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Dear Friends,

I learned something new this past week while doing research for this article. One of the most famous biblical verses in American history says, “Proclaim Liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof” (U’Kratem Dror BaAretz Lechol Yoshveha). Do you know where you have seen this verse? It is on the rim of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. However, I don’t think the thousands of people who visit the Liberty Bell know that it comes from this week’s Parashat Behar.

The proclamation is not referring to any political revolution or national liberation movement. It is talking about the Jubilee year (Shnat Yovel) which occurred after seven cycles of Shemitah (Sabbatical years). The concept of Shemitah was revolutionary. Just as the Torah calls for a Sabbath day of rest for people after every six days of work, it also commands a Sabbath year of rest for the land after every six years of cultivation. During the seventh year, the land is to be given a complete rest, a Sabbath or Shemitah. The Torah states for this year, all Jewish-owned land in Israel is not to be worked, it is to be left fallow. Additionally, should anything grow on the land during this time of Shemitah, it should be given away to the needy. Finally, at the end of the year of Shemitah, all debts are to be forgiven.

After seven Shemitah cycles or after every forty-nine years, a Jubilee year is to be celebrated. This fiftieth year was to begin with the sounding of the shofar on Yom Kippur and with a proclamation of liberty or release, throughout the land and for all its inhabitants. All Jewish slaves were to be set free and all land would return to its original owners. Liberty or release meant that the Israelites were to take possession of the original lands given to their ancestors at the time Joshua and the people conquered Canaan. This had the practical effect of ensuring that land did not concentrate in a small number of hands and spiritually served as a reminder that nothing on earth truly belongs to human beings. God states “the land is Mine; you are but strangers resident with Me.” (Lev 25:23). In other words, it is all on loan from God. 

Both the Shemitah year and the Jubilee year had practical agricultural and economic significance. The ancient Israelites knew the value of letting the land lie fallow in order to allow the earth to regenerate and continue to be reproductive in the future.

For centuries Jews did not farm the land of Israel and Shemitah and Yovel (Jubilee) were not observed. But when Jews started to return to the land of Israel in the late 19^th and early 20^th century and became involved in agriculture for the first time in a few thousand years, it became difficult to practically observe the Shemitah years because they were poor struggling farmers finding it hard to survive. The great Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook who was the first chief rabbi of Mandate Palestine, came up with a solution that echoes the practice of chametz on Pesach. He allowed the Jewish farmers to sell their land for that year, to non-Jews and called it “heter mechira“ (sale permit) so that technically it would not be Jewish land and they would be able to continue farming during the seventh year.

In Israel today, Shemitah has created many challenges for the modern nation of over nine million people who still need to eat. Along with the heter mechira, other rabbis allowed for the ability to grow vegetables hydroponically – that is above the ground or in water. Yet another solution was to purchase all foods from the surrounding Arab farms especially in Gaza. Obviously, this is not a viable alternative in today’s politically charged climate and understandably, there has been much opposition to it. It is interesting to note the Jubilee year has not been observed for at least two millennia. This is because the verse in Leviticus which specifically names “all its inhabitants” was understood by the rabbis to mean that the Jubilee year only applies when all those who are meant to live in Israel – that is all twelve tribes of Israel - do in fact live there. 

Rabbi Prof. David Golinkin of the Schechter School in Jerusalem has written extensively on the laws of Shemitah. To read his full responsa go to https://schechter.edu/how-should-shemitah-the-sabbatical-year-be-observed-in-the-state-of-israel/  In summary he suggests “in our opinion we should observe the laws of Shemitah today as an “act of piety”. In other words, it is laudable to observe it as much as possible. However, farmers who cannot observe it due to financial pressure or because of pressing circumstances can sow and do all other necessary activities during the Shemitah year.”

Rabbi Golinkin proposes the following, when necessary: sowing the winter crop, grass and ornamental trees before Rosh Hashanah; avoiding planting or tending ornamental gardens; leaving one field fallow with a sign designating a “Shemitah corner”; holding public study sessions on laws of Shemitah, etc. (See full list in his article)

In the final analysis, the purpose of Shemitah was “that the poor of thy people may eat” (Exodus 23:2). Today, almost no one fulfills the commandment’s purpose as it appears in the Torah. Therefore, the religious kibbutzim started a special fund in order to donate some of their Shemitah year profits to the poor. Rabbi Golinkin suggests all Jewish farmers in Israel should give donations from their profits to poor people and in so doing, the original purpose of Shemitah will be achieved.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

inrpresident21@wlcj.org

REGION REMINDERS:

SPRING CONFERENCE – SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2022

Our Conference Program Planning Committee, chaired by Carole Burke, is hard at work putting together an outstanding conference for our region. As a sneak preview of the highlights, I can divulge we will have a unique Shacharit service, an amazing keynote address by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, a virtual tour of Montreal, a hands-on workshop on Sustainability and the Environment, and an encounter with Montreal’s Auberge Shalom women’s shelter and lots more. See more information in the flyer below!

**Please Click on this Link to Register Today!!**

or

Click on the Flyer below to see the Full Program!

   Torah Fund – B’Yachad – Together

Is spring really here? We’ve had some beautiful days of sunshine and warmth. But even on cloudy days we can bring brightness to our lives by helping others. Torah Fund, the dedicated tzedakah of Women’s League, helps our students at the five schools of higher learning. Tuition and living expenses escalate every year. Even with financial aid, many students graduate with large loans that take years to pay off. Your donations to Torah Fund help provide the much-needed financial aid. For those who have already donated to the B’Yachad -Together campaign, thank you. You make a difference. There is still time to donate.

A note to our Torah Fund Chairs: please be sure to submit any checks you are holding as soon as possible so that they are processed by June 30th to be credited to this year’s campaign. Checks received after June 30th will be credited to the next campaign – Chazak v’Ematz, Be Strong and Courageous.

Remember Torah Fund cards, be they paper or e-cards, support Torah Fund while you acknowledge joys and sorrows with attractive, meaningful cards. Here is the new Canadian ecards platform. And here is the current Torah Fund U.S. ecards platform. Paper cards may be purchased from your local Torah Fund Chair.

To continue our traditions, consider joining the Torah Fund Legacy Society. To learn more, click here: Torah Fund Legacy Society - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu).

And last but certainly not least, please see the flyer below and consider joining us for this informative and important program - Torah Fund Stands with Israel on Sunday May 22nd at 1:00 pm ET on Zoom.

Thank you all for your support of Torah Fund,

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

WLCJ wants to celebrate our sister, Florence Thaler, from Garden State Region on her 106th birthday! We cannot thank you enough for your continuous service, love and devotion to WLCJ over the last 40+ years.

Women of the Wall

We are planning to hold a tefillin stand this Sunday, May 22 , but the municipality has yet to approve the request for a permit that we submitted weeks ago. (Of course, the municipality has no problem with the countless tefillin stands for men.) Stay tuned for updates on this event, and we hope to see you there!

Mishpachah Program -

Monday, May 23 @ 7:30 PM ET

Can We Talk? Developing Communication Skills to Use During Difficult Times

Please join us and psychologist Dr. Alison Block of Health Psychology Center who will discuss communication problems/issues and the conflict resolution strategies we can apply when our family members disagree with each other.

Yom Yerushalayim honoring

Jac and Diane Friedgut, 

WLCJ Israel Liaison -

Sunday, May 22 @ 7:30 Israel

Consulting Services -

Tuesday, May 31 @ 7:30 PM ET

How to kickstart your membership campaign. All members are welcome to join us for this workshop to brainstorm ideas to reengage your members in time of COVID.

Presented by Meryl Balaban , Margie Miller and Regina Newman

WL Reads -

Thursday, June 2 @ 7:00 PM ET

At the End of the World, Turn Left, a unique literary mystery set in Milwaukee's eclectic Riverwest neighborhood during the 2008 recession, weaves together the tale of two immigrant sisters with very different ideas of home. Masha remembers her childhood in the former USSR, but found her life and heart in Israel's Orthodox community. Anna, a young artist and student, was only an infant when her family left but still yearns to find her roots...

Sustainability - Shmita 

Thursday, June 16 @ 7:30 PM ET

What do stress release and sustainability have in common?

Come and find out on June 16,

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.

Masorti Women's Study Day - Sunday, June 26 @ 11:00 AM ET

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

A full program and registration will soon be available.

To download flyer, click HERE.

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

When: Sunday, July 16 -

Wednesday, July 19

Where: Schaumburg, IL

Dear Friend,

Personally, I can't wait to get together with my WLCJ sisters in person!!!!

This will also be our first multi-access Convention, combining in-person celebrations with virtual access.   

We want to make this Convention the best ever! To do this successfully, we need your help, so please take a few minutes to complete this survey as soon as possible.

Many thanks,

Edna Schrank

Convention 2023 Chair

eschrank@wlcj.org

WLCJ 5783 Calendar Diaries: Now Available in LARGER SIZE

Calendar Diaries are available in TWO SIZES. 

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

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 deep Jewish spiritual life, and that Judaism should be a source of unity not division...

Makom B'Yachad

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

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

For Zoom link, email Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields at    ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org

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

Sharing a Yom Hashoah poem by Rabbi Margie Cella, WLCJ Educator.

Media Challenge

Deadline Extended to June 1, 2022

The Role Model Project

Essay Contest

Please encourage all high school students to submit an essay.

Students select one of the women from the book RBG's Brave and Brilliant Women and write a short essay about why the woman selected inspires them.

1st Place - $118 / 2nd Place - $54

Winning essays will be published on Moment's website.

Submission Deadline: May 31, 2022

“It Could Happen Here”

Webinar Recording

A recording of the webinar, presented by ADL in partnership with USCJ, FJMC, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, and JTS, can be viewed by clicking on the image below:

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...

Programming Idea of the Week

Though some of us may be willing and able to travel again, others may choose to wait a bit longer.  Our Travel Circle brings the world to you and your group (family, Sisterhood, synagogue community). You have the option to register for an already planned tour online at 

www.eventbrite.com/OurTravelCircle 

or, for a more private experience, you can email them at 

ourtravelcircle.com/contact-us to book dynamic, interactive, LIVE experiences that are streamed just for you and your group. You'll be able to ask questions of your local guide, take a closer look at interesting sights, even ask for a tour specifically focused on your interests.  Our Travel Circle brings communities together through exploration and engagement...

Women's League Archives

Women’s League Archives: Join Us in Our Quest!

Exciting things are happening with our Women’s League archives. The Board of Women’s League voted to permanently loan our archives to the Jewish Theological Seminary. This is fabulous since it will insure our historical items will be stored and catalogued properly and will be more accessible to our members as well as the public.

During the next few months, we will be transferring all of our archival material (and there is a lot) to JTS. And you can help!...

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Behar: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6-27 - May 21, 2022

Parashat Behar describes the shmita, sabbatical year, occurring every seven years as a sabbath for the land, when nothing is to be harvested. After seven cycles of seven years—the fiftieth year is declared a jubilee. In this year, all who had become slaves or indentured servants were set free and returned to their families; possessions which had been sold reverted to their original owners. God promises that the sixth year will produce enough food to last for three years, until the new crop of the first year of the next cycle could be harvested in the second year.. .

Women of the Wall

WOW Merchandise

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

MetroNorth Region

Menstrual Equity for All

Period. End of Sentence.

Monday, May 23

@ 7:00 PM ET

For more information about the program and to RSVP, contact 

Mara Bernstein.

IntraContinental Region

Women of Adath presents:

The Jews of Shanghai

Tuesday, May 24

@ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET

For more information about the program, contact Ardis Wexler 

at 952.210.7497

       Central Great

        Lakes Region

Sisterhood Installation

Thursday, May 26

@ 7:00 PM ET

For more information about the program and to RSVP, click:

Garden State Region

Arts in Action

Thursday, June 9

@ 6:45 PM ET

For more information about the program and to RSVP, contact 

Teresa Samtur.

BQLI Region

Woman of Achievement Gala 

Thursday, June 16

@ 7:15 PM ET

For more information about the program and to RSVP, click:

More Sisterhood and / or

Region programs

(in-person and virtual)

available on:

Inauguration of Chancellor Schwartz; Resilience in the Face of the Crusades; Relating to God; and More

Summer Hebrew Classes Are Now Open

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!

Masorti Communities in Ukraine Need Our Help

The ongoing war in Ukraine concerns us all. We are in close contact with our Masorti/Conservative communities in Kyiv, Chernivtsi, Odessa, Kharkov and Dnipro – who are spending unimaginable nights in bomb shelters and are trying to find refuge in the west of Ukraine and in other countries. We stand with our sisters and brothers and all those in Ukraine under attack during this distressing time and pray for their safety. 

But with the crisis worsening with each passing day, we must do more. Masorti Olami, together with our partners at The Schechter Institutes, have been responding to the needs of our communities, providing care packages to children in Kharkiv and organizing transport and accommodation for those fleeing their homes. To date, we have helped over 100 individuals evacuate the country and are working to assist many more .

Produced for Masorti Olami and The Schechter Institutes by the Cantors Assembly, Mivtza Ukraine is a 1-hour video “telethon” of music and hope.. .    

Read more

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