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MID-ATLANTIC REGION WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM Networking to engage, enrich and empower Conservative Jewish Women. Parsha - Shemini Candle Lighting 7:27 April 22, 2017 26 Nissan 5777 |
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
"SPRING HAS SPRUNG!"
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Finally...it's here (I think)!?! Our weather these past few months has been strangely unpredictable. Warm days in the winter, cold days in the spring...we're not sure how to dress, what to wear, or "whether" the "weather" will do as the meteorologists tell us.
But, when we go outside, the signs of Spring are all around us! The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, the lush green grass is like a soft carpet that tempts us, and the birds are singing! The earth is in a state of refurbishing itself!
This is very timely on a weekend when we read Parsha Shemini, that tells us about the elaborate sacrificial rites performed to dedicate the Tabernacle---an annual event meant to restore the shrine to the purity it possessed on the day it was dedicated.
As wonderful as the transformation of the world around us is, we are still uncertain about whether or not it will stay that way from day to day---just as we (and all the Rabbis over the centuries) aren't sure why the sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, died when they brought their first sacrifice to God. Aaron becomes suddenly silent, "dumbstruck", virtually catatonic (as Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer states in this week's JTS Torah commentary) ...God speaks to him, and Aaron too, undergoes a "transformation", just as the earth does each Spring because of God's wonders.
Our Mid-Atlantic Region also has an annual Spring "event"---be it a conference or a study session---we come together to renew acquaintances and restore our confidence that belonging to this wonderful group of women is like a continuous influx of ideas, friendships, and joy! Our Spring Event this year will truly be joyful, and is entitled "P'ri Yadehah, Celebrating our Wonderful Women". It will be held on Sunday, May 7, at Ohev Shalom in Richboro, from 2 - 4:30 PM. We will be honoring one woman from each of our Sisterhoods, and will have the pleasure of hearing Cantor Annelise Ocanto-Romo share her melodious vocal talents with us. Because of the Pesach holidays, we are extending our RSVP deadline until next Friday, April 28. Please join us and share in this wonderful day---spend time with your Region "sisters", enjoy sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and delectable desserts, and even have the opportunity to win a stipend towards your Convention registration! (see flyer below-our RSVP deadline has been extended to next Friday, April 28!)
Don't forget to register for Convention by May 15
to take advantage of the "Early Bird Special"! There are a few Region scholarships available for Convention. If you would like an application, please contact me at
rhirt@wlcj.org
I look forward to seeing each of you on May 7!
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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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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Dear Friends,
Convention 2017 is just three months away! You don't want to miss this opportunity to meet with the other women of the Conservative movement who have been making an impact on our communities, families, and the world for almost 100 years. This convention will be a celebration of our first century as well as an introduction to our exciting future.
The special early bird rate ends on May 15, so register today by logging onto the Women's League website.
CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
BIG BOLD STEPS
As Women's League enters its second century, discover where we are focusing:
- New applications and uses of Women's League resources
- A look at the complex and diverse modern Jewish family and Women's League's activities and materials for families, sisterhoods and synagogues. Presentation by Rabbi Abby Sosland.
- Mathilde's Mentionables: an ongoing national commitment to bra collection for women in need. Presentation by Dana Marlowe, founder of Support the Girls.
- Sharsheret: Meet our new partners, an organization that focuses on Jewish women and their families facing breast and ovarian cancer. Presentation by Director of National Outreach Melissa Rosen.
A CENTURY OF CHANGE
- Tribute to Dr. Anne Lapidus Lerner, a lifetime supporter of Women's League and pioneer of Jewish feminism.
- An intimate conversation with Dr. Anne Lapidus Lerner, Dr. Pamela Nadell and Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, moderated by Rabbi Abby Sosland. From the kitchen to the pulpit, how did Jewish women become their own best advocates for social and religious change?
NORTH AMERICAN JEWRY AND ISRAEL: Opinions, Attitudes and Concerns
A panel of young female analysts discuss settlements, the two state solution, Jerusalem, and the status of pluralism at the Wall.
With Mira Kogen Resnick, Senior Political Staff, House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Dr. Rebecca Shimoni Stoil, historian and journalist.
TAKE ACTION ON WOMEN'S HEALTH
Women's League, in partnership with Jewish Women International, Sharsheret and Planned Parenthood, will develop strategies and actions to protect and preserve long standing women's health policies, together with religious, medical and legal experts.
SIYYUM
Convention will convene during the nine days before Tishah b'Av, a period of mourning. We are hosting a siyyum, or short study session, following a year-long study of the book of Eikhah that is read on Tishah b'Av. To prepare, we are offering on-line study sessions. The second will be taught by Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Associate Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, on April 25 at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. All are invited to participate. To register, click here.
For more information about Convention 2017 and to register, click here.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES FROM WOMEN'S LEAGUE
Resolutions
The next step in our new process for resolutions is an online discussion, via phone or computer, on April 24. Please take a look at the resolution on
religious pluralism in Israel and register to participate in the discussion by clicking
here. We will ask all of our members to vote on the resolution soon after the discussion.
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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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A Meaningful Mother's Day Gift
Once again, Women's League has joined
JWI (Jewish Women International) in honoring women and
children in domestic violence shelters. Through the annual Flower Project, JWI sends bouquets of flowers to shelters across the United States.
Here is how it works:
- Make a $25 donation to JWI in honor of a special person.
- As a partner organization, Women's League receives a percentage of the donation.
- JWI sends a card, which will arrive by Mother's Day or Father's Day, stating that a contribution has been made in his or her honor.
- JWI uses proceeds to send flowers to more than 200 domestic violence shelters on Mother's Day.
We will be sending out more information soon.
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Resolution for review
Please take a look at the resolution and leave your comments. A webinar discussion of the resolution will take place on April 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm. Register for the discussion here.
We will ask all of our members to vote on the resolution immediately after Passover.
There are several more resolutions being worked on by the resolutions committee.
Click here to read and comment.
The new policy guiding Women's League for Conservative Judaism's resolutions
In order to create more transparency in the resolution process, make it more accessible to more members and to enable us to pass resolutions in a more timely fashion, the Women's League Board of Directors hereby resolves that the following will be the new procedure for resolutions:
- A Resolutions Committee will be appointed by the President and serve in an ongoing manner.
- Resolutions can come directly from the committee. Members are encouraged to submit resolutions they believe are of importance to WLCJ.
- When a resolution passes through the committee, it will be vetted by the Executive Committee.
- It will then be posted on the website and members will be notified that it is posted.
- Dates will be posted for discussion by phone of the resolution.
- The resolution will be modified if needed to accommodate the comments and then will be reposted. Members will be given the opportunity to vote on the resolution.
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
To listen to Lisa Kogen's interview with Betsy Lerner, author of The Bridge Ladies, click here.
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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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MOMENTS TO SHARE
(Mazel Tovs, Memorials, and More...)
Mazel Tov to:
- Hazzan Aliza Pomerantz-Boro is being installed as the International President of the Cantors Assembly on May 24 at Beth El in Cherry Hill
Get Well to:
- Barbara Sharofsky, our Education/Program VP - recuperating from hand surgery
- Fran Radel, our Membership/Sisterhod Support VP - battling a bad case of bronchitis
Condolences to:
- The family of Irma Bailey. Irma was a Past President of the Eastern PA Branch from 1998 - 2000. Donations can be made to a charity of one's choice, cards can be sent to Irma's home: Bailey Family, 819 Merchant St., Coatesville, PA19320.
Do you have a Simcha or Lifecycle Event you want to share with your Region Sisters?
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