If you are viewing Chai Lines on your smartphone,

consider a landscape orientation for easier viewing.

Dear Friends,

This week’s Parashat Nasso contains six verses that are perhaps the most familiar words in the Book of Numbers.

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃ דַּבֵּ֤ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן֙ וְאֶל־בָּנָ֣יו לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֥ה תְבָרְכ֖וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אָמ֖וֹר לָהֶֽם׃ 

 יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהֹוָ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃ יָאֵ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃ יִשָּׂ֨א יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֽוֹם׃ 

And God spoke to Moses: Speak to Aaron and his sons:

Thus, shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them:

May God bless you and keep you.

May God deal kindly and graciously with you.

May God raise His countenance up towards you (i.e., bestow favor upon you), and grant you peace. (Numbers 6:22-27)                                                                                                            

Those three verses from Numbers 6 are known as the "Priestly Blessing”. In ancient times these verses were recited daily by the Priests/Kohanim. Today in my own synagogue and in many others, the descendants of the Kohanim pronounce these same words on the High Holidays and Festivals, with their hands raised but hidden under their tallitot. At those times the congregation will say “Amen” after each of the blessings. On every other Shabbat, the Cantor will chant the blessings and the congregation will answer “Ken Yehi Ratzon” (May this be God’s will). The blessing is also said at weddings or B’nai/B'not Mitzvah ceremonies and by parents when they bless their children on Shabbat eve.

After this blessing, in this week's Torah portion, we read, "Thus shall they link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them," - meaning I (God) will bless them (the people). In other words, I will give My approval to the Kohanim to perform the Priestly Blessing so that the power of their words would be enacted. The Kohanim are the conduits by which God blesses the people. 

Why do you think the Kohanim cover their faces when performing the Priestly Blessing? My Cantor, Tibor Kovari, who is also a Kohen, suggested the faces of the Kohanim are covered so that we don’t get confused that the blessing is coming from the Kohanim but from God. My own Rabbi Jarrod Grover sighted Maimonides (Rambam) who had written that a priest is disqualified from performing the Priestly Blessing if he has a physical deformity as a deformity can attract the attention of the people toward the Kohen and away from the blessing itself. Originally the Kohanim did not cover their faces but later that changed. Today the Kohanim cover their faces so that everyone looks the same. If they should have a deformity, no one would know, and the congregation would not be distracted.

In Rambam’s opinion, there were two transgressions which disqualified a Kohen completely, from performing the Priestly Blessing: One who kills another and one who serves false gods (idol worship), even if they repent. There is no other transgression, no matter how serious, that would disqualify a Kohen from performing the blessing. Rambam is lenient so as not to embarrass these Kohanim. By covering their heads there is an element of equality where everyone is treated the same. It’s almost as though we are saying to the Kohanim “We don’t care what you did in the past (except for murder and idol worship). We desire your imperfections to be part of this blessing. The Kohanim are not an elite group. They are a select, representative group but are still part of the people. In Rabbi Grover’s words: “An imperfect people, delivering a perfect blessing to the rest of us imperfect people.” Beneath the Tallit we are all the same.

Although my name is Cohen, neither my husband nor his descendants were Kohanim (a long story). Nevertheless, let me take this opportunity to bless each of you with ongoing good wishes for peace, good health, and happiness.     

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

INRPresident21@wlcj.org

I would like to highlight a few important items. Please refer to the Women's Leauge Week below in this newsletter for all details and registration links:

1.   Calendar Diaries: Order your Calendar Diaries now for next year. They will be provided at Convention to those who attend. In addition, all Canadian Calendar Diaries will be given to the Canadians attending to take back to their respective communities.

2.   Convention 2023:

Convention Registration Deadline: June 28, 2023

Hotel Reservations: Room rates of $139/night are guaranteed until June 16, 2023. Hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel by going to this

link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-WLCJ

Convention Cancellations: Requests for cancellation must be emailed to Razel Kessler at rkessler@wlcj.org by June 28, 2023. All cancellations will be assessed a $200 fee.

If you cannot come in person, please attend virtually. Important workshops, speakers, installation and B’not Mitzvah ceremonies, Judaic handicraft instructions, etc. will be presented. Convention is an amazing resource for your own affiliate/sisterhood.

3.   Even if you are not attending Convention, your affiliate or you, personally, can support our Social Action initiative called “The Shifra and Puah Project” – giving the gift of a healthy birth to the women in Uganda.

4.   Please support the Virtual Ad Journal for Convention 2023. There are many opportunities to give accolades to our Sisters. Whether it be for having served on the International Executive Committee, International Board, Region Board or an upcoming term for which they will be installed at Convention in July. And then there are those affiliates who will be receiving Jewels in the Crown Awards for which you all should have received notifications by now. Both Linda Steinhorn of Buffalo and Doreen Bornfreund of Toronto will be installed on International Executive Committee and Corinne Hammerschlag, Ruth Shapiro and Marion Tully will be celebrating B'not Mitzvah at Convention - see the Shabbat Message below. We have much to celebrate! Click Here for the Virtual Ad Journal

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn

Our 2022-2023 Chazak v'Ematz Campaign

Be Strong and Courageous

The page on the calendar turned from May to June and that means Torah Fund’s Chazak v’Ematz campaign is drawing to a close. As of May 15, 2023, the total raised was $1,054,662.00! This generosity is outstanding. The ongoing Spaces campaign has raised a total of $140,878.00 ($14,221.00 during this fiscal year). With a total goal of $200,000.00, there remains a balance left to raise of $59,122.00. Please consider an additional gift to Spaces to help totally fund this project. Learn more about the Chazak v’Ematz and Spaces campaigns at Torah Fund - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)

The new Torah Fund campaign will be announced soon, although there have been some peeks here and there. As one campaign concludes another begins and we will continue our quest to raise funds for Women League’s dedicated tzedakah, Torah Fund. In the eighty years since it’s inception, Torah Fund has helped educate countless rabbis, cantors, and educators. We benefit from the graduates of our five institutions of higher learning. Each donation makes a difference. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Please send your checks/cheques to your local Torah Fund Chair or use the online links. The Torah Fund Office is asking that all donations be transmitted as soon as possible, by June 15th at the latest, so the accounting office can be sure to attribute the funds to this year’s goals. Funds processed after June 30th will be credited to the new campaign. We are still awaiting the end of May reports, but it looks like our region has surpassed our goal. Thank you to each and every donor.

In the US: Donate to Torah Fund (jtsa.edu) Send an ecard to celebrate joys and sorrows:

Torah Fund eCards – Send an eCard to a loved one. (jtsa.edu)

In Canada, start with the ecard platform and add an additional gift: Canadian eCards – Torah Fund eCards (jtsa.edu) It took a lot of time and effort to create the Canadian online platform. Our Canadian sisters are asked to make use of this option for online giving.

Remember to use the ecard platform from your home country, no matter where the recipient lives. Remember to enter the name of your own affiliate so proper credit can be given.

Paper cards are available from your local Torah Fund Chair.

Please consider an afterlife gift to the Torah Fund Legacy Society. Learn more here: Torah Fund Legacy Society - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu) The goal of 80 Torah Fund Legacy Society Members to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Torah Fund is in reach. If you are thinking about joining this special group, please reach out to learn more and complete the process.

Please consider an extra gift of $80.00 in honor of Torah Fund’s 80th anniversary. Those who have made this extra gift will be acknowledged at the Convention.

Thank you for your generosity and as always, if you have questions or comments, please contact me.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

Celebration breakfast to follow

RSVP on the Convention Website at WLCJ.ORG

On July 17, 30 women will be called to the Torah during the morning services on Monday of Convention to celebrate their B’not Mitzvah. They will lead the service, and many will read Torah for the first time. These women first came together almost three years ago, responding to an announcement in Women’s League Week that we would be starting an adult Bat Mitzvah class. They came for many reasons—Some are Jews by choice and are just starting their Jewish Journey, some women had a Bat Mitzvah at 12 or 13 in congregations that were not egalitarian. They may have had their Bat Mitzvah on a Friday night or were not allowed up on the bimah, and some women joined the class for Torah Lishmah—learning for the sake of learning. For the past two and a half years, we have met every month, on Thursday nights, for ninety minutes to study, mostly with amazing rabbis in the Conservative movement, sometimes with our amazing Women’s League rabbis or members. We would like to thank all our teachers for helping these women reach this special day. 

The women prepared for each class by reading required texts or handouts, thinking about questions provided by the teachers in advance and, recently, writing Divrei Tefillah on prayers from the morning service. The classes were thought-provoking, and sparked discussion and many questions. After all, ours is a religion based on asking questions.  One of the requirements for the class was that all our students know the aleph-bet and be able to read basic prayerbook Hebrew. We started a series of Hebrew classes and many women participated. When you hear them lead their prayers on Zoom or from the bimah, or you hear them read Torah, you would never know that some of them did not know any Hebrew when they started this class. We would like to acknowledge the 14 volunteer Hebrew teachers that shared their knowledge and love of the language over the past three years, and we would like to thank Rabbi Cella for teaching trope to the class. 

Like other groups within Women’s League, our Bat Mitzvah students have created a Zoom community, and many will be meeting in person at Convention for the first time. They will truly be Sisters Celebrating Together, and we hope you will celebrate them too. Join us on Monday morning, place an ad in the virtual journal to celebrate their accomplishments, and make sure to say Mazal Tov and Yishar Kochech to:

Lilian Gradofsky - BQLI

Judith Karlin - BQLI

Lisa Bloom - CGL

Sandra Carleton - CGL

Esther Hellman - CGL

Marlene Ostrow - CGL

Eileen Barberi - FLR

Anne Schimberg - FLR

Carol Simon - FLR

Karen Winer - FLR

Jill Tomar - FLR & CGL

Nancy Goldberg - FLR & MAR

Deborah Malafsky - ICR

Laurie Atlas Silverblatt - ICR

Corinne Hammerschlag - INR

Ruth Shapiro - INR

Marion Tully - INR

Sandy Berenbaum - MAR

Denise Brand - MAR

Faye Laveson - MAR

Illene Rubin - MAR

Madelon Sheff - MAR

Sheila Gersh - Metro North

Arlene Schwartz - NAR

Dana Sirkin - NXNW

Shelliyah Iyomahan - Seaboard

Elissa Kon - Seaboard

Edith Magruder - Seaboard

Jerilynn Payne - Seaboard

Arlene Fisher - Southern

If you would like to see yourself on this list in three years, whatever your reason for joining, watch for the announcement about the next Bat Mitzvah class which will start this Fall. 

See you in Schaumburg!

Julia Loeb

WLCJ Education Co-Chair

jloeb@wlcj.org

Ellen Kaner Bresnick

WLCJ Education Co-Chair

ebresnick@wlcj.org

Have you registered

for Convention yet?

Want to place a

virtual Journal Ad?

Join us in Schaumburg, Illinois this July 16-19,

for WLCJ Convention 2023!

Convention 2023 Creative Judaic Arts Workshops

Convention 2023 Creative Judaic Arts Workshop (In-Person Sessions)

Presented by Jody Glass, Women’s League Creative Judaic Arts Chair

Sunday, July 16, 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Monday, July 17, 9:00 – 10:30 pm CT

Post-Convention 2023 Creative Judaic Arts Workshop (Zoom Session)

Presented by Jody Glass, Women’s League Creative Judaic Arts Chair

Thursday, August 24, 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT

The Hamsa dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. The word hamsa comes from the Hebrew word hamesh, which means five. Sometimes known as the Hand of Miriam, Moses’ sister, or the Hand of Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter, it is believed to protect against the evil eye and all negative energies.

You will have fun creating your string art Hamsa with a coordinating border.

This project is easy to complete whether in person or at home.

The kit includes all supplies and instructions needed.

We promise, this project will not leave you in knots!

Order deadline is June 15th.

Materials Cost: $12.00

Shipping/Freight Cost: $7.00

*Materials ordered by Canadian Members will be picked up at Convention by Canadian delegates to be distributed once back in Canada, post Convention. The freight cost will cover the transportation of the materials from Chicago to Canada. 

Clarifications:

• In order for Canadians to receive their hamsa kits, after Convention, shipping/freight must be paid
• The July 16,17 Convention workshops will only be accessible to in-person delegates during Convention

Questions?

Contact

Jody Glass

glass.jody@gmail.com

In the Torah Portion, Terumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19   God tells Moses to collect donated materials to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan or Tabernacle. God describes how to build all the things that will fill the Mishkan - the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar, and the Mishkan’s walls and curtains.

The Shifra and Puah Maternity Center in Uganda was “built” in July 2018, due to the efforts of an Israeli nurse and midwife, Ilana Shemesh, who wanted to improve the maternal and infant mortality rates in Uganda.

Through donations, this center serves the women of Mbale and its neighboring villages and has a multi-denominational clientele and staff of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

All services provided by the center are completely free of charge to encourage women to come in for prenatal, birth and post-partum services rather than going through their pregnancies unassisted. The center is dependent on donations. That’s where we come in.

March 8th was International Women’s Day, a National Holiday in Uganda. Help us support the women of Uganda and the work that was started in 2018. With your donation, or your Sisterhood’s donation, we can help maintain and improve the degree of health and wellbeing of the women and their babies of Abayadaya, Uganda.

Here is the recent category added:

• $126.00, you can cover the costs of mosquito netting and Malaria treatment and medications - Pitocin, iron pills and infusion solutions; for all pregnant women to prevent stillbirths, prematurity births, and poor fetal growth for an entire MONTH.

Here are just a few other examples of what we can help cover with your donations:

• $18.00, you can cover a woman’s cost to get an ultrasound during her pregnancy and to have her baby delivered at the Center.
• $36.00, you can cover the costs of the sanitary napkins necessary after each delivery for an entire MONTH.
• $72.00, you can cover the costs of the laundry service to keep the sheets, towels and gowns clean for each delivery for an entire MONTH
• $108.00, you can cover the MONTHLY costs of supplying each mother with three sets of baby outfits and one blanket; otherwise, they only have rags to wrap their baby in.

These are just a few examples of what we can do with your donations. With your donation, whatever the amount, you will help greatly.

You can go to the Women’s League website, click on the Convention 2023 Special Project button at the top menu. From there you'll be able to donate by category or by amount. Thank you for your support of GIVING THE GIFT OF A HEALTHY BIRTH.

Best,

Ellen & Randy

Ellen Grossman

WLCJ 2023 Convention 2023 Social Action Project Co-Chair

elkie17@gmail.com

Randy Schwartz

WLCJ 2023 Convention 2023 Social Action Project Co-Chair

rschwartz@wlcj.org

Calendar Diaries are available for pre-orders.

All orders will ship before the end of June.

Pocket Size = $11.00

Planner Size = $26.00

Contact the office for quantities over 10. 

405-870-1260

All those who are attending

 Convention will receive their Calendar Diaries at Convention.

For those in Canada, you will also receive your Calendar Diaries at Convention, or from someone who is attending Convention.

Pre-Convention Women’s League Reads Book Discussion

Golem Girl: A Memoir by Riva Lehrer

Monday, June 5, 8:00pm ET / 7:00pm CT / 6:00pm MT / 5:00pm PT on Zoom facilitated by Rachel Kamin

The vividly told, full-color memoir of an artist born with disabilities who searches for freedom and connection in a society afraid of strange bodies. A longtime faculty member of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Riva Lehrer is currently an instructor in medical humanities at Northwestern University and will join us in-person at the WL Convention in Schaumburg on July 18. Read & discuss Golem Girl before the Convention and bring your copy to Schaumburg to get it signed by the author. 

This program is using a NEW method of registration through our Members Portal. To view more instructions as to how it works, click on the image below to view the tutorial.

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Nasso – June 3, 2023

Parashat Nasso discusses the second census of the Levites. We read about the gifts that were given for the final dedication of the Tabernacle, the Mishkan, the moveable temple used by the Children of Israel while they journeyed through the desert. An overall theme of this week’s Torah Reading is leadership and what gifts are given by the leaders. We can all be leaders. What leadership skills do you bring to your Sisterhood Affiliate? Have you shared with others in your Sisterhood Affiliate all that you can offer, for we all have something to give? Look around your Sisterhood Affiliate, how can you shape the leadership skills and gifts of others? Let us appreciate what we have and always be grateful. How do you show gratitude for the gifts of leadership in your community? Thank you to all the amazing sisters who comprise Women’s League for Conservative Judaism! B’Yachad, together, we are strong! Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous!  

Makom B'Yachad

A virtual service for our WLCJ Sisters to recite Mishaberach, the Prayer for Healing, recite the Psalm of the Day, study and recite Kaddish together.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

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

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.

Debbie Bettan

Social Justice Project Chair

dbettan@wlcj.org

Karen Block

Social Justice Co-Chair

kblock@wlcj.org

Ardis Wexler

Social Justice Co-Chair

judgeardis@aol.com

PrezNet

Join the WL PrezNet

Toby Maser

PrezNet Moderator

WLCJ-FJMC Inclusion Resource Book

We are not accepting mail-in order forms for this item as of now. Please place your order online or by calling (405) 870-1260.

The cost for the weekly questions email and hard-cover book is currently $99. For more information and to receive a $10 discount click below:

Women's League for Conservative Judaism gets a donation by using the link.

Cory Schneider

Archives Chair & Consultant

Past International President

Administrator, Torah Fund Legacy Society

cschneider@wlcj.org

WLCJ App

We brought back the WLCJ App.

It's available for download on all devices (iPhone/iPad/Google Play/Android).

WLCJ Website

The Women's League website now is available in all languages.

Visit our website: www.wlcj.org

Be a part of our society of Kolot BiK’dushah, which is our way of recognizing our members who have acquired skills as either baalot tefillah (prayer leaders) or baalot kri’ah (Torah readers). 

Do you know of another Sisterhood Affiliate member you would like to nominate?

More information on how to available on our website:

https://www.wlcj.org/member-services/services-to-members/kolot-bikdushah/

New Summer Learning; JTS in the Berkshires: and More

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Marin Hinkle on Her Role as Rose Weissman

Schechter's Ongoing Hybrid and Zoom Courses in Jewish Literature, Philosophy, Art and History

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!

Dear Torah Fund Leadership Team,

During this 80th anniversary year for Torah Fund, all $80+ donations will be reported and recognized by the Torah Fund office. Please share with us any 80th anniversary events happening in your Region or sisterhood. Also, we would appreciate it if you would forward any invitations, flyers or articles to us so we can share the updates.

Margie and Rita

Co-chairs of the Torah Fund’s 80th anniversary

Margie Miller              Rita Wertlieb

Mmiller@wlcj.org     Rwertlieb@wlcj.org

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

Ensure your congregation applies for ADL’s Kulanu Program: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism

ADL, a partner of USCJ, has opened registration for the 5784 cohort of Kulanu, ADL’s no-cost, national synagogue engagement program. This self-paced, customizable program empowers congregations to address antisemitism and hate in their communities through community engagement, advocacy and education. Kicking off after the Yamim Noraim, Kulanu congregations’ leaders (lay, clergy and/or staff) receive exclusive access to ADL resources, content, experts, briefings and program materials, as well as an inspiration library and a network of congregational peers across North America to expand your engagement ideas and learning.

It's a great opportunity for WLCJ members and Sisterhoods to take the lead on engaging their synagogues on such a timely, relevant issue we are all facing in our communities.

Encourage your congregation to apply by June 30, 2023. Reach out to ADL staff with any questions at Kulanu@adl.org.

You can learn more and find the application here.  

Dear Jewish Leaders,

Are you, your congregation, school, or organization looking for resources for Pride Month, the annual celebration in June that honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan which has become a time to focus specifically on LGBTQ+ inclusion? Here is a helpful guide that was compiled by members of the LGBTQ+ Working Group of the Masorti/Conservative Movement’s Social Justice Commission for Pride 2023.

Please note that best practice is to be in a relationship with the queer folks in your community, listen to their experiences, and learn how to best welcome them and the people who support them.

This is just a beginning, there is so much more learning to do and so many other ways to find out more. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to Danit Rothstein or Rabbi Alex Braver. Happy Pride!

Warm regards,

Rabbi Kerry Chaplin and Cantor Sheri Allen

Co-Chairs, Masorti/Conservative Movement's Social Justice Commission's LGBTQ+ Working Group

Pride Guide Committee:

Cantor Paula Pepperstone (Ahavath Achim Congregation, Wichita, KS)

Rabbi Alex Braver (Tifereth Israel, Columbus, OH)

Danit Rothstein (Director of Leadership Development - USY)

Jacki Honig (Student - Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies)

For the past six years, Keshet and USCJ have worked together to deliver Keshet's Shivyon Project cohort for USCJ-affiliated synagogues. 

Keshet, in partnership with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), is launching the Shivyon Project cohort for USCJ-affiliated synagogues on February 28! The Shivyon project is a year-long cohort-based opportunity for synagogues that want to focus on creating organizational change in order to better support LGBTQ+ community members and staff. Through the Shivyon Project, a synagogue will gain access to in-depth education, practical training, coaching, skills, and knowledge to spark long-lasting change from congregational policies to the individual experiences of your community’s participants and staff. Check out Keshet's website to learn more and sign up.

If you have questions, please ask Fran Hildebrandt, fshildebrandt@gmail.com.

Young Professionals Poland Trip

Ramah Israel and Reshet Ramah are partnering to create a meaningful Poland experience for adults in their 20s and 30s. Please fill out the form below if you are interested in this opportunity. 

Dates organized by Ramah Israel and Reshet Ramah to participate in a Poland trip are:

• August 20-27, 20023
• December 24-31, 2023
• May 19-26, 2024

If you are not in this age cohort, click here for information about another adult Poland trip led by Ramah Israel.

The Nefesh B’Nefesh JNF 2022-2023 Ma'alot Grant Program

Go to this LINK for the Ma'alot Grant information. It has details about the application plus a special offer from Rabbi Paul Freedman. He will be delighted to call you if you wish more information.

Is your synagogue considering a Mission to Israel in 2022 or 2023?

Our colleague, Rabbi Paul Freedman (nina_f@netvision.net.il) can offer resources including offers from Masorti Movement, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, and Nefesh B’Nefesh with its new Campus (located in the Kiryat Leumi, next to the Jerusalem Supreme Court). Some suggestions translate into budgetary reductions for your Mission especially with the NBN Campus.

New format for our EMagazine - Today’s Israel

Our EMagazine Today’s Israel, has a new format with fewer articles and an emphasis on photos. In this first issue there are three examples describing what Rabbi Paul’s partners, Nefesh B’Nefesh, Masorti and JNF are doing. Without their support, none of the above would be possible. We need your input with suggestions for future issues. Here is the Link. 

Save the Date: September 10, 2023

6th Annual Reverse Tashlich

Add the largest Jewish Community Waterfront Cleanup to your 2023 programming. Register as a community or individual to stay up to date!

Introducing: The Repair the Sea App: Click HERE to Watch Video

Join our international community virtually on the Repair the Sea app.

Reshet Ramah Poland Journey

May 20-26, 2024

Designed for rising Jewish leaders ages 22-30*

On this six-day journey through Poland, our community will explore the cities of Warsaw, Lublin, and Krakow; hold each other up in Zbylitowska Gora—the Children’s Forest, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Treblinka; volunteer in cemeteries and local communities; meet with Jewish and non-Jewish peers; thank some of the families of Poland’s Righteous Among the Nations; and celebrate Shabbat in Krakow with the revitalized Jewish community and the work of the JCC Krakow.

We will work to fulfill our generation’s responsibility to remember, rebuild, and retell.

Please reach out to Adina Scheinberg, National Ramah Program Director, at adina@campramah.org with any questions. 

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.

May 25, 2023

Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and member organizations released the following statement in response to the White House National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism: 

“In an era of rising antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world, we appreciate the clarity and urgency demonstrated by the White House in releasing its National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. We welcome the embrace of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which is a continuation of longstanding U.S. policy and a critical tool in the fight against anti-Jewish hate and bias. We look forward to collaborating with the White House and Congress to ensure the implementation of this National Strategy.” 

Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

Alpha Epsilon Pi

American Israel Public Affairs Committee 

American Jewish Committee

American Jewish Congress

American Sephardi Federation 

American Zionist Movement 

AMIT

ADL

B’nai B’rith International 

CAMERA

Emunah of America 

Greater Miami Jewish Federation 

Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America

JCC Association of North America

Jewish Council for Public Affairs 

Jewish Federations of North America

Jewish National Fund 

Jewish United Fund / Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago 

Jewish Women International 

MERCAZ USA, The Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement

NCSEJ- National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry

National Council of Jewish Women 

ORT America 

Rabbinical Assembly 

Rabbinical Council of America

Religious Zionists of America 

UJA-Federation of New York 

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism

MERCAZ USA at the Extraordinary Zionist Congress

MERCAZ USA and our international partners made a significant difference and were a LOUD voice for your values at the Extraordinary Zionist Congress held in Jerusalem at the end of April.

1. The forces fighting for a pluralistic democratic Israel are on the offensive and we won this Congress
2. The delaying tactics of those who opposed us failed this time
3. We stood up for MERCAZ USA’s values and our voice was heard loud and clear                  To continue reading, click here.

Click on the button to visit website for additional events:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism