If you are viewing Chai Lines on your smartphone,
consider a landscape orientation for easier viewing.
|
|
From the Region President |
|
Shalom Everyone,
What a whirlwind September we have had. I can not believe I have not gained ten pounds because I felt as though I was always eating. We went from Rosh Hashanah to Shabbat, then Yom Kippur then Shabbat, then Sukkot, then Shabbat again, then Shemini Atzeret & finally Simchat Torah. Whenever possible our extended family got together for lunch, which we held outside for social distancing purposes. Unfortunately, I could not host my traditional Break Fast this year as it would have had to occur outside on our deck, in the dark and bitter cold. No one in my family wanted that! I was so excited though to be able to spend the first two days of Sukkot with my daughter, Naomi, and her family in their Sukkah in Montreal. Every time I entered their Sukkah, I marveled at how beautiful it was. That is why I just had to include a picture of my husband, Bob, and grandson, Jacob, helping to set up the Sukkah just before lighting the candles. Montreal’s Covid rules are not as stringent as Toronto’s and we had relatives and friends join us at many of the meals. I sincerely hope you were able to have similar experiences with family and/or friends over the holidays.
And here we are at Parashat Bereshit ready to begin reading the Torah again! Year after year we read the same text. You would think there would be a sense of 'here we go again…same old book!’ Yet, nothing could be farther from the truth. Yes, it is the same words and the same stories but something does change. We change.
How will this year’s life experiences shape our understanding of the text? How will our clergy bring profound and relevant interpretations to the sacred words of our Torah? How will a new encounter with a particular commentary influence our appreciation? What impact will an opportunity to study with a particular teacher or in a particular class (even if it is virtual) have on our insights?
Women's League and our International Northeast Region provide many opportunities for you to encounter the words of our texts in new ways. Our WL Week newsletter is chock full of programs, classes and links not only to region and Women’s League programs and classes but also to our Conservative/Masorti institutions around the world that can help you grow personally or help your Affiliate/Sisterhood experience programs they never thought possible.
Please take advantage of all we have to offer and let us know of the successful programs in your own Affiliate/Sisterhood. One amazing thing about Women’s League is its policy of encouraging its members to share their best practices and programs with everyone else. Treat yourself to a journey through the Women’s League’s website at www.wlcj.org. If you are a member of a sisterhood or affiliate or if you are an Individual Member, you are entitled to log onto the website with your member number and password. If you are not able to log on, please contact me and I will be happy to assist you.
I am grateful to my Executive Committee whose members have offered to help me by submitting articles to our region’s Chai Lines bi-weekly newsletter this coming year. Today, I would like to introduce you to Iris “Rusty” Zackheim, our INR Parliamentarian. Rusty, a Past Region President, has held many positions in her sisterhood, synagogue, region, and on the International Women’s League Board. Enjoy getting to know Rusty!
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Marilyn Cohen,
International Northeast Region President
C) 416-518-1860 H) 416-223-2955
|
|
Meet Iris "Rusty" Zackheim |
|
It is only fitting as we begin reading Bereshit that I tell you about the beginning of our INcredible International Northeast Region. The planning
began in 2006-2007 with the extensive involvement of Canadian Seaway Branch President, Trudy Sassoon, Montreal Women’s League President Carole Burke, and NYS Branch President, Nancy Bloom. Most of the planning and discussion was done via email by our branch leaders who combined these 3 very diverse branches into a region. During the time period from 2007 to 2008, several names were discussed and the name International Northeast Region was selected. Officers were elected in the spring of 2008 and I had the honor and privilege to be elected the first president of the International Northeast Region, the IN Region.
We began with 24 sisterhoods from Quebec, Ontario and Central and Western NY. I strongly suggest you read our region history which can be found on the region portion of the WL website home page http://www.wlcjregion.org/northeast/region-history/. There you can find all of the sisterhoods who had belonged at one time to our three branches. Many have since merged and/or closed. We now stand at 12 affiliates. Since our beginning, our presidents have been myself, Fran Caine of Toronto, Linda Steinhorn of Buffalo, Eleanor Diamond of Montreal, Joan Lowenstein of Syracuse and our current region president is Marilyn Cohen of Toronto.
We may be a small region in terms of numbers but we are mighty. Additionally, we are very well represented on the Women’s League International Board and we are very proud of our involvement.
How did I get involved? L’dor v‘dor! I had a wonderful role model, my mother, Ethel Yachnin z’l, was a very active member and volunteer of the sisterhood of Temple Emanuel on Staten Island, NY. My grandparents were immigrants from Russia and Hungary and my parents were born on Staten Island. The home I was raised in was a less observant home than my parents however, it was still infused with Yiddishkeit and a love for Judaism.
I did not have a religious education as it was not the custom in my synagogue until I was a teenager and a new rabbi came to be our spiritual leader. They say hind sight is 20/20. I realize now that the synagogue where I was raised was probably a combination of Modern Orthodox and Conservative as we had 2 sanctuaries. There was one with separate seating (a balcony for the women) as well as an attached building which housed the school, a social hall (and gym). This second building doubled as a high holiday sanctuary with mixed seating. I volunteered in the religious school on Sundays as an aide to the Rabbi’s daughter who was the Principal of the school. I had no formal religious instruction until our new rabbi began a confirmation class for all children who were post b’nei mitzvah age. That was the beginning of my Jewish education.
When I came to Buffalo State College (as it was then named) in 1958, I participated in Hillel and ultimately met my future husband, Joe, a native Buffalonian. After graduation, we were married and joined a synagogue
almost immediately. That was the beginning of my Jewish education and becoming involved in a Jewish community - eventually becoming a dues
paying member of the sisterhood. Thus began a journey which included total involvement in the shul. I became President of Temple Shaarey Zedek
Sisterhood in 2003 and held that position until 2006. My term ended early as I unexpectedly became the last president of Temple Shaarey Zedek in 2006. In 2008, Temple Shaarey Zedek merged with Temple Beth El of Greater Buffalo and became Temple Beth Tzedek.
The International Northeast Region was formed in approximately May or June of 2008 and I was elected the first president of the new region. It was an honor and a privilege and I served from 2008 – 2011.
I must include that I was also an active participant in the NYS branch from approximately 1994 on and held various positions. It was at a Women’s League Leadership Institute in Toronto in about 2004 that I met many of the ladies from Toronto. This is also where I had the privilege of meeting our current Women’s League International President, Debbi Goldich. I cherish that time and am so very thankful to have met so many of you and we became friends before we even knew we would one day become a region. It was beshert!
The most important part of my whole journey has been the learning, and the wealth of knowledge that I have acquired since that weak beginning and it is all due to the synagogue, sisterhood and Women’s League. I am so appreciative of all the experiences I have had and they have made me a stronger, more observant, understanding and caring individual.
My present position in INR is Parliamentarian but I will save that and my WLCJ positions for another time. My husband Joseph and I have been married for 59 years and have 2 children and 3 granddaughters from almost 16 – 19 years of age. May you all have a healthy, sweet, wonderful year and let us say Amen!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rusty
|
|
An Important New Canadian Holiday! |
|
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH & RECONCILIATION
Canada has introduced a new annual federal statutory holiday on September 30, 2021: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day commemorates the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada which lasted for more than 160 years, starting in the 1830’s and ending in 1996. Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced to attend church-run residential schools where many suffered physical and sexual abuse, malnutrition and neglect. An estimated 6,000 children are believed to have died.
Residential schools were government-sponsored religious schools that were established to convert and assimilate Indigenous children into Canadian society.
This national day is a time to reflect on the history and legacy of the Indigenous residential school system, to engage in education and conversation about the injustices inflicted on Indigenous people, and to examine how we all can participate in reconciliation.
For more information, click here:
|
|
Upcoming Affiliate Programs in our Region |
|
Our most recent Region Program |
|
Greetings from Israel - The Sequel
On Sunday September 19, 2021, the International Northeast Region, hosted a fabulous program on Zoom entitled Greetings from Israel – The Sequel. This program was born of a shorter program that had been held during our most recent annual Spring Conference this past April, when we heard from Marion Juster, of Kehilah HaKerem in Karmiel and Terri Davis of Kehilah Netzach Israel in Ashkelon. Following the conference, we heard from all of you that both ladies had just whet our appetites for more!
The program included a fabulous PowerPoint presentation showing photos and videos of both Kehillot, some of their members, their activities and the surrounding areas, past and present. Some of the views of Karmiel from the mountains nearby are just breathtaking! And the video of the visiting Hazan performing at Netzach Israel – she was magnificent! Many thanks to the professional expertise of our past INR president, Joan Lowenstein who compiled the PowerPoint presentation and moderated, Toby Maser, INR Treasurer and WLCJ consultant for her “tech support” and our current president, Marilyn Cohen for her leadership. And of course a huge thank you to both Marion Juster and Lorna Szelfer who both spoke so beautifully of their respective Kehillot and provided so much information and history. Their presentations were so moving; it brought back wonderful memories of my trips to Israel. Hopefully I will be able to visit Israel again in the near future.
Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields, Women’s League’s Executive Director delivered a superb D'var Torah and WLCJ International President Debbi Kaner-Goldich, brought greetings. We were so honored to have them join us.
What a wonderful way to start 5782. B'Yachad, together, with our sisters from Canada, the United States and Israel. Kol Hakavod to all of the participants. If you were unable to attend, the recording will be available soon on the Women’s League website www.wlcj.org.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Shabbat,
Submitted by
Adele Weinstein,
Program/Education Vice President
Women’s League Canadian Affairs Chair
|
|
Sichot beyn Achayot: An Open Dialogue Between Disapora and Israeli Sisters - Sunday, October 17th @ 1 PM ET |
|
Thanks to a generous Grant from
KKL-JNF/ Masorti Olami/Mercaz Olami
Women's League is grateful to provide a series of 3 Workshops of Conversation between Sisters.
Registrations through Wizevents will be required to join each/all sessions.
Click on speakers’
pictures to read their bios.
|
Questions?
Contact
Rabbi Margie Cella
WLCJ Educational Programming Chair
|
|
שׂיחוֹת בֵּין אְַחַיוֹת, Sichot beyn Achayot means “conversations between sisters”. This program is designed to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the members of WLCJ in North America and the Masorti Olami women of Israel. It is designed to address the question, “How are we the same, and how are we different?
Each of the 3 sessions will address this question by concentrating on one specific issue that is both relevant and timely to us all, and will include presentations from speakers from each side of the Atlantic. The October and November workshops will each be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate. The third workshop in December will conclude with breakout rooms in which participants will have an opportunity to join the conversation.
|
Session 1: Conservative/Masorti Converstion
Sunday, October 17th @ 1PM ET
Two rabbis will explore issues of Conservative/ Masorti conversions: Is the experience different for rabbis in Israel vs. North America? How are conversions from our movement accepted in Israel? And what are the ramifications for their children/grandchildren with respect to marriage and Aliyah.
|
Click on speakers’ pictures to read their bios.
|
Session 2: Davening as Conservative/Masorti Women
Sunday, November, 14th @ 1PM ET
Two speakers will examine the question of davening as Conservative/ Masorti women; they will address the experience of davening with Women of the Wall, and also davening in an egalitarian experience at Robinson’s Arch.
|
Click on speakers’ pictures to read their bios.
|
|
|
|
Session 3: Conversations Between Conservative and Masorti Sisters
Sunday, December 12 @ 1PM ET
Three pairs of women will each explore some aspect of living Jewishly as a Conservative/ Masorti Jew, comparing life in North America to life in Israel. Following the 3 conversations, all participants will be invited to participate in breakout rooms, where women from both sides of the Atlantic will have the opportunity to engage in conversation.
|
Conversation 1: Comparing the Nativ/College Experience to the IDF/College Experience
|
|
|
|
Click on speakers’ pictures to read their bios.
|
Conversation 2: Living Jewishly In a Minority vs. A Majority Population
|
Click on speakers’ pictures to read their bios.
|
Conversation 3: Being A Lay Leader in the Conservative/Masorti Movement
|
|
Join Ziegler for a Virtual Open House - Sunday, October 17th @ 1PM ET |
|
Become a Part of the Future of Jewish Life
The Ziegler School invites you, or someone you know who may be interested in the rabbinate, to join us online for a virtual open house. You will learn about pursuing a career in the rabbinate, and all that Ziegler has to offer, including the warmth of our community, the expertise of our faculty, and the natural beauty of our campus, centrally located in Los Angeles, and minutes away from all this great metropolis has to offer.
|
|
Antisemitism in the US and How We Can Respond Effectively - Tuesday, October 19th @ 2PM ET |
|
Julia Loeb, our Moderator; International Vice President of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ); Co-chair of WLCJ Education Committee; member of the International Torah Fund Cabinet; Past President of Seaboard Region of WLCJ; Past Vice President of Education and Recording Secretary in Seaboard Region.
|
|
Health & Wellness - October 21st @ 8PM ET |
|
Questions?
Contact
Mindy Steinholz
WLCJ Health & Wellness Chair
|
|
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
Join us and Elizabeth Robles of the Alzheimer's Association for a fascinating conversation about Alzheimer's and Dementia. Do you know of someone or have a loved one with this medical condition? Whether you have questions or just want to be informed about these health conditions... join us.
Further information will be provided closer to date.
|
|
How to Live Forever - Thursday, October 28th @ 7:30PM ET |
|
Questions?
Contact
Cory Schneider
WLCJ Archives Chair
|
|
How to Live Forever – Session 5
Family Heirlooms: What are they? What to do with them?
Family heirlooms can be just about anything, as long as there is sentimental or monetary value attached. As heirlooms get passed down over time, their mystique grows. In this workshop Cory Schneider, Women’s League Archives Chair, will share information to help answer these questions:
- What is an heirloom?
- What’s the difference between an heirloom and junk?
- How to pass down heirlooms and to who?
- How to preserve, store and digitize them?
- What are the best ways to tell their story?
- How to create new heirlooms (A huppah from dad’s favorite ties! Or one from pieces of clothing belonging to past generations! A brit pillow)?
- How to display heirlooms and some ideas of what to do with collections?
- What about heirlooms you don’t want?
If you don’t think you have heirlooms or don’t know what to do with the heirlooms you have, this session is for you! You will leave this workshop full of ideas!
|
|
Personal Conversations - Thursday, November 4 @ 7:30PM ET |
|
|
|
Creating Your New Community Without a Partner
Many Jewish women, either through the sudden loss of a partner, or by their own choice, find themselves newly single and are caught off-guard to discover the degree to which the world has been organized for the comfort of couples. The transition may be unsettling, isolating and hurtful.
Two rabbis each will bring her pastoral experience as well as her personal life experience to a conversation that explores this phenomenon and finds solutions:
When you become “uncoupled” -- How might you take positive control of your sense of self? How might you maintain your existing connections in a way that best supports you, or build a new community? What are some practical steps to take you forward?
Fran Hildebrandt, WLCJ Chair of Mishpachah, will moderate the discussion. Vivian Leber, Chair of Personal Conversations, will introduce the program and speakers.
Women’s League members are invited to submit in advance (to VLeber@wlcj.org) their own one-page essay in which they share related personal experiences and discoveries that would be helpful to other women. After the program, those essays will be shared with registered participants.
|
|
Questions?
Contact
Vivian Leber
Personal Conversations Chair
|
|
Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein leads Congregation Beth Ohr, in Bellmore, NY.
|
|
Rabbi Dana Bogatz leads First Hebrew Congregation, in Peekskill, NY.
|
|
Women's Health Resolution - Please COMMENT |
|
To the Membership of WLCJ
The Resolutions and Public Policy Committee has approved the following Women’s Health Resolution (2021). This resolution passed the WLCJ Executive Committee and is being offered to our membership for comment.
|
|
The Resolutions Committee, which drafted this resolution, will review all comments and make changes, as the committee may deem useful and appropriate. Then the resolution will be offered to the WLCJ Membership for final vote. If passed, this resolution becomes an official position of WLCJ. Our hope is that our affiliates will develop programming and projects inspired by this resolution.
Resolutions have been a part of the work of Women’s League for over 70 years. We are proud of the positions we have taken, as we have added the collective voice of thousands of Conservative Jewish women to the call for justice, freedom and tikkun olam. The WLCJ website contains the entire archive of our resolutions.
Please take a moment to read our Women’s Health Resolution and send your comment.
Thank you,
Marlene Oslick and Karen Cuker,
Committee Co-Chairs
.
|
|
Social Justice Blurb: Stock the Shelves |
|
Please reach out to us with any questions or comments:
Debbie Bettan
Social Justice Project Chair
Karen Block
Social Justice Co-Chair
Ardis Wexler
Social Justice Co-Chair
|
|
Our sisterhood affiliates and Regions are now working with new administrations. We would like to introduce you to an important initiative started in response to the epidemic brought to our awareness during Covid-19; the growing epidemic of food insecurity. We’ve acknowledged the need, now we’re excited to announce the solution! No, we don’t expect WLCJ to end hunger in America, but we can be proactive in working toward a resolution.
A new administration means a new chance to get involved in our Social Action initiative: Project Stock The Shelves!
How can you help?...
To continue reading, click here.
|
|
Programming Idea of the Week |
|
Submitted by
Grace Schessler,
WL Programming Chair
|
|
Online Jewish Yoga Studio
Hosted by: Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Jewish tradition offers rich, accessible, and time-tested resources to cope with moments like these. The Institute for Jewish Spirituality, which has pioneered the development and teaching of Jewish mindfulness practices for over 20 years, is here for you now.
Mindful body practices help us find shelter right where we are, in our bodies in this very moment. Join yoga teacher and IJS faculty member, Cantor Lizzie Shammash, as she guides you in an all-levels yoga and movement session informed by Jewish spiritual teachings and designed to relieve stress as we increase awareness of breath and grounding through our bodies.
Open to all, no experience needed.
When: Every Monday
Time: 11:00 am – 11:45 am EDT
Cost: FREE
|
|
Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish? |
|
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
12 PM Noon ET; 11 AM CT; 9 AM PT;
10 AM MT
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
Dial by your location:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York);
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose);
+1 647 558 0588 (Canada);
+972 55 330 1762 (Israel); or
find your local number:
|
|
WL Reads - Thursday, November 11th @ 7 PM ET |
|
WL Reads
November 11th
R.L. Maizes
We Love
Anderson Cooper
|
|
WL Reads co-chairs Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will be interviewing R. L. Maizes, CO Finalist Colorado Book Award. Her recent short stories book, We Love Anderson Cooper, will be the focus of our virtual conversation. Most of the stories deal with the direct aftermath of trauma or hurt, and it is in this immediacy that we get to know the characters. Or at the very least, we get to know them at their lowest. Join the author and WL Reads co-chairs this November 11th.
Zoom link will be sent upon registering.
|
Next book discussions WL Reads will hold:
Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 7PM ET
Elyssa Friendland
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel
Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 1PM ET
Julia Zuckerman
Book of Jeremiah
Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 7PM ET
Zhanna Shor
At The End of the World Turn Left
|
|
submitted by
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
WLCJ Executive Director
|
|
Parashat Bereshit - Haftarah - Isaiah 42:5-43:10 - October 2, 2021
Both the Torah reading this week, Parashat Bereshit, and the haftarah from Isaiah 42:5-43:10, begin with the description of God as the creator of heaven and earth. In Parshat Bereshit, darkness comprises the original state of the world which is transformed by the creation of light. God creates light, separating it from darkness, that already existed. God sets Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and gives them one law to keep. God asks a series of questions in the Garden of Eden, although God obviously knows the answers to them. Adam and Eve break that one law and are sent into exile and then Cain was sentenced to exile. God asks Adam and Eve rhetorical questions, such as where are you? Who told you to eat? Did you eat?
In the haftarah for Parashat Bereshit, from Isaiah 42:5-43:10, God complains that the people have refused to acknowledge God as the sole Creator and director of all that happens. (Isaiah 42:5, 9, 10-12, 17, 23-24). When the haftarah was written, Israel was in Exile. In Isaiah 42:19,God asks rhetorically, “Who is so blind as My servant, so deaf is a messenger I send?” In the Haftarah, images of darkness represent exile and despair, while light symbolizes the promise of God's Redemption of the people and the hope for a better future. In Isaiah 42:6-7, God reminds us that Israel was created as a light to remove darkness from other nations. In Isaiah 42:15, we are told that God reserves the right to destroy creation since God was the creator of the world.
|
|
Toby Maser
PrezNet Moderator
|
|
Join the WL PrezNet
The WL PrezNet is an online group where we share ideas, exchange opinions, and discuss “out of the box” innovations. You can only belong to this group if you are currently a Sisterhood President. This ensures that you have the freedom to express yourself without the fear of 'outsiders' hearing you. To join this list, please send me an e-mail. Once verified by checking your current Sisterhood membership list and profile, I will add you to our list.
|
|
INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism |
|
|
|
|
|
|
