume her new role on July 1, 2020, as current JTS chancellor Arnold Eisen steps down for a year-long sabbatical before joining the ranks of the institution’s faculty full-time.
Full article.
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Cross Movement Events All Times EDT Unless Specified
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Times of Crisis and Possbility: Online series with JTS Faculty and Fellows
Weekly online sessions exploring pivotal moments in the Jewish experience. Attend one, some, or all.
All meet from Mondays 1:00–2:15 p.m. ET.
Zoom link sent in confirmation after you register
Mon June 29
Remembering the Pandemic: Learning from Yehuda Amichai
Dr. Barbara Mann, Chana Kekst Professor of Jewish Literature, JTS
Mon July 13
The Promise and Perils of Revolution: Jewish Life in the Soviet Union after 1917
Dr. David Fishman, Professor of Jewish History, JTS
July 27
Israel’s Prophets as Innovators During Crisis
Dr. Amy Kalmanofsky, Dean, Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, and Blanche and Romie Shapiro Associate Professor of Bible, JTS
THREE WEDNESDAYS JUNE 24, JULY 1, JULY 8 1-2 PM ET Click
HERE
The Ever-Evolving American Synagogue Dr. Jack Wertheimer
SESSION II: JUNE 1, SESSION III: JULY 6
High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors: Explore the intersection of Judaism, justice, and the arts as part of the JustCity/CityStage 2.0 online program, earning 1 college credit.
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Jun 26 10:00 AM
Jun 30 9:00 AM
Jun 30 12:00 PM
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Please check
wlcj.org
under NEWS for recordings of other past sessions.
Sisterhood Presidents' Chat click
HERE
Sisterhood Presidents' Zoom How-To's click
HERE
Lois SilvermanJewish Women In Film
All session now on our website
5th session 1960-1967 click
HERE
Women's League Reads click
HERE
Interview with author Goldie Goldbloom
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