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From the Region President |
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Dear Friends;
Parashat Bo, this week, continues the story of the suffering of the Egyptians due to Pharaoh’s obstinacy. “Go to Pharaoh,” (Bo el Paroh) God tells Moshe, “for I have hardened his heart, and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your sons and of your sons’ sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am the LORD.” (10:1-2)
There have been seven plagues in the past chapters and the same thing seems to happen for each plague. Moses asks Pharaoh to “Let my people go”. Pharaoh refuses. Moses, through God, brings on another plague. Pharoah relents and tells Moses he can go, but then he ‘hardens his heart’ and refuses again. Each time the cycle starts over.
The simple meaning of the opening verse of the parashah seems to be that God did not display signs in order to soften Pharaoh’s heart so that he would let Israel go. On the contrary—God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that Pharaoh would not let Israel go and thus would allow God to display the signs so that the Israelites would understand and believe in His omnipotent power.
What does it mean to ‘harden one’s heart’? The generally accepted view is that the heart is the centre of our emotions. The heart can feel things like joy, love, sorrow, grief or fear. In addition, when the Torah mentions the heart, it sees it not only as the centre of emotion but also the centre of the intellect. As Rabbi Gunther Plaut has described it, hardening the heart doesn’t necessarily mean having unfeeling emotions; it can also mean to make one’s intellect resistant to change or to closing one’s mind. In other words, when Pharaoh hardens his heart, he is closing himself off to understanding or recognizing the truth.
What type of things close our minds off or narrow our views? I would count fear, trauma, hatred, anxiety, ignorance, etc. We all no doubt have experienced some of these feelings at some point in our lives. Why was Pharaoh so afraid? Perhaps he felt that letting the slaves go free would change the fundamental functioning of his society.
However, we cannot allow fear and hatred to harden our hearts. We have to work hard to recognize our differences and work toward mutual understanding and respect despite our differing points of view. I believe just by asking the hard questions and searching our souls, we can overcome those fears and become better versions of ourselves.
REGION NEWS
It’s still not too late to register for our region’s Torah Fund program on January 12th at 7:30pm. Lisa Ellison is an amazing speaker and you will truly enjoy her presentation. She has done extensive research into both American and Canadian Jewish women who have been community activists and human rights advocates. In these worrisome times, this is the type of program that will lift your spirits and make you feel proud of these courageous Jewish women. See the flyer below in our newsletter for details and simply email Adele Weinstein ([email protected]) to register.
Thanks to Gail Zussman, President of Temple Beth El Sisterhood in Ithaca, NY for finding the lovely Mizvah-A-Day flyer (below) developed by PJ Library. PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old. If the young children in your lives don’t know about PJ Library, it’s a wonderful present to get for them. Just sign up at https://pjlibrary.org/home
Shabbat Shalom,
Marilyn Cohen, INR President
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From our Torah Fund Vice President |
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B’Yachad – Together - Torah Fund 2021-22
Torah Fund, the dedicated tzedakah of Women’s League, is all about the future. The dollars donated today educate today’s students who are studying today to become our rabbis, cantors and educators of tomorrow. A commitment to the Legacy Society ensures that the funds will be there to support their endeavors in the future. Learn more by clicking here:
Today’s gift. Tomorrow’s legacy. B’Yachad – Together – Each donation, large or small, makes a difference. Please give as generously as you can by contacting your local Torah Fund chair. In the U.S., you may donate on line by clicking here: Donate to Torah Fund (jtsa.edu)
For our Canadian donors, we are told the online option is coming soon. Until then, please continue to send your cheques to your Torah Fund chair or mail to: The Jewish Theological Society, 100 Elder Street, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5G7.
Don’t forget to join us on January 12th for our region’s program in support of our affiliates’ Torah Fund Campaigns. Come learn together about women who worked for social justice, making a better future for us all, as we support Torah Fund. Registration information is on the flyer in this issue of Chai Lines.
Speaking of the future, Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, falls on January 17th. When we plant a tree, we are not always around to enjoy the shade or fruit it will eventually offer, but we plant trees anyway. We plan and plant for the future.
In honor of Tu B’Shevat, here are instructions to grow your own pine tree. I found these instructions on the Internet, went for a walk, and returned home with a pocketful of pine cones. I’ll let you know if it really works. Like Torah Fund, it all takes patience to see what the future will bring.
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Comments? Questions? Concerns? Please contact me.
Linda Boxer
Torah Fund VP
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Our Upcoming Region Programs: |
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In Search of Social Justice
Wednesday January 12, 2022 @ 7:30 PM
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It Is Not Too Late To Register! Email Adele Now! |
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PRESENTS OUR PROGRAM IN HONOR OF |
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The dedicated tzedekah of Women’s League, supporting the five Conservative/Masorti Seminaries
around the world
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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.
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IN SEARCH OF
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Wednesday,
January 12, 2022
7:30 pm
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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.
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For your reservation and to receive Zoom link, email Adele Weinstein: [email protected]
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Beth David Women Present: |
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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 - training will be provided. Also, it would be helpful (but not absolutely necessary) 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 [email protected].
Thank You!
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January 2022 | Tevet/Shevat 5782 |
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For more information/registration, see the detailed fliers below.
Or - click anywhere on the calendar and it will take you to the WL Week where you can "click" on each individual program!
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Mazel tov to Israel’s newest Conservative Rabbis
Nava Brenshtin, Eitan Krul, Amirit Rosen and Danny Weininger from the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary
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On December 30, 2021, Nava B. Meiersdorf , Eitan Krul, Amirit Rosen and Danny Weininger were ordained by the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem.
They join the ranks of 102 Conservative rabbis whose impact on religious pluralism in Israel is inestimable.
Rabbi Nava B. Meiersdorf is forming a new Kehilla in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ein Kerem.
Rabbi Eitan Krul is building a Kehilla in south Tel Aviv.
Rabbi Amirit Rosen serves Kehilla Moreshet Avraham in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Danny Weininger is the rabbi for the gap year program, Kivunim, and works at the Jewish Agency.
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Consulting Services Workshop #1:
Evolving Job Descriptions for Success -
Sunday, January 9th @ 3 PM ET
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Questions?
Contact
Renee Ravich
Consulting Services Chair, Sisterhood Support Chair
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Looking for new leadership for your Sisterhood affiliates but not sure what to do? Women’s League is offering two workshops presented by our Consulting Services team and open to all members in January and February 2022.
1st Workshop: Evolving Volunteer Job Descriptions for Success -- defining and tweaking for today’s realities.
Members of the board have portfolios of responsibilities. Do they still work for your group? This program, open to ALL members, will take place on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET.
A Women's League training program to support all regions and Sisterhood affiliates by the Consulting Services of WLCJ.
Coming soon:
2nd Workshop: Exploring Leadership -- finding alternatives to the traditional leadership structure. It will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET.
Separate registration is required to attend either workshop.
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Campus Antisemitism - Tuesday, January 11 @ 1:00 PM ET |
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Women's League Shabbat 2022 |
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2022/5782 – January 15/13 Shevat Parashat Beshalach
HaChanah L’Shabbat B’Yachad –
Preparation for Shabbat Together (to be
used on January 15th for WL Shabbat or
any other Friday night)
D'vrei Torah for WL Shabbat
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WLCJ Open Board Meeting - Wednesday, January 19th @ 7:00 PM ET |
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All WLCJ members are welcome to our Open Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 19th @ 7 PM ET
Dvar Torah - Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin
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Bio: Part of the first class of women ordained as Conservative rabbis, Nina Beth Cardin embraced the unconventional path of a “community pulpit” by founding healing centers and creating new ways to approach miscarriage and loss. Cardin created the Jewish Women’s Resource Center in 1978 before joining the first group of women admitted to the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1984...
To continue reading, click HERE.
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Personal Conversations - Thursday, January 20th @
7:30 PM ET
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Questions?
Contact
Vivian Leber
Personal Conversations Chair
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Discovering and Sharing our Genetic Information
Who isn’t curious about what our genes can tell us?
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Jews are among the best customers for direct-to-consumer genetic tests and their packaged analysis. Are they useful, or confusing?
We also have well-studied variants for certain diseases, owing to our ancestors having lived and married in tight-knit communities.
When is it advisable for us to seek medical genetic testing? What is the genetics counselor’s role? If we do find that we carry a “bad” gene, what’s next?
Should we fear the potential for discrimination against us individually and as a people from all this genomic disclosure?
From a wider lens, how do the frontiers of genetic science intersect with bioethics and Jewish standards? And might the discovery of our genetic information and lineage confound our understanding of Jewish identity?
These and other probing questions will be explored by two experts in their respective fields:
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Jews in Film - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Series - Monday, January 24th @ 3 PM
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Questions?
Lois Silverman
WLCJ Communications Chair
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Jews in Film, a Women's League education program; Somewhere over the Rainbow – The Jewish Connection to Movie Musicals of the 1930s.
Join Lois Silverman as she presents how Jews and their music have influenced American music and especially American musical theater. This truly American art form attracted the talents of the greatest songwriters of the pre-rock era who between them wrote the musical and lyrics for practically all the great musicals of the ’30s and ’40s.
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Torah Fund Stands with Israel - Monday, January 24th
@ 8 PM ET
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Please join Torah Fund to their second Torah Fund Stands With Israel virtual event Monday evening, January 24 at 8:00pm eastern time.
Please click this link to reserve:
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Masorti Women Study, Reflect and Pray in Our Challenging Times - January 26th and February 13th @ 12 noon ET |
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WL Reads - Thursday, January 27th @ 7 PM ET |
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Questions?
Contact
Merle Carrus
WL Reads Co-Chair
or
Susan Farber
WL Reads Co-Chair
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WL Reads co-chairs Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will be interviewing Elyssa Friendland, is the author of four novels. Her latest, Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, was a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, a Book of the Month selection, and a Skimm Must Read. It is currently in its fourth printing. Friedland teaches novel writing at Yale, from which she graduated. She also has a juris doctor degree from Columbia Law School. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children. Join the author and WL Reads co-chairs this January 27th.
Zoom link will be sent upon registering.
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Joint Program of WLCJ and WOW: Who Owns the Western Wall? - Sunday, January 30 - 12 PM ET |
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Click Here to read message from Yochi Rappeport, Executive Director of WOW
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Join Us!
Registration
Deadline:
January 24th
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Questions? Contact:
Lori Snow
WLCJ Event Chair, WLCJ WOW Liaison
or
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lllene Rubin
Chair, World Community Engagement
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WOW Merchandise
All prices include regular shipping (with tracking, 2-4 weeks). Express shipping costs an extra $20 per item:
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Challah Cover - same design as our Garden of Eden tallit - $72
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Mishpachah: The Modern Jewish Family - Monday, January 31st @ 7:30 PM ET |
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Questions?
Contact
Fran Hildebrandt
Mishpachah Chair
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Mishpachah: The Modern Jewish Family
Monday, January 31 @ 7:30 PM ET
Can We Talk?
Developing Communication Skills to Use During Difficult Times
It's my partner’s birthday. How do I discuss a celebration with my family? There’s my older daughter who has two unvaccinated preschool children that she worries about; my vaccinated son who is a nurse and could still be exposed to Covid at work; my younger daughter who works in a place where no one wears a mask, and their vaccination status is unknown; and my sister-in-law who is still deciding whether to get vaccinated and wears a mask indoors but not outdoors. How can I make this work?
This is just one example of situations facing families today that creates conflict.
What can we do to restore and rebuild communication within our families? When disagreements exist, how do we create safe environments that empower us to navigate our differences? How do we enable our divided family members to talk to each other? How do we create bridges and tear down barriers?
Please join us and psychologist Dr. Alison Block of Health Psychology Center who will discuss communication problems/issues and the conflict resolution strategies we can apply when our family members disagree with each other.
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Programming Idea of the Week |
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Evgenia (Jane) Kempinski
Submitted by
Grace Schessler, WL Programming Chair
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Online Jewish Travel Club |
Meet Evgenia (Jane) Kempinski, a Russian Jew raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. Jane has been a tour guide for more than 15 years and is the founder of St. Petersburg Jewish Tours, a company which offers Jewish travelers from across the world a unique combination of general sightseeing in St. Petersburg and Moscow as well as Jewish Heritage, showcasing the best of Russia from a Jewish point of view...
To continue reading, click HERE.
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submitted by
Rabbi Margie Cella
WLCJ Educator
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Parashat Bo Exodus 10:1-13:16 Haftarah Jeremiah 46:13-28 - January 8, 2022
Parashat Bo continues the story of the Exodus, beginning with the description of the last of the plagues: locusts, then darkness; both times Pharaoh agrees to let them go, and once again changes his mind. Finally, there is the death of the firstborn. God instructs the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and put the blood on the doorposts; for 7 days they are to eat unleavened bread.
In the haftarah Jeremiah issues 2 prophecies of doom against Egypt, predicting its downfall at the hands of the Babylonian King Nebuchednezzar. Egypt will be punished for having enslaved Israel. These messages are followed by 2 messages containing the promise that Israel will be released from Babylonian captivity.
The Torah portion and haftarah are connected B'yachad very strongly by language. The name of the parashah, Bo, comes from the verb lavo, to come. This same verb appears in various forms 5 times in the haftarah (lavo in verse 13; yavo, it will come, v. 18; ba, comes, twice, v. 20 and again in v. 21; ba-u, they come, v. 22). There is also a homonym, bo (spelled with a vav instead of an aleph), meaning “on him”, appearing in verse 25.
The first plague in the parashah is locusts; the enemy in the haftarah is described as coming down like locusts (v. 23).
Finally, and most importantly, in the parashah, God finally exacts punishment on the Pharaoh of Egypt for refusing to let the people of Israel go free, demonstrating very vividly Hashem’s power and authority over the gods of Egypt; in the haftarah, Jeremiah foretells that the God of Israel will inflict punishment “on Pharaoh—on Egypt, her gods and her kings…” (v. 25) The prophet speaks of the end of Egypt’s reign.
Reading the parashah and the haftarah together delivers a powerful message: ours is a God who keeps promises.
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Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish? |
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Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
12 PM Noon ET; 11 AM CT; 9 AM PT;
10 AM MT
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
Dial by your location:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York);
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose);
+1 647 558 0588 (Canada);
+972 55 330 1762 (Israel); or
find your local number:
Save the Date:
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - Siyyum (Completion of study) Ceremony for Mishnah Rosh HaShanah
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The Rabbinical Assembly - Preorder |
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Coming soon from the Rabbinical Assembly: A new edition of Megillat Esther! Newly translated and interpreted for the 21st century, this Hebrew-English edition draws on traditional sources, contemporary scholarship, and deep insights from Conservative rabbis to bring the megillah to life. |
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Megillat Esther: The Book of Esther features:
The Hebrew text of the megillah
An expanded narrative translation (by Rabbi Martin S. Cohen) that evokes the playfulness and allusiveness of the megillah
A second, contextual translation (by Rabbi Pamela Barmash) that draws on contemporary scholarship in Biblical Hebrew to capture the literary style and linguistic connotations of the Hebrew text
Thoughtful essays on each chapter of the megillah that unfold its literary and religious meanings
Insightful comments on selected verses by a diverse group of Conservative rabbis, including Rachel Ain, Jacob Blumenthal, Neil F. Blumofe, Analia Bortz, Susan Leider, Zachary Silver, Amy S. Wallk, and Yonatan M. Warren
Blessings to be recited before and after the public reading of the megillah on Purim, as well as the accompanying evening (Arvit) service from Siddur Lev Shalem
By bringing multiple voices and interpretations to the Book of Esther, Megillat Esther reflects the rich diversity of people and approaches that characterizes Conservative Judaism. This innovative book will yield fresh insights and enhance your experience of Purim year after year.
Preview chapter 1 of the megillah here.
Megillat Esther: The Book of Esther, edited by Martin S. Cohen. List price $15.00, discounted price of $10.00 for RA/CA/USCJ or bulk orders of 50+
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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.
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Cory Schneider
Archives Chair & Consultant
Past International President
Administrator, Torah Fund Legacy Society
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Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors. Check with your local pantry for other suggestions. |
Debbie Bettan
Social Justice Project Chair
Karen Block
Social Justice Co-Chair
Ardis Wexler
Social Justice Co-Chair
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We brought back the WLCJ App.
It's available for download on all devices (iPhone/iPad/Google Play/Android).
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The Women's League website now is available in all languages.
Visit our website:
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Upcoming Sisterhood Calendar Events & WL Groups to Join |
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Rosh Chodesh Healing Circle
Tuesday, Feb 1 - 6:30 PM ET
Email Sue for Zoom:
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9th Annual Open a Book...
Open Your Mind for 2020-21.
NOW until April 2022
Admission is $18 per author
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Previous WLCJ Programming |
Weren't able to join us? Visit our Youtube Channel for more videos. View our past recordings.ning!"
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#GivingTuesday Tribute Video
As a THANK YOU we promised to share a tribute video of all donors to #GivingTuesday.
Look for your name in the video.
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Want to join WLCJNet?
Contact Sherry Lynn Rubin,
Sisterhood Net Chair
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American Mothers of Olim GoogleGroup |
Contact Ellie Kremer,
the WLCJ Israel Committee Chair by text or email:
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Join the WL PrezNet
Toby Maser
PrezNet Moderator
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Tell us about YOUR Sisterhood
event coming up!
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News from Seminaries WLCJ Supports |
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A History of Jews and the Left; Online Learning for Teens; KHURBM: The Forgotten Genocide; and More |
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Hebrew Classes Begin in 1 Week! |
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Schechter's Winter 2022 Hybrid and Zoom Courses |
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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!
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Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards:
Applications due Soon
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Help spread the word about this opportunity to honor 15 outstanding Jewish teen leaders with a $36,000 award for their efforts towards repairing our world.
Nominate or encourage a teen in your community to apply!
The application is live and due on or before
Friday, January 7, 2022:
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Recruiting Jewish Athletes to Play Wheelchair Basketball
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Seeking Jewish Para-Athletes Join the USA Delegation
Israel, July 5-26, 2022*
Paralympic Swimming
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Table Tennis
Wheelchair Tennis
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Valley Beit Midrash - December 2021/January 2022 |
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Requiring Brit Mikvah for female trans converts?
Thursday, January 20, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm MST
Non-member: $18
Presented by
Rabbi Adina Lewittes
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Presented by
Lauren Cohen Fisher
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From Flood to Rainbow
Friday, January 31, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm MST
Non-member: $18
Presented by Rabbi Avi Strausberg
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How to Answer a Fool
February 3, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm MST
Non-member: $18
Presented by Professor Christine Hayes
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The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center - July 11-17, 2022 |
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FJC 50th Anniversary Mission to Israel
This coming July, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center welcomes you back to an open and thriving post-pandemic Israel for an educational, inspiring, and unforgettable week-long mission where we will put our Jewish identities FRONT AND CENTER.
For Itinerary and Registration:
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MERCAZ USA, MERCAZ-Masorti Canada, and The Cantors Assembly present …
Sunday, January 16, 2022 | 7:30 PM ET
In collaboration with the Cantors Assembly, MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ-Masorti Canada are delighted to celebrate this Zionist chag (holiday) – which draws our attention to the land of Israel and our connections to it, with all of you!
To join us, please complete the registration form on our website. Zoom information will be displayed and emailed to you after you click ‘Register Now.'
Our Tu B’Shevat Seder packet and other resources will be available to download from this page on our web site the week prior to our celebration.
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URGENT! ADVOCATE FOR YOSEF KIBITA ...
DENIED ALIYA - MIGHT BE DEPORTED FROM ISRAEL
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Yosef Kibita is at risk of deportation, after the Israeli Interior Ministry denied his application for Aliya, as his visa is set to expire December 31, 2021. We are outraged at this decision and need to advocate for it to be overturned immediately.
To read more, click HERE.
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INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism |
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