CHAI LINES
The Newsletter of the International Northeast Region
December 24, 2021 - 20 Tevet 5782
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From the Region President
Dear Friends;

I can’t believe this is the last Chai Lines we are producing for 2021. It’s been a challenging year but full of amazing programs created by our affiliates/sisterhoods, region and Women’s League. Please do take advantage of all that is being offered in our newsletter below. Yasher Koach to you all!

I can proudly announce that our Spring Conference has been scheduled for Sunday, June 12, 2022 and will be totally virtual on Zoom. Given the uncertainty of ever-changing travel restrictions across borders and the unrelenting virus variants, we felt it was the only prudent way to go. Please save the date in your calendars.
The conference is being chaired by Carole Burke of Shaare Zedek Sisterhood in Montreal but our Conference Committee must consist of representatives from affiliates in all areas of our International Northeast Region. That means we are looking for volunteers to sit on the Conference Committee from as many affiliates as possible. If you are interested in helping Carole on the Conference Committee, please contact her at caroleburke1944@gmail.com or feel free to contact me directly.

Todah Rabah to Adele Weinstein for writing an article for this issue which focused on her father. Having known Sy Caine z”l for many years I was touched by her description of him which brought back so many wonderful memories when we sang together in the choir or davened in shul. Adele, may you and your family continue to cherish the legacy your father left you and may his memory be a blessing to you all.

As the secular New Year approaches, we can’t help but think of what this past year has meant for us. Let us not dwell on the worrisome times caused by the Corona Virus but think of all the good things that the past year has given us. What counts the most is that our families and friends have reached out and connected whether in person, by phone or virtually. We have all found ways to be linked in some way and I hope we will continue to do so no matter how long it takes to get back to that ‘normal’ time we once knew.

Wishing you all a Happy Secular New Year and Shabbat Shalom,
 
REGION REMINDERS:

SAVE THE DATE:

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM
Region Torah Fund Program
“In Search of Social Justice” with Lisa Ellison. 
All affiliate/sisterhood members in our region are invited to attend this fascinating presentation on the role that Jewish women played in the world of activism in the United States and Canada. See flyer below!

Shabbat Shalom,
Marilyn Cohen, INR President
Meet Adele Weinstein
My name is Adele Weinstein and I am the INR Program/Education Vice President, as well as the President of my affiliate, Beth Tikvah Women in Toronto Ontario.

When I was asked by our president, Marilyn Cohen, to write an article for this newsletter, I decided to write about the second yahrzeit following my Dad’s passing, and to link this with the Parsha of this week, Parsha Shemot.

My Dad, Sy Caine, was born on June 13,1932. He would have been 90 years old this coming year. My family and I are commemorating his yahrzeit by sponsoring the “Kiddush to go” at our synagogue, on Shabbat December 25, 2021.

My Dad was a soft spoken, quiet, friendly man. He was very involved in our Synagogue, singing in the choir for over 50 years, volunteering on many committees and attending Shabbat and Yom Tovim services regularly. His family meant the world to him. He always looked forward to Shabbat and holiday dinners spent with his family which included my Mom, me, my husband, my brother and sister-in-law and our two children. During the 3 years that my Dad lived in a Nursing home, his biggest joy was when his great granddaughter, Ofra, visited him. My Dad and my Mom, Fran Caine whom many of you know, would have been married 66 years this coming March.

Parsha Shemot begins with “Ve’eleh Shemot B’nei Yisrael.” “These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob...” In the Jewish tradition, there is a midrash about why we were led out of Egypt. We, the Jewish people, were led out of Egypt because we kept three things intact: our names, our clothing and our language.

I would like to write about the first part of this midrash, our names. My Dad’s Hebrew name was Yishia Reuven HaKohen.

My Dad was very proud of his name and of the fact that he was a Kohen. He took his status as a Kohen very seriously and every time our synagogue called up the Kohanim to recite the priestly blessings, my Dad was one of the first ones to go up. He would cover his head with his huge tallit and sing with his melodic voice. Even when my Dad’s Alzheimer’s progressed and he forgot many things, he still remembered these blessings and he remembered his name. When he was living in the Nursing home, our Synagogue’s Hazzan would come up to my Dad and say “Yishia Reuven HaKohen” and my Dad would smile and extend his hand for a handshake.

To quote the Hebrew poet Zelda (Zelda Schneurson Mishkovsky 1914-1984), she wrote “L’kol ish yesh shem”. Every person has a name.

Whether your name is a Hebrew or English name, we should all be proud of our names. My name Chana Mina bat Yishia Reuven HaKohen v’ Freida. I am proud of my name and proud to be involved in Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,
Adele Weinstein
From our Torah Fund Vice President

TORAH FUND – B’YACHAD – TOGETHER

2021 is drawing to a close and 2022 is about to begin. When considering your year-end charitable donations, please consider Torah Fund.
Of course, consult with your tax advisor about deductibility. Donations should be sent to your local Torah Fund Chair. 

Our U.S. donors may also donate online: https://inspired.jtsa.edu/give/314821/#!/donation/checkout
 
Our Canadian donors may send their cheques to the Jewish Theological Society, 100 Elder Street, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5G7.
Be sure to include the name of your local affiliate for proper credit.
 
All donations, large and small, are appreciated. Together, B’Yachad, our gifts to Torah Fund ensure the continuation of educational opportunities for our future rabbis, cantors and teachers. Thank you!
 
Remember to make your reservation for our region Torah Fund program: In Search of Social Justice to be held on January 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm. See the flyer elsewhere in this ChaiLines newsletter for details.
 
Stay safe!
Linda Boxer
INR Torah Fund Vice President
INRTorahFund@gmail.com
Our Upcoming Region Programs:
In Search of Social Justice
Wednesday January 12, 2022 @ 7:30 PM
PRESENTS OUR PROGRAM IN HONOR OF

The dedicated tzedekah of Women’s League, supporting the five Conservative/Masorti Seminaries
around the world

Lisa Ellison (formerly Kogen), past Director of Education and Programs at Women's League for Conservative Judaism (2003-2018), will present a program on the role Jewish women played in the world of activism in the United States and Canada. The presentation will include photos and documents highlighting stories about community activists, suffragists and human rights advocates, some women whose names are familiar but many who have been only recently reclaimed by Jewish feminists and historians.
IN SEARCH OF
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Wednesday,
January 12, 2022
7:30 pm
Theirs are stories of inspiration and courage, women undaunted by social, cultural and religious marginalization in both the Jewish and non-Jewish worlds.
 
We appreciate all who have made a gift to the 2021-22 Torah Fund Campaign. For others, an $18 minimum donation is encouraged. 
Please contribute through your local Torah Fund Chair.
Need help? Contact Linda Boxer: INRTorahFund@gmail.com
For your reservation and to receive Zoom link, email Adele Weinstein: adelew@rogers.com
Beth David Women Present:
Help Wanted:
What: A Few Good People!

For: The INR Communications Team!

Requirements: Prior experience working with Constant Contact is a plus but not absolutely necessary if computer literate - training will be provided. Also, it would be helpful (but not absolutely necessary) if candidates have some experience writing and editing articles or reports in some capacity of work or volunteer experience.

If you are interested or know of someone who might be a good “fit”, please contact Joan Lowenstein at jmglowepp2021@gmail.com.

Thank You!
From Women's League:
Shabbat Message
We Need Tomorrow and Tomorrow Needs Us
By Debbi Kaner Goldich, International President

“If you are not a better person tomorrow than you are today, what need have you for a tomorrow?”
-Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, 18th Century Rabbi.
 
As I read these words this morning in the daily issue of E-Jewish Philanthropy I immediately related them to myself. As Jews, we are taught we can become better tomorrow through our actions today. A few moments later after some self-reflection, I thought about these words in relation to Women’s League and the Pandemic situation. After the past year and all that has happened, I wonder how we enter this new secular new year and be better than we were last year.
 
We have accomplished a great deal this past year. Our successes have been enormous and include offering sophisticated educational opportunities for learning and engagement, rewriting of Region and Sisterhood affiliate bylaws, creating an International central calendar of activities, preparing and training two classes of consultants, translating our website into eight languages, brought back the WLCJ APP to our cellphones, joining with other organizations such as ADL, JCPA, USCJ and FJMC for programming, connecting with world communities of Jewish women like Uganda and preparing Region leadership through regular monthly trainings to name a few.
 
How is it that we even have a need for tomorrow after accomplishing all this? Our need for tomorrow stems from the fact that we are a Jewish women’s organization in the 21st century. It is our role to keep our ancient religion sacred and alive. As women we are responsible to maintain the family’s connection to Judaism. As an organization we are responsible to provide educational initiatives that make our movement stronger and provide women the opportunity to do that also.
 
Make a New Year’s resolution to join us. Many of your Synagogues and Sisterhood affiliates are still not doing full programming due to Covid. Take the time to join Women’s League. Read the weekly newsletter (WL Week) and look for programming that interests you. Register and attend with hundreds of women just like you from all over North America. Volunteer on the Sisterhood affiliate, Region or International level. We have many opportunities and never refuse an offer to help. Feel free to share programming ideas with me and your Region leadership.
 
Tomorrow, we are a better organization with you. We welcome you and need you to help make us better. We are also here to make a difference in your life. Your tomorrows will be better with us. All you have to do is show up. It is as easy as clicking the Zoom button!
 
Wishing you all a healthy and happy secular New Year. Stay safe. 
 
Shabbat shalom,
Debbi
 
Debbi Kaner Goldich
WLCJ International President
Women's League App is BACK!
We brought back the WLCJ App. You can easily connect to Women’s League anytime and anywhere – right on your smart phone or tablet! The Women’s League App makes access to Women’s League news and resouces effortless.
It's available for download on all devices (iPhone/iPad/Google Play/Android).
World Wide Wrap - Sunday, February 13, 2022
Mark your calendars!
Women's League for Conservative Judaism joins the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs in promoting the mitzvah of tefillin on Sunday, February 13, 2022, for the annual World Wide Wrap
Do you have pictures of girls and women wrapping tefillin? Can you write a few sentences (1-5 sentences) explaining your personal connection to tefillin and why the mitzvah of tefillin is important to you? Please send pictures and sentences to Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fieldsewolintz-fields@wlcj.org 
Women's League needs your HELP!
We are working on the WL Calendar Diaries 5783 and wish to include all of the TF pins throughout the years. We are missing some of them and need your help. If you have any of these pins, or know of someone else that does, please contact Karen Ballena, Member Relations Manager at kballena@wlcj.org. We appreciate the help!
Women's League Website Available in All Languages

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

Visit our website: www.wlcj.org
Project Stock the Shelves
Debbie Bettan
Social Justice Project Chair
 
Karen Block
Social Justice Co-Chair
 
Ardis Wexler
Social Justice Co-Chair

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors.
Contributions recommended but not limited to:
January:
Soup & crackers
Hot or cold cereal/shelf stable milk
February:
Tuna & mayonaise
Rice & beans
March:
Pasta & sauce
April:
Hot or cold cereal/shelf stable milk
May:
Peanut butter & jelly/shelf stable milk
June:
Pancake mix & syrup/shelf stable milk
 
Check with your local pantry for other suggestions. They may also request items that are not able to be purchased with SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). These items include: paper towels, toilet paper, personal hygiene items, disposable diapers.
WLCJ Open Board Meeting - Wednesday, January 19th @ 7:00 PM ET
You're Invited to Our
Open Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 19th @ 7 PM ET
 
Dvar Torah - Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
Part of the first class of women ordained as Conservative rabbis, Nina Beth Cardin embraced the unconventional path of a “community pulpit” by founding healing centers and creating new ways to approach miscarriage and loss. Cardin created the Jewish Women’s Resource Center in 1978 before joining the first group of women admitted to the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1984. Embracing a “broad definition” of what it meant to be a rabbi, Cardin focused her work on counseling, from advising rabbinical students at JTS to serving as founding associate director of the National Center for Jewish Healing and director of Jewish life at the JCC of Greater Baltimore. Cardin also edited Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility, and wrote a number of books on ritual and spirituality, including Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope, which addresses issues of miscarriage and loss. She later turned to environmentalism, founding the Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network and the Baltimore Orchard Project, which grows and distributes food to the needy, and served as a consultant to COEJL, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.
Kotel Agreement
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism would like to take this opportunity to join in the ongoing discussions and initiatives for pluralism to express our strong support for the Kotel agreement. Our hope is to see this effort not only resumed, but fully executed in the near future. We continue to move forward in the push for providing women with a safe space to daven, and believe that egalitarianism should have a space at the Kotel. 
 
Our hope remains that a peaceful resolution will be found, and as always, we encourage only non-violent and productive conversations and demonstrations. 
Joint Program of WLCJ and WOW: Who Owns the Western Wall? - Sunday, January 30 - 12 PM ET
Click Here to read message from Yochi Rappeport, Executive Director of WOW
Join Us!
Registration 
Deadline:
January 24th
Questions? Contact:
Lori Snow
WLCJ Event Chair, WLCJ WOW Liaison
or
lllene Rubin
Chair, World Community Engagement
Women of the Wall
Save the Date - Masorti Women Study, Reflect and Pray in Our Challenging Times - January/February 2022
Women's League Tu B'Shevat - Thursday, January 6 @ 7:00 PM ET
Consulting Services Workshop #1: 
Evolving Job Descriptions for Success - 
Sunday, January 9th @ 3 PM ET
Questions?
Contact
Renee Ravich
Consulting Services Chair, Sisterhood Support Chair
Looking for new leadership for your Sisterhood affiliates but not sure what to do? Women’s League is offering two workshops presented by our Consulting Services team and open to all members in January and February 2022.
 
1st Workshop: Evolving Job Descriptions for Success -- defining and tweaking for today’s realities. It will take place on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET.
 
A Women's League training program to support all regions and Sisterhood affiliates by the Consulting Services of WLCJ.
 
Coming soon:
2nd Workshop: Exploring Leadership -- finding alternatives to the traditional leadership structure. It will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET.  
 
Separate registration is required to attend either workshop.
Campus Antisemitism - Tuesday, January 11 @ 1:00 PM ET
Women's League Shabbat 2022
Personal Conversations - Thursday, January 20th @
7:30 PM ET
Questions?
Contact
Vivian Leber
Personal Conversations Chair
Discovering and Sharing our Genetic Information
Who isn’t curious about what our genes can tell us?
Jews are among the best customers for direct-to-consumer genetic tests and their packaged analysis. Are they useful, or confusing? 
 
We also have well-studied variants for certain diseases, owing to our ancestors having lived and married in tight-knit communities. 
 
When is it advisable for us to seek medical genetic testing? What is the genetics counselor’s role? If we do find that we carry a “bad” gene, what’s next?
 
Should we fear the potential for discrimination against us individually and as a people from all this genomic disclosure?
 
From a wider lens, how do the frontiers of genetic science intersect with bioethics and Jewish standards? And might the discovery of our genetic information and lineage confound our understanding of Jewish identity? 
 
These and other probing questions will be explored by two experts in their respective fields:
Jews in Film - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Series - Monday, January 24th @ 3 PM 
WL Reads - Thursday, January 27th @ 7 PM ET
Mishpachah: The Modern Jewish Family - Monday, January 31st @ 7:30 PM ET
Questions?
Contact
Fran Hildebrandt
Mishpachah Chair
Mishpachah: The Modern Jewish Family
Monday, January 31 @ 7:30 PM ET
 
Can We Talk?
Developing Communication Skills to Use During Difficult Times
 
It's my partner’s birthday. How do I discuss a celebration with my family? There’s my older daughter who has two unvaccinated preschool children that she worries about; my vaccinated son who is a nurse and could still be exposed to Covid at work; my younger daughter who works in a place where no one wears a mask, and their vaccination status is unknown; and my sister-in-law who is still deciding whether to get vaccinated and wears a mask indoors but not outdoors. How can I make this work?
 
This is just one example of situations facing families today that creates conflict.
 
What can we do to restore and rebuild communication within our families? When disagreements exist, how do we create safe environments that empower us to navigate our differences? How do we enable our divided family members to talk to each other? How do we create bridges and tear down barriers?
 
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.
Weekly Words of Torah
Makom B'Yachad
The Rabbinical Assembly - Preorder
Coming soon from the Rabbinical Assembly: A new edition of Megillat Esther! Newly translated and interpreted for the 21st century, this Hebrew-English edition draws on traditional sources, contemporary scholarship, and deep insights from Conservative rabbis to bring the megillah to life.
Megillat Esther: The Book of Esther features:

The Hebrew text of the megillah
An expanded narrative translation (by Rabbi Martin S. Cohen) that evokes the playfulness and allusiveness of the megillah
A second, contextual translation (by Rabbi Pamela Barmash) that draws on contemporary scholarship in Biblical Hebrew to capture the literary style and linguistic connotations of the Hebrew text
Thoughtful essays on each chapter of the megillah that unfold its literary and religious meanings
Insightful comments on selected verses by a diverse group of Conservative rabbis, including Rachel Ain, Jacob Blumenthal, Neil F. Blumofe, Analia Bortz, Susan Leider, Zachary Silver, Amy S. Wallk, and Yonatan M. Warren
 
Blessings to be recited before and after the public reading of the megillah on Purim, as well as the accompanying evening (Arvit) service from Siddur Lev Shalem
 
By bringing multiple voices and interpretations to the Book of Esther, Megillat Esther reflects the rich diversity of people and approaches that characterizes Conservative Judaism. This innovative book will yield fresh insights and enhance your experience of Purim year after year.
 
Preview chapter 1 of the megillah here.
 
Megillat Esther: The Book of Esther, edited by Martin S. Cohen. List price $15.00, discounted price of $10.00 for RA/CA/USCJ or bulk orders of 50+
 
Now available for preorders here. Books will ship in February 2022. Purim is March 17-18.
StoryWorth
WL PrezNet
Upcoming Sisterhood Calendar Events & WL Groups to Join
News from Seminaries WLCJ Supports
Torah Fund eCards
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!
Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards: Applications due Soon
Help spread the word about this opportunity to honor 15 outstanding Jewish teen leaders with a $36,000 award for their efforts towards repairing our world. Nominate or encourage a teen in your community to apply!
 
The application is live and due on or before Friday, January 7, 2022: 
 
The nomination form is also live and should be submitted on or before Thursday, December 23:
 
To view Diller Teen Award Videos, click here.
More information, click here.
Recruiting Jewish Athletes to Play Wheelchair Basketball
Valley Beit Midrash - December 2021/January 2022
The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center - July 11-17, 2022
MERCAZ USA & CANADA
INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism