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- From the Region President
- From the Region Book Chair
- In the Region
- From Women's League
- The Upcoming Calendar Events
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From the Region President |
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Have I mentioned recently that life is not fair? Of course no one said that it is supposed to be – but it definitely is not and I have had several reminders of this lately.
If you were one of the seventy five plus attendees at our region program this past Tuesday evening to hear author Elizabeth Bettina, you heard about her book, It Happened in Italy: Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust, and how eighty percent of the Jewish people who were in Italy at the time survived the Holocaust! Eighty Percent! It truly is an amazing story of kindness and integrity that needs to be told time and time again. See our Book Chair, Ruth Borsky’s review of the book below. If you missed the program on Tuesday, you can find it on the WLCJ website, under the “Download WLCJ Member Materials” page and scroll to the bottom where you will find “Region Events”. Or simply click here. So, what does this have to do with life being unfair? Well, while I am so, so happy for all of those Jewish people who were lucky enough to be in Italy, it is truly unfair to those who were elsewhere.
What else is unfair? Well, I have to tell you that being in this position has truly been a learning experience for me. Who knew that banks in the US and Canada don’t know how to play nice? Well, now I know! And on top of that – come to find out, the documentary made from Elizabeth Bettina’s book that is widely available on Amazon Prime in the US is apparently not available in Canada. For our US sisters, the Documentary can be found here. For our Canadian sisters, I have contacted the author and will let you know if there are any future developments.
And finally, just yesterday after getting my first Covid vaccine shot, I spoke with a dear friend in Florida and found out what difficulty they are having scheduling appointments to obtain the vaccine there. I also heard recently that the same difficulty is occurring with our sisters in Canada. So all in all, life is just not fair. Why should I, at my age (no, I am not telling) be able to obtain a vaccine, when some of my dear friends who are a couple of decades older still not be vaccinated? There is no rhyme or reason.
But all that said, I am nothing if not hopeful. In fact, some might call me an eternal optimist! So, I am going to do just that, be optimistic that soon, we will all be vaccinated and that life will get back to our “new” normal – whatever that looks like. And as far as life being unfair – no one ever said it was, so I guess I will have to live with that.
Don’t forget to save the date for our Virtual Spring Conference: B’Yachad Together to be held on April 25, 2021. The Conference Committee is hard at work putting together some phenomenal programs and events for that day and you won’t want to miss it. Stop in for a few programs or stay for the whole day!
Beth Tikvah Women in Toronto is holding their Torah Fund Study Day on March 7, 2021 and they are inviting us all to join them. Please see the flyer below.
I wish, above all else, good health for you and your loved ones, Chag Purim Sameach, and of course, a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Joan Lowenstein
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From the Region Book Chair |
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A REVIEW BY RUTH BORSKY
It Happened in Italy by Elizabeth Bettina
As members of world Jewry, we are forever mindful of the Holocaust atrocities of World War II. We mourn the loss of more than 6 million of our brethren who perished because of their faith.
However, I recently read and virtually met Elizabeth Bettina who revealed a different phase of Holocaust survival in her book, It Happened in Italy. This is a well-documented book about how Jews were saved, protected, and humanely treated by the Christian people of Italy during World War II. Eighty percent of the Jews in Italy were saved as were those who were lucky enough to get to Italy because no Visas were required to enter the country.
Bettina shows that the "concentration " camps in Italy were places where Jews could live with few restrictions. Some remained in their own homes while everyone went about their daily lives in their own clothes and NOT in striped, threadbare rags living on meager rations. Many of these Jews could attend synagogue rooms inside churches, played cards, went on picnics, and played soccer; the children attended school. Though some men were separated from women "requests" for visitation were granted. Though this was a success in survival for most.
Unfortunately, it was not for all of these Italian heroes. Giovanni Palatucci, the Italian "Schindler", was put to death in Dachau for his efforts. He has been honored at Yad Vashem.
Elizabeth Bettina, a vivacious and dedicated woman, recounts recently bringing survivors back to Italy with their children and grandchildren and meetings with the Pope. They visit the "concentration" camps with respect and thankfulness.
A quote from Bettina:
..as many of the survivors have remarked, the most educated group of people in the world at the time created the Holocaust and the "Final Solution ". Yet in many cases, it was the simple people, the " uneducated " people who saved the Jews. Simple goodness triumphed over sophisticated evil."
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
COVID-19 UPDATE
By Mindy Steinholz, MD
WLCJ International Vice-President
Health and Wellness Chair
msteinholz@wlcj.org
Vaccination against the Coronavirus is well underway in North America. Worldwide, Israel is leading the way in vaccinating its population against this virus which has affected all of us for the past 11 months.
Please be aware that several more contagious variants have been detected worldwide, including in North America, and are spreading. The CDC has also done experiments which suggest that double masking may be even more effective at preventing the spread of Covid. These experiments suggest one should use a disposable surgical mask under a well-fitting cloth mask. The use of two masks in this manner may reduce the spread of droplets from the wearer and may also further protect the wearer. This is not meant to serve as PPE for medical personnel but for those of us who are out doing errands or going to work.
The CDC in the United States has recently issued updated quarantine guidelines for those who are vaccinated if they are exposed to Covid. There are important criteria to know for these new guidelines: they apply only to fully vaccinated individuals (those how have received two doses of the currently available vaccines and for whom it has been at least 2 weeks since their second dose); they must be asymptomatic, and they must continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days. These guidelines currently apply only within 90 days of being vaccinated since the duration of immunity conferred by the currently available vaccines is not known. If one is symptomatic, you must still quarantine. If you have not completed both doses or it is not yet 2 weeks since the second dose, you must still quarantine. Please note local health departments may still request more stringent rules. Moreover, all other precautions remain in effect- masking, social distancing, and handwashing.
I know it may seem as if recommendations change but please know that this is the nature of medicine. As our knowledge and experience change, recommendations can change too. Please stay safe, wash your hands, and mask up when you go out!
Shabbat Shalom,
Mindy Steinholz, MD
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WL Programs in March 2021 |
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Small Sisterhood Meet & Greet
A Discussion of the Challenges of a Small Sisterhood
Women's League Membership Chairs Meryl Balaban and Regina Newman invite you to Meet and Greet leaders from other small Sisterhoods.
Share your ideas, programs, and challenges. Join us as we discuss:
- Retaining your diminishing membership base
- Programming for a few
- Lack of a leadership
- Holding on to your cohesive community
Please RSVP promptly.
Tuesday, March 2nd
@ 3:00 PM EST
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Organ Donation: Out of the Shadows
People may shy away from discussing organ donation… until they or a loved one face a crisis. In the USA alone, 117,000 people currently await a lifesaving new organ. We hope to highlight the incredible mitzvah of registering for and supporting organ donation.
This program will illuminate the types of donation, the registry system, today’s medical boundaries, the halachic framework, and ethical dilemmas. We’ll also hear some personal stories from people who have been on the giving and receiving ends.
We’re honored to present as speakers:
Rabbi Dr. Elliot N. Dorff - Rector and Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy, American Jewish University; Chair of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards. He is a leading voice for Conservative Judaism on a range of subjects including bioethics.
Dr. Amy L. Friedman - Transplant Surgeon and the Chief Medical Officer/ Executive Vice President of LiveOnNY, an organ donation network, support, and outreach program.
Dr. Michael Kaner – Dentist in the Philadephia area (and the brother of Women’s League leaders Debbi Goldich and Ellen Bresnick). When he and his wife tragically lost their 2-year-old son, they donated his organs to save many lives.
Jeanette M. Brownstein – Florida Region Torah Fund Vice President. She received a kidney from a sisterhood friend, in a living-donor transplant.
Women’s League members are invited to submit a one-page essay about their own direct experience with organ donation, as a donor, recipient, or next of kin. These will be published in a document to be shared with the participants in this webinar. Send to vleber@wlcj.org. We hope that this program will also provide inspiration and tools for your Sisterhood to develop its own programs about the mitzvah of organ donation. April is National Donate Life Month. Learn more at organdonor.gov and donatelife.net or through your state's health department. |
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Thursday, March 18th
@ 7:45 PM EST
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Separate registration is required for each of the three programs. As a reminder, all those who donated $36 or more to the Women's League Giving Tuesday campaign can register free-of-cost; additional donations are always welcomed.
Any trouble registering, contact
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Programming Idea of the Week |
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Go Where You Haven't Gone Before! |
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Would you like to tour secret and hidden places in Israel? Contact Itamar Ben David, a young, friendly and enthusiastic guide who knows all the most interesting places to take you to! Itamar is a VIP tour guide in Israel and due to the Covid19 pandemic, he started to guide live, interactive tours via Zoom! With over 14 years of experience guiding thousands of happy travelers all over Israel, he'd be more than happy to share his knowledge and passion with you! Check out this website: www.itamarbendavid.com.
Suggested Virtual Tour: Jerusalem’s Temple Mount
Amazing virtual tour of the holiest place on earth…The Temple Mount! You will hear all about the traditions at the bridge between Heaven and Earth and learn about the cradle of monotheism. After a short "flight" from your homes to Israel, you will take the highway from Ben Gurion airport directly to Jerusalem. You will learn about the Old City and focus on the Temple Mount/Mount Moriah, the cradle of the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. You will virtually walk and explore the plaza, admire the buildings, and learn about the different traditions that make this place so important to billions of believers.
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Another Suggested Virtual Tour: Jewish Heritage Tour to the Galilee
From the ancient synagogues of Tiberias and Meron to the ones in Tzfat, from Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Shimon to Ha-Ari, you will cover the history of the Jews in the Galilee after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and all the way to the glorious days of Kabbalah. You will also see how the spiritual development affected modern Israel!
For up to 50 participants, the fee is $220 for a one-hour presentation plus time for Q&A. For 50-99 participants it is $300. This is the perfect program to consider partnering with another Sisterhood or your synagogue’s Men’s Club to halve your expenses!
Submitted by Grace Schessler
WLCJ VP, Programming Team
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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
*On Tues. Feb 9, Tues. Feb 23, and Tues. March 2 - because of the Masorti Women's Day of Study, our Makom B'Yachad will be at 11 AM EST
*On Mon. Feb 15 we will not hold our Makom B'Yachad. We will have the Zoom line open for all who want to connect in observance of President's Day.
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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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REVEALING THE HIDDEN
By Linda Klempner, Metro North Region President
The celebration of Purim 2021 begins on Thursday evening, February 25, and ends on the evening of Friday, February 26. Purim is a religious holiday that is the easiest, but in some respects the hardest, holiday to understand. On the one hand, the basic nature of the holiday seems clear - you are supposed to have a good time, to rejoice in the simplest sense of the word, by having a feast with good food and good liquor. It is the custom to dress up in costumes and the wearing of masks following the tradition of Purim as a holiday of disguise where nothing is quite as it seems. The idea is to reveal the hidden identity of the person behind the mask. In fact, every single thing we do on the day is connected with this theme - revealing the hidden. We give Mishloach Manot, parcels of food to friends, and Matanot Le'evyonim, charity to the poor. In this way, we reveal our feelings of warmth and of friendship that we have for others. We also drink more than we usually do.
It has been 17 years since Or Olam Synagogue's Women's League Sisterhood in New York City launched their Shalach Manot project. They usually send gift bags, but this year with Covid-19 they had to adapt so they will be sending Purim cards. The Sisterhood will still prepare treats for Chai Lifeline, who will distribute them to seriously sick children who are hospitalized. Sandy Koppel, a member of the committee, said that when she called to ask if they would accept the packages at this time they were thrilled. The children are not allowed visitors, and it would be wonderful to cheer them up. They will be sending pre-packaged hamentashen to the Seniors associated with Project Ore. Project Ore sends out 100 lunches three times a week, but they do not send desserts, so this should be perfect.
Each year Sandy sends a letter to previous participants with the names of their past recipients. Yesterday I received my letter and immediately thought of three more friends I will be adding to my list. I was pleasantly surprised last year when I received a Shalach Manot from Sandy. In the bag, in addition to candy, there was a mask and grogger. The reading of the Megillah will be on zoom but I will still wear my mask and unmute when I hear Haman's name so everyone can hear my grogger.
When we read the Megillah, we are mindful of the fact that the Megillah calls itself an lgeret, which means a letter. When I receive a letter, I am wondering what's inside and then I open it up to reveal its hidden content.
The key personality in the Megillah story, of course, is Esther coming from the term Seter, which means 'hidden'. She lived through a time when the presence of Hashem was seemingly hidden from the Jewish people and she rose to the occasion to help to save the Jewish nation.
And of course, more than anything, the Megillah itself doesn't feature the name of Hashem. No mention of God in the entire book, but Hashem was behind everything that happened. And so, our aim through reading of the Megillah is to reveal the hidden presence of Hashem at that time, and indeed through many occasions in our history.
Our mystics tell us that Purim is the holiest day of the year. I might have thought that was Yom Kippur, but they say 'it is a day like Purim'. And as I think about the comparison, they are right. On Yom Kippur, in the absence of physical and material pleasures, it's not difficult to achieve great heights of spirituality. But on Purim, when we eat and we drink and we have a regular type of day - on such a day, to reveal the hidden presence of Hashem in our lives, that is a great achievement.
Purim serves as a model of a day for us to follow throughout the year so that on all occasions, we can feel the presence of Hashem and raise our level of holiness and spirituality.
So, have a great day! May you succeed in revealing the hidden, and have a wonderful Purim Sameach.
Linda Klempner
Metro North Region President
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Parashat Tetzaveh - Feb. 27, 2021
What messages do clothes send?
In Parashat Tetzaveh, we read in great detail about the clothes that the priests wore. The priest was easily identified by the clothes they wore. Can you think of other professions that are easily identifiable by the clothes one wears? Do the clothes we wear send a certain message? Have the clothes we have been wearing in the last year during the COVID pandemic changed?
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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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Tell us about YOUR Sisterhood
event coming up!
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LIQUIDATION
SALE
$5.00 each
To purchase your WLCJ Calendar Diary 2020-2021, please click on the link below or email Razel: rkessler@wlcj.org
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Upcoming Calendar Events
- Masorti Olami & Mercaz Olami
- USCJ Virtual Galas
- WLCJ Groups
- WLCJ Social Media
- WLCJ Hiring News
- WLCJ Social Action: Sisters Journeying Together
- Schechter Institutes Spring Zoom Classes
- B'Yachad Together spirited by American Jewish University
- AJU: Whizin Center for Continuing Education
- Jewish Theological Seminary Events & Learning
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Mercaz USA and more See PDF Attachment
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Women's League for Conservative Judaism |
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