CHAI LINES
The Newsletter of the International Northeast Region
June 28, 2024 - 22 Sivan 5784
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Welcome!
As members of a WLCJ affiliated sisterhood or as a WLCJ Individual Member, you also belong to the International Northeast Region (INR) of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and we are happy to be able to send you our bi-weekly region newsletter we call “Chai Lines”! Please read and enjoy!
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From our Region President
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Dear Friends,
As I write this final article as your International Northeast Region President, I am filled with a deep sense of honour and gratitude. Leading our region over the past three years has been an incredible journey, one that I feel truly blessed to have experienced. Though I have mixed emotions of pride and nostalgia, I am confident that our region will thrive under the capable leadership of Linda Boxer, our newly elected President.
Reflecting on our achievements fills my heart with pride. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we adapted and thrived, utilizing Zoom to maintain our excellent programs and gatherings. A highlight for me was strengthening our connection with our sister Israeli kehillot in Ashkelon and Karmiel. Guided by our Israel Affairs Chairs, Marion Mayman and Ruth Shapiro, we organized two insightful programs that showcased the vibrancy of these Masorti communities. In light of recent events since October 7th, we continue to fervently pray for peace and the safe return of all hostages.
Our region’s mandate to provide resources, programming, and expertise to all affiliated sisterhoods drove us to continually innovate. Under the stewardship of Adele Weinstein, our Education/Programming Vice President, we offered a diverse array of engaging and informative programs to every sisterhood member in our region. Noteworthy sessions included author Maggie Anton discussing her book “The Choice,” Helene Herman's narrative on Jewish gangsters in America, and Jerilynn Payne, a Jew of color and by choice, sharing her deeply moving personal journey.
The 2022 Spring Conference, hosted virtually, was a significant achievement. Co-Chairs Carole Burke and Linda Shohet led us through a day of unique experiences, including an innovative Shacharit service, a keynote by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, a virtual tour of Jewish Montreal, a sustainability workshop, a visit to Montreal’s Auberge Shalom Women’s Shelter, and a musical performance by Cantor Heather Bachelor. This event was a testament to our community's resilience and creativity.
Our region's cross-border sensibility has always been a distinctive feature. I often explored cultural similarities and differences between the US and Canada in my articles, discussing observances like Veteran’s Day versus Remembrance Day and the nuances between Canadian and American Thanksgivings. Significant events, such as the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles, were also given special attention, thanks to Carole Burke's British insights.
The programs led by our Torah Fund Vice President, Linda Boxer, are especially dear to me. Growing up in the Conservative Movement and witnessing my daughter, Debra, earn her Master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, deeply influenced my commitment. Our Torah Fund programs, featuring presenters like Lisa Ellison, cantorial student Josh Ehrlich, and rabbinical student Aicia Rothamel, have been both educational and inspiring.
The climax of my administration was the 2024 Region Spring Conference held this past May at Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Toronto. Our Conference Team, led by Co-Chairs Adele Weinstein and Rivy Blass, delivered an exciting, educational, and emotional two days for all attendees. I previously detailed this event in Chai Lines, but I extend another heartfelt Mazal Tov and Ya’asher Koach to the entire Planning Committee for their dedication and hard work.
To my Executive Committee and Board members: your dedication and support have been the backbone of our achievements. I am immensely grateful for your invaluable contributions. Special thanks to Joan Lowenstein, our Immediate Past President and current Communications VP and Chai Lines Newsletter Editor. Your guidance, friendship, and exceptional editorial skills have been a source of encouragement and personal inspiration.
A special shout-out to Rusty Zackheim, our region Parliamentarian. Your wisdom has been instrumental in guiding our decisions. Thank you for being a reliable resource on our region’s history and parliamentary procedures.
I must also mention Toby Maser, our US Treasurer. Your financial expertise and willingness to share your vast experience in all Women’s League matters, have been a cornerstone of my presidency. Your insights and thoughtful solutions have always led us in the right direction, and for that, I am forever grateful.
To Linda Boxer, I extend a hearty Mazal Tov! I am confident that under your leadership, our region will reach even greater heights. I wish you Hatslacha Rabah and much success.
As I pass on the mantle, I carry with me not only the pride of our accomplishments but the gift of personal relationships and friendships that have enriched my life. Thank you all for being such an integral part of my journey as President of the International Northeast Region.
With deepest gratitude and love – TODAH RABAH!
Marilyn
Marilyn Cohen
Region President
INRPresident21@wlcj.org
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REGION MATTERS:
Calling all affiliate presidents and leadership teams:
Join us Sunday morning, July 7th, 9:30-11:30
To meet with WLCJ Consultant Deb Bruce for some training and ideas for the coming year. Watch your email for the zoom link.
INR’s First Open Board Meeting for 2024-2026:
Monday, July 15th at 7:30 pm
Meet, greet and work with Deb Bruce, WLCJ Consultant to develop our team.
Watch your email for the zoom link
Shabbat Shalom,
Linda Boxer
inrpresident24@wlcj.org
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From our Torah Fund Vice President | |
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Announcing
Our 2023-2024
Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh
Campaign
All the people of Israel are responsible for one another
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Who knew that when I was first asked to sell Torah Fund cards for my own affiliate, I would go on to be their Torah Fund chair, and from there be asked to be Torah Fund Vice President for our wonderful International Northeast Region. In my three years in this role, I’ve met wonderful women who are dedicated to supporting the students at the five world-wide Conservative/Masorti schools. Each dollar that is contributed is making a difference in someone’s life. Your donations, large and small, have an impact on our future. Soon, Adele Weinstein will take on the role of Torah Fund Vice President. She will be counting on you to continue your generosity. We’ve done well as a region. The new campaign, Am Yisrael Chai, is timely and important. Those contributing $180 and above will receive a pin proclaiming these words. Be as generous as you can be so we can all wear the new pin proudly in support of Israel and Torah Fund.
Keep those donations coming. Checks/cheques are given to your local Torah Fund Chair. In the US, checks are made payable to Torah Fund. In Canada, cheques are made payable to the Jewish Theological Society.
For those who prefer online giving, in the U.S.: Donate to Torah Fund (jtsa.edu) In the U.S., buy Torah Fund cards using this link: https://torahfundecards.jtsa.edu/
In Canada, you must start your online donation with the ecard platform. Purchase an ecard for $5.00, and then you may add an additional amount. Here is the link: https://torahfundecards.jtsa.edu/canadian/
Paper cards are available from your local Torah Fund chair. Chairs may order more supplies from the Torah Fund Office. Remember that cards must be pre-paid prior to shipping.
Consider joining the Torah Fund Legacy Society. As with donations to the current campaign, all bequests, large and small, are welcome. Beyond our lifetimes, we can make a difference in the Conservative/Masorti movement. More information can be found at: Torah Fund Legacy Society - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)
Let’s not forget about the special campaign called Creating New Spaces, which 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.” How wonderful it will be to reach the goal of $200,000 in this fiscal year. As I write this message, there is less than $25,000 to go.
As for me, I’m moving on to a new role as region president. As with Torah Fund, I will do my best. It will be exciting to take on new responsibilities. I ask for your support. Let’s move forward together.
Thank you, Merci, Todah Rabah.
Am Yisrael Chai,
Linda Boxer
INR Torah Fund VP
INRTorahFund@gmail.com
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By Julia Loeb,
WLCJ International President
It's all in how you look at it
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There is an old story about a shoe company in the early 20th century that sent two sales agents to check out the possibility of expanding their sales into a remote village in central Africa. After their trip to the village, the two sales agents separately gave their reports. The first said don’t bother with that village; it is a waste of time. No one wears shoes there. The second, however, enthusiastically reported that the village presented a great opportunity—a great opportunity because no one wears shoes there… yet.
Perspective is so important in life. We read about it in this week’s Torah portion about the reconnaissance spies, meraglim, sent into Canaan. God tells Moses to send representatives from each tribe to explore and report back on the promised land. The spies all saw the same thing and agreed that the land flowed “with milk and honey.” But ten of them gave a discouraging report about fortified cities and giants, concluding that the Israelites had no chance against them. Only two spies, Caleb and Joshua, saw Canaan as their future home and believed that they could and would succeed. They all saw the same thing, but each brought their own perspective, be it positive, negative, fearful, or confident.
I hear many different perspectives in my role as President of Women’s League. I love meeting with and hearing from our board, region officers and the broader membership. Some see the challenges we face as opportunities for growth, innovation and change; others see doom and gloom. Some focus on the strong bonds and relationships we create with our sisters at the local and international levels; others are focused on perceived slights.
It is all about perspective. In the end, we choose how we see the world. As the writer Anaϊs Nin states, “we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” But we can change our worldview. We can reflect on the situation at hand, pausing a moment before we jump to conclusions. For example, if we see a person who drives too fast or cuts us off, we can believe that they are a jerk and swear and yell at them; or perhaps we might leave open the possibility that this is just a good person with a medical or personal emergency. We can reframe events from negative to positive. We can focus on our spouse's or friends’ flaws, or we can concentrate on the reasons we love them, and their strengths, and we can relate to others. If we are having negative thoughts, we can put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. What would they say about the situation? Maybe they would see it differently?
In my role as President, it might be easy (though not very enjoyable) to just focus on the problem or complaint of the day, and there are plenty in an organization of 30,000. That perspective, however, would lose sight of the land of milk and honey we have in our hands today and our potential for the future. We have so many great, smart, amazing women in Women’s League, and such enriching programs, activities, and educational opportunities that despite the obstacles we may face, we must remain committed to seeing all our members not just participating in the journey of Conservative Judaism but leading it with courage and conviction.
So, as we come to the end of our program year and the end of the first year of my term, we may continue to face day-to-day challenges, but let us remember to see the value of the amazing communities we have built together. While dealing with the problem du jour, let’s keep a positive perspective, celebrate our successes, and continue to build on the institutions and programs we have developed. With the right perspective, working together, we will take Women’s League to the next level, evolving, growing and adapting toward a brighter future.
Shabbat Shalom,
Julia Loeb
WLCJ International President
jloeb@wlcj.org
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This week at Women's League:
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WL Week will arrive every other week in the summer. Our next newsletter will come out the week of July 8. | |
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Your Sisterhood Affiliate or your Rabbi might have scholarship money to help cover these costs. Don’t forget to ask! | |
Registration for WL Leadership Institute has been
extended to July 8th BUT, unfortunately, the hotel rate increased on June 26th. Space is limited.
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Sunday-Tuesday
July 28-30, 2024
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Women’s League for Conservative Judaism – committed to developing skilled and dedicated leaders – invites you to attend an inspiring Leadership Institute that will expand your skills as a leader and enhance your knowledge as a Jewish woman while strengthening your connection to Women’s League, your Sisterhood Affiliate, your community, and Klal Yisrael.
Join International President Julia Loeb at our next LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE on JULY 28-30, 2024 AT CONGREGATION BETH DAVID SISTERHOOD,
SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE?
A multi-day workshop that will enhance your personal style of communication with interactive exercises and role-playing. Discover tips and techniques for using language that motivates, stimulates and encourages women to volunteer.
An opportunity to network with other women, master goal setting, time management and team building. Learn the secret of keeping yourself challenged.
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WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS?
The Leadership Institute’s unique format allows participants to build a personal program to expand Jewish knowledge and leadership skills.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
$299 includes materials, programming, and meals. This fee does not include hotel or transportation to Congregation Beth David Sisterhood or transportation to Saratoga, CA.
Registration for the hotel starts at $139 + tax per night double occupancy. Click here to reserve a room in the Leadership Institute room block at the Marriott Aloft Cupertino.
The learning and sense of community created during the Institute comes both from the shared experiences during the formal program and the unstructured time together at the hotel. To facilitate this, we strongly urge local participants to stay with the rest of the group at the hotel.
Your Region, Sisterhood Affiliate or your Rabbi might have scholarship money to help cover these costs. Don’t forget to ask!
Register by JUNE 24! Space is limited and fills up quickly.
The leadership Institute team,
Margie Miller
Debbie Lempert
Illene Rubin
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Debbi Lempert
dlempert@wlcj.org or
Margie Miller
mmiller@wlcj.org
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Friday
June 28, 2024
5:00pm ET
| Minyan Ahavah reaches out to people with memory loss and their caregivers. The next virtual Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Sabbath) service is on Friday, June 28, at 5 pm Cantor Josh and Rabbi Judith Hauptman will lead the service. You can log in at 5 pm, or even better, at 4:45 pm, for a schmooze. A really nice way to begin the Sabbath is with a bit of chat with others. So join early! | |
Link:
https://wlcj2.org/u/?V1c6432m
Meeting ID: 212 673 2096
Passcode: 2126732096
Want to bring a friend or relative? Please do! Just forward them the link. Here’s a way for you to participate in the service: please hold up a baby photo of yourself or someone else and tell us about it. Or a photo from when you were a child.
During the Mi Sheberach prayer for healing, you will be able to type in the names of the people for whom you are wishing a speedy recovery. I will read them aloud. We look forward to greeting you on Friday, June 28, at 5 pm, or a few minutes earlier.
Rabbi Hauptman
juhauptman@jtsa.edu
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WLCJ partners with Jewish Earth Aliance | |
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WLCJ is partnering with Jewish Earth Aliance for virtual Lobby Day with your state senators on August 8th. Time to meet with each senator TBD depending on state.
Take Action for People and Planet for Tisha B’av Pre-Tisha B'Av Virtual Lobby Day
for Climate Solutions
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Register NOW for Virtual Lobby Day
AND ALSO Register for briefing on July 16th at 8pm ET with Rep. Jamie Raskin “Why every voice matters.” All referencing important Climate Solutions.
Jewish Earth Alliance Network Briefing
& Virtual Lobby Day Preparation
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) on:
Why Every Voice Matters
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT
Register for Network Briefing
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...you can personalize your email signature?
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From an iPhone:
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In the GMAIL app, click on the 3-dashes on the top left corner
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Scroll down to select Settings
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Scroll down to Signature Settings
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Enable your Mobile Signature and write in the text field your desired signature. Please note you CANNOT add any logo (or images) on a mobile signature. Text only. Then click on Done
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Go to Compose and you'll see your signature added.
From your Desktop Computer
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Once logged into GMAIL , go to the Setting icon and click on See all Settings
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Scroll down to Signature and Create New and Name the signature. You can create more than one type of signature.
- Fill the text field with your name and contact information and/or logo. You may need to adjust the size of the logo.
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Scroll to the bottom and click on Save Changes
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Go to Compose and you'll see your signature added.
Questions?
Esta Z. Lichtenstein
WL Communications Chair
elichtenstein@wlcj.org
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Rabbi Margie Cella
mcella@wlcj.org
WLCJ Educator
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For the past 80-plus years, the Torah Fund Campaign of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, the dedicated philanthropy of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, has been supporting scholarships and programs in the worldwide Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning, 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.
The 2023-2024 / 5784 Torah Fund General Campaign is Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh, All the people of Israel are responsible for one another. Arevut, responsibility, will be visible on our new, silver heart-shaped charm which can be worn as a pendant or pin.
The WWOT, the Weekly Words of Torah, each week through the end of June 2024, will delve into the idea of arevut, responsibility.
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Parashat Sh’lach—Numbers 13:1-15:41 - June 29, 2024
At God’s command, Moses sends 12 men to scout out the land of Canaan before entering it. They spent 40 days traversing the land, returning with a cluster of grapes that required two people to carry it. They described the land as bounteous, with very large inhabitants. Caleb and Joshua recommended going into the land, but the other 10 were too afraid to do so. The people listened to the 10, refusing to go into Canaan. This angered God, who threatened to destroy the nation, starting again with Moses. Moses interceded for the Israelites, convincing God not to destroy them because it would look bad to the other nations. Instead, God decreed that it would take them 40 years to enter the land, during which time all the fighting men of that generation except for Joshua and Caleb would die in the wilderness.
Moses demonstrates care for both the people and God. We have already seen him lose patience with the people and their frequent complaining. It might have been very tempting to just say yes to God’s proposition to make Moses the center of a new nation. Instead, he put personal glory aside, pleading with God not to destroy the nation, though they were certainly guilty of disobedience. Additionally, Moses shows concern for God’s reputation amongst the nations of the world. God has dwelt among the people in love, leading them through the desert in a cloud. What would the world think about a vengeful God that would now destroy that nation? Moses put aside personal gain and glory, knowing that both God and the people were more important than he, who was only one individual. Moses is a role model for us all. Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh — All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.
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Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
9:00 am PT
10:00 am MT
11:00 am CT
12:00 pm ET
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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.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/630830287
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
(Aren't able to join us? Watch it later on Facebook Live!)
| A virtual background is available for Makom B'Yachad! DOWNLOAD HERE | Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish? |
Let Us Pray - composed by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
VIEW PRAYER
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Pre-Order WLCJ 5785 Calendar Diaries | |
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Calendar Diaries are available for pre-orders. All orders will ship on or after the first week of June.
Pocket Size = $11.00
Planner Size = $26.00
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Plan Ahead
1. Pink Shabbat - Pick a Shabbat service or maybe even Kabalat Shabbat service to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. Invite a guest to speak from Sharsheret, maybe a breast cancer survivor in your own sisterhood and/or GYN doctor who speaks about Breast cancer.
2. Dinner or Lunch in the Sukkah - Because of the time of the year it a great time to have a Paid-Up Membership. Offer this event for free or very little, enticing women to pay their dues early.
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Have a guest speaker or just make it a social event allowing women who have not made the blessing for sitting in the succah, and over the lulav and etrog to do so.
3. Holidays package for college students at your synagogue - Packages to college students are always appreciated. It makes them feel they’re not forgotten by their shul. Chanukah, Purim and
Pesach are the holidays easiest to do during the year.
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Jill Tomar
jill.tomar@gmail.com
WL Programming Co-Chair
Toby Maser
tmaser@wlcj.org
WL Programming Co-Chair
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For more great programs and information from Women's League... click here for this week's WL Week! | |
INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism | | | | |