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Gail Finkelstein, Rochester, have a quick return to good health. |
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From the Region President |
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This week we spotlight our guest columnist, Region Torah Fund Vice President, Marilyn Cohen. In this, Part I of Marilyn’s Torah Fund Update, she shares her perspective on how the Pandemic has affected us all from a Jewish angle and the unintended consequences it has had on Women’s League and us all. In our next issue of Chai Lines, Marilyn will be sharing some Torah Fund news that will be pertinent to our region so be on the lookout for that!
Thank you to all of our members who joined us for our region program this past Tuesday evening with speaker Nina Segalowitz. We had over 94 people in attendance and it was an emotional and informative evening to say the least. Be on the lookout for our next program on December 15, 2020 which we will be advertising very soon!
We still have not heard from many chapters regarding a representative for the Conference Committee. Please be in touch with Rusty Zackheim irisz@aol.com or Linda Steinhorn oralin330@aol.com by October 23, 2020.
I wish, above all else, good health for you and your loved ones, and of course, a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Joan
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FROM THE REGION TORAH FUND CHAIR |
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It was timely & prophetic that our Torah Fund theme, chosen for this year of 2020-2021 is B’Yachad which means Together.
We are living through a truly unique and difficult time but it is actually heartwarming to see positive experiences emerge from this Covid-19 pandemic. What has affected me most is seeing how our leaders have found creative and innovative ways of engaging us Jewishly to bring us Together/B’Yachad. We can now see, first hand, how important is the role of our rabbis, cantors and educators, most of whom have been educated at one of our five Conservative/Masorti seminaries around the world. They have risen to the occasion over the last period of time and especially over the High Holidays, to lead us all in a time when leadership was so important.
Our rabbis have told us that throughout this pandemic they have frankly never been busier. Not only have wonderful services and classes been offered on-line, but they have had to respond to different kinds of concerns - like how to comfort bereaved families who can’t fully participate in a funeral or Shiva experience; how to help congregants celebrate b’nai mitzvahs, weddings, a brit milah and all the other things associated with life-cycle events. These things and more have changed our Jewish lives so dramatically but together (B’Yachad) we can all learn, grow and be spiritually nourished.
Women’s League has also been at the forefront of bringing spiritual, educational and social programming to our members virtually. Our daily Psalm Study and Kaddish is an amazing program bringing women (and men) from all over North America B’Yachad. WL Reads offers a book club that brings the authors right to your living room on Zoom. Our Women’s League leaders are available to help Sisterhoods in every conceivable way with ideas for virtual programs and our Torah Fund VP’s and Chair, Barbara Ezring, are engaging the wonderfully dedicated Torah Fund Chairs in every Sisterhood, who are working to support our students in our seminaries. That is why your continued support of Torah Fund is vital in these challenging times.
Even though the Torah Fund office in New York is still closed, they ARE receiving mail. So please continue to donate to Torah Fund. Some Sisterhoods are very low on Torah Fund Cards but others are willing to share their surplus. Please contact me if you need or have extra cards so that I can coordinate distribution. We are also still waiting for our B’Yachad Pins so please continue to wear your Chesed pins proudly until further notice.
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B’Yachad/Together.
TORAH FUND PIN 5781 / 2020-2021
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Donations online: (US Donors are encouraged to give online. Be sure to include your Sisterhood’s name & city)
· For credit card Torah Fund campaign contributions, click here.
· For credit card contributions to Creating Spaces, click here.
Please Note: CANADIANS cannot use the Online option to donate to Torah Fund if a tax receipt is required.
Please mail all donations to your Sisterhood’s Torah Fund Chair for proper documentation
NOTE: The Canadian Torah Fund office has a NEW ADDRESS:
Please make cheques out & mail to:
THE JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
100 Elder St.
Toronto, ON M3H 5G7
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SHABBAT MESSAGE
GRATITUDE
Janet Coleman Kirschner,
Torah Fund Vice Chair of Finance
Living through a pandemic, isolated in our homes, hurricanes causing massive flooding: all this sounds ominously like the parashah for the week, Parashat Noach. In this Torah portion, God punishes the wicked in the world by causing a giant flood; but, saves Noah and his family, who will repopulate the world.
In 2017, Rabbi Melanie Levav reflected on Parashat Noah in the Jewish Theological Seminary’s (JTS) Torah Online: “Forces beyond our control will continue to damage our world and challenge our faith. It is how we choose to respond to the devastation all around us that can help us make meaning in our lives. Noah’s story suggests that remaining in relationship with
God, expressing gratitude for being alive, and attempting to forge a future may ultimately be what sustains us.”
Despite the pandemic surrounding us, I can feel gratitude for my relationship with God and my community and continue to hope and pray for a brighter future. Experiences like reciting the blessings (appropriately distanced) in a friend’s Sukkah helped me remain encouraged. I also rely on and am inspired by my fantastic spiritual community at Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, NJ.
The clergy and staff of my synagogue went into high gear at the start of the pandemic-related shut downs. Every day one of our clergy delivers “the Daily Lift,” a few minute online message about Judaism, our history, our community; or about finding meaning to help us get through the day; or with beautiful music on some days. Zoom allows me to attend minyans every morning and evening. At first it felt very strange to wear a Tallit and Tefillin in front of the computer in my home, but now I feel a similar comfort as I did at shul.
I also feel hope for the future when I think about the work done by the five Conservative/Masorti seminaries supported by Torah Fund, the Jewish Theological Seminary (New York), Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (Los Angeles), Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies (Jerusalem), Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano (Buenos Aires), and Zacharias Frankel College (Germany). The Senior Rabbi and Hazzan at my synagogue went through JTS; the Associate Rabbi through Ziegler. These adored clergy are such a credit to their seminaries, just as future Conservative leaders will be for generations to come. The building may be closed, but the rabbis, cantors and educators are still being trained. “B'yachad - Together” we can help our seminaries weather this storm by supporting the Torah Fund B’Yachad campaign.
Shabbat Shalom,
Janet Coleman Kirschner
Torah Fund Vice Chair for Finance
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Women’s League Personal Conversations
Presents a Webinar
When Someone Close to You Comes Out as LGBTQ, will you be knowledgeable and open-hearted?
In Conversation with Rabbi Becca Walker and
Rabbi Ariella Rosen
Thursday, October 29, 2020 – 6 PM to 7:15 PM EST
Rabbis Rosen and Walker live and work in Toronto, Ontario. This young, engaged couple will share intriguing stories from their life experiences. They will also guide us in best practices in use of language when addressing or describing members of the LGBTQ community, and illuminate how Jewish values embrace various sexual and gender identities. Audience questions are welcomed.
Rabbi Walker was ordained at The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is the Engagement Rabbi of Congregation Beth David in Toronto. Rabbi Rosen was ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary and is Senior Jewish Educator of Hillel Ontario.
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Mikvah: The Original Body of Water
Join Naomi Malka, the director of a progressive Mikvah located in a Conservative congregation in Washington, DC, for a fascinating conversation about the Mikvah and ritual immersion. It’s time to talk about what they never told us in Hebrew School! Many of us associate Mikvah with outdated concepts of impurity and taboo. Through a brief text study, we’ll explore the role of water in the Torah and learn how immersion originally functioned as a ritual of transition in the book of Leviticus. You’ll hear stories about how people in progressive Jewish communities are embracing Mikvah at transitional moments in their lives and lifecycles. We’ll discuss creative uses of the Mikvah beyond conversions and pre-wedding immersions and how a practice of immersing in a Mikvah can, surprisingly, support our struggles with body image issues.
Naomi Malka, Director of the Adas Israel Community Mikvah. Since 2006, Naomi has been the director of the Adas Israel Community Mikvah, a progressive Mikvah inside a Conservative synagogue in Washington, DC. Naomi trained as a Mikvah Guide at Mayyim Hayyim in Newton, MA and is a core partner of their Rising Tide New Mikvah Network. She is also the founder of Tevila b’Teva: immersion in nature, a program that introduces outdoor immersion to Jewish summer camps. Naomi created a program called “Bodies of Water,” to introduce kids ages 10+ to learn about Mikvah as a tool for positive body image and healthy decision making from a Jewish perspective. She earned a masters in Jewish Music from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2000 and a BA in Sociology from UCLA in 1991.
Join us on November 2, 2020
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Programming Idea of the Week |
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Judith Leiber: Master Craftsman tells the story of a fearless woman ahead of her time. This exhibition honors the Holocaust survivor-turned-mega-designer’s life, work and legacy and will feature photographs of Leiber alongside a comprehensive selection of Judith Leiber’s bags, belts, pillboxes and glasses, from collectors in Florida as well as from The Leiber Collection.
The contact person is Nancy Doyle Cohen, Museum Manager of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. Her contact information is:
Cell 305-332-7791
The tour takes about an hour, which includes time for your sisterhood president/leader to make announcements plus have a few minutes of “socializing.”
They give a brief overview about the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, followed by a two minute video explaining how the purses are created.
Then, the museum curator shares her desktop and takes sisterhood members through the exhibit, providing commentary and information about the Leibers.
There is also time for questions from your members at the end.
If anyone in your sisterhood has a Judith Leiber bag they would be welcome to share their bag and tell when and where they got it.
There is not a set fee for the tour. Organizations have sent donations from $180 to as much as $500.
This exhibit could be a “gift” given to your sisterhood rather than a paid up membership brunch, luncheon or dinner.
It is also an excellent program to do as a joint program with other Sisterhoods in your “neighborhood” whether that is locally or by zoom.
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Ellen Wasserman
Programming Team
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Grace Schessler
International VP WLCJ
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Social Justice Blurb of the Week |
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I recently attended a JCPA webinar on voting as a Jewish value, expressing the idea that voting is a mitzvah. Not only is it a mitzvah, but it is an obligation. Jews throughout history have not always been given the right to vote, let alone express our voice. In the United States, the Bill of Rights has assured us of this privilege. Rabbi Deborah Waxman expresses this right as our American Eruv. We need to listen and hear other’s opinions while safely maintaining our beliefs. It will help to build a respectful community. Voting is the common ground where each individual gets to express their own opinion without recrimination. “Every voice and every vote should be heard and respected,” stated Rabbi Jonah Pesner.
Early voting has begun in most states. Early reports are citing a record turnout. Don’t be left out. Exercise your right, perform a mitzvah and VOTE!
Karen Block
Social Justice Co-Chair
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Parashat Noach / Shabbat,
October 24, 2020 - Communication
It is ironic that Parashat Noach ends with the Tower Babel and the issues that ensue because the people were not able to communicate with each other, because they began to all speak different languages. Review the other instances of communication - or more so, the lack of communication, that takes place in Parashat Noach. For example, we never see Noach communicating with his wife and family that they are going to be living in an ark; Noach’s children had trouble communicating with him and each other after Noach got drunk and fell asleep naked. What is your style of communication? What can be learned from the challenges of communication in Parashat Noach?
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Want to sing, teach, help with technology and more during Daily Study and Kaddish? Click here to
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Monday - 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;
+972 3 978 6688 Israel
or find your local number:
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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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JCPA Statement on Elections and Democratic Principles
The bedrock of American liberty is a strong, thriving democracy and an engaged citizenry. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered almost every aspect of the way we live, including how we vote in elections. It’s a longstanding tradition that nonpartisan groups across the spectrum, including JCPA and its constituent members, do their part by encouraging their members and the larger community to vote. This year, these non-partisan efforts are even more essential to ensuring that every vote is counted and everyone can participate in our democracy.
For 76 years, JCPA has worked to ensure that voting is fair and accessible. JCPA policy resolutions, which represent a Jewish community consensus, assert this mission:
“State and local governments must seek to improve the election process to ensure that all votes are counted and that all persons wishing to vote are given a meaningful opportunity to do so.” JCPA Resolution, 2001
“It is the duty of all who cherished democracy to ensure that all eligible citizens are offered the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted.” JCPA Voting Rights Resolution, 2017
In partnership with interfaith leaders, JCPA recently sent a letter to Congress stating: “Our nation can only live up to its democratic ideals when all are confident that they can vote freely and without undue hardship for the candidates of their choosing. Polling places must be equally accessible, safe, orderly, and free from intimidation. All votes must be counted in a fair and transparent manner. The decision of the majority must be upheld with a peaceful transition. These core democratic ideals should be fiercely protected by all of us, regardless of political persuasion or religious affiliation. An election ‘won’ by undermining democratic processes is a loss for us all.”
JCPA calls upon all government leaders, candidates, and election officials—both Democrats and Republicans-- at every level and branch of government to recommit to these core democratic principles and oppose violence emerging from either the far right or the far left. In the case of contested or close elections we ask for patience and trust in the system, as we allow for every valid vote to be counted. We ask civic and faith leaders to set a standard of civil discourse, oppose violence and encourage peaceful engagement in the political process. We must sustain and carry out these ideals and principles in both our words and our actions at this critical moment in our history.
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Living a Life of Meaning; New Library Book Talks; Statement on Voting; and 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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As a charity partner, Sharsheret was disappointed by the cancellation of the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon. Right now a healthy lifestyle and mind are top priority.
We encourage everyone to join Team Sharsheret for the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon or for the distance challenge of your choice from now until November 1st to raise awareness for breast or ovarian cancer and funds for Sharsheret's critical life-saving programming, while meeting your personal health goals.
Register today to get started or donate to one or more of our Team Sharsheret members.
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Kol Tzedek: A Virtual Conference on Racial Justice
November 8-10, 2020
Join USCJ for an engaging conference on racial justice and community organizing for synagogue professionals and lay-leaders.
Interact with experts, hear success stories from synagogues doing important justice work, and gain tools to initiate and build on social justice work in your community.
Register today. Cost is $18 per person. Zoom links will be provided upon registration.
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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
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Continue the love
We are 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. Please ask Edna on where to send them. If you need the directions, please click on the appropriate link:
UPDATE: On September 2, 2020, I was honored to deliver the first group of fleece blankets (19), t-shirt shopping bags (32), and reusable bags (58) to The ARK as we continue our Social Action Project from Convention 2020...
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LOVE WLCJ ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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Follow WLCJ on her Social Media Sites. If you aren't already following Women's League for Conservative Judaism on all her social media sites, now is the time to do so. It's a great way to keep in touch with the latest news and events. Click on the icon to go to the social media site.
Stay tuned over the next months for quick tips on how to help maximize WLCJ's impact on all her social media sites.
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