Join Torah Fund on a Discovery Trip to
Buenos Aires, Argentina!
February 25 - March 6, 2019
(Optional Extension through March 7)
Torah Fund is pleased to announce a very exciting opportunity -
For more information, contact Randy Schwartz at
rschwartz@wlcj.org, or call 204-896-3151 or 204-791-5789. ITC, the tour company, is taking care of all the details for this trip. For any further information, you may call the ITC office at 800-247-7235 and speak to Yafa.
Q: What are the dates of the trip?
A: February 25 - March 6, 2019, with an optional extension through March 7.
Q: Is a minimum donation to Torah Fund required?
A: The trip is open to all Associate Patrons and above. If you are already a Benefactor or Guardian, all you will need to do is increase your level of giving to the Associate Patron level for this year. The total donation of $600 to Torah Fund is required to be eligible for this trip. It is required that 50% of your pledge is due by December 31, 2018.
Q: What is the registration deadline?
A: October 15, 2018
Q: When is full payment due?
A: November 26, 2018
Q: How do I sign up?
WWOT - Weekly Words of Torah: Parashat Vayeilech
To inspire, guide, engage, enrich, and empower Conservative Jewish Women
By Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Executive Director, Women's League For Conservative Judaism
By Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Executive Director, Women's League For Conservative Judaism
Our Torah reading,
Parashat Vayeilech, states the following in
Deuteronomy, Chapter 31, Verse 6: "Be strong, and resolute, be not in fear or in dread of them; for the Lord your God God's self marches with you; God will not fail you or forsake you." This verse teaches us that, for many, the belief in God is so strong, and God is always with them, no matter what happens.
There is a story of a woman who was a firm believer in God. One day, it began to rain very heavily. It kept raining and a big flood came. The woman climbed up on the roof of her house and knew that she would be okay. God would protect her. It kept raining, and now the water had reached her waist.
A boat came by, and a gal in the boat said, "Hey, jump in. We will take you with us."
"No thanks," said the woman. "I'm a firm believer in God. God will rescue me." She sent the boat away.
It kept on raining, and now the water had reached her neck. Another boat came by and a gal in the boat said, "You look like you could need some help. Jump in and we will take you with us."
"No," said the woman. "I'm a firm believer in God. God will rescue me. Don't worry about me." The boat sailed away.
It still rained and the water now reached her mouth. A helicopter came by, and a gal in the helicopter threw down a rope and said: "Hi there, my friend. Climb up. We will rescue you."
"No," said the woman. "I'm a firm believer in God. God will rescue me. I know God will." The helicopter flew away.
It kept on raining and, finally, the woman drowned. When the woman died, she went to Heaven. When entering Heaven, she had an interview with God. After giving a polite greeting and sitting down, the woman asked, "Where were you? I waited and waited. I was sure you would rescue me, as I have been a firm believer all my life, and I have only done good to others. So, where were you when I needed you?"
God scratched God's confused-looking face and answered, "I don't get it, either. I sent you two boats and a helicopter."
Many who believe in God (or in Karma, etc.) somehow believe that signs of help and guidance come as a big event of some kind, when they would probably come as small signs of help here and there along the way. We need to learn to listen to the world around ourselves. Sometimes, if we just stay open, with an open heart, mind, soul, and ears, we will find what we are looking for; however, the ways of God, and people, are beyond human comprehension. Yet, we need to try to see the face of God in all, no matter how hard that may be at times. And, I will add a caveat - there are events, such as the events of 9/11, which go beyond this story, and the pain is way too deep. May the memories of all who were lost on 9/11 remain an eternal blessing.
WWOT, Weekly Words of Torah will be a brief paragraph prepared weekly by our new Executive Director, Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, presented in our "This Week @ Women's League." WWOT will provide meaningful thoughts related to the Weekly Torah Portion, an event on the Calendar, a Prayer, or something of Jewish interest, to inspire, guide, engage, enrich, and empower Conservative Jewish Women. If you have any particular interest in future topics, or want to send Rabbi Wolintz-Fields an email, you can contact her at ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org. Read previous Weekly Words of Torah here.
A Personal Conversation with Sharsheret
provide a forum to address everyday issues through discussions about o
bstacles and opportunities, using conference calls and/or easy to access webinars.
"What's Jewish About Breast and Ovarian Cancer? A Personal Conversation with Sharsheret about Risk Factors for Jewish Women"
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, presented by Sharsheret
On Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at 8:00 p.m. EDT, Personal Conversations will present a panel discussion on Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risks for Jewish Women, The presentation highlights the work of Sharsheret staff members, Melissa K. Rosen, Director of National Outreach, and Peggy Cottrell, MS, LCGC, Genetics Program Coordinator.
Ms. Cottrell is a graduate of the Sarah Lawrence College Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program. She has worked as a cancer genetic counselor at several hospitals in the New York Metropolitan area. At Sharsheret, she consults with women and families and answers individual questions about their family histories, BRCA mutations, and personal risks of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and contributes to the development and implementation of Sharsheret's hereditary cancer resources and programs.
Ms. Rosen has a master's degree in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University and has been working in the non-profit sector for over 25 years. Her professional experience includes informal education, advocacy and community outreach. Melissa oversees outreach efforts throughout the country, connecting many to the support and resources of Sharsheret. Herself a breast cancer survivor, she is passionate about the Jewish community and cancer support and advocacy.
Their program will focus on the importance of understanding the increased genetic risk of Jewish women and what to do about it. In addition, a video about two cancer survivors will be aired. This will specifically address the impact of BRCA gene evaluation for establishing familial risk factors.