Jofa Weekly, 2/22/24: Finding Joy in Hard Times

In This Edition:

Weekly Dvar
Women's Megillah Readings & Purim Resources
Update & Save the Dates
Women's Voices
Spotlighted Israel Resources
Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Tetzaveh

Weekly Dvar

Friends,

In tough times like we are experiencing, savoring joyful moments can seem out of reach, even inappropriate. As struggles, traumas, and tragedies unfold all around us, we may feel unsettled, scared, and pessimistic about what lies ahead.

How do we square this with our tradition that it is a mitzvah to seek joy during this time?

We can remind ourselves that much Jewish wisdom has emerged from the most difficult human circumstances – and perhaps it can help us now: Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira, who wrote the Esh Kodesh (The Holy Fire) in the Warsaw Ghetto, spoke to this in Adar 5700 (1940), when he wrote: “The obligation to rejoice is not only for the person who is already happy, or merely for the individual who is in a potentially joyful situation. Rather, even if the person feels lonely and brokenhearted, with mind and spirit crushed, he must inject at least a spark of joy into his heart.”

But how and why must we cultivate greater light and joy, even when times seem darkest? Choosing to access joy amidst the unknown, even when the good is concealed, forces us to access inner strength that comes from the deepest well inside ourselves – a well that we are forced by despair to dig up: the strength to fight another day, be it on the battlefront or the home front.

The Sefat Emet writes on Shemot, Parshat Shekalim, 13:3, that the essence of joy in Adar comes from the collective giving toward the building and worship of the Beit Hamikdash. Perhaps now, this can point our way toward a sense of purpose and meaning in the kind of giving that we can do today: giving of ourselves, investing ourselves in advocating for the hostages' release, supporting our fellow Jews in trauma – helping with a form of joy that derives out of our utmost love, care, and pride for the Jewish people.

Although this is a form of joy gleaned from pain, we must grab onto it and use it to propel us forward with a sense of purpose that helps us stay strong and resilient, until we reach the better time for which we all yearn, when we can indeed celebrate together in full unmitigated joy.

With this in mind, below we share ways to help you go forward with a sense of purpose, as well as women's voices to bring perspective to what is happening, and divrei Torah by women on the parshat hashavua, Tetzaveh.

Please continue to use and share the resources and ways to help, in this email, on our Supporting Israel resource page, and in our social feeds, to keep up our efforts to help strengthen Am Yisrael and build the profound joy of purpose amidst this difficult time.

Besorot Tovot.

Megillah Readings & Purim Prep Resources

Women's megillah reading in Maroubra, Australia, in 2023.

Purim is just one month away -- Saturday night and Sunday, March 23-24!

Please list your women's or partnership megillah readings here, so we can share the listings with others in your community who may want to join!

We also have several resources for planning a women's or partnership megillah reading and learning the leyning, including:

We appreciate your patience as we update our Android leyning app; please use our web-based recordings in the meantime.

Reproductive and Religious Freedom Threatened

The Alabama Supreme Court's February 16 decision, classifying frozen embryos as children, sets a dangerous precedent that violates the separation of church and state, and makes it virtually impossible for Alabama families to access fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), that can be necessary to grow families. The ruling is an egregious and undeniable violation of religious freedom that places an undue burden on individuals seeking IVF treatment -- and Alabama fertility clinics are already canceling appointments and turning away patients. Read our statement to learn more about what is at stake.

International Women's Day Program on Ta'anit Esther, Thursday, March 21, 11AM EST

Moran Zer Katzenstein, Founder, Bonot Alternativa

In honor of International Women's Day 2024, Moran Zer Katzenstein, founder of Bonot Alternativa, one of Israel's leading gender equality organizations, will lead a conversation delving into the distinctive qualities and strengths that women bring to leadership roles.

Highlighting the imperative of women's representation at decision-making tables across military, government, local authorities, and civil society, Moran will share insightful anecdotes and case studies drawn from recent emergency relief efforts. She will also unveil Bonot Alternativa's ambitious plans to rebuild women's leadership in Israel this year.

Join us for this online session, as we recognize the strength of women leaders, and unite to build a more equitable and inclusive future for women in Israel. Please watch for registration info coming soon.

Days of Torah Learning at SAR High School, June 23-24

Jofa is proud to join SAR High School and numerous partners (listed in the graphic below) for two days of Torah learning in June, in memory of Riva Koschitzky, z"l, an outstanding supporter of numerous projects to increase and enhance Torah learning. Please watch for details; a Zoom component will be offered for those unable to attend in person.

Women's Voices

Here we share a range of women's voices, ideas, thoughts, and reflections, as examples of what women are processing and feeling right now, and how they are finding understanding, strength, hope, and resilience, during this time. We hope that these writings provide you with new perspectives, and inspire you to write and share your own insights:

Redoubling Our Sense of Purpose for Israel

Even as the war continues and we feel worn out, we must strengthen ourselves and redouble our efforts on behalf of Am Yisrael.

Please check our Supporting Israel: Ways to Help Now page, where we continue adding ways to keep current and engaged with what is happening in Israel and how we can help -- including raising the voices and stories of how women are impacted, how they are responding, and ways we can support them.

The page includes resources for fighting antisemitism; advocacy; staying informed; keeping attention on the hostages; finding comfort in rituals; ways to contribute; talking to kids about Israel; reaching out; mental health; community gatherings, and more.

We will also continue spotlighting additional resources in this weekly email and our social feeds, and adding them to the page. We hope that each week you'll will find something that speaks to you, helps you stay connected, gives you specific things you can do -- in Israel, around the world, and in your own home and community.

Spotlighted Israel Resources

We continue highlighting examples each week of the countless organizations doing incredible work on the ground in Israel. Please see our Supporting Israel page for our continually growing list.

Early Starters Israel: This Israeli non-profit, which created pre-school programs for Ukrainian, Syrian, and other refugee children, has turned its attention closer to home. The organization has established 14 safe early learning spaces for Israeli children who fled from the surrounding settlements on the Gaza border, and the Northern border -- in Eilat, at the Dead Sea, in Jerusalem, Herzliya, and Kibbutz Maa’le Ha’chamisha.

AMEN – The Land Where Women Heal: AMEN, which stands for Admat Marpeh Nashit, "feminine healing ground," is a center for healing, celebration, and leadership, and is part of the Ohela Association. Soon after the events of October 7, AMEN set up women's clinics at the Dead Sea and Eilat evacuation areas that have been treating 60 patients on average per day in each space. AMEN's holistic approach helps women coping with a mental health crisis due to sexual violence, and complements the more conventional approaches provided by government agencies.

ALYN Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation Center: The ALYN Center provides treatment for children facing both congenital and acquired physical challenges, enabling them to function to the best of their ability and integrate into their family life within the framework of a supportive community. ALYN is relocating its day program for severely disabled children to a protected space, expanding its remote therapy options, and outfitting the facility with emergency equipment.

Divrei Torah by Women on Parshat Tetzaveh

Jews around the world are reading and studying Parshat Tetzaveh this week. Here are a few divrei Torah by women on this week's parsha:

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach

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