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As we are all enjoying the summer months, Chai Lines will be published on a limited schedule. Look for your next summer edition of the Chai Lines Newsletter on August 12th, 2022!  Additionally, look for a special publication from our Torah Fund VP, Linda Boxer on August 8, 2022!

Additional Women's League programming and information can always be found in the WL Week which is being published bi-weekly through the summer and on the WLCJ Calendar here. If you are not currently receiving WL Week please contact Region President Marilyn Cohen at INRPresident21@wlcj.org.

Dear Friends,

I have always felt a special kinship to the part in this week’s Parashat, Pinchas, which recounts the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad. Being the eldest of four sisters myself, I can identify with their loyalty, dedication, and unified passion for justice. The story begins after a census is taken and when God tells Moses to assign portions of land to each family according to the listing of their tribes. The inheritance of property is to pass through fathers and sons from one generation to the next. However, in the tribe of Menashe the family of Zelophehad has five daughters with no sons and the daughters do not take this ruling lying down. To emphasize the importance of the family, the Torah significantly lists the daughters’ names as Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These daughters bravely came forward, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chiefs and the whole assembly at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, (27:1-2). There they pointed out that the law of inheritance from father to son was unjust. “Our father was not one of Korah’s disloyal factions, which banded together against God, but he died in the wilderness, and he has left no sons. We ask that his name not be lost just because he has no son but that his portion be given to us, his daughters” (Numbers 27:3-4).

The daughters of Zelophehad came forward in an unprecedented situation. They spoke with determination and knowledge, supporting their claim with compelling arguments. They showed confidence when presenting their arguments and did not hesitate to point out the unfair nature of God’s law.

They were also aware of their history and the law. They knew that the continuity of a family’s name depends on its inheritance of the land and they realized that the current law was not adequate or just, as it did not take into account the unusual circumstance of a man without sons. Thus, they possessed the insight and understanding to recognize the omission in God’s law.

Moses does not know what to do with these objections and therefore consults God who tells him that their plea is justified. He announces to the community, “If a man dies without leaving a son, his property is to be transferred to his daughter.” This might be considered a significant victory for women’s rights but later in the parsha the law gets modified. The tribal leaders of Menashe are concerned that if the daughters marry someone from a different tribe, the tribe’s allotted portion of land will go to that other tribe. “Our allotted portion will be diminished” they tell Moses. God then tells Moses that these leaders also have a just cause. To solve this dilemma, the daughters of Zelophehad are told they can marry only within their tribe and the people are told that “no inheritance of the Israelites may pass over from one tribe to another …. every daughter who inherits a share must marry someone from a clan of her father’s tribe…” (Numbers 35:7-8). Thus, even though women won the right to inherit, they still must obey the higher principle of preserving the size and borders of tribal lands.

I still think we can be proud of the achievement and bravery of the daughters of Zelophehad and I see their actions as models for ourselves, today. Their story provides a message of hope for all those faced with obstacles and a model to fearlessly fight for one’s own rights and for justice in the face of injustice.

CORRECTION

It was brought to my attention that my article in our last issue of Chai Lines had incorrect statistics regarding the comparable lengths of coastline between Canada and the US. The length of coastline for the US was too low and incorrect. The USA has 12,000 miles of coast line on the East coast, but, if you include the West coast and Gulf of Mexico, there are 95,471 miles of coast line. I stand corrected.

I love hearing from anyone who agrees or even disagrees with my message. As Bill Gates has said, “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” So, keep your comments coming.

Shabbat Shalom

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

inrpresident21@wlcj.org

  Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous 



The dedicated tzedakah of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, Torah Fund has raised nearly $108 million in its 80 years. Torah Fund provides funding for scholarships and programs in the worldwide Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning. We are proud supporters of The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, Schechter Institutes of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, and Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam. Help strengthen Jewish education and ensure the vibrancy of the Jewish people for decades to come, with your gift to Torah Fund.

Volunteers are gathering soon to mail out the new pins to the Torah Fund Chairs. Should our region’s chairs be in need of additional pins than were sent initially, having been blessed with generous donors, we will be able to order more at a later date.

Do you prefer a specific project rather than the General Campaign? Our special project, Creating New Spaces, will equally fund two important projects: A “Women’s League Study Space” in the new undergraduate residence hall at The Jewish Theological Seminary, and a special course of training for rabbinical students at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, entitled “Women’s League Institute on Gender Bias and Harassment.” Our goal is to raise $200,000 which will be split equally between the two projects.

The Torah Fund Legacy Society continues to grow, offering planned giving options for our members to give an after-lifetime gift to Torah Fund.

Visit the Torah Fund website for information about the campaigns and project. There you will also find the links to online giving (both in the US and in Canada): Torah Fund - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)

Watch for a special edition of Chai Lines, all about Torah Fund, coming in early August.

Thank you for your contributions. All donations, large and small, are appreciated.

Questions? Comments?

Contact Me!

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

WLCJ Recommendations for Affiliate Banking

Women’s League does NOT recommend using Venmo for receiving funds. Women’s League has always recommended only connections between your Affiliate email address and your bank account. Accounts through Venmo that don’t have a fee are personal accounts and require you to connect your bank account directly to a personal cell phone.

We DO recommend Zelle – IF you access Zelle through your Affiliate bank account. You do not need to connect a personal cell phone and the money comes directly from the payor to your account. If your bank does not have Zelle, we do NOT recommend using it because it would require a connection to a personal cell phone.

Apply for Kulanu, ADL’s New Synagogue Engagement Program

Assault, harassment and incidents of hate targeting Jews are at historic levels in the U.S. In 2021, ADL recorded 2,717 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States — a 34% increase over from the 2,026 incidents tabulated in 2020.

That’s why ADL created Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism. It’s a new, self-directed program that empowers synagogue communities to fight against antisemitism and hate. Kulanu, Hebrew for “all of us,” supports synagogues in organizing and activating through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until August 1st. We welcome applications from synagogue professionals, clergy, or lay leaders with the support of their congregations.

This Year, More Than Ever, Send a Child to Camp Ramah

Midreshet Schechter has been running Camp Ramah Ukraine – which is scheduled to celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer.

This summer, as a result of the war in Ukraine, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary in Romania. We expect to have refugee children from Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, Odesa, Berlin, and Israel. 

We would be most grateful if you could support this wonderful camp at this very difficult time. $1,000 will sponsor a camper for the summer.

It's Not Too Late to watch Mivtza Ukraine

We've already raised $10,000, and it's only been a few hours. But we still need you. Mivtza Ukraine has officially launched on Facebook and YouTube. Between the delays and a Sunday morning premiere, however, we know there are a lot more viewers out there who would love to see this moving and powerful program.

We encourage you to share this video with your community and help spread the word about the holy work being done by Masorti Olami and Midreshet Schechter. We are grateful for your partnership and thank you for all you've done to help us create and get the word out about this important event.

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Balak: Numbers 22:2-25:9

Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8 - July 16, 2022

Parashat Balak tells the story of the prophet Balaam, who was solicited by the Moabite King Balak to curse Israel. God initially told Balaam not to go with Balak’s men, but ultimately relented, telling him to speak only the words that God would tell him to say...

Parashat Pinchas: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Haftarah (for after 17th of Tammuz): Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 - July 23, 2022

At the end of Parashat Chukat the men of Israel were being drawn into idolatry and immorality by the women of Moab. The plague was finally stayed when Aaron’s grandson Pinchas ran a spear through a couple who were fornicating in the tabernacle...

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

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

Project Stock the Shelves

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors

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 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

2022 News from Masorti Israel

Dear friend,

As a valued supporter of the Masorti -Conservative Movement of Israel, I wanted to share an update from our Israeli partners as Masorti embarks on a new strategic vision of service to the State of Israel. There’s much more than I can share in this note; I hope to reach out to you next week to get your reactions to these innovative plans for growing Masorti’s influence on Israeli society.

Key elements of Masorti’s vision include:

• A responsibility to serve the state of Israel and all Israelis, regardless of ideology or identity, in Masorti communities and everywhere Israeli Jews live;
• A commitment to create spaces throughout Israel for Jewish families to unite; that all Israeli Jews have a right to experience...

Thoughts and Resources on the US Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

The following are links to Women's League for Conservative Judaism Resolutions that have passed on the topic of Women’s Health:

• WLCJ Resolution: Women's Health (2022)
• WLCJ Resolution: Right to Choose (2020)
• WLCJ Resolution: Reproductive Rights (2020)
• WLCJ Resolution: Reproductive Rights (2014)
• WLCJ Resolution: Reproductive Rights (2012)
• WLCJ Resolution: Abortion (1982)

The following is an email from Ned Gladstein, President of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism on this topic. 

Read More →

The following is a statement from the Rabbinical Assembly on this topic. 

Read More →

Calendar Diaries are available in TWO SIZES. 

Pocket Size: 4x6in. Planner Size: 8.5x11in. Both available to ORDER NOW.

Region Hike

Garden State Region

Region Hike

Sunday, July 31

@ 10:30 AM ET

For more information about the program click HERE and to RSVP contact 

Donna Burkat.

BQLI Region

Pocketbook Bingo

Wednesday, August 10

@ 5:00 PM ET

SAVE THE DATE

In-Person event,

more information to come.

More Sisterhood and /

or Region programs

(in-person and virtual)

available on:

This Fall, A New Cycle of Context; Undergrad Education at JTS; and More

Last Chance for Summer Hebrew Classes and Current Events

Schechter's Spring 2022 Hybrid and Zoom Courses

New Digital Torah Fund eCards Available NOW:

Send a greeting with ecards and support Torah Fund! Make your gift more meaningful by using our ecards for every occasion!

WOW Merchandise

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

Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund by GlobalGiving



Inspired by Global Citizen and continuing with their work, GFP Restate is supporting humanitarian relief efforts on the ground in Ukraine through Global Giving. We are supporting humanitarian relief efforts on the ground through Global Giving. 520 Eight Avenue will match all donations up to a total of $100,000. Money raised will go to support the millions of civilians in need, with a focus on the most vulnerable...    Read more

2022-2023 Ma'alot Grants

Announcing the 2022-2023 Ma’alot Grants, jointly funded by Nefesh B’ Nefesh and the Jewish National Fund USA for programs related to Israel in North American communities. The maximum award is $1,250. Your kehillah should apply! Before applying, please review  these guidelines, then apply by clicking HERE. Questions? Contact our colleague  Paul Freedman.

Read more

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.

You’ve seen how informative and inspiring Never Is Now is. 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: Click here.

Click on the button to visit website for summer events:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism