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Friends,

This week’s Parashah, Vayechi, tells the story of Jacob's last days as he blesses his sons and prepares to pass away. One of the themes of this Torah portion directly relates to our Women’s League theme for this year, Chazak V’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous, and illustrates the importance of being strong and courageous in the face of adversity.

As Jacob nears the end of his life, he calls upon his sons to gather around him so that he may bless them. Despite being old and weak, Jacob remains steadfast in his faith and dedication to his family. He encourages his sons to be strong and courageous, reminding them of the struggles and challenges that they have faced as a family, and urging them to continue to persevere in the face of any future difficulties.

This message of strength and courage is particularly relevant as we enter the secular new year. The new year is often a time for reflection and resolution. We often make and set goals for personal growth and improvement. We might feel overwhelmed or unsure of ourselves as we embark on this new journey. However, by drawing upon the example of Jacob and his steadfast faith and determination, we can find the strength and courage to face whatever challenges may come our way.

As members of Women's League for Conservative Judaism, we strive to be strong and courageous in our faith and in our actions. As we enter the new year, let us remember the lessons of Jacob and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. May we find the strength and courage to be our best selves and to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

INRPresident21@wlcj.org

We are sorry to have to inform you that The Jewish Zodiac – A Culinary History of Jews in America featuring Seth Front, sponsored by International Northeast, IntraContinental, Seaboard and Southern Regions has been CANCELLED as a result of minimal registration.

The same program is being held one week later on February 7, sponsored by WLCJ Sisterhood/Affiliates across the country at a cost of $100 per Sisterhood/Affiliate. There is limited availability. If you are interested in additional information, please contact me. My contact information is at the bottom of this message.

Regards,

Marilyn Cohen

President, International Northeast Region

Women's League for Conservative Judaism

INRPresident21@wlcj.org

Can you Read? Type? Copy and paste? Do you download and save photos of your children & grandchildren? Do you email? Zoom? Then it is really that simple... If you have these basic skills, you can easily learn the rest! The programs that we use to publish the newsletter are not difficult to learn and we are here to train you and help as you learn! If you are interested and want to learn more please contact Marilyn Cohen at INRPresident21@wlcj.org.

Our 2022-2023 Chazak v'Ematz Campaign

Be Strong and Courageous

A new year begins as the old year ends. We begin 2023 with hopes and aspirations for a better year yet realizing that many things are out of our control. But there is one thing we can do to ensure a better future for our Conservative/Masorti congregations: support Torah Fund, the dedicated tzedakah of Women’s League. The monies raised are used to educate our future rabbis, cantors, scholars, and educators. All donations, from sending an ecard or a paper card to becoming a Keter Kavod, are appreciated. Learn more about our institutions of higher learning here: Torah Fund - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)

In the US, you can access ecards here: Torah Fund eCards – Send an eCard to a loved one. (jtsa.edu)

In Canada, you can access ecards here: Canadian eCards – Torah Fund eCards (jtsa.edu)

Remember when sending ecards to use the platform from the country where you reside, not the recipient’s country. Be sure to indicate the name of your affiliate so credit will be issued toward their Torah Fund goal. Paper cards are available from your local Torah Fund Chair.

Looking beyond the year to come, please consider joining the Torah Fund Legacy Society, ensuring that support for our students exceeds our lifetimes. Learn more here: Torah Fund Legacy Society - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)

We continue to celebrate 80 years of Torah Fund’s support for our students. Will you consider a gift of an extra $80.00 to mark this milestone anniversary?

Would you like to donate to a special purpose fund? Creating New Spaces, will equally fund two important projects: A “Women’s League Study Space” in the new undergraduate residence hall at The Jewish Theological Seminary, and a special course of training for rabbinical students at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, entitled “Women’s League Institute on Gender Bias and Harassment.” Our goal is to raise $200,000 that will be split equally between the two projects.

Donations from US sisters may be made here: Donate to Torah Fund (jtsa.edu) or checks, payable to Torah Fund, may be sent to your local Torah Fund Chair.

Our Canadian sisters may make your cheque payable to Jewish Theological Society and send it to your local Torah Fund Chair or mail directly to the Jewish Theological Society at 100 Elder Street, North York, Ontario, M3H 5G7. A Canadian tax receipt will be issued and sent to you. Another option is to make an additional donation after the purchase of an ecard.

Thank you for all your contributions. Every donation makes a difference in our ability to support our students.

Our current campaign, Chazak v’Ematz continues until June 30th. May the new year bring each of us strength and courage to reach our goals for 2023.

Comments or questions? Contact me.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

WL Reads - Sunday,

January 8 @ 1PM ET

WL Reads Co-Chairs, Merle Carrus and Susan Farber interview Lori Banov Kaufman, author of Rebel Daughter, on January 8th. Join us for an engaging virtual conversation about this novel and Ms. Kaufman’s writing process.

The next WL Reads Dates are listed below. Click on the Date for more info and to register early. We hope you can join us: Thursday, April 27

Women of the Wall Webinar - Wednesday, January 11 @

1:30 PM ET

Reading the news about Israel and feeling overwhelmed? Women of the Wall doesn't blame you. Now is not the time to be apathetic. Women of the Wall invites you to join a special webinar and hear from our strategic policy advisor. The event will take place on Wednesday, January 11, 8:30 Israel time / 1:30 EST / 10:30 PST. Let WOW show you the opportunities and challenges facing us today. WOW will help you understand the complexity of the Israeli political situation and offer you a much-needed moment of hope.

The Climate on Capitol Hill - Tuesday, January 17 @

8:00 PM ET

Women’s League has a unique opportunity to once again participate in being part of the change! Join us on Tuesday, January 17th when we co-sponsor a webinar with Jewish Earth Alliance to hear what opportunities our new Congress can bring for climate action. Hear directly from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) about what Jews can do to press for Tikkun Olam in the 118th Congress. Whitehouse is a climate champion who has kept up a drumbeat for action on climate change with over 285 speeches to the Senate. You’ll also have an opportunity to sign up for virtual lobbying on Tu Bishvat, Monday, February 6th.

Personal Conversations - Thursday, January 19 

@ 7:30 PM ET

Discovering Lost Holocaust Family and a Community of Helpers.

How a book, film, and non-Jews in Poland launched my journey.

In Conversation with Marsha Raimi

WLCJ Southern Region Treasurer

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the day when the Allies first liberated a Nazi Camp, will be observed on Friday, January 27, 2023.

WL Personal Conversations Chair, Vivian Leber comes in conversation with Southern Region Treasurer, Marsha Raimi. Marsha will share her personal story: how she unearthed a fuller version of her father’s Holocaust history, found survivors and other descendants, and has become a Holocaust educator...

2023/5783 – January 21/28 Tevet

Parashat Vaera

You are invited to tailor the following texts to meet the needs and goals of your Women’s League Shabbat committee. We have included poems and readings based on the theme of Chazak v’Ematz and we have provided a D’var Torah to be used on January 21, 2023 for Parashat Vaera, and a generic D’var Torah to be used if you schedule your Women’s League Shabbat for a different date. We have also included letters of greeting that may be read at your services from Women’s League International President Debbi Kaner Goldich, Women’s League Torah Fund Chair Barbara Ezring and Women’s League Executive Director Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields.



• Chazak V’Ematz
• Generic D’var Torah
• 5783 Women’s League Shabbat Torah Fund Greetings
• Women’s League Anniversary Shabbat

Jews in Film - Monday, January 23 @ 2 PM ET

NIGHT AND DAY—

The Jewish Connection to the Movie Musicals of the 1940s

Lois Silverman, WLCJ Communications Co-Chair

In the 1940s the creation of Hollywood musicals was led by Jewish composers, directors, and writers. The creators included legends of musical theater including: Irving Berlin, Sigmund Romberg, Jerome Kern, the Gershwin Brothers, Rodgers and Hart, and Rodgers and Hammerstein...

SAVE THE DATE

The next sessions are listed below. We hope you can join us:

Session 2 will explore the WW II years: 1942-1945, Monday, February 13 @ 2PM ET

Session 3 will explore the post-war years: 1946-1949, Monday, March 20 @ 2 PM ET

Health & Wellness - Thursday, January 26 @ 8 PM ET

Health & Wellness: End of Life Issues

WL Health & Wellness Chair, Mindy Steinholz holds a difficult conversations with Rabbi Ron Goldberg of Los Angeles Jewish Health. 

Rabbi Ron Goldberg

Born in Chicago IL, but relocated with his family at the advanced age of six months to Los Angeles and the then rural San Fernando Valley. In the early 1960s the San Fernando Valley was the home of horse and chicken ranches and endless orange groves. Rabbi Ron grew up in a traditional/Conservative movement home and attended Hebrew School at Temple Beth Ami of Reseda California...

SAVE THE DATE

Part II of this program is listed below. We hope you can join us:

Thursday, March 30 @ 8 PM ET

Registration information to come in the next newsletter.

Exploring LGBTQ+ Identities

Building Bridges . . . Creating Community

We live in a world in which our family members may be exploring new identities. Words like “cisgender, nonbinary, transgender and queer” (to name a few) may feel new to us. We seek greater understanding. To support our LGBTQ+ family members, we can learn about identity terms we may not yet have encountered. Some of us may also struggle with what appropriate pronouns to use. We will have the opportunity to learn affirming language and correct pronoun usage, Join Keshet and WLCJ for a two-part series which will provide us with foundational knowledge and shared language, so that we can better understand and affirm the important people in our lives. Attend both sessions or choose the one that interests you. Please be aware that the second session is predicated on the knowledge presented at the first one.

Mishpachah: Exploring LGBTQ+ Identities - Thursday, February 9 @ 7:30 PM ET

This training is designed to familiarize participants with the basics of building LGBTQ+ equality and belonging. Join our co- facilitators, Jackie Maris (pronouns: she/her/hers), Chicago Education and Training Manager, Rakhel Silverman (pronouns: they/them/theirs), New York Education and Training Manager as we cover LGBTQ+ terms and concepts. Bring your questions and concerns with you.

Mishpachah: Going Deeper: LGBTQ+ Language & Pronouns - Sunday, April 23 @ 7:30 PM ET

This training will focus on equipping participants to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community, specifically through language and pronoun-use. It assumes prior knowledge of the basics of LGBTQ+ identities and concepts, which will be covered in the first workshop. Rakhel Silverman (pronouns: they/them/theirs), New York Education and Training Manager, and Hannah "Hensch" Henschel, Associate Director of Education and Training (pronouns: they/them/theirs) will co-facilitate our discussion and answer our questions.

Jewels in the Crown Returns to Convention 2023

Application and supporting materials must be submitted to Women’s League by March 2, 2023.

For more information email: 

jewel@wlcj.org

Jewels in the Crown is an opportunity for your Sisterhood to be honored for exceptional programming and participation. See below for information and application. *NEW* more options to fill out the application.

Application online version was created on Google Forms as an alternative.

Programming Idea of the Week

Funny Girls - a NEW Talk on Zoom about the Funny Jewish Women of Film

Sponsored by the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET

Beginning with Jewish mother caricatures in the silent era through their evolution to becoming an indispensable segment of the Hollywood storytelling machine, Jewish women have never failed to capture the big screen with their attitudes, intelligence, appearance, style and, most of all, proudly Jewish wit. From such attention-grabbers as Totie Fields, Joan Rivers and Belle Barth to superstars like Fanny Brice, Gertrude Berg, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, they’re giving it up for the ladies and all the laughs they’ve provided over the decades. And they won’t forget about Molly Picon...

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Vayechi - January 7, 2023

This Shabbat, with the reading of Parashat Vayechi, we conclude the book of Genesis, Sefer Bereshit. When we conclude a book of the Torah, it is customary to say, “Hazak, Hazak, Venithazzek,” which some say means “be strong, be strong, let us be strengthened.” As the Torah reader concludes the final words of the book, s/he closes the scroll. Then the congregation pronounces “Hazak, Hazak, Venithazzek.” The Torah reader does not say anything, nor does the person with the aliyah, until after the congregation says it, at which point the Torah reader repeats the statement. Then the scroll is opened again and the person reciting the Aliyah blessing, kisses it, closes it, and says the final aliyah blessing. (This is one custom of doing this; there are probably many different ways people do this practice). 

A number of commentators link this custom to a midrash, Rabbinic legend, given in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. He teaches that when Joshua received revelation from the Holy One of blessing, God found Joshua sitting and holding the Book of Deuteronomy in his hand. God said to Joshua, “Hazak v’Ematz – Be strong, and be of good courage, Joshua. This book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth.” (Genesis Rabbah 6:18). Another explanation for this custom is connected to II Samuel 10:12, when Joab says, “חֲזַ֤ק וְנִתְחַזַּק֙…” which is often translated as “Let us be strong and resolute.” This seems to be the source for the language. Some translate “Hazak, Hazak, Venithazzek,” as “let us be strong, let us be strong, let us strengthen one another.” Some also translate it as “strong, strong, may we be strengthened again,” or “…we strengthen ourselves.” The word hazak is in the imperative mood, but also of unclear origins, thus the varying translations. “Venithazek” is a reflexive verb, which gives the idea of us imparting the strength to us. This custom encourages us to be strong to continue our reading and learning, to the next book of the Torah.  Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!

Makom B'Yachad

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12PM ET; 11AM CT; 9AM PT; 10AM MT

Join Zoom Meeting: 

https://zoom.us/j/630830287

Meeting ID: 630 830 287

Password: 875936

Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish?

Project Stock the Shelves

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors

If you’ve been shopping recently, you can’t help but notice how much the cost of food has gone up. Please consider contributing a Kosher item to your pantry collection this month.

Debbie Bettan

Social Justice Project Chair

dbettan@wlcj.org

Karen Block

Social Justice Co-Chair

kblock@wlcj.org

Ardis Wexler

Social Justice Co-Chair

judgeardis@aol.com

PrezNet

Join the WL PrezNet

Toby Maser

PrezNet Moderator

WLCJ 5783 Calendar Diaries in Pocket & Planner Sizes

Calendar Diaries are available in TWO SIZES. 

Pocket Size: 4x6in. 

Planner Size: 8.5x11in.

Both available to ORDER NOW.

The cost for the weekly questions email and hard-cover book is currently $99. For more information and to receive a $10 discount click below:

Women's League for Conservative Judaism gets a donation by using the link.

Cory Schneider

Archives Chair & Consultant

Past International President

Administrator, Torah Fund Legacy Society

cschneider@wlcj.org

WLCJ App

We brought back the WLCJ App.

It's available for download on all devices (iPhone/iPad/Google Play/Android).

WLCJ Website

The Women's League website now is available in all languages.

Visit our website: www.wlcj.org

Study Biblical Hebrew; A Jewish Lobbyist's Effort to Save Jews from the Holocaust; Cantorial Student Recital; & More

Celebrating a Year of Milestones

Schechter's Ongoing Hybrid and Zoom Courses in Jewish Literature, Philosophy, Art and History

New Digital Torah Fund eCards Available NOW:

Send a greeting with ecards and support Torah Fund! Make your gift more meaningful by using our ecards for every occasion!

Dear Torah Fund Leadership Team,

During this 80th anniversary year for Torah Fund, all $80+ donations will be reported and recognized by the Torah Fund office. Please share with us any 80th anniversary events happening in your Region or sisterhood. Also, we would appreciate it if you would forward any invitations, flyers or articles to us so we can share the updates.

Margie and Rita

Co-chairs of the Torah Fund’s 80th anniversary

Margie Miller              Rita Wertlieb

Mmiller@wlcj.org     Rwertlieb@wlcj.org

WOW Merchandise

All prices include regular shipping (with tracking, 2-4 weeks). Express shipping costs an extra $20 per item.

2023 Holocaust Remembrance

Eva Wachsmann (being held second from the left) was born in Kosice Mesto, in the former Czechoslovakia on 22 March 1930. Here she is pictured with her family at the family home. Eva was nine years old when the Second World War began. She did not survive the Holocaust. She was murdered by the Nazis in the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi concentration and death camp. Credit: Yad Vashem Archives, Hall of Names

Calendar of Events at United Nations Headquarters January | February

10 January – 23 February 2023

Exhibition “After the End of the World: Displaced Persons and Displaced Persons Camps”

Europe emerged from the Second World War utterly broken, with millions of refugees scattered across many countries. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) was created to resettle those displaced by the mayhem of the war and the Holocaust. The fragments from the past illuminate the work of UNRRA administrators, and chart how, in the aftermath of catastrophic loss, Holocaust survivors navigated their new lives in displaced persons camps. The exhibition is sourced with artefacts and documents from the archives of the United Nations and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, and draws upon the expertise of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity at the Graduate Center—CUNY. The exhibition was created by the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme and Professor Debórah Dwork, together with the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Archives, the United Nations Archives and Records Management Services, and with generous support of Stockton University.

Opening event: Tuesday, 24 January 2023, 11:00 a.m. EST, Visitors Lobby, United Nations Headquarters

Registration will open soon...                                        Read more, click here.

The Nefesh B’Nefesh JNF 2022-2023 Ma'alot Grant Program

Go to this LINK for the Ma'alot Grant information. It has details about the application plus a special offer from Rabbi Paul Freedman. He will be delighted to call you if you wish more information.

Is your synagogue considering a Mission to Israel in 2022 or 2023?

Our colleague, Rabbi Paul Freedman (nina_f@netvision.net.il) can offer resources including offers from Masorti Movement, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, and Nefesh B’Nefesh with its new Campus (located in the Kiryat Leumi, next to the Jerusalem Supreme Court). Some suggestions translate into budgetary reductions for your Mission especially with the NBN Campus.

New format for our EMagazine - Today’s Israel

Our EMagazine Today’s Israel, has a new format with fewer articles and an emphasis on photos. In this first issue there are three examples describing what Rabbi Paul’s partners, Nefesh B’Nefesh, Masorti and JNF are doing. Without their support, none of the above would be possible. We need your input with suggestions for future issues. Here is the Link. 

Don’t miss this new website – ExploringJudaism.org – where people like you can share personal and meaningful Jewish wisdom and reflection in addition to insight on practical living through the lens of Conservative/Masorti Judaism.

ExploringJudaism.org is a digital home for the Torah of Conservative/Masorti Judaism. While the name of this stream of Judaism was born well over a century ago, in the contemporary world Conservative Judaism is expressed through connection, community, and the creation of meaning.  This lens on Judaism is rooted in the idea that Judaism grows with us, that we’re guided by process, and that there is beauty in the balance.

Click on the button to visit website for summer events:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism