Chai Lines
International Northeast Region
Women's League
for Conservative Judaism
Networking to Engage, Enrich and Empower
Conservative Jewish Women
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April 27, 2018 Volume 2, Issue 78
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We in INR Stands with Our Sisters in Toronto.
We Are One!
IN THIS ISSUE
Click on name of article to go to that article.
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SPRING CONFERENCE 2018
INR SPRING CONFERENCE
"PORTRAIT OF SISTERHOOD"
WHEN: April 29 and 30, 2018
WHERE: Temple Beth El, Rochester, New York
Photos and articles about Conference 2018 will appear in next Chai Line.
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INR INCOMING OFFICERS FOR 2018-2021
Your nominations committee, consisting of Past presidents of the region and branches have selected the following ladies for the incoming officers of the International Northeast region:
Vice-Presidents:
Sisterhood Support: Toby Maser
Torah Fund: Marilyn Cohen
Program/Education - Esther Racoosin
Membership: Leona Eligberg
Treasurer/Financial Secretary
Canadian - TBA United States - Cheryl Maser Halwig
Administration Secretary:
Marla Allentoff Marion Tully
Communication Secretary
Lois Silverman
Parliamentarian:
Carole Burke
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FROM THE REGION PRESIDENT
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Many of us will be attending INR's annual conference hosted by Temple Beth El in Rochester NY this weekend. For those who will be there, I am looking forward to learning with you, praying with you, and having fun with you.
Chairing and preparing for such an event is no easy task. It involves creating a motivated committee who devote months to planning the conference program. The details are endless - choosing hotel accommodations and menus; finding volunteers who will lead us in American and Canadian national anthems and blessings before and after meals; planning parties and filling loot bags; printing programs and creating centrepieces; scheduling, choosing a theme, and dozens of other tasks. There are meetings, discussions, and differences of opinions about how things should be done. Dealing with all the details can make for many sleepless nights.
A million thanks to co-chairs Marcia Nabut and Ruth Shapiro, committee members Gail Finkelstein, Judy Schulman, Debbie Krusch, Jeanie Weisberg, Abbey Rasnick, Sheila Hollander and Marla Allentoff. Thanks also to Athene Goldstein who will lead the Shacharit service, Michelle Garber our conference consultant, the band of volunteers who will be setting up and preparing most of the meals, and to the staff at Temple Beth El - Anna Eckert, Carol Konuksever, Jessie Atkin and Michelle Caron.
Your combined efforts, dedication and hard work it took to bring Portrait of a Sisterhood to life are all much appreciated.
Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the recent tragedy in Toronto.
Shabbat Shalom,
Eleanor
[email protected]
514-458-6204
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FROM THE TORAH FUND VICE PRESIDENT
MARILYN COHEN
Dear Chaveirot,
PLEASE FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF TORAH FUND and PUBLICIZE IT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES.
It promises to be a very stimulating and exciting program.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
All the best,
Marilyn
Check out the New Torah Fund Guide and all the other materials to run a great campaign!
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FROM THE REGION EDUCATION VP, LOIS SILVERMAN
All my life I have been an asker of question even when others remain silent. Because I ask
hard questions, at times ones with inconvenient answers, I have often been resented for rocking the boat, wasting time, being negative, and/or missing the point.
Questions are necessary for the progress and growth any organization, institution, or group. Answers are necessary in order for positive change to happen. Questions and answers are the means of the humankind's
survival.
We WLCJ women know this. We have asked hard questions of our leaders--be they our political leaders or our religious ones. We have asked for the betterment of our world as well as for the increased involvement of women in secular and religious leadership roles. Often we stood alone.
But we know this: one person or one group can make a difference.
Below is a poem by an unknown author that explains the revolutionary importance of an individual.
Shabbat Shalom
LOIS
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,
One life can make the difference,
You see, it's up to you!
-Unknown
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26TH ANNUAL TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
May 3-13 2018
With one of the most diverse line-ups ever
TJFF 2018 offers films from 23 countries that include 2 World Premiers, 6 North American Premiers, 26 Canadian Premiers, 20 Toronto Premiers.
Showcasing stories about time travelers, con artists, recent immigrants, new home owners, Yiddish speaking farmers, vampires, peacemakers, and cake makers.
Many venues are mid-town and some are also being shown in North Toronto
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FROM WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
Conservative Jewish women
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
Named New Executive Director of WLCJ
I am pleased to announce that we are in the process of hiring Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields as the new Executive Director of Women's League for Conservative Judaism.
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Barnard College and the joint program with Jewish Theological Seminary's List College. Her Master's Degree in Jewish Women's Studies and Rabbinic Ordination were both received from JTS.
She has been serving as a pulpit Rabbi for many years and is now ready to take another path. In her own words, "My passion for Conservative Judaism, especially promoting the role of women in the life of our Conservative Movement, has always been a prime influence in my rabbinic work - from the subject of my BA thesis in Religion at Barnard - 'God, Women, and Tefillin,' which I later developed into a ritual for the first time a woman dons tefillin, and was published in Women's League Outlook."
Rabbi Wolintz-Fields will begin what we hope to be a very long tenure at WLCJ on May 1.
WELCOME Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields to Women's League!
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Shabbat Message from WLCJ President
"Not an Ordinary Day"
As I sit and write this week's Shabbat message, it is Monday, April 23, 2018. I assumed it would be a day like most others. This day is indeed not an ordinary day.
I suppose that each generation could claim that their world could be defined as "these were the best of times, these are the worst of times." All in one day, I feel that way today.
I just returned late Sunday night from a fabulous Sisterhood Shabbat weekend at Har Shalom in Potomac, Maryland. I also knew that five of our regions were holding region conferences throughout North America. I loved the posted pictures on Facebook of smiling "sisters" dancing to Klezmer music and women attentively engaged in workshops.
A new Royal baby was born this morning. It is quite an exciting event for Great Britain and royal watchers worldwide. I'm not sure how many other babies were born today throughout the world. The joy and hope of a wonderful future rests on the head of each one of them.
Within hours, there was a murderous attack in Toronto, Canada. ANOTHER! This was to be an ordinary day. Maybe in the world we live in, it is. I'd be lying if I didn't share how that frightens me.
On the 9/11 Memorial Plaza there is a tree called the "Survivor Tree". After each terrorist event, flowers and ribbons adorn the tree. A sign is posted next to it, which states that the 9/11 community supports the newly impacted community. It is not a sign I ever want to see again. I don't want to see a tree covered in ribbons and flowers. I want the tree to be just the tree, a symbol of the past, not an ever-recurring phenomenon to the tragic events of the present.
I pray for those lost in Toronto. I pray for a happy future to the new prince. I pray that the Survivor Tree will inspire me to have the strength to survive these most unordinary days.
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Thank You for Your Support!
The following groups and individuals have contributed to Women's League and its many initiatives. We encourage you to
join this growing list. ALL contributions are welcome.
Masorti WL Days of Study in Israel
Greenburgh Hebrew Center Sisterhood, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Bet Torah Sisterhood, Mt. Kisco, NY
A Meaningful Mother's Day Gift for Women in Need
Women's League has joined JWI (Jewish Women International) in honoring the 45,000 women and children who will spend Mother's Day in domestic violence shelters. Through t
he annual Flower Project, JWI sends bouquets of flowers and financial literacy resources to 200 shelters across the United States. By participating in the Flower Project, we can make a difference for these survivors of violence while celebrating the people we love. This project lets you give a gift that honors everything your loved ones have given you - and the person you have become because of it.
Here is how it works:
- You choose an amazing person in your life - mother or father, brother or sister, husband or wife, grandparent, child, friend - to receive a Mother's Day or Father's Day card.
- You make a meaningful $25 donation to JWI in honor of this special person.
- JWI sends a beautiful card, which will arrive by Mother's Day or Father's Day, to each designated recipient, stating that a charitable contribution has been made in his or her honor. Gorgeous e-cards are also available.
- JWI uses proceeds from the sale of these cards to send beautiful bouquets of flowers and financial literacy resources to more than 200 domestic violence shelters on Mother's Day.
Your donation also funds JWI's year-round work to empower women and girls and break the cycle of domestic violence, and a portion also goes back to Women's League.
Contributions to the Flower Project can be made by filling out the enclosed form, online at www.jwi.org/flowerproject, or by phone at 202-857-1300. Be sure to note Women's League for Conservative Judaism as your partner of choice!
28th Annual Washington Jewish Film Festival
The WJFF returns
May 2-13with a brand new lineup of international films screening throughout the greater DC region. From romance and comedies, to insightful documentaries and explorations of the vast Jewish diaspora, there's something for everyone at this year's Festival. Browse the full lineup at
WJFF.ORG or bring a group at a discount to the film of your choice by contacting Alexis Rodriguez at
[email protected].
Plan Ahead for Purim 2019
Wednesday Evening, March 20, 2019-
Thursday Morning, March 21, 2019
WLCJ has a magnificent Megillat Esther.
Every year, one lucky synagogue has the opportunity to borrow this beautiful and kosher ritual item.
It's fully available if you can pick it up in the NY office -
Just let us know if you'd like to reserve it.
Obviously there's only one, so "plan ahead" now!
Contact Razel in the WLCJ office
212-870-1260
Moment Magazine's Publish-a-Kid Contest
Attn: Grandparents, parents, teachers, and librarians! In celebration of Jewish Heritage Month, our friends at
"Moment's Publish-A-Kid contest encourages children to read and think about what they are reading by writing book reviews! All they need to do is read a book (see list below) and write a 300 word or less review explaining what they think and feel about the book in their own words. Winning entries will be published at momentmag.com (and maybe even in print!) and winners will receive a book selected by our editors."
Click
here or on the graphic below for FAQ, writing prompts, and a list of books to choose from. The deadline for entries is
May 31, so be sure to mention how you heard about it from Women's League!
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NEED HELP?
HELP IS AVAILABLE ON THE WLCJ WEBSITE.
Programs, membership ideas, education material, and more available at wlcj.org
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