August 5, 2022 ~ 8 Av 5872 |
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Shalom!
It’s August...with summer breezes that invite us to slow down for a moment, to put life on pause for a moment, and just be.
It’s August... with the watermelon kind of weather that Guy Webster once described as, “where people get together and sing.”
It’s August... where weekdays are strung together like a series of Sundays, each with a promise of a few stress-free hours.
But there’s a counterpoint.
It’s August... when on the 9th day of the month of Av (August 6-7, 2022), we observe Tisha B’av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
We remember. We mourn.
We recall the destruction of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem -- the First Temple burned by the Babylonians in 586 BCE ; the Second Temple falling to the Romans in 70 CE.
We remember the period of suffering unleashed and the compelling memories of wrongdoing perpetuated on Jewish people across generations. And, yes, we recognize the suffering prevalent today.
It’s August...and these are the days of our discontent.
But there’s a counterpoint.
Even as we mourn, there is an element of comfort and hope.
In the afternoon of Tisha B’av, we find our hearts awakening and that inner voice of hope becoming audible. Abraham Heschel challenges us to embrace Tisha B’av as a time to feel rage against the evil perpetrated against us but then to feel a sensitivity to those suffering.
He reminds us to go forward with hope and never remain complacent in the face of evil or suffering. Tisha B’av takes us to the depths of sadness, but it also awakens in us a sense of hope that inspires us to act – to look at time as a narrative of hope.
Our CGLR challenge as we begin a new year will be to search for opportunities to reduce the suffering around us as often as we can and to help to create a world free of pain wherever we can. Our on-going commitment to Ukraine, our support of Stock the Shelves to provide food for those who are food challenged is a start.
As you look at our region’s calendar for 2022-23, you’ll see additional programs with
opportunities to become involved. So, along with programs where we can enjoy just being together, the year ahead for our region will be filled with a variety of ways to participate, to care, to make a difference – to make our lives a blessing.
I'm looking forward to walking this pathway with you with strength and courage!
Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
Pamela Schlosberg
Central Great Lakes Region President
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
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Looking Forward to Seeing You at These Training Workshops! |
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Welcome to the CGLR Board |
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Karen Weiss, Communications Assistant.
President of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Affiliate, Highland Park IL
Gail Neustadt, Environmental Chair
Beth El Congregation Affiliate, Pittsburgh, PA.
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Just a Friendly Reminder -
Affiliate Sisterhood Presidents
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If you are an on-going or newly elected President,
please take a moment and send me a list of your
current Board members.
It's important that our database is accurate so that WLCJ and CGLR notices are directed appropriately.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Pam Schlosberg
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We Continue to Pray for Ukraine! |
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Special Note:
The Ukraine War Continues -
The Suffering Continues -
Masorti Olami Support Continues --
Our CGLR Support Continues
We dedicated our social action initiative for our Spring Conference 2022 to Ukraine. Our dedication and advocacy continues.
We can extend our sense of renewed hope and send our light forward by a donation via The Schechter Institutes, Inc. www.schechter.edu/donate or
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It's Not Too Late to watch Mivtza Ukraine |
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CGLR Calendar for 2022-2023-
Save these Dates!
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Come Join
Central Great Lakes Region and
Congregation Kol Emeth Sisterhood, Skokie, Illinois
September 11---10:30 am CDT/ 11:30 am EDT
for
Public Policy & Social Action:
Women's League, Affiliated Sisterhoods, and
Resolution
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CGLR is Hosting Convention 2023! |
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When: Sunday, July 16 - Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Where: Schaumburg, Illinois
Dear Friend,
Personally, I can't wait to get together with my WLCJ sisters in person!!!!
This will also be our first multi-access Convention, combining in-person celebrations with virtual access.
We want to make this Convention the best ever!
Many thanks,
Edna Schrank
Convention 2023 Chair
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Visit our CGLR Website -
Your Resource for all Things CGLR
We add region news regularly, and we welcome information about your affiliate to
post as well!
Send us your news, and we will add it to our site!
Join us on Facebook at
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Next Issue of The Wave is August 19!
Copy due by 1pm CT Wednesday August 17
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\\Dear Friends,
I want to thank all the affiliates for all their challenging work last year in raising funds for Torah Fund.We as a region raised $92,000.00 for the B’Yachad Campaign and $1,679.05 towards the Spaces Campaign. Nine of our affiliates made goal and many others were remarkably close to making their goal. Regardless of making your goal or not we should all be proud in how we are helping with the future of our Conservative rabbis, cantors, and educators.
We have now begun the Chazak v’Ematz Campaign-Be Strong and Courageous. I will be contacting each affiliate to discuss goals. Please mark your calendar for this year's Torah Fund Training on September 14th. See the flier below. Even if you have been to a Torah Fund train in prior years please consider attending. There is always added information and innovative ideas in how to raise Torah Fund dollars.
Also, mark your calendar for our very first Torah Fund Region event on October 23rd at 8:00 ET/7:00 CT. All money raised from this event will go towards each affiliate’s goal.
I am looking forward to another amazing year of Torah Fund.
Be Strong!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca Goldwasser
CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund
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2022-2023 Torah Fund Training |
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Torah Fund supports programs and scholarships at the five Conservatives/Masorti global institutes
of higher education.
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Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca Goldwasser
CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund
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Happy Hanukah • Debra Band Art; Mazal Tov • Debra Band Art; All Purpose Rainbow Design • Debra Band Art; Condolence Card, Psalm 23 • Debra Band Art
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What's Happening Around the Region |
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Beth Hillel B'nai Emunah Sisterhood goes to see
The Devil Wears Prada,
Wednesday, August 10 @ 7:30PM CDT
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Call Marsha Lyons to reserve your ticket(s). Limit of 40 tickets to sell!! |
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Yom Huledet Sameach
"Happy Birthday!"
to
Fran Hildebrandt
CGLR Past President
on August 8
Wanda Pitzele
CGLR Treasurer
on August 14
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Mishebearach
"Healing"
to
For all those people injured
in the Kentucky Floods
(All in our Lexington, Kentucky Affiliate are safe)
&
Pam Schlosberg,
CGLR President
&
Lynda Abraham-Braff,
CGLR Judaic Arts Chair
We wish them a Refuah Shlema. "Good Health”
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With deep sadness we mourn
those people killed in the flooding
in Kentucky this past week.
May their memories be for a blessing!!
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Central Great Lakes Region Leadership |
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Whether you’re celebrating the joy of a simcha or remembering a loved one who passed away, please consider donating to our CGLR Leadership Fund today.
Your gift provides support for those women in our region who may need financial assistance to participate in one of our educational programs. We will send a lovely card to the recipient acknowledging your gift.
Donations in any amount are welcome. There are two ways to donate:
- Click the “DONATE” button below. Then, please send acknowledgement information to: cglrpresident21@wlcj.org.
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You may send a check (Payable to Women's League for Conservative Judaism) to:
Pam Schlosberg
144 Whistler Rd
Highland Park, IL 60035
Please include: the occasion, your name and address plus the name and
address of the recipient.
Your caring will help keep our future strong - and we thank you!
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Central Great Lakes Region Board |
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Executive Committee:
President
Pam Schlosberg
Communications
Laurie B. Davis
Education
Fern Schwartz
Membership
Gilda Schwartz
Program
Robin Beth Lash
Torah Fund
Rebecca Goldwasser
Secretary
Sandy Carleton
Treasurer
Wanda Pitzele
Financial Secretary
Marjorie Maxwell
Parliamentarian/ IPP
Fran Hildebrandt
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Board of Directors:
Communication/
Social Media
Paula Ferguson
Communication/Website
Rachel Ferber
Education/ Israel
Open
Membership Service
Cynthia Lerner
Member Support
Marlene Ostrow
Presidents Council
Laurie B. Davis
Program/Books
Renee Kaplan
Creative Judaic Arts
Lynda Abraham-Braff
Spring Conference Committee
Fern Schwartz
Carol Marcs
Barbara Unger
Fran Hildebrandt
Robin Lash
Torah Fund Support Services
Andrea Heiger
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Nominating
Fran Hildebrandt
WLCJ Board Representing CGLR
Susan Farber
Rebecca Goldwasser
Fran Hildebrandt
Robin Beth Lash
Cynthia Lerner
Wanda Pitzele
Pam Schlosberg
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Shabbat Message from July 30, 2022 |
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Health & Wellness by Mindy Steinholz
We did not have a Wave last week &
I wanted you to see this important message! Laurie B. Davis, Editor
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Suicide Prevention
It has been said that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. But help is out there for people who are suffering. People who are in crisis need to know that there are ways of reaching out.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 12 th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020, over 45,000 Americans died by suicide and there were an estimated 1.20 million suicide attempts. According to the Canadian government, an average of more than 10 Canadians die by suicide each day. According to the University of Haifa, the number of suicide attempts in Israel increased linearly between 2013 – 2020 but actually decreased during the Coronavirus lock downs.
On July 16, 2022, the United States debuted the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988. This was the result of the work of many advocacy groups including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This number is a direct connection for anyone in need of support for mental health distress, which includes thoughts of suicide, substance abuse crisis, and emotional distress. This is a free service, available to anyone. There are interpretation services available in over 150 languages; Spanish speakers can access that language by pressing 2 and veterans can access specialized services by pressing 1. The original lifeline number, 800-273-8255, is still available. Using this service will also help by going directly to mental health support services as opposed to calling 911, which is not set up for such services.
Canada has a suicide prevention number, 1-833-456-4566 which is available 24/7/365. The text line in Canada is 45645 available from 4 PM to 12 MN Eastern Time. In Israel, the suicide hotline is *3201 (dial 1 for English).
Wishing all a happy, healthy, safe summer,
Mindy Steinholz
Health and Wellness Chair
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Parashat Devarim: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27
Shabbat Chazon: Third Haftarah of Admonition
This parashah begins the fifth and final book of the Torah. The events described here take place in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt: Israel is poised to finally enter the promised land, camped on the other side of the Jordan. Moses delivers a discourse recounting all that has happened to the nation since leaving Egypt: receiving the Torah at Horeb (Mt. Sinai); arriving at the border of the land in the second year; the ill-fated mission of the twelve spies resulting in God’s decree that the men of that generation would all die in the wilderness; thirty-eight years of wandering in the wilderness; the defeat of the Canaanite kings who confronted them; and the allotment of land on the other side of the Jordan to the tribes of Reuven and Gad.
This parashah is always read on the Shabbat immediately preceding Tisha B’Av (August 6-7 this year); this is called Shabbat Chazon from the first word of the haftarah, חֲזוֹן, meaning “prophecy” or “vision.” Isaiah foretells the downfall of Jerusalem because of the sinfulness of the nation; he accuses them of hypocrisy, offering sacrifices to God but failing to observe the commandments. God is not interested in listening to their prayers. Isaiah speaks of the possibility of redemption if they turn back to God in repentance. If not, they will be devoured by their enemies.
In verse twenty-one, Isaiah mourns over the fate of the city; the first word of the verse is אֵיכָה, the name of Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations over Jerusalem that we read on Tisha B’Av; indeed, this entire haftarah is meant to be chanted in the same mournful trope that we use for Eichah.
Following Tisha B’Av we enter a seven-week period of consolation leading up to Rosh HaShanah—almost like a second omer period. This is also hinted at in the haftarah: in verses 16-18, Isaiah lists ten components of teshuvah (repentance): washing and cleaning oneself, putting away evil ways, ceasing to do evil things, learning to do good things, devoting oneself to justice, aiding those who are wronged, upholding the rights of the orphan, defending the widow, and reaching an understanding with God. These correspond, Rashi says, to the Yamim Noraim, the ten-day period from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur.
May this approaching season of contemplation bring blessings to us all as we work on renewing our relationships with God.
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Women's League Happenings |
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Makom B'Yachad
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday
12 PM Noon ET / 11 AM CT
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during
Daily Psalm Study, Pirkei Avot, and Kaddish?
All are welcome.
We have many available spots to fill.
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Attention Affiliate Sisterhood Presidents
If you are an on-going or newly elected President, please take a moment and send me a list of your current Board members. It's important that our database is accurate so that WLCJ and CGLR notices are directed appropriately.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Pam
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New WLCJ Classes now starting to
Learn Hebrew and Read from the Prayerbook
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For New Students
Fall Semester
Registration Opens Soon
Are you interested in:
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Learning or reviewing the Hebrew alphabet and communal prayers?
- Expanding your Jewish literacy skills, confidence, and sense of connection with Judaism?
Classes get filled quickly; usually within the first two days after sending the registration details.
Save the Date
Registration for WLCJ Fall Hebrew Classes begins August 22nd
Watch your email and WL Week for the links to register for all class levels.
Classes begin the week of September 5th
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Reverse Tashlich-What is it? |
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Sustainability - Reverse Tashlich: Learning About It - Thursday, September 8 @ 8:00 PM ET/ 7:00 PM CT
Join us on zoom to learn with Rabbi Ed Rosenthal and raise awareness about the deep Jewish connection to water, and reinforce the urgent moral imperative to protect the aquatic environment.
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Reverse Tashlich Event - Save the Date Sunday, October 2 |
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Project Stock the Shelves
There are many among us who continue to be food insecure. If you’ve been shopping recently, you can’t help but notice how much the cost of food has gone up.
Please reach out and help if you can.
Your contribution, no matter how many items, will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors and be a blessing to an individual or a family
So, please consider contributing a Kosher item to your pantry collection this month.
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WLReads
SAVE THE DATES
for 2022-2023
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November 17, 2022, at 7pm ET
Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will interview
Randy Sue Meyers, author of Fashion Orphans.
Two sisters, Lulu and Gabrielle, are brought together after their mother’s death to discover her elegant wardrobe and meet their mother’s friends. Despite their different upbringing and social circles, these two women discover much about themselves and each other.
Join us for an engaging virtual conversation about this novel
and Ms Meyers's writing process.
Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 1pm ET
Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will interview
Lori Banov Kaufman, author of Rebel Daughter.
Lori Banov Kaufman creates a compelling storyline, based on historical documentation of ancient times when Jerusalem was controlled by the Romans and the Mediterranean orbit.
Join us for an engaging virtual conversation about this novel
and Ms Kaufman’s writing process.
Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7pm ET
Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will interview
Alyson Richmond and Shaunna Edwards,
co-authors of The Thread Collectors.
This book will appear in stores and online in August 2022.
This novel takes us to the Civil War period and two different women’s lives. Stitchery is a common activity, as well as their concern for soldiers during this tumultuous interval. Their threadwork connects their lives in New Orleans.
Join us for an engaging virtual conversation about this novel
and how these co-authors, Ms Edwards and Ms Richmond,
collaborated to create this praiseworthy novel.
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2022 - 2023 SAVE THE DATES |
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Key to Calendar:
CGLR Events
WLCJ Events
Affiliate Events
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Wednesday, August 10 @ 7:30PM CDT- Congregation Beth Hillel B'nai Emunah Sisterhood goes to see The Devil Wears Prada
Wednesday, August 17 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT (Zoom) - CGLR Region Affiliate Presidents’ Leadership Training
Wednesday, August 24 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT (Zoom) Ukraine Update
Thursday, September 8 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00 pm EDT (Zoom)- Sustainability-Reverse Taschlich- Learning All About It
Sunday, September 11 @ 10:30AM CDT/ 11:30 am EDT- CGLR Event "Public Policy & Social Action: The Women's League, Sisterhoods, and Resolutions
Monday, September 12 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm ET - CGLR Board of Directors/ Affiliate Presidents Meeting
Wednesday, September 14 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT (Zoom) - CGLR Torah Fund Workshop for Torah Fund Vice Presidents /Chairs
Sunday, September 18 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT (Zoom) - CGLR Opening Event; Entertainment
Sunday, October 2 - TIME TBD---SAVE THE DATE - Reverse Tashlich Event
Sunday, October 23 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT (Zoom) Region Torah Fund Birthday Celebration
Monday, October 24 @ 7:00 pm CDT / 8:00pm EDT (Zoom) CGLR Membership Workshop for Membership Vice Presidents /Chairs
Thursday, November 17 @ 7:00PM ET- WL Reads interviews Randy Sue Meyers, author of the book, Fashion Orphans.
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Sunday, January 8, 2023 @ 1:00PM ET- WL Reads interviews Lori Banov Kaufman, author of the book, Rebel Daughter.
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 7:00PM ET- WL Reads interviews Alyson Richmond and Shaunna Edwards, co-authors of the book, The Thread Collectors.
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Communication VP/ Wave Editor
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