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 Region President
Joan Lowenstein
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Dear Friends,
I have to thank you all for allowing me to use this space to kvell. Of course this means that I am again going to share a personal note. This week, my daughter was elected and installed as the Membership Kadima Vice President for the Tzafon Region of United Synagogue Youth. I was grinning from ear to ear when Rabbi Wolintz-Fields shared my news on the WL Daily Psalm Study earlier this week on Zoom. And of course a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi Wolintz-Fields whose daughter, Cameron was elected Religious Education Vice President for the HaGalil Region of USY. This reinforces my belief in all of our Conservative/Masorti organizations, but especially in USY as it is preparing our (Women’s League?) Leaders of the future.
Now I have the pleasure of putting on my Region President hat and offering Mazel Tov to our International Northeast Region 2020 Jewels in the Crown Award winners. The following Sisterhoods will be honored at the July 12, 2020 WLCJ Virtual Convention:
- Beth David Women, Toronto, ON
- Beth Tikvah Women, Toronto, ON
- Shaare Zedek, Montreal, QC
- Temple Beth El, Rochester, NY
- Women’s Network of Temple Beth Tzedek, Buffalo, NY
Registration for the Virtual Convention will be announced in the next couple of weeks so be on the lookout! Also, be sure to place your ad in the Virtual Ad Journal. You can honor one of our Jewels in the Crown Sisterhoods, the outgoing or incoming International Presidents and Board or one of our region members who have or are going to serve on the International level; Rusty Zackheim who will be discharged as International Vice President and is becoming Kol Isha Co-Chair with Doreen Bornfreund, Adele Weinstein who is becoming Canadian Affairs Chair, Lois Silverman who is continuing as Communication Co-Chair and Toby Maser who will Chair the Sisterhood PrezNet. There are ads at all levels of giving so please support Women’s League.
I wish, above all else, good health for you and your loved ones,
Chag Shavuot Sameach
and of course, a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Joan
INRPresident@wlcj.org
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From Women's League for Conservative Judaism
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Be a Part of Our Story
Help Honor Our WLCJ Women
To honor our “Sisters Journeying Together” and to raise funds in support of the Women’s League mission and its additional special virtual programming during these extremely challenging times, we are again producing a Virtual Ad Journal.
The Virtual Ad Journal will be featured during the convention on July 12 and continue on the Women's League website until the next convention.
Please consider recognizing our Incoming and Outgoing Executive Committee members and Jewels in the Crown award winning sisterhoods with an ad in the Virtual Journal. Your ad will honor them and will convey to them that their dedication to the Women’s League mission is truly appreciated.
To arrange for your ad click
HERE
.
Please be sure that ads are reserved by or before July 1, 2020.
Although we are not going to “Journey” to Schaumburg, Illinois,
our 2020 Virtual Convention is journeying to you!
WHEN:
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2020 10:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. EST
WHERE:
In front of your computer, iPad, phone or laptop.
Online registration will begin in early June.
WHY:
The business of Women’s League must go on
and you do NOT want to miss a day of fabulous programming.
Be a part of our first-ever virtual installation ceremony
gowns optional, tissues mandatory!
Witness the transition to our new administration.
Mazal Tov to Margie Miller and Debbi Kaner Goldich,
their officersand boards.
(See list below of Outgoing and Incoming Executive Committee Members)
The day will be free of charge, but your generous support of the
Virtual Ad Journal
will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for being part of the WLCJ story!
Outgoing Executive Committee 2017-2020
President:
Margie Miller, BQLI
Vice Presidents:
Rusty Zackheim, International Northeast
Agnes Emert, Pacific Southwest
Debra Green, Central Great Lakes
Sue Taffet, Seaboard
Myra Promisel, Seaboard
Vivian Leber, BQLI
Deborah Bruce, North Atlantic
Lucy Becker, Metro North
Sue Bengele, Florida
Elly Sokol, IntraContinental
Barbara Levin, Southern
Lara Werwa, Garden State
Officers:
Recording Secretary: Karen Block, North Atlantic
Financial Secretary: Sandy Blumenthal, Mid Atlantic
Treasurer: Janet Kirschner, Mid Atlantic
Executive Committee Appointees:
Shelley Szwalbenest, Mid Atlantic (Parliamentarian)
Barbara Ezring, Southern/Seaboard
Randy Schwartz, IntraContinental
Debbi Kaner Goldich, Mid Atlantic/PSW
Ellen Kaner Bresnick, Seaboard/PSW
Sandy Berenbaum, Mid Atlantic
Judi Kenter, Metro North
Illene Rubin, Mid Atlantic
Incoming Executive Committee 2020-2023
President:
Debbi Kaner Goldich, Mid Atlantic/PSW
Vice Presidents:
Debbie Bettan, North Atlantic
Sandy Blumenthal, Mid Atlantic
Donna Finkelstein, Mid Atlantic
Brenda Katz, Pacific Southwest
Julia Loeb, Seaboard
Regina Newman, Southern
Ilene Rothman, Garden State
Grace Schessler, BQLI
Edna Schrank, Central Great Lakes
Dana Sirkin, North by Northwest
Mindy Steinholz, Metro North
Marsha Strongin, IntraContinental
Officers:
Recording Secretary: Deborah Bruce, North Atlantic
Financial Secretary: Sue Bengele, Florida
Treasurer: Rochelle Hirt, Mid Atlantic
Executive Committee Appointees:
Marilyn Berkowitz, PSW (Parliamentarian)
Meryl Balaban, Garden State
Ellen Kaner Bresnick, Seaboard/PSW
Barbara Ezring, Southern/Seaboard
Janet Kirschner, Mid Atlantic
Myra Promisel, Seaboard
Renee Ravich, PSW
Illene Rubin, Mid Atlantic
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Lois Silverman Offers Virtual Course
Jewish Women in Film Session #4:
The Post War Years
Monday, June 1, 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. Lois Silverman will be offering a course on Monday, May 4, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, followed by Q &A. All are welcome.
Please see zoom instructions below.
"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, NY.
Since the beginning of the US film industry in the early 1900s, Jewish women have been involved in front of the camera. They have also been part of the film industry, to a lesser degree, behind the scenes. While putting the times and societal norms into context, this course, through film clips, will explore the history and role of Jewish women in film from the beginning of the industry until today.
Don't forget the popcorn! All are welcome ! Tell all your family and friends !
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
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+13017158592,,89081556104# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
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+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
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+1 438 809 7799 Canada
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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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Shabbat Message: May 29, 2020
By Fran Hildebrandt
President, Central Great Lakes Region
Tradition
A tradition is kept alive only by something being added to it. - Henry James
I'm a traditionalist. I know that for a lot of people that is a negative, but it isn't for me. I view it as a way to take customs, practices, and beliefs that are important to me, and create new ways to celebrate. Like Henry James, I see it as a way to add innovation to a meaningful practice. It's true that I sometimes use past history as a springboard, but I don't allow those "traditions" to inhibit me. Some of my best experiences and projects that I am most proud of began as traditions.
Take birthdays for example. This past week I have celebrated three birthdays over a four-day period. So you will forgive me, my use of birthdays to illustrate my message. In the early days of parenthood, we were struggling educators. Money was an issue during the summer, especially for an August birthday, like mine. So we created a "new" way of celebrating. Instead of expensive gifts and dinners, I was asked to come up with a few activities we could participate in as a family. My three sons would choose from my list and we would spend the whole day together. They were my best birthdays. Even when we did not need to be so frugal we continued with this tradition until my oldest son left for college. What could be better than celebrating the day of my birth with the family that I prize above all else?
That's one strategy of how tradition can be kept alive by adding to it. Another method is by example. My husband and I started making smartphone videos when our oldest grandchild turned one. She lived in Singapore and we could not be there for her birthday. We would call and FaceTime but at that age she was not attentive. So we would make a puppet show recording and send it to her. Our daughter-in-law would then make a recording of her watching it and send back to us. In this way, we were comforted that we were part of her birthday. The tradition has continued to this day - with something being added. It has metamorphosed into something we did not expect. We now make 2-3 minute videos that we send to our big kids and little kids for each birthday, and they are sending videos to us and to each other. We still call, FaceTime and see each other for birthdays, but this memory maker is the true gift we give each other.
So why share my birthday traditions with all of you? What is the message?
Registration for Virtual Convention 2020 will be opening soon. It has been changed and added to in ways we cannot yet imagine. Here is an opportunity to turn adversity into advantage, to set an example by attending that may motivate and inspire your sisterhood community to attend with you, and to take an important event and change how we celebrate it. But celebrate it we should! Let's add to our tradition of Convention and build a new set of memories to look back on with pride and pleasure.
Wishing you good health and a peaceful Shabbat.
Fran
President, Central Great Lakes Region
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Weekly Words of Torah goes PC (
Parashah and Chesed
)
Shavuot
(5/29/2020)
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Executive Director
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The Torah Reading for the First Day of Shavuot, from Exodus, chapters 19 and 20, tells of the preparation for God’s Revelation to Israel at Mt. Sinai. Israel has reached Sinai in the third month since their departure from Egypt. The Israelites will now enter into their Covenant with God to become “a holy nation,” which is to make known the One God among all of the nations of the world. On Mount Sinai, God reveals to Moses the Ten Commandments which are to be the foundation on which Israel is to build a life of justice and holiness and thereby set an example for all humanity. Shavuot is the holiday which commemorates the Revelation at Mt. Sinai.
The Torah Reading for the Second Day of Shavuot, from Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17, discusses the variety of laws related to the land of Israel. Some of these laws are: Tithing for Sanctuary use - setting aside a portion of the crops for Sanctuary use; Release of Debts - to take place every seventh year to ease the burden of the poor; Tithing for the poor - setting aside a portion for the poor; Release of Slaves - to take place every seventh year; Three Pilgrimage Festivals - when the people shall go up to the Temple in Jerusalem, on Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
A
Chesed
idea for this week for Shavuot: think of the commandment, “Honor your father and mother.” Call someone before the holiday of Shavuot how has been a father or mother figure to you in your life, and tell them how important they are to you. Perhaps send them a written note also, and set up a way to see them - maybe a zoom, through FaceTime or WhatsApp video, so you can see them also. During this time of shelter in place, it is important
chesed
we can do for each other, to try to connect with people.
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Daily Virtual Virtual Psalm Study & Kaddish Sunday - Friday 1:00PM EDT
Please note: Thursday, May 28, 2020:
we will include Yizkor for Shavuot at 1PM.
No Psalm and Kaddish on Friday, May 29, 2020:
because of Shavuot
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
https://zoom.us/j/630830287
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
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abkdqsxzJq
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
mmiller@wlcj.org
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
WLCJ Executive Director
ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org
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All Night
Torah Study from Coast to Coast
With The Rabbinical Assembly
Thursday, May 28, 9 PM EDT - Friday, May 29, 9 AM EDT.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot: With some of our most insightful and inspiring teachers from around the Western Hemisphere.
(Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields has the 1-1:20am EDT time slot –
Topic: Pesikta D'Rav Kahana:The Taste of Manna and Jewish Education)
The stream will be available on our
YouTube Live
page, and we will share connection information next week. Please let us know if your congregation or organization will be joining us that night by
filling out this brief form
. Note that it is not necessary to sign up in order to join the tikkun. Since this will be a large event across North America, it will be impossible to see everyone on the broadcast. By having organizations "register", we can share a list of communities joining us, and create a broader community in collectively learning together.
We are also pleased to make available a full library of prerecorded sessions and study guides from this
list of master teachers
. The resources will be shared in the middle of next week, and can be used to prepare for and learn on Shavuot.
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Women's League Reads Author Interview
Jun 2, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time
Convention presenter Goldie Goldbloom will discuss her novel
ON DIVISION
Goldie Goldbloom’s first novel, The Paperbark Shoe, was given the AWP Novel Award, the Independent Publishers’ Novel of the Year, and was recently placed on the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read list. Her work has been shortlisted for the Australian Literary Society’s Gold Medal and the Aurealis Prize for Fantasy Fiction, and her writing has appeared in venues such as NPR, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review and Le Monde. She is the grateful recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Brown Foundation, the City of Chicago, the Elizabeth George Foundation, Ragdale, Yaddo, Northwestern University and many other organizations. Her most recent novel, On Division, was chosen to be the One Bay, One Book selection for San Francisco for 2020. She is chassidic, the mother of eight children, and grew up in Australia. She teaches in the creative writing program at Northwestern University.
Topic: Author Goldie Goldbloom
Time: Jun 2, 2020 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/475511878?pwd=dEJGWFZOTEVvUG05c2hOK1U0S2dJZz09
Meeting ID: 475 511 878
Password: 453669
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,475511878# US (New York)
+13126266799,,475511878# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+972 3 978 6688 Israel
+972 55 330 1762 Israel
Meeting ID: 475 511 878
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abkdqsxzJq
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SAVE THE DATE
Friday, June 19, 13:50-17:50 Israel Time
21st National Masorti Women's Study Day
“Toward Moral & Ethical Betterment: Women's Voices:Text, MIdrash & Art”
The study day will be gratis this year.
We would appreciate a small donation to cover our lecturers fees,
but it is not required in order to attend.
Prof. Alice Shalvi will give a short wrap up at the end of the program
10:30AM ET
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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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Now available in paperback
America’s Jewish Women:
A History from Colonial Times to Today
(W.W. Norton, 2019)
Winner of the 2019 National Jewish Book Award—
Everett Family Foundation Jewish Book of the Year
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Pamela S. Nadell, A past presenter in our Study With Scholars series
American University Professor and
Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women's & Gender History
Director, Jewish Studies Program
Past President, Association for Jewish Studies
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-885-2425
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Cross Movement Events
All Times EDT Unless Specified
Mazal Tov to our new clergy!
Times of Crisis and Possbility: New Online series with JTS Faculty and Fellows
Starting Monday, April 20th learn with JTS faculty and fellows in a series of weekly online sessions exploring pivotal moments in the Jewish experience. Attend one, some, or all.
The list of classes is below. All meet from 1:00–2:15 p.m. ET.
Zoom link sent in confirmation after you register
SESSION II: JUNE 1, SESSION III: JULY 6
Find sophisticated online courses in a wide range of Jewish studies. Undergraduate and graduate-level sessions available, with credit and non-credit options.
JUNE 28-JULY 12
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.
Kolot Ramah - A Weekly Gathering of Song and Solidarity (Rick Recht and Rabbi Josh Warshawsky)
Cantors Assembly
Every Friday 12:30PM EST
Getting Ready for Shabbat with Hazzan Mike Stein
: Children’s Music Grammy Award winner Mike Stein helps to bring in Shabbat with music, puppetry and story-telling at 12:30 pm Pacific Time for children and adults.
Register
NO COST ONLINE
LEARNING
Wed. May 27 5PM
Sun. May 31 4PM
Wed. Jun 03 12PM
Thurs Jun 04 9AM
Tues. Jun 09 12PM
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Still Accepting Jewels In The Crown Application
There's still time to send in your forms!!
We thank all Sisterhoods who already sent in their Jewels In The Crown applications. The cover letter and application may be found under section 05A of the password protected area on the website.
Need help with login? Need quick blank application?
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Convention Social Action Project update
If you would like to purchase a no-sew blanket kit to create a warm blanket or donate a kit to enable THE ARK to assist those in need please
Click HERE
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A Prayer by Daniel Warshawsky
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Please check wlcj.org under NEWS for recordings of other past sessions.
Lois SilvermanJewish Women In Film
Recordings now on our website
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Your opportunity to enjoy recent Zooms
Personal Conversation: Neshama,
with Rabbi Jaymee Alpert
Tefillin with Anne Lapidus Lerner
Mishnah with Rabbi Chaya Rowen Brown
How To Put On Tefillin with Janet Kirschner
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From the Region Torah Fund Chair--
Marilyn Cohen
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These are truly challenging times especially for sisterhoods trying to reach their Torah Fund Goals. Some sisterhoods have tried to have their Spring Torah Fund events via Zoom but we understand that others simply cannot do it that way.
The Torah Fund Campaign is in the final push to reach sisterhood goals and for sending donations into the Torah Fund offices—in Canada to the Jewish Theological Society in Toronto and in the USA to the Torah Fund office in NYC. Only US donors can use the ONLINE option on the Torah Fund website to donate that way. Canadians must pay by cheque or cash. The majority of donations are made through your own sisterhood’s Torah Fund Chair.
Many challenges are being faced during the pandemic, and it seems insignificant to be writing about fundraising, but think about the role that our rabbis, cantors, Jewish educators, and community professionals have played over the last weeks in creating and adapting online Shabbat services, adult classes,
b'nai mitzvah
tutoring, religious school classes, and other programs.
In addition, the five seminaries, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam, Germany, have adapted to this crisis by teaching classes remotely, and by offering distance learning opportunities to the broader Jewish community.
Several weeks ago, most people never heard of Zoom, and now it has become a household word. If your sisterhood would like to hold a Torah Fund Zoom program please contact me to learn more. Also useful is the article
10 Tips: Virtual Fundraising Today to Prepare for Tomorrow
,
found on the ejewish Philanthropy website.
Please note:
- Due to the coronavirus, all donations must be mailed into the Torah Fund office by June 1st. A staff member only picks up the mail once or twice a week.
- US DONORS ONLY - Torah Fund donations may be made online by credit card. Just be sure to include your sisterhood, synagogue and town. See below for the links.
I wish for you all happy and healthy times ahead. May we find the strength and faith to continue to connect safely with our families, synagogues, sisterhoods and wider communities through the miracle of technology. Let’s all stay safe at home but with the hope that in time, “Gam Zeh Ya’avor” (This Too Shall Pass).
Marilyn Cohen – INR Torah Fund VP
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The Torah Fund Campaign is Women’s League’s dedicated philanthropy which supports scholarships and programming at five Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning around the world.
Click here
for US only donations to the annual Torah Fund Campaign
Click here
for US only donations to the Torah Fund Special Project “Spaces”
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