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Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotcha, the Israelites receive instructions regarding the installation of the menorah in the sanctuary, the consecration of the priests and Levites, and for bringing the Pesach sacrifice. While journeying from Sinai through the desert, the Israelites complain to Moses on several occasions. Their complaints about their diet of manna, and their craving for meat, provoke God’s anger. When Moses asks God “why have you laid the burden of all this people upon me?”, God tells Moses to appoint seventy experienced elders and officers to share leadership and the spirit of prophecy with him so that his burden would be lessened. Moses is then further burdened when Miriam and Aaron criticize Moses for marrying a Cushite woman. However, only Miriam is punished with tzara’at (a form of leprosy). Moses then pleads on her behalf and after being excluded from the camp for seven days, she is cured and returns to her people.

Moses’ prayer to God for Miriam’s sake, is a short but effective one-line healing prayer: “el na, refa na la” - "please, God, heal her." Those words caught my attention immediately. I was sure I had sung them before but could not remember where. Of course, I turned to ‘Rabbi Google’ to find the tune and in doing so, I came across an interesting explanation for those words from the Velveteen Rabbi – Rabbi Rachel Barenblat:

   “This prayer has eleven letters. What can we learn from this? That it is meant to point us

   toward the eleven-letter name of God, the name God gives to Moses at the burning

   bush:אהיה אשר אהיה, ehyeh asher ehyeh, "I will be who I will be."

   When we use this short prayer to pray for healing, we implicitly call upon God Who is

   ever-changing. We call upon the God who is continually becoming, to heal and strengthen

   our loved one who needs transformation and change.

   If anyone in your life is in need of healing, I wish them a speedy recovery, and wish you 

   comfort as you walk alongside them.”

This was a very touching thought but I was still looking for that song. 

Just when I was preparing to go to sleep, it hit me. Adele Weinstein and I were part of the choir at the International Women’s League Virtual Convention in 2020 and we sang during the Healing Service with Cantorial soloist Hazzan Aliza Pomerantz-Boro and accompanied by Cantor Leon Sher. The song was “Heal Us Now” and part of the lyrics to that song was the phrase ”El Na Refah Na La”. I found it on our WLCJ Website but it is imbedded in the whole morning service so I asked for Lois Silverman’s help and she kindly sent it to me in a link - which you will find below. Be patient, it may take up to 30 seconds to begin to play. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IeloJi4ibgTQWYLhjKNk0ksfoHIrOQXV/view?usp=sharing

Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

inrpresident21@wlcj.org

MAZAL TOV! MAZAL TOV!



Our INR Conference on Sunday, June 12, 2022 was a huge success. We have received so many positive accolades from the attendees. I want to thank all those who worked so hard to plan this wonderful event. First and foremost, thank you to Carole Burke our amazing Conference Chair who, for six months, has put her heart and soul into organizing such an incredible day. She was assisted by a dedicated group of women on the Conference Planning Committee, who shared their ideas, discovered and contacted speakers, thought ‘outside the box’ and generally supported Carole in all that was needed. As presidents of our Montreal host sisterhoods, Carole and Linda Shohet thoughtfully introduced and thanked all of our speakers throughout the day.

I would like to personally thank all the presenters. We were honoured to hear from Debbie Kaner Goldich our International Women’s League President. Marla Allentoff organized the unique Shacharit T’filah which included meaningful and inspiring English readings that could be appreciated by all. Rabbi Alan W. Bright gave a brilliant D’var Torah which related to our theme “Yishuv Ha’Olam – Sustain our World”. Our three anthems were sung beautifully by Dorothy Tonchin, Marla Allentoff and Adele Weinstein. Trudy Sassoon gave an emotional ‘In Memorium’ presentation of those in our affiliates who we lost this past year. We were then blown away by our keynote speaker, Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin. She eloquently explained the concept of sustainability from a Jewish perspective. Rabbi Cardin went on to explain that her original article, “Guardener’s of Our World: Yishuv Ha’Olam” stemmed from a Teshuva she wrote with her husband, also a Rabbi, which was unanimously approved by the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Law and Standards. She taught us that once we look in our Jewish texts for Yishuv Ha’Olam themes, we find our tradition is rife with examples because Yishuv Ha’Olam is foundational to everything. We thanked Rabbi Cardin with a Torah Fund card and her response can be found below this article.

Certificate presentations were then made to the six affiliates who reached significant years of affiliation with Women’s League: Women’s Network of Temple Beth Tzedek, Buffalo NY (65 years), Or Shalom Sisterhood, London ON (70 years), Congregation Sons of Israel/Daughters of Jacob Sisterhood, Amsterdam NY (85 years), Beth Tzedec Sisterhood, Toronto ON (100 years), Temple Adath Yeshurun, Syracuse NY (101 years) and Temple Beth El Sisterhood, Rochester NY (102 yrs). Mazal Tov to you all!

Thanks to Linda Boxer who presented a moving Torah Fund session with heartfelt videos from the Chancellor of JTS, Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz as well as Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Vice President of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles as well as the Dean of the Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam Germany. Linda went on to describe the history of our Torah Fund pins including the presidents of United States, and the prime ministers of Canada who governed during the decades of Torah Fund giving.

Norman Spatz virtually led us through the streets of Westmount in Montreal – a beautiful, old, established Jewish area of the city.

Next came our Conference Consultant, Debra Green, who gave a comprehensive explanation of Consulting Services. Women’s League offers countless opportunities to all its affiliates to obtain, free of charge, expert advice and counselling on anything a sisterhood could need – membership, leadership development, technical support, financial help, etc. Every affiliate should be taking advantage of this free service that is a benefit of your membership in Women’s League. 

Corinne Hammerschlag followed with a terrific workshop on the ‘how’s and why’s’ of Sustainability. Her interview with Dr. Caroline Hammerschlag (her daughter-in-law) was fascinating. Corinne offered us practical solutions to today’s environmental dilemmas and challenged us to think of ways our Affiliates could be more environmentally conscious and proactive.

For our Tzedakah commitments we heard from Kimberly Tepperman of Auberge Shalom in Montreal – the only fully Kosher and Shomer Shabbat facility in Canada (and maybe North America) that offers comprehensive services for women and children who have been affected by partner abuse. We also heard from Toby Maser about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program in Israel, for children with disabilities. To facilitate donations and receipting, those in Canada were asked to donate to Auberge Shalom via its website and those in the US were asked to donate to the B’nai Mitzvah Program by sending checks to Toby who will forward them on. Both are extremely vital charities to support.

Our last session of the day was a beautiful, poignant recital by Cantor Heather Batchelor that left us feeling calm, fulfilled and joyous. 

Final thank you sentiments were given by Carol, Linda and myself and we all left feeling fulfilled, energized, inspired and proud that our INR Spring Conference was such a success.

L’SHANAH HABA’AH! Next year, may we all be together at our International Women’s League Convention in Schaumburg, IL.

For those who were unable to attend conference, the recording will be available on our region website in the next few weeks. Look for it at: www.wlcjregion.org/northeast

From: Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin

Subject: Thank you for the lovely card!

Dear All,

Yasher Koach to you all for addressing the most critical issue of the day - ensuring that we all understand and respond to the needs of the earth so the earth can continue to support us and all life. You are truly leaders in the Masorti movement.

And thank you for inviting me to speak - I thoroughly enjoyed being with you all.

Please do let me know if I can work with or connect with individual chapters of Women’s League to continue the conversation. We really just brushed the surface on Sunday.

And yasher koach as well for what national is doing, with the Masorti Sustainability Roundtable and your upcoming reverse tashlikh event.

I look forward to hearing more about your important work.

Women’s League is fortunate to have dedicated members like yourselves!

kol tuv

Nina

  Torah Fund – B’Yachad – Together



The 2021-2022 B'Yachad campaign has raised $1,036,035 so far this year, compared to $1,059,138 as of June 3rd last year. The total raised for the Spaces project for 2021-2022, so far this year, is $20,234, compared to $42,279 as of June 3rd last year. The total raised for Spaces to date is $126,637. The goal for the Spaces project is $200,000, and this project will continue until that goal is reached. Our region has donated $474 to Spaces this year. Last year INR donated $400 to Spaces. The funds will be used to endow the Women’s League Study Space in the new undergraduate residence hall at The Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Women’s League Institute on Gender Bias and Harassment at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

To date our region has donated $22,529 to this year’s B’Yachad Campaign. The goal set for our region was $29,280. The project is inching forward. Giving has been down across most of the regions; we are not alone.

On a happier note, mazal tov to Temple Beth Tzedek, Buffalo, and Congregation Beth Shalom-Cheva Shas, Dewitt, for exceeding their goal and to Temple Adath Yeshurun, Syracuse, and Temple Beth El, Rochester, for nearly reaching their goals. We have two weeks to go to June 30th, the end of the B’Yachad Campaign, so let’s hope the last of the checks will reach the Torah Fund office and be credited to the affiliates. Last minute donations are very much appreciated.

Remember our donations to Torah Fund help support the students at our five Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher learning, training our rabbis, cantors, scholars, and educators. All donations, large and small, make a difference. Together, we make a difference. For all who have donated, thank you, merci beaucoup, todah rabah.

A note to our Torah Fund Chairs: The Torah Fund Office will soon distribute the 2022-2023 pins to start the Chazak v’Ematz, Be Strong and Courageous, campaign honoring our 80 years of Torah Fund. Order forms are not necessary as the Torah Fund office will send pins based on the need from the last few years. Should you need more pins, you will be able to order the extras at a later date.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

NEW Phone Number:

405.870.1260

NEW Office Address:

520 8th Ave., 4th Floor,

New York, NY 10018

Sustainability - Shmita 

Thursday, June 16 @ 6:00 PM ET

What do stress release and sustainability have in common?

Come and find out on June 16 at 6pm ET

We will be discussing the seventh year of resting our land, exploring the relationship between Shmita and Shabbat, reflecting on our personal journeys, and releasing that which we participate in physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Mivtza Ukraine -

Thursday, June 26 @ 10 AM ET

It is with great regret that we have to announce that Mivtza Ukraine will be delayed once again. Due to production delays caused, in part, by working with contributors in an active war zone, we were unable to assemble all the materials needed in time to meet our June 12 premiere date.

The good news is that we have rescheduled our premiere for Sunday, June 26 at the same time and we hope you will join us then. In the meantime, we will be providing a brief, sneak peek of Mivtza Ukraine this Sunday at 10 AM ET on Facebook and YouTube at the same links you already have...

The 23rd National Masorti Women's Study Day will take place on Sunday, June 26th on Zoom. This year's theme is: 

Women Shine Even in Dark Times: From the Bible to Today in the Ukraine.

SAVE THE DATE

23rd National Masorti Women’s Study Day

ZOOM Study Day

Sunday

June 26, 2022

11:00 am – 12:30 PM Eastern Time

To download flyer, click HERE.

Programming Idea of the Week

Beyond Golde and Yente – Jewish Women on Stage

Combining a doctorate in liberal studies with professional training and experiences at many of the world's most prestigious theatre companies and universities, Susan Speidel has created quality arts education programs for all ages.

Susan Speidel served as the Director of Education for Papermill Playhouse, where she oversaw the operations of the Theater School and created the Rising Star Awards, the Summer Musical Theatre Training program, and the Adopt-A-School Project, which was cited for excellence by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is a three-time Perry Award nominee and the recipient of numerous MSU Theatre Night Awards, the NJ Governor’s Award for Theatre Education, and the NJ Theatre Alliance’s Applause Award. She was recently inducted into the NJACT Hall of Fame for her contributions to theatre and arts education…

WLCJ 5783 Calendar Diaries: Now Available in LARGER SIZE

Calendar Diaries are available in TWO SIZES. 

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

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...



Update On The

Situation 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.

Currently, Ukrainian refugees are being hosted by our generous communities and friends...

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Behaalotecha: Numbers 8:1-12:16 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 - June 18, 2022

The parashah begins with God's command to Aaron to light the lamps of a golden menorah. The Levites are consecrated in place of the firstborn, and given as a gift to the Cohenim to serve in the Tabernacle; Moses is instructed to cleanse them and change their clothes. The people were commanded by God to observe Passover in the first month of the second year after leaving Egypt. Some were unclean and therefore unable to celebrate the holiday at its designated time; Pesach Sheni was designated during the second month as a second opportunity for these people to be able to observe Passover…

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?

Mondays: Stories and Storytelling; First Conservative Woman Rabbi Takes Stock; JTS in the Berkshires; and More

This Week: Is It Funny for the Jews?

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.

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

More events, click on the button to visit website:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism