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As we are entering the summer months, Chai Lines will be published on a limited schedule. Look for your summer editions of the Chai Lines Newsletter on July 22nd and 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,

To all my Canadian sisters – today is July 1st so I wish you all a Happy Canada Day! To all my American sisters – Monday is the 4th of July so I wish you all a Happy Independence Day!

Both our countries celebrate these important holidays in similar ways with parades, barbecues, carnivals, citizenship ceremonies, fairs and huge fireworks displays. One event, particular to Canada, is Quebec’s Moving Day. Many rental leases expire on July 1^st so that Québécois (people from Quebec) can move on a day when they won’t have to go to work and their children will not have to go to school.

Here is a bit of history you might not be aware of: In Canada, July 1 commemorates the 1867 formation of the Dominion of Canada, when the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada (i.e. Ontario and Quebec) united and became a “kingdom in its own right.” This was an important step toward the eventual passing of the 1982 Constitution Act, making Canada a fully fledged nation independent from Britain. We remain, however, a member of the British Commonwealth, led by Queen Elizabeth II, who we recently honoured on her Platinum Jubilee (70-year reign).

The U.S. holiday commemorates its complete severance and independence from Britain. During the Revolutionary War, on July 4^th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress at the Pennsylvania State House. But it wasn’t until 1783 that the colonies won true independence from Britain, and it wasn’t until the end of the War of 1812 before the two countries could be allies.

Did you know?

• In 2021, the population of United States was 332,278,200 and the population of Canada was 36,991,981. 
• The U.S.’s total coastline measures 12,383 miles whereas Canada’s coastline is 151,600 miles (the longest coastline of any country in the world). 
• The U.S. has 50 states & Canada has 10 provinces and three territories. 
• Since 1917 the U.S. has won 50 Stanley Cup hockey games and Canada has won 48.
• The national animal for the U.S. is the Bald Eagle and the Beaver is the national animal for Canada.
• We spell words differently – color vs colour, center vs centre, canceled vs cancelled, catalog vs catalogue, etc.

These are just a few of the differences between our two countries, but from my experience with the women in our International Northeast Region (INR), and in the many programs I have attended from Women’s League and the people I have met, I can honestly say we have so much more in common than we have differences. We have the same passion for our Jewish heritage, the pride in our Conservative/Masorti movement and the same love of Israel and Klal Yisrael.

It has truly been my honour to have served as your Region President this past year. Even though we could not meet in person, through the magic of Zoom, we have worked B’Yachad – Together, on so many projects. The pièce de résistance was our amazing Spring Conference which I summarized in our last newsletter. Our committee was able to plan, discuss details, research possibilities, change our focus, debate issues calmly, and arrive at a consensus with feelings of mutual respect and appreciation for each other. It did not matter whether you were an American or Canadian. We were all sisters working together for a common goal and B’Yachad we succeeded.

Todah Rabah, and happy holidays to you all.

Shabbat Shalom

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

inrpresident21@wlcj.org

  Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous 



Thank You to all who gave to the B’Yachad Campaign for 2021-2022. As with all good things, it has come to an end and we move on to the new campaign for 2022-2023: Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous. The Torah Fund Office will determine how many pins to send to the Torah Fund Chairs. I will let you know as soon as I hear that distribution has begun.

This is the 80th year of Torah Fund. It is a big ask, but Torah Fund is requesting a gift over and above your usual donation in the amount of $80.00 as a special birthday gift to Torah Fund. Watch for more news on ways to achieve that goal. Check out the new flyer below.

As we begin the Chazak v’Ematz Campaign, may we go forward in strength and courage.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

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 Korach: Numbers 16:1-18:32

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22 - July 2, 2022

This week’s parashah tells the story of the ill-fated rebellion of Korach, who, accompanied by two hundred fifty men, rose up to challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. He was also joined by Datan and Aviram, two malcontents who accused the brothers of taking the nation out of the security of Egypt for certain death in the wilderness...

Parashat Chukat: Numbers 19:1-22:1

Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33 - July 9, 2022

Parashat Chukat begins with the strange ritual of the red heifer: a cow with no blemishes, never yoked, pregnant, or milked that is sacrificed by the priests, who then mix the ashes with pure water; this water is then used to purify anyone who has become impure through contact with the dead...

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.

More Sisterhood and /

or Region programs

(in-person and virtual)

available on:

A New Cycle of "Context"; Learn Biblical Hebrew; JTS for Teens; and More

From Kolkata to Krakow, Tour Jewish Communities Around the World

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, 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

Is Peace possible in Jerusalem?

Wednesday, June 29th  |  10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT

Non-member: $18   Member: FREE

Presented by Ittay Flescher

Zionism and Its Critics

Wednesday, July 6th  |  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm MST

Non-member: $18   Member: FREE

Presented by Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn

More events, click on the button to visit website:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism