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From Womens' League and
the International Northeast Region
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- From the Region President
- A Friendly Reminder from WLCJ
- In Our Region
- From Women's League
- Upcoming On-Line Programs from WLCJ and Other Arms of Conservative/Masorti Judaism
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From the Region President |
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"Perception." I have spent a bit of time recently pondering this word and what it means. That, in and of itself is a quandary! How one person says something can be perceived completely differently by the listener? This ambiguity of intreptation only escalates when it involves the written word and not the spoken word - with all of its inflections and nuances. Occasionally this can take us to places where we never intended to go, and then things can snowball out of control. So in this new year of 2021, be careful with your words, be they written or spoken and be sure that what you intended to say is what is ‘heard’ by the listener.
"Perception." Today, Friday January 1, 2021 is a New Year. Yay!! 2020 is over, done, and gone! But is it really? It was just yesterday after all. We still have to be careful, wash our hands, wear our masks, socially distance, get vaccinated, and remain ever vigilant until we get through this pandemic and come out the other side, sometime in late spring or early summer of 2021. That said, good riddance to 2020, and yes, Happy New Year and wishing a very warm welcome to 2021!
"Perception." I find it very hard to believe that there are just a few short months left in my term as President of the International Northeast Region! It seems like just yesterday that I began and as they say “where has the time gone?” Or even more cliché “Time flies when you are having fun.” I do promise that these next few months will be fun filled as we have a lot to look forward to with our author interview of Elizabeth Bettina’s It Happened in Italy, in February (see flyer below), and our exciting region conference coming up on April 25 – be sure to save the date.
I wish, above all else, good health for you and your loved ones, a very Happy and Healthy Secular New Year, and. of course, a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Joan Lowenstein
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A Friendly Reminder from WLCJ |
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Per Capita due January 10, 2021!
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism offers choices for payment:
1. Check from Sisterhood or Synagogue bank account
2. Bank Check Payment - a check written and mailed by your bank
3. ACH Pay - a type of electronic bank-to-bank payment in the US
4. Money Order in U.S. dollars
Since there may be a fee charged by your financial institution, we encourage you to talk with a representative about the options and which one may be best for your organization. We need the following information sent to percapita@wlcj.org at the time you send your payment.
- Name and Region of your Sisterhood
- The address, city and state of your Synagogue
- Per Capita year that you are paying (ex. 2020-2021)
- Amount of payment and number of members (update database if needed)
- Which payment option you will be using
- A Sisterhood contact name, email address and phone number
All checks should be payable to Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and mailed to Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields, 627 Bowne Rd., Ocean Township, NJ, 07712. If you pay by ACH, contact Razel Kessler for the needed information.
Thank you for continuing your affiliation with Women’s League for Conservative Judaism!
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Shabbat Message:
CREATION AND INNOVATION IN DIFFICULT TIMES AND BEYOND
By Debbi Kaner Goldich, International President
This past week I read about an Irish folktale that says you should open your doors at midnight on New Year’s Eve to let the old year out and the New Year in. I am more than ready to leave 2020 and greet the New Year of 2021 with hope and great expectation for a healthier year. 2020 has been a year like no other I have known in my lifetime. But with the challenges we have faced as a world, as North Americans, as a nation and as a Jewish community, we have all learned that we can survive and be resilient.
As an organization, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism has used this year to focus on events and opportunities that created a stronger and more vibrant community through virtual programming. Innovation and creativity were the hallmarks of our year. In the first week of the Pandemic we provided a daily Psalms service to allow our members a chance to study the Book of Psalms (Tehillim) and recite Mourner’s Kaddish. Who knew that we would finish the entire book and go on to study Pirkei Avot and still be together every day from Monday to Friday after almost ten months? This group of women has grown into a holy community that serves as caretakers to each other. This service not only provides an opportunity for learning and friendship but it also prevented the isolation that the Pandemic brought to many others.
Region Torah Fund events, Sisterhood Paid up membership events, tours of the Conservative Seminaries, Hebrew education classes, tea-less teas, lectures, study sessions, Board of Director meetings, baking Challah, celebrating comedy, WL Reads book club, Health and Wellness sessions, Adult Bat Mitzvah class and Personal Conversation sessions and weekly Social Justice and Programming suggestions are but a few of what we have offered these past ten months. Events offered by the International organization and at the Region level have been open and available to all who are members of Women’s League. Our members have attended programs all over North America and Israel through the magic of Zoom. Let’s not forget our successful International Convention in July which brought 1,426 members together. We appreciate what we have learned from this unique time and moving forward, we will use that knowledge to continue to offer these programs virtually.
I am fond of saying that Women are the keepers of the flame of Judaism. Since 1918, our small flame continues to light up the Conservative Jewish world. Women's League for Conservative Judaism is alive and well. We have learned to appreciate the friendships we have, the learning that is offered to us, the health we have and the blessings of being Jewish women. I am gratified to hear from many of you regularly. Helping you connect as members of Women’s League is the purpose behind everything we do.
Let’s welcome 2021 with appreciation of what we have, hope for the success of the vaccine and the promise of many more opportunities for being together. May you have a happy, healthy and bright New Year.
Shabbat shalom,
Debbi
Debbi Kaner Goldich
WLCJ International President
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Beginning on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 3:00 PM ET we are pleased to offer a three session series entitled
Jews In Comedy, led by Lois Silverman.
The first session will be, The Beginnings 1948-1960.
Through film clips, this course will explore the history and role of Jewish entertainers in television from the beginning of the industry.
Participation in this program is a benefit of your membership.
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Paula Shoyer Program - SAVE THE DATE:
Jan. 25 @ 2:30 PM EST
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WLCJ is thrilled to have Paula Shoyer, known as “the Kosher Baker”, cook with us in celebration of Tu B’Shevat on Monday afternoon, January 25, 2021, at 2:30 PM (ET), Tu B’Shevat, is the birthday of the trees, so we will be highlighting plant-based recipes. Paula will be demonstrating three delicious recipes with us.
The author of The Kosher Baker, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen, The Holiday Kosher Baker, The New Passover Menu and coming out very soon, Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook, Paula has a degree in French pastry from Paris. She is also a freelance writer, cookbook editor, and social media influencer and has done cooking classes all around the world. Honored by Jewish Women International as a "Woman to Watch", Paula competed on Food Network's Sweet Genius and has appeared on TV over 44 times, including in Israel.
She is a favorite of WLCJ and has presented at several WLCJ International Conventions.
To make this a truly educational program, Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields, WLCJ Executive Director, will teach us about the mitzvot of Tu B’Shevat and Julia Loeb, WLCJ Education Co-chair share her insight on vegetarianism.
The cost for this member’s program is $18.
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WLCJ's Hebrew Learning--Registration Closed |
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Programming Idea of the Week |
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Then and Now: 100 Years Ago. A look at the amazing similarities between our world 100 years ago and today.
This program features Dr. Margery Marcus, an award-winning teacher, literature and mystery aficionado, known throughout Florida and beyond for her dynamic lecture series on a myriad of topics. Well known for her storytelling ability, her topics run the gamut from Book Censorship to Time Magazine Covers to Royals Who Rocked the World. Her career has been guided by a deep love of learning which began when she read the very first page of Charlotte’s Web as a child. Dr. Marcus holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The College of New Jersey, as well as a Master’s Degree and Doctorate, both in Education.
Dr. Marcus appears often at conference centers, JCC’s, and in community clubhouses throughout South Florida. Utilizing the power of Zoom, Dr, Marcus lectures “live” for the Osher Lifelong Learning programs in Jupiter and Boca Raton and for Brooklyn College in NY. Her popular lectures are favorites with Nova Southeastern University’s adult lecture series, Brandeis groups and Hadassah chapters, as well as Sisterhoods and Men’s Clubs.
America reluctantly drawn into conflict abroad. Contentious politics and headaches from Mexico. Face masks and quarantines. Women fighting for gender equality and new technologies making life better. Today’s world? No, one hundred years ago! Join Dr. Margery Marcus as she examines the remarkable parallels in history, politics, and daily life between one hundred years ago and today. The topic, “Then and Now: 100 Years Ago. A look at the amazing similarities between our world 100 years ago and today,” is an excellent, informative and relevant presentation.
$200 for a presentation.
Submitted by Donna Bennett
Sisterhood President, Tifereth Israel
Bensalem, PA
Submitted by Grace Schessler
WLCJ VP, Programming Team
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Psalms, Pirkei Avot and Kaddish |
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Monday-Friday 12PM Noon ET; 11AM CT; 9AM PT; 10AM MT
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; +972 3 978 6688
Want to sing, teach, help with technology and more during Daily Psalm Study and Kaddish? Click here to SIGN UP.
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Parashat Vayechi / Shabbat, January 2, 2021 - Blessings
In Parashat Vayechi, Jacob is approaching his death, and blesses each of his children, with a blessing appropriate to their personality. Why wait to the end of one’s life to bless our loved ones? Bless those close to you every day, with words which describe their personality. Have you ever done this? Has anyone ever given you a blessing, with words describing your true personality, like Jacob does in Parashat Vayechi?
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Stay Connected with WLCJ Groups |
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WLCJ American Mothers of Olim GoogleGroup
WLCJ has googlegroups that benefit many of our communities. There is a group for sisterhood presidents, for Judaica shop chairs, and Women's League Reads.
A lesser known group is for American Mothers of Olim (Children who have made aliyah to Israel). With more people staying in place and travel being put on hold, there has been renewed interest in this group. Women's League members are invited to participate.
Interested? Contact Ellie Kremer,
Israel Committee Chair
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Join the WLCJNet
WLCJNet is the Sisterhood without Walls. This is a site where each member of Women’s League can share ideas, exchange opinions, and get suggestions. We share stimulating ideas for programs, fundraising ideas, and ways to grow our membership. We may need some suggestions for holiday recipes or places where we or family members can stay while traveling. We share information we learn in our Jewish community. We grow together and learn from each other. The WLCJNet is open every day except Shabbat and Jewish holidays. We welcome new members.
To join the WLCJNet, please send an email to Sherry Lynn Rubin at slrubin@wlcj.org.
Please send your name, name of sisterhood, location of sisterhood, and email address, and you will be added to the WLCJNet.
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Posting the WL Week on any Social Media? |
We would like to advise our WL members to refrain from posting exact Zoom links for our events on Social Media. It takes great care and hard work to provide these amazing programs specifically for our members. If you know of anyone who is not a member but would like to join a program, please refer them to join WLCJ, and take advantage of all we have to offer! |
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Florida Region
Discussion with guest speaker: Hillary Menkowitz from Israel on "Unsung Israeli Women Heroes"
Sunday, January 10th
@ 1:30 PM EST
To view flyer, click HERE.
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BQLI Region
Book Discussion on The Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of America's Jewish Vacationland
Tuesday, January 19th
@ 7 PM EST
To view flyer, click HERE.
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Garden State Region
B'nai Shalom
Yoga for Torah Fund Event
Sunday, January 24th
@ 10:00 AM EST
To view flyer, click HERE.
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Mid-Atlantic Region
Free Program & Open to All!
8th Annual Open a Book...
Open Your Mind for 2020-21.
NOW until April 2020
To view flyer, click HERE.
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SAVE THE DATE
Masorti Women's Study Days
February / March 2021
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We are excited that four institutions of the Conservative/Masorti Movement -- the Rabbinical Assembly, USCJ, The Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies -- have created a joint initiative to offer high quality adult education opportunities to all those interested in participating.
ScholarStream is an exciting series that will give individuals and communities the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading scholars and engage deeply with our texts and traditions.
For more information on the ScholarStream, please click here to
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B’Yachad Together: Spirited by American Jewish University.
Over 165 conversations and 55,000 registrations – B’yachad Together: Spirited by American Jewish University – continues to deliver original content designed to captivate, ignite and advance ideas, spark thought-provoking dialogue and debate, and capture the insights of faculty and friends.
For more information on B'Yachad Together spirited by AJU, please click here to REGISTER or READ MORE.
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The Whizin Center for Continuing Education is pleased to present our mid-fall lineup of classes and learning opportunities, delivered in an ONLINE format.
We wish continued good health and safety to the entire community. We will be updating our offerings and classes on an ongoing basis. Be sure to visit our website to learn more.
For more information on the Whizin Center for Continuing Education, please click here to REGISTER or READ MORE.
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Become a Member/Renew
Your Membership to Mercaz
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The new membership year begins July 1, 2020. There are two ways you can become a supporter of Mercaz:
IN THE US
IN CANADA
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To purchase your
WLCJ Calendar Diary
2020-2021,
please click on the link below or
to download the order form,
email Razel Kessler
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Continue the love
We're continuing to collect fleece blankets and t-shirt shopping bags for The ARK as our Social Action Project for Convention 2020.
If you have any questions or have already completed fleece blankets and/or t-shirt shopping bags, please contact Edna Schrank eschrank@wlcj.org or 847-651-2231.
UPDATE: My last delivery to The ARK, on December 1, 2020, of our fleece blankets and t-shirt shopping bags was a special moment. In total WLCJ members and families created 122 fleece blankets, 216 t-shirt shopping bags, and donated 58 reusable premade bags...
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Women's League for Conservative Judaism |
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