Chai Lines
International Northeast Region
Women's League
for Conservative Judaism
 
Networking to Engage, Enrich and Empower
Conservative Jewish Women
   June 28, 2019                                                            Volume 3, Issue 26       
DID YOU KNOW INR HAS ITS OWN WEBSITE?
DID YOU KNOW INR IS ON FACEBOOK?

The International Northeast Region [INR] of Women's League for Conservative Judaism has a website with links and article of interest to all WL women. It can be found by clicking here.

INR also has a Facebook page found by clicking here.

Please visit and use.

FROM THE PRESIDENT--JOAN LOWENSTEIN 
 
Over the next few weeks we will continue to highlight excerpts from presentations at Conference. This week we share from a presentation given by Programming and Education Vice President Esther Racoosin. In her presentation Esther highlighted some of the Women's League offering's including Religious, Study, Training, Book Clubs and Personal Conversations. Esther touched on Mishnah Berakhot, Daytime Learning at JTS, Divrei Nashim, Women's League Shabbat Materials, Study with Scholars, Distance Workshops, Women's League Reads, and Personal Conversations.
 
Esther also provided a wealth of information about programming resources from Women's League. These can be found in the 2017 Jewels in the Crown book and include Program Resources, Jewish Family Living, Social Action and Fundraising. To see Esther's entire power point presentation, click on the link below. Enjoy!
 
Wishing you all a meaningful and peaceful, Shabbat!

L'Shalom
Joan
[Editor's note: To see Esther Racoosin's presentation, click here.] 
 
MORE GOOD NEWS WANTED  
 
Toot your own horn.
 
Tell us what is going on in your Sisterhood.
Tell us what is successful in your Sisterhood.
 
Email Lois Silverman, Chai Line editor, at  
and she'll share your news.

FROM WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOR

CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM WLCJ fromWL
 
Networking to engage,
enrich and empower
Conservative Jewish Women

Shabbat Message:
"Women and Tzitzit: An Ongoing Tale of Freedom-Seeking"
By Barbara Levin, MD, MPH
WLCJ Personal Conversations Chair
 
At the very end of this week's Torah reading, Shelakh Lekha, God provides the Israelites a small token of reconciliation after the stormy story of the spies and the failed efforts to go to the Promised Land. In Numbers 15: 37-15:41, Moses is told to command the people to make fringes [tzitzit] on the corners of their garments with a special blue thread [petil tekhelet]. Upon seeing these fringes, the people will be reminded to "observe all My Commandments and to be holy to their God. I am the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God..." The Israelites were often told to remember the commandments and their commitment to God, but rarely is there such a unique memory device connected to the admonition. This paragraph, from the end of our parashah this week, is also the concluding paragraph of the Shema. So, the story of tzitzit and petil tekhelet begins; a twisted tale about who should wear these reminders and when. And a more complicated saga of how they are made and what happened to the magical blue tekhelet dye for the special thread.
 
For those of us Conservative Jewish women who have just started to wear a tallit in the past 50 years, the mystery and magic of tzitzit are still quite new. I do not pretend to be a scholar on either subject, but the discussion seems appropriate for a summer devar Torah, a fireside chat, or a walk along a beach. The quick story is that, presently, the tzitzit are attached to the edges of the tallit ["prayer shawl"] and are gathered together by the person wearing the tallit when they say the Shema. Orthodox Jews wear them all the time attached to a tallit katan, a four-cornered undergarment, the fringes either visible or not. In ancient times, people wore them on their actual regular daily clothing, and there are references to women in the Middle Ages having them on their aprons.
 
The tzitzit is just one of the many objects in Jewish life that allows us to connect and to remember our daily tasks and roles as Jews. Along with the mezuzah, Shabbat candles, the lulav and etrog, tzitzit are a physical reminder of who we are and the ethical and ritual responsibilities we have. Rabbi Shefa Gold points out that "Shelakh Lekha blesses us with both the mitzvah of remembering and a technology for fulfilling that mitzvah. We are instructed to put tzitzit on the corners of our garments and to place at each corner a thread of the purest blue." She continues with the interpretation given by Nachmanides in the twelfth century: "looking upon that color, we will be reminded of the sea, and the sea will remind us of the Heavens, and of God." The fringes become not only a mental reminder, but a physical enhancement of the daily act of being Jewish.
 
As a person focused on mindfulness as a way to enhance spirituality, the fringes are a perfect tool. The commandment is to see the fringes. This requirement "to see" is part of the discussion of whether the commandment is a time-bound commitment or not. Since women were exempt from time-bound mitzvot by the Rabbis of old, the question became whether women were required to wear tzitzit or not. After all, if one has to see the tzitzit, the command would apply only in the day and not in the dark. Over the millennia, halakhic authorities have differed over whether women were or were not required to wear tzitzit, and hence should make a beracha before donning, or even permitted to wear them. Sometime in the Middle Ages, tzitzit became specifically part of the tallit, the prayer shawl, and were taken out in reciting the Shema. There are traditional sources to support the wearing of tallit by women, and even some that require it.
 
The Torah refers to a specific blue [tekhelet] thread to be woven into the fringes. How that is done is as varied as the source, but the most interesting tale is the disappearance of the blue dye, which colored the significant strands of the fringe. For 1300 years, the mysterious sea creature, the chilazon, from which the dye is produced, could not be found. The Jews had been dispersed away from the Mediterranean Sea, and had to make their fringes all white. In the 20th century, a scientist in the newly-born Israel did research to find the appropriate sea creature to make the blue dye. He was successful; the dye comes from the sea snail, Murex trunculus. In ancient times, this dye was used for special textiles - for robes of kings and for some of the decorations in the Mishkan. So, the color blue is not only to recall the wonders of the world and the majesty of heaven, but also a mark of distinction, and a reminder of what is required from a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
 
Rashi taught that the Exodus from Egypt was conditional on acceptance of God's commandments. This was a two-way agreement. The Israelites were obligated to follow the rules, so that their freedom from slavery came with a new set of commitments. This paradox of freedom is well-represented in the visual image of the tzitzit; the tightly tied knots above the loose strands of thread. As important as the actual color is, the patterns made by the blue and white strands of the tzitzit are open to analysis and elaboration. The commandment to wear tzitzit is part of a larger obligation to remember that we were freed from bondage in Egypt. The tzitzit without the color blue woven through and around it loses something, and only partially describes the experience of the Exodus.
 
When tekhelet was reintroduced in the mid-1900s, there were those who opposed its use, because it had been gone for so many centuries. The colored thread reappeared about the same time as the State of Israel became a reality and, for many, this was the message of true freedom, the fulfilment of G-d's promise of old: of course, Jews of the third millennium would need the blue of tekhelet in their tzitzit as they gather them to pray.
 
 
For me, these few words at the end of this parashah opened a new understanding of the daily commitments of my Judaism. Remember that we in the United States only recently gained the opportunity to wear tallit and to pray in this complete fashion. The question of whether women can wear tzitzit has become political and symbolic. In Israel in 2012, more than 50 women were arrested for such usage at the Western Wall. This issue is alive in 2019. The traditional role of tzitzit in reminding us of our connection to the past is also an important step in moving into the future of our egalitarian Jewish life.
 

Introduction to Mishnah Berakhot
Chapter Two: Shema - Listen, Part Two, with Rabbi Cheryl Peretz
 
Looking for ways to immerse yourself in Jewish study and text? Women's League for Conservative Judaism has just started a new program to enhance, enrich, and engage our Conservative Jewish Women in the 21st Century:
  Listen, Pray, Think: A Journey through Mishnah Berakhot,  an 18-month study of the entire Tractate  Masechet , of  Mishnah Berakhot.
The next session will be Chapter Two: Shema - Listen, Part Two with Rabbi Cheryl Peretz on Thursday, July 11, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern time.  Call-in information will be sent upon registering - Please refrain from joining the call until FIFTEEN MINUTES before the session. This program is open to REGISTERED individual Women's League and sisterhood members ONLY. 

Not a member yet?  Become an Individual Member here! 
 
Make sure to register for all individual sessions in order to take the full course.
 
   
For more information or questions, please contact Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields at  ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org 
.

Next Leadership Institute
 
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
 
- committed to developing skilled and dedicated leaders - invites you to attend an inspiring Leadership Institute  that will expand your skills as a leader and enhance your knowledge as a Jewish woman while strengthening your connection to Women's League, your sisterhood, your community, and Klal Yisrael.
   
 
ENDEAVOR  - Network with other women. Master goal setting, time management and team building. Learn the secret of keeping yourself challenged.
DISCOVER  - Enhance your personal style of communication with interactive exercises and role-playing. Discover tips and techniques for using language that motivates, stimulates and encourages women to volunteer.
 
The Leadership Institute's unique format allows participants to build a personal program to expand Jewish knowledge and leadership skills.
Our next Leadership Institute will be held July 28-29, 2019 in New York City.
The Leadership Institute will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 28 at
The Jewish Theological Seminary
3080 Broadway
New York , NY 10027
 
On Monday, we will meet at the Women's League office, entrance at 61 Claremont Avenue, New York, NY 10027.
The full cost of the course will be $199, which includes meals and snacks. Accommodations on Sunday night will be at the Days Hotel Broadway, 215 West 94th Street, New York, NY 10025 at an additional cost of $111 per person, double occupancy (single room is $222).
Scholarships are available
Contact Mimi Pollack, Chair for more information and /or for any questions at  mimipollack@comcast.net.
 
Scholarships are available through Women's League and your Region. Requests for stipends can also be made to your Sisterhood and your Rabbi.
 

Our annual Calendar Diary has proven to be extremely popular, and we're already looking forward to next year. With that in mind, WLCJ is seeking Artist Submissions for our 2020-2021/5781 edition!
 
Women's League welcomes artwork from our community based around Jewish, Hebrew, cultural, and holiday themes. Although the theme for this year's calendar is Togetherness, the artwork does not have to fit within the theme. One lucky winner will be chosen as the cover art, and we  are seeking vibrant, creative, and original work that celebrates Jewish life!
Submit your ideas to Erica Slutsky at eslutsky@wlcj.org.  
 
While we are looking for all kinds of art (i.e. watercolor, paintings, needlepoint), the picture should be able to fit within a four-inch by six-inch cover or a one-inch by one-and-a-half inch thumbnail. Photographs should have a 300 dpi resolution.
 
Please send in your submissions by September 1, 2019.
Thank you in advance. We look forward to seeing your entries!
Pictured: 5779/2018-2019 Calendar Diary cover art by Naomi Lipsky
 

WWOT - Weekly Words of Torah
Parashat Shelakh Lekha 5779
To inspire, guide, engage, enrich, and empower
Conservative Jewish Women
By Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Executive Director, Women's League For Conservative Judaism
 
Parsahat Shelakh Lekha, our Torah reading this week, is the official Torah reading of the Israel Ministry of Tourism. The image of two people holding bunches of grapes is often used as the symbol for the Ministry of Tourism, and can be seen on tour buses, cars, and tour guide identification badges while travelling in Israel. This image comes from this week's Torah reading. Moses sent spies into the land of Canaan to investigate the land and see what the people were like. The spies came back with news that the people were strong and powerful, and told the rest of the Israelites that they could not attack and defeat the people dwelling in the Land of Canaan, because they were stronger than the Israelites. However, two spies, Joshua bin Nun, and Caleb ben Yefuneh, said they entered the Land of Milk and Honey and they brought back the fruit of the land, and they presented bunches of grapes - which is now often associated with the Israel Ministry of Tourism.  
 
How does this relate to our lives in Women's League for Conservative Judaism? We must not listen to what other people say. We should form our own opinions, and witness things for ourselves - especially our amazing state of Israel. Last week was the Masorti Women's Day of Study at the Schechter Institute, one of the five seminaries we support through Torah Fund. The Masorti Women's Day of Study brings together women from all over Israel to study Jewish text in Hebrew, English, Spanish, and Russian. It truly shows the incredible melting pot of the different types of Jewish people in Israel, and how the Conservative/Masorti Movement is flourishing in Israel. It is so important that we continue to support Torah Fund, which supports our Seminaries, who educate the leaders who help our Conservative/Masorti Movement thrive.
 
We must make sure that we begin now, to help support next year's Masorti Women's Day of Study. Perhaps we can all travel to Israel together, and study together with our Masorti sisters at a future Masorti Women's Day of Study, and reap the joy of our land of milk and honey, and enjoy the sweet taste of grapes, and the beauty of Torah Study.
 

Thank You for Your Contributions!
 
The following have donated recently to Women's League and its many initiatives.
Please indicate the name of the program you are donating to in the memo line of the check (i.e. "Masorti"). 
 
All contributions are welcome.
Masorti WL Days of Study
Dix Hills Jewish Center Sisterhood, Dix Hills, NY
Carol Simon
 


Save the Date!
WLCJ Convention 2020
Sisters Journeying Together
Sunday, July 12 - Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Illinois
(Suburban Chicago)
Keep checking www.wlcj.org for more details.
We look forward to seeing you there!
   
ANNOUNCING WLCJ'S JEWELS IN THE CROWN AWARDS

The Women's League for Conservative Judaism's  Jewels in the Crown Award  was established ten years ago, in 2009, in order to recognize our sisterhoods who have demonstrated excellence in education, cultural programming, and social action, and who exhibit a strong Women's League identity. There were more than 215 total sisterhood recipients at the 2014 and 2017 Women's League Conventions. These sisterhoods offered hundreds of interesting and successful programs that reflected a wide diversity of subjects, issues, social action projects, celebrations, and personal enrichment activities. Learn more about the program at  http://wlcj.org/2014/07/jewels-in-the-crown-awards/ .
 
Now is the time to start collecting your programs to be submitted for Jewels in the Crown Awards for the 2020 Women's League Convention. Please appoint a sisterhood member to be responsible for completing and submitting the application to us. We will be looking at your programs from September 2017 until June 30, 2020.
 
Download the 2020 Jewels in the Crown application here!
 
Each Sisterhood must be current with their 2019 and 2020 per capita, and must participate in Torah Fund in order to be eligible to participate in Jewels in the Crown.
 
Become a shining jewel in the Women's League crown! Please share this letter with your current executive committee and feel free to contact us with any questions.
 
B'shalom,
 
Meryl Balaban (mbalaban@wlcj.org)  
Madeleine Gimbel (maddy_gimbel@yahoo.com)
Convention 2020 Jewels in the Crown Co-Chairs
 
Margie Miller (mmiller@wlcj.org)
WLCJ President
 
Sisters Journeying Together

NEED HELP? help
HELP IS AVAILABLE ON THE WLCJ WEBSITE.

Programs, membership ideas, education material, and more available at wlcj.org

 
INR OF WLCJ | ltsilverman@gmail.com