CHAI LINES
The Newsletter of the International Northeast Region
November 12, 2021 - 8 Kislev 5782
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From the Region President
Dear Friends;
 
Yesterday we commemorated Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States. Both are observed annually on November 11th which marks the anniversary of the end of World War I, which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. Every year on November 11th Canadians and Americans pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who gave their lives and those who served, and continue to serve, our countries during times of both conflict and peace.
 
For many years, I have noticed a difference between the US and Canada regarding the number of Jewish people who have served in the armed forces for their respective countries. It appears to me that many more Jewish Americans tend to be involved than Jewish Canadians. However, this does not preclude my ability and those of many other Canadians from caring a great deal about this important day. 
 
This past Saturday my synagogue observed our annual Veterans Shabbat. On this day, we invite to our service, any members (and others from our community) who are veterans, not only of our Canadian Armed Forces but also of the Israel Defense Forces and those who are veterans from any other democratic country. Our Associate Rabbi Louis Sachs spoke of his personal experience when he was a student at the Ziegler Rabbinical School, thinking of serving as a Chaplain in the US Navy. Following a tour of a US Aircraft Carrier and having spoken with the sailors on-board, he found that almost all of these men and women told of having to miss some major life event because they were serving overseas. It meant they had to give up a part of their freedom in order to preserve ours. This idea of ‘sacrifice’ is true for all of our soldiers who give up a part of their own lives for us. Even if they come back healthy and well, they gave up their time and they gave up their freedom so that they can support their country. 
 
Isn’t that what we should be thinking about when we pray for our soldiers, whether in Canada, the US, or in Israel? We ask God to bless those who put their country’s needs before their own, to honour the sacrifice and the loyalty of those who served so that we can remain free. We must never forget the huge debt we owe the men and women who defend our ideals.  
 
May we all pray that Isaiah’s prophecy will come true – that nation shall not lift up sword against nation and they shall never know war anymore. Lo yisah goy el goy cherev, v’lo yilmedu od milchama (Isaiah 2:4). But in the meantime, we know there are many who hate and wish to destroy us - those who hate us because we are Jewish; those who hate the idea that we are democratic countries, those who want to destroy our homeland, Israel. 
 
Therefore, we all have to thank God that we have these men and women who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect us all.
 
REGION REMINDERS:
 
SAVE THE DATES!
 
1.   *NEW DATE* - Sunday, November 21, 2021 @ 11:00 am
Membership Workshop
We wish Corinne Hammerschlag a Refuah Sh’lema as she recovers from contracting the Covid 19 virus and had to postpone her Membership Workshop until November 21st. All Sisterhood/Affiliate Presidents, Contacts & Membership Chairs are invited.
 
2.   Wednesday, December 1, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
“The Magic Dreidel”
This INR Program, is being presented for ALL affiliate/sisterhood members in our region to enjoy. You are all invited to this wonderful interactive Hanukah celebration. See flyer below!
 
3.   Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM
Region Torah Fund Program
“In Search of Social Justice” with Lisa Ellison. 
All affiliate/sisterhood members in our region are invited to attend this fascinating presentation on the role that Jewish women played in the world of activism in the United States and Canada. See flyer below!

Shabbat Shalom
Marilyn Cohen, INR President
Our Upcoming Region Programs:
The Magic Dreidel
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 @ 7:30 PM
Celebrate and Cherish the light and warmth of Chanukah
Storyteller/Actress Leslie Elias with actor Daniel Saed of Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Theater will engage the audience in a special interactive Chanukah celebration with Chanukah songs, dances
and stories drawn from their longstanding dramatic production of 
“”The Magic Dreidel” 
written by Leslie Elias. A magic dreidel, played by actor Daniel Saed engages the audience on a marvelous journey through time where together, they tell the story of Chanukah. “Spin, Dreidel, Spin!”- The drama unfolds as the Dreidel spins, weaving stories and ceremony with a delightful blend of artful magic.
Ellen Moon, artist and mask maker whose work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States, created the colorful costumes.
Wednesday
December 1, 2021
7:30 PM
This unique mother and son duo perform together with vibrant warmth and exuberance. Into the mix are masks, myths, rhythms, chants, dance, song and improvisational movement that gets the audience, from 8 to 98, up on their feet and fully engaged!
 
This program has been specially designed for our INR –WLCJ members.
Zoom information will be provided when you RSVP

To RSVP contact Adele Weinstein at adelew@rogers.com

Our programs are a benefit of your membership in your local affiliated Sisterhood/Women's Group
 or as an Individual Member of Women's League for Conservative Judaism
In Search of Social Justice
Wednesday January 12, 2022 @ 7:30 PM
PRESENTS OUR PROGRAM IN HONOR OF

The dedicated tzedekah of Women’s League, supporting the five Conservative/Masorti Seminaries
around the world

Lisa Ellison (formerly Kogen), past Director of Education and Programs at Women's League for Conservative Judaism (2003-2018), will present a program on the role Jewish women played in the world of activism in the United States and Canada. The presentation will include photos and documents highlighting stories about community activists, suffragists and human rights advocates, some women whose names are familiar but many who have been only recently reclaimed by Jewish feminists and historians.
IN SEARCH OF
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Wednesday,
January 12, 2022
7:30 pm
Theirs are stories of inspiration and courage, women undaunted by social, cultural and religious marginalization in both the Jewish and non-Jewish worlds.
 
We appreciate all who have made a gift to the 2021-22 Torah Fund Campaign. For others, an $18 minimum donation is encouraged. 
Please contribute through your local Torah Fund Chair.
Need help? Contact Linda Boxer: INRTorahFund@gmail.com
For your reservation and to receive Zoom link, email Adele Weinstein: adelew@rogers.com
Help Wanted:
What: A Few Good People!

For: The INR Communications Team!

Requirements: Prior experience working with Constant Contact is a plus but not absolutely necessary if computer literate. Also, it would be helpful if candidates have some experience writing and editing articles or reports in some capacity of work or volunteer experience.

If you are interested or know of someone who might be a good “fit”, please contact Joan Lowenstein at jmglowepp2021@gmail.com.

Thank You!
From our Torah Fund Vice President
Torah Fund – B’Yachad – Together Again
 
As we continue to navigate Covid World, some of us are out the door and living life as we knew it pre-pandemic. Some of us are slower to emerge into the world. Our theme, B’Yachad, Together, is meaningful as we all find our comfort zone in this world. Donations, large and small, combined together, impact the students at the five seminaries of the Conservative/Masorti movement. Imagine being a student trying to study in these strange times. Your gift matters.  
 
Are you interested in Creating New Spaces? With this program, two special projects are being subsidized by Torah Fund. At the Jewish Theological Seminary, funding will support the “Women’s League Study Hall”, in the recently renovated Residence Hall. At the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, a course entitled “Women’s League Institute on Gender Bias and Harassment” is being underwritten. A goal of $200,000 has been set, to be shared equally between the two schools.  
 
While the current B’Yachad Campaign supports today’s students, Torah Fund also has an eye to the future with the development of the Legacy Society. While support today is needed, the Torah Fund Legacy Society works to ensure that the future will also be bright. To learn more, contact Torah Fund Legacy Society Co-Chairs, Marcia Toppall and Cathy Swerdlow at torahfund@jtsa.edu.
 
Torah Fund greeting cards are another wonderful way to send words of condolence, share the joy of a Simcha, or just send a note to say “I am thinking of you.” E-cards are available by clicking here: Torah Fund eCards – Send an eCard to a loved one. (jtsa.edu). Paper cards are still available by contacting your synagogue’s Torah Fund Chair.
 
To learn more about Torah Fund’s support of the seminaries or any of these projects, click here: www.jtsa.edu/torah-fund
 
Be sure to save the date, January 12, 2022, at 7:30 pm for our region’s Torah Fund Event: In Search of Social Justice. See the flyer in this newsletter for details!
 
If you have questions or need help, please contact me.

Linda Boxer
INR Torah Fund Chair
Tell & Kvell
Temple Beth El, Ithaca Sisterhood – Gail Zussman President – presenting:
  • Beginners Yiddish - a 2-month Series - for their members only.
  • Virtual Book Review of “An Unorthodox Match” by Naomi Ragen on January 23rd at 3pm – for their members only.
 
Beth David Women – Toronto – Ellen Haspel, President
  •  “Milk and Oil: Text and Taste Dairy for Hanukah” a virtual presentation by Judi Urowitz and daughters on December 7th at 7:30 pm
 
Beth Tikvah Women – Toronto – Adele Weinstein, President
  • “The Jews in the Land of the Incas” presented by Morty Weisselberg on Monday, November 22 at 7:30 pm.
 
This space is reserved for YOUR sisterhood’s programs. Please email Marilyn Cohen (inrpresident21@wlcj.org) with your upcoming programs so that others can see and learn from the creativity and diversity of our region.
From Women's League:
On the anniversary of #Kristallnacht#myWLCJ remembers the victims of this hateful pogrom & the unfathomable tragedy of the Holocaust that followed.
Today & every day we must fight the vicious phenomena of antisemitism in all of its forms, so that #NeverAgain means never again.
As we honor our Veterans #myWLCJ salutes all military veterans, not just on November 11th but every day!
Sichot beyn Achayot: An Open Dialogue Between Disapora and Israeli Sisters - Workshop 2 -
Sunday, November 14th @ 1 PM ET
Hanukkah Candlelighting - Tuesday, November 30th @ 8:00 PM ET
Celebrate Hanukkah on November 30, at 8:00 PM ET! We will be hosting a virtual menorah lighting in honor of Hanukkah. This is a great opportunity to make new connections! 

Don’t miss out this year!
 
If there is someone in your life who you think would benefit from joining Women’s League, help us grow our community this year! We look forward to seeing you for our virtual celebration.
#GivingTuesday - Supporting Masorti Women's Day of Study in Israel (and virtual) - Tuesday, November 30th
How to Live Forever: Creative and Innovative Ways to Present Your Story - Thursday, December 16th @ 7:30 PM ET
Women's League Shabbat 2022
Jews in Film - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Series - Monday, January 24th @ 3 PM 
Weekly Words of Torah
Makom B'Yachad
Women's Health Resolution - Please COMMENT
Women of the Wall
WL PrezNet
Upcoming Sisterhood Calendar Events & WL Groups to Join
News from Seminaries WLCJ Supports
Shabbat Across Ramah 2021! Nov. 12th
Join thousands of Ramahniks and friends of Ramah from across the world to connect with your Ramah community! More info, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/610165309988109
Masorti Foundation: Harassment of Women at the Kotel...Urgent Need for Signed Kotel Deal
Your Local ADL
Valley Beit Midrash - November/December 2021
The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center - July 11-17, 2022
MERCAZ USA & CANADA
The MERCAZ USA Summer 2021 Newsletter is Here! Plus No Fear Rally: A Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People, and MERCAZ Reads Israel: Watch our Book Club Discussion about 'All the Rivers', and more.
INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism