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Welcome!

As members of a WLCJ affiliated sisterhood or as a WLCJ Individual Member, you are also belong to the International Northeast Region (INR) of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and we are happy to be able to send you our bi-weekly region newsletter we call “Chai Lines”! Please read and enjoy!

Dear Friends,

This week’s Parsha is SHOFTIM. It opens with Moses telling the people to appoint judges in their settlements so that they may be governed with justice. These judges must show no partiality and are forbidden to take bribes. “Justice Justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that Adonai your God is giving you” - Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof, lema’an tichye v’yarashta et ha’aretz asher Adonai Elohecha noten lach” (Shoftim 16:20). A person may receive the death penalty only on the testimony of two witnesses and if witnesses give false testimony, they shall be punished. If a case dealing with homicide, civil law or assault proves too complex for the court hearing it, it is to be sent to a higher court of priests or judges whose verdict must be carried out.

There is a lot more to the parsha, but it was the idea of justice that spoke to me. Actually, I was thinking what society was like before these laws were introduced. Was there complete lawlessness or arbitrary judgements in society? Was there anarchy or general disorder? Did chaos reign? I like to think that it was Judaism and the teachings of the Torah that were the answer to the chaos in the ancient world. The Jews taught the world to be just, to be kind to each other, to protect the land, to care for the widow, orphan and even strangers and to be responsible for each other. Just like our Women’s League theme says - “Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Bazeh” – All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.

Isn’t it amazing how we have the power to sometimes change chaos around us into orderliness & meaning? Haven’t we heard “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” It is the proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Didn’t we invent Makom B’Yachad out of the bleakest, darkest days of the Pandemic?

In my life, what could have been a disaster, turned out an amazing celebration. Monday was the wedding anniversary of my daughter Debbie. Do you remember 20 years ago, on August 14th, when the whole Eastern part of North America was plunged into darkness?

Well at first, we were in the middle of taking pictures of the wedding party and thought it was the photographer’s fault for blowing a fuse. We soon learned it was a total blackout. But out of the 350 guests, only 50 didn’t make it. Luckily the venue had a small generator so even though the chandeliers were dark, the candles provided enough light, the band, photographer & videographer shared one working outlet, the gas ovens cooked most of the food and we danced the opening horah for over a half hour – minus jackets, sweaters, ties & sometimes shoes. All in all, an amazing night to remember!

Other weddings in the city had to be cancelled but with God’s help, a lucky choice of venue with a generator, and our positive attitude and determination, we turned our potential chaos into a miraculous, joyous occasion we will never forget. I hope, at some time, you all experience that kind of happiness in your lives as well.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

INRPresident21@wlcj.org

P.S. See below for messages from Linda Boxer and Adele Weinstein, both of whom were "first time" delegates at the recent WLCJ Convention.

Linda Boxer

Going to Schaumburg for the recent WLCJ Convention as my first in-person convention for Women’s League was memorable. I previously had attended other meetings for USCJ Youth Commission and USCJ itself. In 2020, I attended the WLCJ virtual convention in “Zoomburg”. This convention was different from anything else I had attended previously.

For the past two years, I have been meeting monthly via Zoom and working with the other region’s Torah Fund Vice Presidents. Likewise, our initial training was over Zoom. It may be hard to believe but we have bonded over Zoom. At the convention ten out of thirteen of us were together, as we joined our leaders and mentors, Barbara Ezring, Janet Kirschner, Madeline Gimbel, and incoming Torah Fund Vice Chair Lori Snow, all together in one room - and we were delighted to be together. A few others joined via Zoom because that is how we do things these days.

Zoom buddies have become fast friends. Five of us prepared a Jeopardy style game for the Torah Fund session on the schedule. Only 5 people had signed up, but we planned on having fun while teaching about Torah Fund anyway. Imagine our surprise when 50 people came to our session. We needed more chairs. We only had 20 prizes. Barbara Ezring, outgoing International Torah Fund chair, wrote: The Torah Fund workshop that you created for the convention was excellent - one of the best workshops I've ever been to at a WL Convention. Kol HaKavod! How wonderful to be part of that group of talented, dedicated women.

Of course, meeting my INR sisters was delightful, too. Phone calls, emails, and Zoom do not begin to match the feeling of being together in person. Adele and I grabbed a table in the lobby of the hotel and rubber-banded the Canadian and US flags for each member of our delegation. INR could wave our flags when any of our members were being honored. We kvelled together with INR members celebrating b’not mitzvah - Ruth Shapiro, Corinne Hammerschlagg, and Marion Tully and again when Linda Steinhorn and Doreen Bornfreund were installed on the WLCJ Executive Committee!  

The sessions were diverse and interesting. My regret is that I was too engrossed to take notes. I will have to spend some time watching the recordings to remind myself of all that I heard. I was up early every morning and went to bed past my bedtime every night. There were programs to attend and conversations to be had. Sleep could wait until I was home. I was excited to reconnect with a high school classmate, the daughter of fellow Buffalonians, my daughter’s former rabbi, to have dinner with a long-ago friend. The food, for the most part, was excellent, particularly the brisket. At the dance party, my hand was henna-ed.

My memories of convention are a kaleidoscope of images, lessons, tastes, and friends. One day my husband texted me to remind me of a meeting he had that evening, a reminder to me not to call then. Hours later he texted his meeting was over. My response: mine isn’t! I was at the session concerning the Women of the Wall. Linda Steinhorn and I stayed to the end. When it was over, after midnight, it was too late to call home. The takeaway for me, of that particular program, is admiration for the women who endure humiliating searches to be allowed to pray at the Wall. May they, and we, go from strength to strength.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund Vice President

Adele Weinstein

As a first time delegate at the recent Women’s League convention, I want to express my appreciation to everyone who organized the recent convention in Schaumburg, Illinois. When I first walked in the door, I was welcomed with open arms. I knew that I was in the right place with women I lovingly call my “sisters”. 

Convention reminded me of my happy days when I was involved in United Synagogue Youth (USY) and Camp Ramah. Here I was, 50 years later, dancing, singing, learning, eating delicious food and enjoying Jewish life with over 200 intelligent, caring and creative women.

I am so proud to be part of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.

Adele Weinstein

INR Program/Education Vice President

President Beth Tikvah Women

Condolences

Stanley Shapiro, z"l

With sadness we advise you of the passing of Stanley Shapiro, husband of Mundy Shapiro, President of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth El in Utica New York. Messages of condolence can be sent to Mundy at 144 Westminster Rd, Utica, NY 13501.

Cheryl Patt, z"l

With sadness we advise you of the passing of Cheryl Patt z"l. Cheryl was a past president of the former New York State Branch. She was a past member of the WLCJ Executive Committee, past Finance Committee Chair, past WLCJ Investment Chair and past member of the Torah Fund Cabinet. Messages of condolence to Cheryl's family may be sent to her home, at the address above or to MemoriesofCherylPatt@gmail.com.

Refuah Sh'leimah

We wish a hearty Refuah Sh'leimah to Dorothy Tonchin as she recovers from her recent surgery. Well wishes can be sent to Dorothy at debbybernie@gmail.com.

Announcing

Our 2023-2024



Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh

Campaign

All the people of Israel are responsible for one another

When I’m at shul and I open a siddur or a chumash, I always look at the bookplate. Do I know the person to whom the book is dedicated? Was it a happy or sad occasion? Sometimes I find a book dedicated to my family or one we dedicated. Those bookplates link family and friends, generations, and locations. Many years ago, while at the Fuchsberg Center in Jerusalem, the bookplate in the old Silverman siddur I opened was from my grandparents’ shul in Kalamazoo. Miles away from Michigan, I smiled at memories of my grandparents.

When we donate to Torah Fund, we add to those connections. Our donated funds help educate our future rabbis, cantors, scholars, and educators. One day a siddur may be dedicated to one of those students. One day, one of those students might edit a new volume. Won’t we kvell when we learn our donations helped that happen.

Torah Fund, never stopping in the quest to raise funds for the education of the students at our five supported institutions of higher education, began the new fiscal year on July 1, 2023. We are in the 2023-24 campaign of Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh b’zeh (all the people of Israel are responsible for one another). For those donating as Benefactors and more, the new pins are scheduled to be shipped soon. If you need more pins for your affiliate than you receive in your original shipment, let me know as soon as possible so we can order a supplemental shipment.

Please send your checks/cheques to your local Torah Fund Chair or use the online links. Thank you to each and every donor.

In the US the online donor link is: Donate to Torah Fund (jtsa.edu)

Send an ecard to celebrate joys and sorrows: Torah Fund eCards – Send an eCard to a loved one. (jtsa.edu)

In Canada, start with the ecard platform and add an additional gift: Canadian eCards – Torah Fund eCards (jtsa.edu) 

Remember to use the ecard platform from your home country, no matter where the recipient lives. Remember to enter the name of your own affiliate so proper credit can be given.

Paper cards are still available from local Torah Fund Chairs.

Please consider an after-life gift to the Torah Fund Legacy Society. Learn more here: Torah Fund Legacy Society - Jewish Theological Seminary (jtsa.edu)

Thank you for your generosity. As always, if you have questions or comments, please contact me.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

No, this opening isn’t clickbait for a get rich quick scheme, or an abbreviated 12-step program, but 10 physical steps that separate the main level of our home from the bedrooms upstairs. I go up and down these 10 steps many times a day without thinking about it, but lately, I have been counting them out every time. I have been thinking about many other activities in my daily life that would not have been remarkable before. In the past month I have flown on an airplane, stayed in a hotel, been out to a restaurant, shopped in a store, and of course, there are those 10 steps to climb. All these things were never an issue until a month ago.

The Torah tells us not to “place stumbling blocks before the blind.” (Leviticus 19:14) That commandment is generally interpreted as a directive to not take advantage of, or defraud a blind person, or any person with a physical, mental, or emotional challenge. But perhaps this commandment should be read not just as a prohibition, but also as a positive mitzvah—one where we are commanded to remove the barriers that impede others from being full members of our community.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the challenges that those facing physical and other health challenges must overcome daily. As many of you know, just two days before flying out to our wonderful convention in Chicago, I fractured a bone in my ankle. Quickly, I learned firsthand of the many “stumbling blocks” modern life places in front of people with injuries and health challenges.

I was determined not to miss Convention. But my willpower was not sufficient to make that happen. Without the help of family, I could not have packed for the trip. Without the help of the United Airlines assistants, I could not have managed to get through the airports in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. And without the accessible room assigned to me at the Schaumburg hotel, I could not have taken care of myself.

Of course, once I arrived at the hotel, even before the Convention Shabbaton, I was welcomed by the loving, caring women of Women’s League who provided me with a knee scooter and a wheelchair, and who constantly looked out for my needs. 

But even with all that love and help, getting around a big convention hotel on one foot was a major challenge. Things you don’t even think about when you don’t have trouble walking, such as the challenge of a breakfast buffet, were now front of mind. There were just so many literal and figurative stumbling blocks that I had never noticed, and never appreciated their difficulty before.

My injury has also opened my eyes to some of the wonderful accessibility efforts that are provided by thoughtful organizations. Last week, using my knee scooter, I went to a concert at Wolf Trap, a beautiful outdoor music venue and a National Park near Washington, D.C. Wolf Trap exchanged our tickets for accessible seating tickets. They provided a special parking area just yards from the music hall, with a special entrance. And by that entrance, there were special accessible bathrooms, and a separate snack bar hidden from the general crowd. All of that made it so easy to go to the concert and enjoy the evening.

Those types of efforts to provide accessibility are truly a mitzvah. They remove the “stumbling blocks” and allow the person facing physical or health challenges to feel capable and respected. Accessibility isn’t just a right under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is a moral imperative.

My temporary injury will heal, but many others face similar issues and even greater challenges throughout their lives. This Shabbat, let’s all think how we can remove stumbling blocks faced by others in our community. One valuable resource on that subject is the Women’s League inclusion booklet on our website (https://www.wlcj.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Inclusion-Resource-Guidebook.pdf) that, among other things, provides suggestions for improving the accessibility of our synagogues, services, and programs. Let’s make sure that everyone in our family, Sisterhood Affiliate and broader community knows that they are capable and respected. Let’s all take the necessary steps to make that true.

Shabbat Shalom,





Julia Loeb

WLCJ International President

jloeb@wlcj.org

Rosh Chodesh Elul with Women of the Wall

Friday, August 18, 2023 at 12:00 AM ET

ONLINE



Join WOW on Facebook Live this Friday, August 18th to welcome the month of Elul!

Convention Highlights

More Convention Photos available on the website: www.wizevents.com/wlcj2023,

under Programs menu, click on Photos.

THIS COULD BE YOU! Future Bat Mitzvah Class

Picture yourself here three years from now - leading a service, delivering a d'var Torah, and chanting Torah.

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Here is your opportunity to become a member of the next Bat Mitzvah class. This three-year program, taught by Rabbis, Educators, and Leaders of the Conservative movement, will meet once a month. Joining this class will not only enrich your knowledge of Judaism, but you will become a part of a special community of women with a common goal and bond.

Please let us know of your interest by emailing Toby B. Holtzman or Anne Schimberg.

EMAIL

Toby B. Holtzman

tbholtzman@wlcj.org

EMAIL

Anne Schimberg

afkschimberg@gmail.com

Women's League Cares

The collective WE of WLCJ can make a difference!

Give a gift today so we can help them be here for tomorrow….

Jerilynn Payne

August 16, 2023

The Maui Hawaii wildlife fire is one of the deadliest wildfires in modern United States history with a death toll of, as of August 18, 110 people and climbing. Teams, some with cadaver dogs, are focused on locating over 1,000 missing people as they methodically search structures and charred ruins. Over 13, 000 people are homeless. Some people have sheltered with the assistance of various organizations. The rapidly moving fire devastated over 2,200 structures mostly in the historic city of Lahaina. The needs are great, and WE can help...

Our Shifrah and Puah Project - GIVING THE GIFT OF A HEALTHY BIRTH

Through donations, the Shifrah and Puah Maternity Center in Uganda serves the women of Mbale and its neighboring villages and has a multi-denominational clientele and staff of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. All services provided by the center are completely free of charge to encourage women to come in for prenatal, birth and post-partum services rather than going through their pregnancies unassisted. The center is dependent on donations...

WLCJ 5784 Calendar Diaries

Pocket Size = $11.00

Planner Size = $26.00

You may now order bulk quantities online. 

Makom B'Yachad

ONLINE

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at

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

A virtual service for our WLCJ Sisters to recite Mishaberach, the Prayer for Healing, recite the Psalm of the Day, study and recite Kaddish together.

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?

A virtual background is. available for Makom B'Yachad!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Parashat Shoftim – August 19, 2023

One of the original ideas of why we feel a responsibility for our fellow persons is based on a verse from this week’s Torah Reading, Parashat Shoftim, “Justice, Justice you shall pursue” Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof (Deuteronomy 16:20). This is a perfect companion verse to our Torah Fund theme this year - Kol Yisrael Arevim zeh ba’zeh - “All of Israel is responsible for one another.” We should take every opportunity to live each day by upholding both these verses hand in hand - pursuing peace to help our fellow person; it is our responsibility to do so.

EMAIL

Corinne Hammerschlag

corinneh@rogers.com

EMAIL

Heddy Belman

hbelman@wlcj.org

EVENTS & LEARNING

This Elul, prepare for the High Holidays with JTS

ONLINE JEWISH LEARNING

Weekly Highlights and Happenings at AJU

COMMUNITY LEARNING

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

Digital Torah Fund eCards 

for every occasion!

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

Please click on the image to learn more

To learn more about these opportunities,

Information Session for ADL's Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism

Wednesday, Aug 30 at 07:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 5:30 PM MT / 4:30 PM PT

Discover the benefits of participating in ADL's national congregational engagement program, Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism.

This no-cost, self-paced program empowers congregations of any size, location, or affiliation/movement to address antisemitism and hate through community engagement, advocacy and education.

Kicking off after the High Holidays, Kulanu congregations receive exclusive access to ADL resources, content, experts, an inspiration library and a network of congregational peers to help them develop and implement two initiatives over the year.

Kulanu provides valuable tools to help congregational leaders energize their members and local communities to combat antisemitism and hate.

There will be time for Q&A at the end of the program.

MERCAZ USA at the Extraordinary Zionist Congress

MERCAZ USA and our international partners made a significant difference and were a LOUD voice for your values at the Extraordinary Zionist Congress held in Jerusalem at the end of April.

1. The forces fighting for a pluralistic democratic Israel are on the offensive and we won this Congress

2. The delaying tactics of those who opposed us failed this time

3. We stood up for MERCAZ USA’s values and our voice was heard loud and clear..

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism