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Dear Friends,

I find it hard to believe that Pesach is finally about to arrive. Hopefully, we have completed the work we planned, removed all our Chametz, cooked our favourite Passover dishes, exchanged recipes with friends and family members, and perhaps purchased a new Spring outfit. Now we can calmly get ready for a wonderful Seder and Passover holiday. I sincerely hope you will be able to celebrate in person this year with your family but if not, the miracle of Zoom is still a viable option. Just imagine if this pandemic had occurred a mere 15 years ago. Think of all the amazing discoveries in medicine that we now have, and the technical capabilities in communication, such as the ability to zoom into each other’s homes while still staying safe and healthy. These were not available all that long ago. Without these technologies, I’m sure we all would have felt so much more alone and isolated than we already did when we went through the pandemic. However, these days we do have alternatives and I am so thankful for that.

I have also been thinking about another aspect of all the preparations we have been making for this upcoming holiday. Not only is Passover a time for spring cleaning our homes, but it can be viewed as an opportunity for spring cleaning our souls. The ritual of Passover spring cleaning can involve both the scouring of our kitchens and a careful examination of our inner selves. What do you want to cleanse or remove from your life this Passover? What do you want to make space for in your life?

When I think of Passover, I not only see a holiday celebrating the rebirth of the Israelites when they gained their freedom, but I also see the opportunity to shed unwanted elements from the past in order to prepare for a better future for the Jewish people of today.

I wish you all a very Happy and Kosher Pesach,

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

inrpresident21@wlcj.org

REGION REMINDERS:

**SCHEDULING NOTIFICATION**

Please look for your next issue of our Chai Lines Newsletter on Friday May 6, 2022. There will not be an issue published on Friday April 29, 2022.

SPRING CONFERENCE – SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2022

Our Conference Program Planning Committee, chaired by Carole Burke, is hard at work putting together an outstanding conference for our region. As a sneak preview of the highlights, I can divulge we will have a unique Shacharit service, an amazing keynote address by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, a virtual tour of Montreal, a hands-on workshop on Sustainability and the Environment, and an encounter with Montreal’s Auberge Shalom women’s shelter and lots more. Please record this event in your calendar and join us for an amazing day.

** The Conference Committee is looking for volunteers to introduce speakers, monitor breakout rooms, and more! If you would like to help with our Virtual Spring Conference, please contact Carole Burke: caroleburke1944@gmail.com or ph: 514-724-1867.**

TORAH FUND PROGRAM - WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

Montreal’s two affiliates Shaare Zion Beth-El and Shaare Zedek are holding their combined virtual Torah Fund Event on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm. Rabbi Adina Lewittes will inspire us on the topic “Talking About Intermarriage – A Values-based perspective.” See the details in the flyer below.

MOTHER'S DAY FLOWERS

Beth Tikvah Women, Toronto is organizing a Mother’s Day Flower Sale which is a welcomed and popular fundraiser. Pick up will be on May 5th and 6th. More details to come in future issues of our newsletter.

FUNDRAISER

Region Book Chair Ruth Borsky is raising funds for summer camp scholarships at the JCC of Buffalo via the sale of her handmade Kippot and Jewelry. All proceeds go directly to scholarships for children to attend Camp Centerland this summer. "All auction items were donated by jewelry artist Ruth Borsky. Her work includes custom handmade beaded jewelry, hats, and designs for religious ceremonies, wedding headpieces, bat and bar mitzvahs, proms, gifts, and special occasions." To view the Beads On a Wire online auction click here.

Refuah Sheilema

Continuing to wish Refeuah Sheilema to Rachel Anderson, President of The Women's Network of Temple Beth Tzedek, Buffalo, NY on her road to recovery.

Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Rebecca Abraham, z"l, Past President of Temple Beth El Sisterhood in Ithaca, New York. May her memory forever be for a blessing.

Mazel Tov!

To our regions's Communication Secretary: Joan Lowenstein on her daughter's Acceptance at and Commitment to attend SUNY Buffalo State - Childhood Education Program in the Fall of 2022.

Torah Fund – B’Yachad – Together

Soon we will gather around our seder tables to retell the story of gaining our freedom from Egypt. This year, we will also celebrate emerging from the COVID 19 pandemic. How fitting that the Torah Fund Campaign for 2020-22 is B’Yachad, Together. After two years of enslavement to a virus, we can be B’Yachad, Together, again. 

As we clean and clear away chametz, getting ready to celebrate Pesach, let’s take a moment to remember that Torah Fund supports the students of the five world-wide institutions of higher learning of the Conservative/Masorti movement. Your support is very much appreciated. Consider sending a Torah Fund card to family and friends who cannot join you this year. Here is the new Canadian platform. And here is the current Torah Fund U.S. ecards platform.

To continue our traditions, consider joining the Torah Fund Legacy Society. To learn more, click here: Torah Fund Legacy Society - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)

From my family to yours, a Zisseneh Pesach.

Comments or questions? Contact me:

Linda Boxer, Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

WLCJ wishes you a Chag Sameach / Happy Passover

WLCJ wishes a Chag Sameach to our Sisters and their loved ones.

WLCJ offices will be closed from April 18th-22nd. There will not be a WL Week newsletter or Shabbat message until the week of April 25th.

Special Dates for

Makom B'Yachad

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12 PM ET; 11 AM CT; 9 AM PT; 10 AM MT

Join Zoom Meeting: 

https://zoom.us/j/630830287

Meeting ID: 630 830 287

Password: 875936

IMPORTANT DATES:

- Fri 4/15, Tues 4/19 - Open for socializing

- Weds 4/20 - Yizkor Service

- Fri 4/22 -  No Makom B'Yachad

- Weds 4/27 - Yom HaShoah 

Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish?

WLCJ Statement on Violence in Israel

In light of the recent unspeakable acts of terror committed against innocent Israeli citizens, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our unwavering support for the State of Israel, and its citizens right to exist in peace and without fear. We continue to pray for strength and courage for all of our leaders during these challenging times, and comfort for the loved ones of those who were lost from these tragedies. Loss of life is never acceptable, and we continue to strive toward our shared goal of peace and civility. Baruch Dayan HaEmet to those who were lost, and may we not experience these occurrences again. Oseh Shalom B’mrov, Hoo YaAseh Shalom, Aleinu V’Al Kol Yisrael, V’Imru Amen. May the One who brings Peace to God’s Universe, bring peace to us and to all Israel. And let us say Amen.

WLCJ Calendar

Available on www.wlcj.org

Check out our Calendar on our website for upcoming programs:

“It Could Happen Here” Webinar

- April 25th @ 8:00 PM ET

Join us for this urgent conversation with Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of ADL, who will speak to Chancellor Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz about ways that we as individuals, as organizations, and as a society can strike back against antisemitism and hate.

Drawing on ADL's decades of experience in fighting hate through investigative research, education programs, and legislative victories as well as his own personal story and his background in business and government, Greenblatt will offer strategies on how we, as individuals, as organizations, and as a society, can strike back against hate.

Personal Conversations - Thursday, May 19 @ 7:30 PM ET

Jewish Women of Color: On a Journey Towards Inclusion (Are we there yet?) 

Jews of Color have a growing presence and influence in synagogues, sisterhoods and communities. In keeping with the Women’s League and its affiliated partners' new initiative to realize full inclusion for all people in our Movement, we want to hear from Jewish women-of-color directly about their firsthand experiences. 

Mishpachah Program -

Monday, May 23 @ 7:30 PM ET

Can We Talk? Developing Communication Skills to Use During Difficult Times

Please join us and psychologist Dr. Alison Block of Health Psychology Center who will discuss communication problems/issues and the conflict resolution strategies we can apply when our family members disagree with each other.

Media Challenge

Essay Contest

Project Stock the Shelves

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors

PASSOVER IS COMING!

If you’ve been shopping recently, you can’t help but notice how much the cost of food has gone up. Please consider contributing a Kosher for Passover item to your pantry collection this month.

Jewels in the Crown Returns to Convention 2023

Jewels in the Crown is an opportunity for your Sisterhood to be honored for exceptional programming and participation.

See below for information and application.

For more information email: jewel@wlcj.org

Combat U.N. War on Israel Today! Here's How

Fight the UN "Commission of Inquiry" Against Israel

Make a Difference - Make a Submission Now



An Update And Prayer For Peace In Ukraine

As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, our Ukrainian Masorti/Conservative communities across the country and beyond its borders are still in need of our support. Together with Masorti Olami’s partners at The Schechter Institutes, we are continuing to assist community members both within Ukraine and in host countries around the world...

Programming Idea of the Week

The Puzzler: A.J. Jacobs in Conversation with Rabbi Sherre Hirsch

On Tuesday, May 10th, 12pm (PDT) and 3pm (EDT) New York Times bestselling author A.J. Jacobs returns to AJU for a conversation with Rabbi Sherre Hirsch on the enduring power of puzzles of all kinds: why we love them, what they do to our brains, how they can improve our world, and how they can even help us think differently about big questions like the meaning of life.

A.J. will also discuss the history of Jewish puzzles and riddles, from Biblical times to the present...

Women's League Archives

Women’s League Archives: Join Us in Our Quest!

Exciting things are happening with our Women’s League archives. The Board of Women’s League voted to permanently loan our archives to the Jewish Theological Seminary. This is fabulous since it will insure our historical items will be stored and catalogued properly and will be more accessible to our members as well as the public.

During the next few months, we will be transferring all of our archival material (and there is a lot) to JTS. And you can help! ...

Weekly Words of Torah

Shabbat, First Day Pesach: Exodus 12:21-51  Maftir Reading: Numbers 28:19-25

Haftarah: Joshua 3:5-7, 5:2-6:1, 6:27

Sunday, Second Day Pesach: Leviticus 22:26-23:44  Maftir Reading: Numbers 28:19-25  

Haftarah: 2 Kings 23:1-9, 21-25 - 

April 16 and 23, 2022

The Torah reading for the first day of Pesach tells of the night we were liberated from Egypt: each family sacrificing a lamb, spreading its’ blood on the doorpost and lintels of the house; the Lord passing over the houses as the Egypt firstborn were struck down at midnight. Pharaoh finally relenting, telling us to leave Egypt; taking our dough before it could rise and asking the Egyptians for gold and silver. It is an ordinance to observe this feast forever, explaining it to our children when they ask...

[Since there will not be a WL Week next week, click to read more for a few words about the readings for the end of the holiday.]

Women of the Wall

WOW Merchandise

All prices include regular shipping (with tracking, 2-4 weeks). Express shipping costs an extra $20 per item.

Florida Region

Sisterhood Book Club

The Lost Shtetl by Max Gross

Wednesday, April 20

@ 7:30 PM ET

For zoom information, click:

Florida Region

Sisterhood Book Club 

The Book of Lost Names

by Kristin Harmel

Sunday, April 24

@ 12:30 PM ET

For more information about the program and to RSVP, contact Sisterhood

Mid-Atlantic Region

Gratz College invites you to a free program open to all. Commemorating Yom HaShoah and honoring extraordinary individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and scholarship have significantly advanced Holocaust education and human rights in the world. Women's League and Torah Fund Sister, Violet Zeitlin, is the Honoree

Thursday, April 28

@ 6:30 PM ET

For more information about the program and to RSVP, click on the button below.

Passover Resources; The Rise of Hate in America; New Weekly Lecture Series; and More

Just Added! President Zelensky: The Evolution of a Comedian to a Wartime Leader of Ukraine

Schechter's Spring 2022 Hybrid and Zoom Courses

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

New Pin!

2022-2023 Chazak vEmatz Campaign

Click on the image to open Torah Fund's Chadashot >>>

Don’t miss this new website – ExploringJudaism.org – where people like you can share personal and meaningful Jewish wisdom and reflection in addition to insight on practical living through the lens of Conservative/Masorti Judaism.

ExploringJudaism.org is a digital home for the Torah of Conservative/Masorti Judaism. While the name of this stream of Judaism was born well over a century ago, in the contemporary world Conservative Judaism is expressed through connection, community, and the creation of meaning.  This lens on Judaism is rooted in the idea that Judaism grows with us, that we’re guided by process, and that there is beauty in the balance.

Check out these Passover posts...

50th Anniversary Mission to Israel

The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center - July 11-17, 2022

This coming July, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center welcomes you back to an open and thriving post-pandemic Israel for an educational, inspiring, and unforgettable week-long mission where we will put our Jewish identities FRONT AND CENTER. For Itinerary and Registration: 

https://https://fuchsbergcenter.org/IsraelMission/

You’ve seen how informative and inspiring Never Is Now is, Ellen. So, we’d like to invite you to be one of the first to sign up for this year’s edition of the largest annual summit on antisemitism and hate — and save at least 20%!

11,000 people joined us virtually last year and we are excited to welcome thousands more this year as we come together in person on November 10 for Never Is Now 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City.

For more information and registration: https://wlcj2.org/u/?P1c6426l&b=2022-04-1119:37:32&e=501088

Philip Spencer and Marlene Gallner, 

“The Politics of Holocaust Memory”

Sunday, April 24 -

12 PM ET

More events, click on the button to visit website:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism