May 27, 2022 ~ 26 Iyyar 5872 |
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Women's League offices will be closed on Memorial Day, May 30th, as we remember and honor all of those who have served. |
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It’s Time…
…to look for that Jewish toolbox we put on the shelf only a short time ago. You know the one with the label that says: Open when the chaos of the world is too much with us. It’s that box -- the one where we keep our spiritual resources: booster shots of hope and faith as well as a mantel of peace. It’s time to take that box off the shelf and brush it off.
Because, today, there are no words to describe this dark hour we’re in. How do we process what is happening not only across the globe in Ukraine and but now here in our country? We’re struggling to absorb the news of more violence in our country. First the shooting of nine adults in the Tops Market in Buffalo, NY, ten days ago, and then Tuesday, the tragic mass shooting of nineteen children and two teachers inside their classroom at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As a community, we all grieve. As a community, we share the heart-wrenching pain with all the families affected in each tragedy.
As a community of caring Conservative Jewish women allwe wonder, how can we continue to navigate this world of uncertainty and be a source of light?
It’s Time…
…to search for meaning and to look for hope. Nietzsche once said that life has a meaning if our own life has a purpose. If there is task we have yet to fulfill, then something in us gives us strength to survive – a resilience to get through the pain of the present. A reminder of life’s fragility can encourage and empower us to a life of meaning and purpose. This can be a source of hope – a first step. Victor Frankel through his books on his experiences as a Holocaust survivor, amplifies this message as he encourages us to go forward in times of emotional /physical turmoil with hope and a sense of purpose. This, he says, will guide each of us back into fully embracing a life of possibilities, even now.
Its Time…
…to also revisit faith and its potential to steady the course of our lives. It’s the not knowing about our tomorrow that takes a toll on us today. Here’s where faith steps in. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l believed that to be a Jew is to have faith that our individual lives and collective history have meaning. We’re a people of the covenant, in a partnership with G-d. Leviticus teaches us about mutuality of commitments – the importance of serving; the comfort of knowing that G-d will not abandon us. Remembering above all that we are connected as a community by invisible threads of responsibility, and together, we can be a formidable force for good.
How do we continue to go forward seeing what we see every day? I have no magic answer. But the voices of spiritual leaders who have grappled with this question seem to whisper that we should activate those spiritual booster shots of hope and faith we keep sequestered. They can strengthen us to go forward and fearlessly take life on.
And it’s through Central Great Lake Region and Women’s League, that we can discover countless opportunities to make empowered choices of how to do this! Many of these opportunities can be found in the WL Week listing below and on www.wlcj.org. There are opportunities to: study at the Masorti Women’s Study Day; receive updates on Masorti’s new strategic vision; pray and learn at Makom B’Yachad; join women worldwide in Tikkun Leil Shavuot; discover what stress and sustainability have in common; and participate in a program of music, inspiration and hope for the people of Ukraine. How good is that!
Together in hope and faith, we have opportunities to live our lives with a deep sense of purpose and service to our Jewish Community, preserve the beautiful legacy of our traditions, and together find the courage to make our lives a blessing.
Together in hope and faith, we can pray for a mantel of peace to protect us all as we move forward in the days and months ahead:
“May G-d spread over us, over Israel, and over all humanity, a Sukkat Shalom – a protective shelter of peace.”
Keep your light ever-bright and share it with others!
Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
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A Prayer for the Children and Teachers,
Victims of the School Shooting in Uvalde,Texas
by Rabbi Naomi Levy
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Our hearts are breaking, God,
As we mourn
innocent children
and their teachers.
The loss is overwhelming.
Send comfort and strength, God,
to grieving parents,
To siblings, family and friends
in this time of shock and mourning.
Shield them from despair.
Send healing to the schoolchildren who are lost and frightened
Whose eyes witnessed unfathomable horrors.
Ease their pain, God,
Let their fears give way to hope.
Let their cries give way once more
to laughter.
Bless us, God,
Work through us.
Turn our helplessness into action.
Teach us to believe that we can rise up from this tragedy
With a renewed faith
in the goodness of our society.
Shield us from indifference
And from our tendency to forget.
Open our hearts, open our hands.
Innocent blood is calling out to us
to act and pass the laws
that will stop gun violence.
Remind us that we must commit ourselves to prevent further bloodshed
With all our hearts and souls.
Teach us perseverance and dedication.
Let us rise up as one
in a time of soul-searching and repair
So that all children can go to school
in peace, God,
Let them be safe.
God of the brokenhearted,
God of the living, God of the dead,
Gather the souls of the victims
Into Your eternal shelter.
Let them find peace in Your presence, God.
Their lives have ended
But their lights can never be extinguished.
May they shine on us always
And illuminate our way.
Amen.
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Dear CGLR Sisters,
We are heartbroken over the tragic mass murder of nineteen innocent children and two of their teachers inside their classroom at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Our hearts ache for the children who were lost, those who were witness to the event, their parents, teachers, counselors, and neighbors. We grieve with them. We weep with them. We pray for them.
In the spirit of deepest respect, our reprise of our CGLR Conference and Leadership Notes will be published in the next issue of The WAVE.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
Pam Schlosberg
CGLR President
Central Great Lakes Region President
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
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In the US, donate via The Schechter Institutes,Inc.
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When: Sunday, July 16 - Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Where: Schaumburg, Illinois
Last call to complete our WL Convention 2023 survey!
We’d like to hear from YOU by today, Friday, May 27.
Please note - There will be a Registration Fee for Virtual Participation.
Please be assured that the health and safety of our delegates will be our main concern. In order to attend, all delegates must show proof of vaccination and boosters.
If you have already completed the Convention Survey and this changes your first response, please feel free to respond again. And please encourage others you know to also take a minute to complete the Convention survey this week.
Many thanks,
Edna Schrank
Convention 2023 Chair
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Visit our CGLR Website and Join us on Facebook at
CGL Region, today!
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Torah Fund supports programs and scholarships at the five Conservative/Masorti global institutes
of higher education.
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On May 19 th, the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) held its rabbinical ordination and on May 16 th Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies held their ordination. Watching these future rabbi’s being ordained helps give me the perspective of how all our hard work raising funds for Torah Fund has paid off.
Torah Fund helps perpetuate the future of Conservative Judaism. How apropos that are Torah Fund B’Yachad is ending. We still have one more month to finish our fundraising and tie up loose ends. One can donate online till June 30 th at midnight and it will be still counted towards the B’Yachad campaign. All checks should be mailed by June 15 th, so they are at the Torah Fund office by June 30 th . I know many have questions regarding reports that Andrea and I send out each month. I would like you to continue to send me questions but understand it may take some time for them to be answered as the Torah Fund office is short staffed
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Again I want to thank everyone for the continued commitment to Torah Fund.
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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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Congregation Anshe Emet,
Chicago, IL CDT
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Congregation Beth Hillel B'nai Emunah, Wilmette, IL CDT |
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Helene Herman presented a fascinating program on the Shanghai Ghetto a few weeks ago for Congregation Ohave Sholom Sisterhood of Rockford, Illinois. I attended and thought this would be a good resource for our Affiliates to keep in mind. Ms. Herman can talk on numerous topics and her list is included in the button at the bottom.
If you are looking for an interesting and informative virtual or in person program Ms. Herman does an excellent job!
Shalom,
Laurie B. Davis
Past CGLR President & CGLR Wave Editor
Helene Herman does programs for sisterhoods all over the country. She does not charge but asks for donations, preferably to the Torah Fund. She stated that she is well paid by universities for her lectures but does more for sisterhood programs and has done up to three a week.
The next lecture she is working on is"Jews of Spain".
Helene Herman, President
Sisterhood of Temple Beth Torah Sha'aray Tzedek
Tamarac, Florida
(917) 204-9517
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Mazel Tov to
Debbie & Hamilton Lempert,
on the graduation of their son, Zak Lempert Drazin, form the Hebrew Union College Los Angeles with a Master's in Jewish Non-Profit Management
Mazel Tov to
Rebecca & Howard Goldwasser,
on the graduation of their daughter, Tamar from
University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology
Mazel Tov to
All the New Board Members Installed in our CGLR Affiliates!!
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Baruch Dayan HaEmet
for Karen Simon Stanley z'l
daughter of Carol & Jeff Simon, Past International President of Women's League
for Conservative Judaism and current Bold Steps Chair.
The funeral & Shiva have taken place.
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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: pgs567@comcast.net
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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
AndreaDHeiger@gmail.com
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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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Women's League Happenings |
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Women's League is looking to adopt new bylaws. Please join us at one of these two caucuses to learn about the proposed bylaws.
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WL Reads-June 2, 2022
7:00PM ET
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At the End of the World, Turn Left, a unique literary mystery set in Milwaukee's eclectic Riverwest neighborhood during the 2008 recession, weaves together the tale of two immigrant sisters with very different ideas of home. Masha remembers her childhood in the former USSR, but found her life and heart in Israel's Orthodox community. Anna, a young artist and student, was only an infant when her family left but still yearns to find her roots. When Anna is contacted by a stranger from their hometown and then disappears, Masha is called back to Wisconsin to find her, and this search changes the family forever... |
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Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Saturday June 4th at 9:30PM EDT
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Tikkun Leil Shavuot Saturday, June 4th at 9:30PM EDT |
We are excited to announce our lineup and schedule for our third annual livestreamed
Conservative/Masorti Tikkun Leil Shavuot,
Saturday June 4th starting at 9:30 PM EDT.
Access to the experience is FREE for all, regardless of synagogue affiliation or organizational participation. It will be broadcast.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot 5782 is brought to you by ExploringJudaism, a home for the Torah of Conservative Judaism.
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Mivtza Ukraine- June 12 @ 10:00AM EDT |
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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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5783 Calendar Diaries-Order Yours Today! |
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Planner Size (8.5x11 in.)
Calendar Diary Planner Includes:
- Shabbat and holiday listings
- Torah readings
- Candle lighting times in cities in the United States, Canada and Israel
- Ample room for notes
- Prayers and berakhot
- Updated locations of Sisterhoods in North America and Kehillot in Israel
- Mourner's Kaddish, translated and transliterated
- Item Size: 8.5x11 inch
- Item Assembled: comb bound with plastic transparent cover; 72 pp
These are printed in-house as orders come in.
Available to ORDER NOW.
No additional discount for larger ordering quantities. Only phone or online orders.
$25.00
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Pocket Size
(4x6 in.)
Calendar Diary Pocket Includes:
- Shabbat and holiday listings
- Torah readings
- Candle lighting times in cities in the United States, Canada and Israel
- Ample room for notes
- Prayers and berakhot
- Updated locations of Sisterhoods in North America and Kehillot in Israel
- Mourner's Kaddish, translated and transliterated
- Item Size: 4x6 inch
- Item Assembled: spiral bound, 72 pp
- Includes plastic cover
These are printed from an outbound printer.
Available to PRE-ORDER NOW.
Orders will ship after Memorial Day. Discounted prices on orders over 11 by mail-in or phone orders.
$10.50
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Women’s League Archives:
Join Us in Our Quest!
Exciting things are happening with our Women’s League archives. The Board of Women’s League voted to permanently loan our archives to the Jewish Theological Seminary. This is fabulous since it will insure our historical items will be stored and catalogued properly and will be more accessible to our members as well as the public.
During the next few months, we will be transferring all of our archival material (and there is a lot) to JTS. And you can help! We want to make sure we have everything needed from Women’s League international, our branches and regions to tell our story. Do you have hidden away somewhere meeting minutes, branch/region directories, brochures, newsletters, event information, memorabilia, creative handcrafts...
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Key to Calendar
CGLR Events
WLCJ Events
Affiliate Events
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Thursday, June 2nd, at 1PM EDT & 8:15PM EDT New WLCJ ByLaws-2 sessions
Thursday, June 2nd, at 7:00PM EDT- WL Reads-Book-At the End of the World, Turn Left by Author Zhanna Slor
Saturday, June 4th at 9:30PM EDT Conservative/ Masorti Tikkun Leil Shavuot Livestream
Wednesday, June 8th at 8:45PM CDT- Anshe Emet Affiliate "Waters of the MIkveh" This is part 1 of 3.
Sunday, June 12th, at 10AM EDT- Mivtza Ukreaine -Live on Facebook and You Tube
Wednesday, June 15 - Torah Fund
B'Yachad Campaign Deadline for monies turned in to the Torah Fund Office to count for this year's campaign! Late monies will count towards the next Campaign year.
Tuesday, June 21st at 6:00PM CDT- Congregation Beth Hillel B'nai Emunah Affiliate "Culminating Dinner "A Taste of Greece"with the deadline to register is June 13.
Wednesday, June 22nd at 7:30PM CDT- Anshe Emet Affiliate "Waters of the MIkveh Event."This is part 2of 3.
Sunday, June 26th at 10:00PM CDT- Anshe Emet Affiliate "Waters of the MIkveh Event."This is part 3 of 3.
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Communication VP/ Wave Editor
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