Chai Lines
International Northeast Region
Women's League
for Conservative Judaism
Networking to Engage, Enrich, and Empower Conservative Jewish Women
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October 4, 2019 Volume 3, Issue 30
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G'mar Hatima Tova
May you be sealed in the Book of Life
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FROM THE REGION PRESIDENT--JOAN LOWENSTEIN
Every year we host Rosh Hashanah dinner. This year we only had 30 people! Having been very caught up in those preparations, I find that only now can I really take the time to reflect on the meaning of the season.
It is at this time of year that we fondly remember those who are no longer with us and lovingly cherish those around us. We take stock of what we have and are grateful for it. We reflect on the wrongs we may have committed and what we could have done better. We ask for forgiveness and we repent.
On a personal note, I miss my mother and I cherish my husband, Lon and my daughter, Peri. I am grateful for all that I have. I apologize to those whom I have wronged and ask forgiveness.
I wish for all of you a New Year full of blessings, a healthy, prosperous year and an easy fast.
Joan
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FROM WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOR
CONSERVATIVE
JUDAISM
Networking to engage,
enrich and empower
Conservative Jewish Women
Shabbat Message: "Count Your Blessings"
By Sandy Berenbaum
"Always keep your head up, because if it's down you won't be able to see the blessings that have been placed in your life." - Anonymous
Yom Kippur is a time of refection and introspection, a time for forgiveness and repentance. It is also a time to look to the past and be thankful for the blessings that have been given to us.
Years ago, Women's League produced a publication titled Count Your Blessings, which contained a collection of blessings, which we recite daily and on festivals, holidays, and the special occasions in our lives. Remembering this publication gave me an opportunity to contemplate all the blessings in my life.
I am blessed to have the love and support of my husband Dave, my children Edie and Alan, Danny and Hilary, and my grandchildren Julia, Sam, Jenna, Adin, and Ryan.
I am blessed to have wonderful family and friends.
I am blessed to have a roof over my head, food to eat, and clothing to wear.
I am blessed and grateful to the mentors and teachers, who have enriched my life with knowledge.
I am blessed to know so many of you, who have become my friends.
"To those I have wronged, I ask forgiveness,
To those I have helped, I wish I did more.
To those I have neglected, I ask for understanding.
To those who have helped me, I sincerely thank you."
- Author Unknown
May this New Year be filled with many blessings for you and all you love. On Rosh Hashanah, it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year.
Wishing you a sweet, healthy, and prosperous New Year and an easy fast.
G'mar Hatimah Tova,
Sandy Berenbaum
Convention 2020 is Coming!
We're kvelling over Convention 2020! Check out our new videos!
Want to be featured in an upcoming video? Tell us why you look forward to Convention - or share a Convention memory with us - by taping a short video on your phone or tablet! E-mail your videos to Erica Slutsky eslutsky@wlcj.org.
Purchase a Yellow Candle Today
Support FJMC's Yellow Candle initiative by purchasing an individual candle through Women's League. As the High Holidays are approaching, and we will be reciting the Yizkor Memorial Prayers on Yom Kippur (October 9, 2019), as well as on Shemini Atzeret (October 21, 2019), we are writing to you now, to encourage you to purchase some yellow candles, and to encourage people to light this as their Yizkor candle - both for their loved ones, as well as the 6 million who perished in the Holocaust, who may not have anyone currently saying Kaddish for them.
Personal Conversation with Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Rabbi Amy Eilberg is the first woman ordained as a Conservative rabbi by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She serves as a spiritual director, peace and justice activist, and Senior Faculty for The Mussar Institute. She recently served as the Coordinator of Jewish Engagement for Faith in Action Bay Area, a multi-faith, multi-racial social justice organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to that, she served as the director of the Pardes Rodef Shalom (Pursuer of Peace) Communities Program, teaching Jewish civil discourse to rabbis, synagogues and Jewish organizations. Her book, From Enemy to Friend: Jewish Wisdom and the Pursuit of Peace, was published by Orbis Books in March 2014.
More Personal Conversations for 2019-2020 will be announced soon. For more information, contact Barb Levin at barbl11@aol.com.
Judaic Arts and Other Member Listservs!
Are you interested in Judaica Crafts?
Are you looking for craft program ideas for your Sisterhood or for yourself?
Have you had a successful craft program that you would like to share?
The Hiddur Judaica Listserve is for you!
Please share this message with all members of your Region. This listserve is not only for the Creative Judaic Arts Chairpersons, it is for every paid member of WLCJ.
Joining is simple - just email Lois Silverman at lsilverman@wlcj.org to request to be added to the WL Hiddur Mitzvah listserv. In your email, you need to send your full name, the email address you would like to join with and the Sisterhood/Region that you are a member of. You will receive notification when you have been successfully added.
I look forward to being creative together.
Jody Glass, WLCJ Creative Judaic Arts Chairperson
Jglass524@bellsouth.net
Join our additional online chat groups for members!
PREZNET- Moderated listserve just for Sisterhood Presidents
WLCJNet - A discussion group for members
American Mothers of Israeli Olim - A discussion group for those with friends and family living in Israel
Judaica Shop - A discussion group for Women's League Judaica shop managers
Women's League Read - A discussion book group
NEW SESSIONS Just Announced! Mishnah Berakhot
Rabbi Cheryl Peretz will conclude our ongoing Mishnah Berakhot program with Chapter Nine LIVE at Convention 2020.
The next session of
will be
Mishnah Berakhot, Chapter Four: Livin' on a Prayer with Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields on Thursday, November 21, 2019, 8:00 p.m., EST. Register for this session here!
Weekly Words of Torah Goes PC
(Parashah and Chesed) - Parashat Vayeilech 5780
This week's Torah Reading,
Parashat Vayeilech, discusses the following: End of Moses' leadership; Joshua resumed leadership; the commandment of the unity of Israel. The final mitzvah given in the Torah is found in
Parashat Veyeilech, "Now you have to write this Song, the Torah, and teach it to the future generations of the Children of Israel, so it will be for an everlasting testimony." (
Deuteronomy 31:19) The obligation of this commandment is that each person is to write a Torah scroll, a
Sefer Torah, his or herself. Those who do not know how to, can hire a scribe, a sofer, to write one, or help others, monetarily, in writing a
Sefer Torah.
It is a mitzvah to write a Torah - one must dispose of holy writings in a certain way, as well. For a Chesed idea related to Parashat Veyeilech, find out what your synagogue or sisterhood does to dispose of their sacred items, such as papers with God's Hebrew name on it, old Tallitot that are no longer able to be worn, old Tefillin, old Sefrei Kodeh, holy books. A genizah is a storage area in a Jewish synagogue or cemetery designated for the temporary storage of worn-out Hebrew-language books and papers on religious topics prior to proper cemetery burial. Help organize a genizah if one does not exist, and then help with the proper cemetery burial of the genizah.
Thank You for Your Contributions!
The following have donated recently to Women's League and its many initiatives.
Donate here, or send checks to Women's League made out to "Women's League for Conservative Judaism."
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
Temple Gates of Prayer Sisterhood, Flushing, NY
First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill Sisterhood.
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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.
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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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