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MID-ATLANTIC REGION WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM Networking to engage, enrich and empower Conservative Jewish Women. Parsha - Vayak-Hel/Pekudei (Shabbat HaChodesh) Candle Lighting 6:59 March 25, 2017 27 Adar 5777 |
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
"PURIM, PESACH, PREPARATION, and PLANS"
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In this transition time between Purim and Pesach, most of us are in "preparation mode". We've celebrated Purim---hopefully with joy---and plans are underway to make our upcoming holiday of Passover "the best one yet".
For many of us, Pesach is one of our favorite Jewish Holidays. Even though it's a great deal of work, between all the extra shopping, cooking, and cleaning, it's the holiday that is the most special, and the one that we have the fondest memories of! I still remember the days when I was a little girl at my "Bubbie and Zayde's" Seders, gleefully drinking wine (laced with lots of seltzer from the original spritz bottles) and looking for the Afikomen with all of my cousins (there were 8 of us running around a one bedroom apartment in the Bronx)...those were the days!! Now, things are a bit quieter---most of the family is no longer here, we don't have grandchildren---but we still have wonderful Seders---no matter how few of us there are. Whatever your situation, I'm sure you also remember the past, and will make new memories for the future when you get together with your families and friends in a few weeks.
This weekend's Parsha "Vayak-hel/Perkudei", tells us about the joyful creation of the Tabernacle---where all of the Israelites bring their best things to contribute to the beauty of the Sanctuary---very much like everyone coming to your seder, bringing food, gifts, and love. Rabbi Lilly Kaufman, our Torah Fund Director, stated in her 2015 Commentary of the Parsha: "...the color palette of the ancient tabernacle...the deep saturated colors of the purple, blue, and crimson tapestry yarns; the shiny gold, brass and silver fixtures, vessels and ornaments; and the 12 deep gem colors emanating from the high priest's breastplate; all displayed against the off-white, modest priestly linen garments...If we had the imagination of a child or of an artist...we might experience awe." This reminds me of our Seder tables...the beautiful colors of the wine, the Seder plate, the Haggadot, the shiny tableware, the people in their special outfits! I hope you are all looking forward to your seders as I am mine.
Another thing I'm looking forward to is our closing Region activity for this year---our upcoming Spring Event entitled: "Celebrating our Wonderful Women", on May 7, to be held at Ohev Shalom of Bucks County. We will honor one woman from each Sisterhood in our Region. (see flyer below) By now, Sisterhood Presidents should have received their letters explaining about the selection of their honorees. Fran Radel and Barbara Sharofsky, our event co-chairs, have some special things in store for each of us, not just the honorees. I look forward to seeing you there as we end our year on a high note!
Finally, last but not least, please plan to join our Mid-Atlantic Region delegation at the Women's League Centennial Convention in Arlington, VA this summer from July 23-27. Michele Bernstein, our Madricha, and Shelley Szwalbenest, our Recruiter, will be in touch with our delegates soon with more information.
WE ARE SISTERHOOD! WE ARE REGION! WE ARE WOMEN'S LEAGUE!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rochelle F. Hirt
President, Mid-Atlantic Region
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Networking to engage,
enrich and
empower
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IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
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March 23:
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Eikhah Study with Dr. Anne Lapidus Lerner
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March 27:
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Author Betsy Lerner will speak to Women's League Reads participants
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March 31:
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Deadline for Jewels in the Crown applications
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May 8:
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Personal Conversation: Celebrating the Shabbat Bride
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May 10:
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Personal Conversation: Preserving Your Bloom
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Support Women's League the easy way! 
You can help Women's League now . . . . by shopping! We have joined the Amazon Prim
e
shopping experience. Shop for the items you love but initiate your shopping session
through our website. Amazon will rebate a percentage of the sale back to Women's League. Without spending an additional dime, you will be helping Women's League continue to provide its outstanding services.
This is such a simple way to support Women's League with no additional costs on your part! The only requirement is that you initiate your online shopping session through our website. Click on the Amazon on the top of our webpage (near the Facebook icon) than click on the word Amazon shopping cart on the next page. Do that for every purchase. And don't forget to ask your friends and family to do the same. Use our website and we get the rebate. How easy is that?
Happy shopping!
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Resolution for review
The first resolution being presented in our new open system is available for review and discussion on our website. Please take a look at the resolution on religious pluralism in Israel and leave your comments. We will ask all of our members to vote on accepting or rejecting the resolution immediately after Passover. There are several more resolutions being worked on by the resolutions committee.
Click here to read and comment.
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Personal Conversations
May 8, 2017
Lekha Dodi: Celebrating the Shabbat Bride
Speaker: Author/Artist Debra Band
In preparation for Mother's Day, Debra Band reveals Kabbalistic puzzles in the beloved ode to the Shabbat Bride, drawing on clues hidden in her illuminations in Kabbalat Shabbat: the Grand Unification. The talk will be via webinar so you can enjoy Debra's beautiful art work. Register here.
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Women's League Reads new selection
The Bridge Ladies, a memoir by Betsy Lerner
The on-line book discussion will start on March 13. On March 27, the author will be joining us for a live interview with Education Director Lisa Kogen. We are thrilled to have Betsy. You will love reading the book and listening to her.
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Region Websites Update
Congratulations to all of our regions! Everyone now has its new website up and running. You can see them all by clicking here.
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Distance Workshops
For the complete 2016-2017 schedule of Distance Workshops, click here.
You can read the scripts from the last workshops in the member document section of the website.
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CO NVENTION UPDATES
Registration is open!
Log onto www.wlcj.org and choose
Convention 2017 Registration.
We are looking forward to welcoming you personally. Early bird deadline is May 15.
Moments in History from Women's League, regions and sisterhoods will introduce every session, large and small. Be sure to share your memorable moments asap. Send to Lisa Kogen.
Virtual Ad Journal
Once again, Women's League is offering a wonderful, ecological and fun way to honor your sisterhood, region, new members of the Women's League board of directors, outgoing members of the board of directors, winners of Jewels in the Crown awards, women who were acknowledged by their regions in the next Women's League calendar/diary for being role models, etc. You are invited to support Women's League and honor your friends and "sisters" by clicking here.
Special Convention project
Mathilde's Mentionables will be an ongoing chesed project of Women's League. For Convention, we are collecting new and gently used undergarments for women in need in the Washington, DC area.
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MOMENTS TO SHARE
(Mazel Tovs, Memorials, and More...)
Mazel Tov to:
- Hazzan Aliza Pomerantz-Boro who will be installed as the International President of the Cantors Assembly on May 24 at Beth El in Cherry Hill...
Get Well to:
- Idelle Wood
- Many of us have had a variety of "winter woes", so get well to whoever is ailing!
Condolences to:
- The family of Claire Stup, who was a longtime member of our Region and served as Torah Fund chair for many years. Claire was the mother of Leslie Sokolow, Merril Stup, and Richard Stup. The family is requesting donations be made to Torah Fund. May her memory be for a blessing.
- Mid-Atlantic Region Treasurer Marsha Wasserman, her husband Marc, and their daughter Laura, on the death of Marc's mother Sarah Wasserman, of Glassboro, NJ ,on Thursday, March 23. May her memory be for a blessing.
Do you have a Simcha or Lifecycle Event you want to share with your Region Sisters?
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