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From the Region President |
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When I planned my farewell article as Region President, I envisioned something lighthearted, reviewing our accomplishments of the past three years, saying (again) how time flies when you are having fun. And I will note that for the most part, (okay - maybe until recently), over my term I have managed to heed the advice of remaining politically neutral in my messages. However, recent world events have made it difficult for me to keep this message as “fluffy” as I had once hoped.
While I am so pleased that there is a cease-fire established in Israel, and I pray it remains, the recent fighting, death, and destruction brought me to a realization. Of course I have learned about and forged a connection with Israel throughout my lifetime. It began in Hebrew school, Camp Ramah, USY, and then my summer in Israel on my USY Israel Pilgrimage trip. My connection continued as an adult, through my Synagogue, and my Sisterhood. My cousin’s husband’s sister lives in Israel with her family and my husband has family friends who live there as well. So there has always been a connection. However, over these last three years, my connection with Israel has grown incrementally stronger with each person I meet through Women’s League. I now know so many more people who have family in Israel and that does not even take into account our two twinned Israeli Kehillot. So, to say that my angst during the recent fighting in the Middle East is different today than it would have been three years ago is an understatement. I think I knew coming into this position that it would affect me, but this, I never could have imagined.
You may recall that one of our twinned Kehillot, Netzach Israel is located in Ashkelon, approximately eight miles from the Gaza Strip. Before the cease-fire, I checked in with Terri Davis and she reported that there have been “many injuries, destruction, and fear. Kids are frightened and may have long-term impacts, families are sinking financially. Ashkelon… has endured more rockets than any other city with roughly 35% of all rockets fired. A rocket hit the floor above a close friend, she is well but in shock. Rising concern with Anti-Semitism worldwide. Praying for everyone’s safety.” Please remember, in Israel, only Orthodox Synagogues receive government funding. Please make a difference, large or small.
To help Kehilat Netzach Israel financially in the US click HERE
To help Kehilat Hakerem financially in the US click HERE
To help financially in Canada click HERE
Choose Fund: “Masorti Kehillot” & write “Netzach Israel” or “Hakerem” & city in box
I hope that I did not put a damper on things, because that was not my intention. But instead what I hope to portray is that Women’s League is so much more than a single woman, Sisterhood, or even a region. We are far-reaching in so many ways and we mean so much to so many people. If you would like to view the “fluff”, you can still see the videos of my State of the Region speech and my “discharge” speech during Installation on our website by clicking here. We have accomplished much over these last three years and I am so excited to see what is next for our great region as I leave you in the very capable hands of our incoming Region President, Marilyn Cohen.
Have you RSVP'd for our June program yet? We are going to get together for some Laughter and Libations! What exactly does that mean? Bring your favorite beverage (snacks too if you wish) and join us on Zoom on Tuesday June 15th at 7:30 pm when we will watch some videos of the old time comedians - from the Borscht Belt and elsewhere! See the flyer below.
And one final time, I wish, above all else, good health for you and your loved ones, and of course, a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Joan Lowenstein
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From the Region Torah Fund Chair |
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Thank you to all those who have donated, in any way, to Torah Fund this year. Your gifts helped support scholarships and programs to the students at all five of our Conservative Masorti institutions of higher learning around the world.
Since the pandemic began, we have heard stories of how our alumni have worked overtime to help as hospital chaplains, offering hope, prayers, and support to patients and their families. Our rabbis and cantors have brought meaning, spirituality & connections to their congregants, our alumni educators have created joyful virtual learning experiences for children in day schools, congregational schools, JCCs, and camps and our communal professionals have creatively mobilized to serve those in need. We are so proud of our alumni and students and their vital work and our Torah Fund donations are our way of saying THANK YOU for all that they do.
Our campaign year is coming to a close but if you haven’t already donated to Torah Fund or would like to increase your contribution, there are still ways you can do so:
For US DONORS using a Credit Card:
- ON LINE – donate on our webpage
9:00am – 6:00pm + Friday 9:00am-3:00pm ET
- E-CARDS – send condolence, get-well, mazal tov, or your own words through an e-card
For CANADIAN DONORS: Send your cheque to
- YOUR SISTERHOOD’S TORAH FUND CHAIR
(Canadian Chair people – mail all cheques & Transmittal Forms
immediately to the Jewish Theological Society, 100 Elder St.
Toronto ON M3H 5G7) or
- Call ME for alternative instructions at 416-518-1860.
There is no better investment in the continuity of Jewish life than your gift to Torah Fund. Please give to our 2021 B’Yachad Campaign and together we can ensure the future of the Jewish people.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Marilyn
Marilyn Cohen, INR Torah Fund Vice President
416-518-1860
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Click HERE to donate online to Torah Fund (Americans only)
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Click HERE to send a Torah Fund E-Card (Americans only)
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The True Meaning of Torah Fund
By Debbi Kaner Goldich,
International President
Each year just before Shavuot, The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles hold their ordination ceremonies. As International Torah Fund Chair I had the unique opportunity to attend both of them in person. Traditionally, the leadership and administration of both schools pay tribute to Women’s League and Torah Fund for its 105 million dollars donated over the last 79 years. This past Sunday and Monday, I attended both again, albeit in very short virtual ceremonies. And this time, I attended as International President.
The opportunity to observe this symbolic and ancient ceremony up close for the new Rabbis and Cantors allowed me to renew my pride at being part of the Conservative movement of Judaism. This new group of clergy was so diverse in the way they looked, their ages, and how they chose to practice in their new roles. However, they were united as one in their desire to serve the Conservative movement. This class will serve as Directors of campus Hillel affiliates, Pastors in facilities for older congregants, researchers and educators as well as pulpit Rabbis and Cantors. Watching them and the love they had for each other, their teachers and Judaism was one of my most spiritually uplifting experiences. Listening to the blessings given them by their Rabbis and sponsors brought many of us to tears. Everyone in attendance was privileged to experience a renewal in our faith to know that these individuals will lead us into the future.
For me personally, it has always been the students that motivate and inspire me to continue the work we do together to raise money for Torah Fund. For many years thousands of Women’s League Sisterhood members have donated annually to Torah Fund to ensure scholarships, programming and special projects for the students at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, the Schechter Institute, the Seminario Rabinico LatinoAmericano and the Zacharias Frankel College. Donations given to this grassroots campaign range from filled blue Tzedakah boxes to the highest level of giving, Keter Kavod, a $5000 donation, allowing for our members to donate at the level they choose. Culture, geography and economics dictate donations and provide our members different opportunities to support the Campaign. The Torah Fund Pin is given as a gift to donors at the Benefactor level of $180 and above. We wear this pin as a symbol of the pride we feel for the work we do. Each year a new theme is chosen and the pin is created by an artist to reflect that theme. The pin is chosen from prototypes provided by the artist to the Torah Fund Cabinet. The Torah Fund Cabinet is the governing body of Women’s League women who serve as representatives of all North American Sisterhood affiliates. For the last ten years the Torah Fund and Women’s League have shared the same theme and related programmatic materials. The theme allows us to promote our similarities among our affiliates based on membership in an International organization while maintaining our own individualities.
The Torah Fund Campaign of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is one of the oldest continuous funds for the benefit of Jewish Education. It will continue to exist with your financial support. Please consider supporting Torah Fund. If you gave before, it is time to give again. If you never gave, it is time to start giving. This is the time for everyone to support the students in the seminaries in our movement. Our mission states that every woman has the opportunity to participate in preserving, promoting and perpetuating Conservative/Masorti Judaism through active giving to the Torah Fund Campaign of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. The institutions of higher learning of the Conservative movement need your support now more than ever so that we can provide these new clergy, and the students that follow, the opportunity to serve our communities in many diverse roles.
Thank you for your donations to Torah Fund during this unique year. Times are different but our responsibility remains the same.
Debbi Kaner Goldich
WLCJ International President
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Schechter Institute: National Women’s Masorti Study Day - Sunday, June 13th @ 11:30 AM ET - 2:30 PM ET |
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To view program, click HERE
To register for Zoom Study Day, click HERE
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Another Successful Tikkun Leil Shavuot! |
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The Rabbinical Assembly would like to take a moment to thank all those who helped make their second Conservative/Masorti Tikkun Leil Shavuot a great success, especially the rabbis, cantors, educators, and lay leaders who offered their time and efforts to teach sessions, along with over 4,800 viewers who tuned in live.
To read their full article, click here.
Women's League is proud to highlight Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields and Rabbi Margie Cella's teaching.
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Resolution for Racial Justice |
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The Resolutions and Public Policy Committee composed the following Resolution for Racial Justice (2021). This resolution was passed by the WLCJ Executive Comm. and is being offered to our membership for comments. The Resolutions Committee will review all comments and make changes, as the committee may deem useful and appropriate. Then this resolution will be offered to the WLCJ Board of Directors for final vote. If passed by the Board of Directors, this resolution becomes an official position of WLCJ. Our hope is that our Sisterhoods 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 Resolution for Racial Justice below and send your comments through Google Forms/Survey, also below.
Last Day to fill out the Survey Form is 06/03/2021*
*Correction from last week
Thank you,
Marlene Oslick and Karen Cuker
Committee Co-Chairs
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Mazel Tov to the recent Graduates! |
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Neve Hanna's Path to Peace Program |
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Established in 2004, Neve Hannah's Path to Peace is a multi-faith initiative that provides programming Jewish, Muslim and Christian children. Neve Hannah has won multiple awards, including the Golden Dove of Peace, acknowledging their efforts to create and foster peaceful coexistence.
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With the generous help of its supporters, Neve Hannah has done an exceptional job in meeting these children's physical, mental, educational and emotional needs while teaching them tolerance and acceptance.
Click HERE to read more and learn how you can contribute to the ongoing success of this exceptional program.
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Monday-Friday
12PM Noon ET; 11 AM CT; 9AM 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;
+972 3 978 6688 Israel or
find your local number:
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Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, Pirkei Avot, and Kaddish?
All are welcome. We have many available spots to fill.
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On Monday, May 31st
No Makom B'Yachad / Just Social Time
(in Observance to Memorial Day)
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Programming Idea of the Week |
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Sisterhood Virtual Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can be done two different ways. Let’s discuss the options:
First, you could have the scavenger hunt happen during a virtual meeting. As soon as you are sure that everyone is signed on, you email everyone who is in attendance “the list.” We have 11 items mentioned below, so give everyone eleven minutes on a timer to find all the items. (Depending on the number of items on the list, that is how much time is on the timer, per minute.) The first one back to the zoom screen with all 11 items wins. If no one is back in time, them the person with the most items win. Always prepare for more than 1 winner.
The other option is to have the list sent out to everyone exactly one hour before the meeting begins. Have everyone come to the meeting with all their items on the table. Make everyone hold up their items as you call them out. Some items will come with funny stories, or memories or interpretations.
Below is a list of items you might have in your house. You may be thinking, “Sure I have them, but who the heck knows where they are?” The winner of the scavenger hunt...that’s who!
If you are the organizer, don’t share the list until it’s time to play.
And add or change anything that is on the list.
Enjoy the fun!
- A soup ladle
- A 2007 coin
- A two-dollar bill or a Susan B. Anthony silver dollar
- Two different kinds of hand sanitizer
- “I got vaccinated” sticker
- Shekels (Israeli money)
- A photo from anyone’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah (if it’s on your phone, that counts)
- A copy of a physical newspaper
- A Hanukkah menorah
- Three Shabbat candles
- Rubber gloves (any kind)
Submitted by Ellen Wasserman
Grace Schessler
WLCJ Programming Chair
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NEW! WL Calendar Diary 2021-22: Coming Soon |
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Available to Pre-Order
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You can now purchase your WLCJ Calendar Diary 2021-2022, please click on the link below or email Razel: rkessler@wlcj.org
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Parashat Beha'alotekha,
May 29, 2021 - Bikkur Cholim
In Parashat Beha’alotekha we read about Miriam getting leprosy, and Moses’ prayer for her healing - El Na Refa Na La - Please God, heal her now. This prayer is often used while doing Bikkur Cholim, visiting the sick. Think about how much visiting the sick has changed since COVID began. We cannot as readily visit hospitals, or go to our friends’ homes when they are ill. In many places, because of regulations, when someone is sick, the community does not even know about the ill person, because of confidentiality. How have you performed the mitzvah of bikkur cholim since COVID began?
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Upcoming Calendar Events & WL Groups to Join |
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All Regions are having
their trainings on
June / July /
August 2021
Check in with your Region President
for more information.
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American Mothers of Olim GoogleGroup
Interested? Contact
Ellie Kremer,
Israel Committee Chair
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WLCJNet: The Sisterhood Without Walls
Want to join WLCJNet? Contact Sherry Lynn Rubin, Sisterhood Net Chair
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Tell us about YOUR Sisterhood
event coming up!
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More Learning Opportunities... |
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Developments of the Human Book Talk; Classes for Educators; Performing Arts Program for Teens; and More |
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Same classes and learning opportunities you love, with a new and improved look! Register for a class. Check what's new! |
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B’yachad Together: Spirited by AJU – Unheard Conversations From Democratic Party Members. What Did Obama Say? |
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FJMC Convention:
Sunday, June 6th - Sunday June 13th
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To view entire article, click HERE.
To register for Convention, click HERE.
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WL Calendar Diary 2020-2021 - Still available to Purchase |
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$5.00 each
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You can still purchase your WLCJ Calendar Diary 2020-2021. It is not available online to purchase, please email Razel: rkessler@wlcj.org to order.
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Women's League for Conservative Judaism |
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