If you are viewing Chai Lines on your smartphone,

consider a landscape orientation for easier viewing.

Greetings,

There are two topics I will be covering in this message. First, as was requested by region president, Marilyn Cohen, a review of our recent program with author Maggie Anton. Second, as it is November 11th, no message would be complete without mention of Remembrance Day and Veterans Day.

In early November, our region, the International Northeast Region, hosted a wonderful program with the famous author Maggie Anton. She is the author of Rashi’s Daughter’s and her latest novel, The Choice.

Maggie is an award-winning author of historical fiction, as well as a Talmud scholar with expertise in Jewish women’s history. She was born Margaret Antonofsky in Los Angeles, California, where she still resides.

Maggie explained to us that she was raised in a secular family. Her family did not attend synagogue on Shabbat or Holidays. She learned everything she knows through internet research and by attending Talmud classes.

Her latest novel, The Choice - A Novel of Love, Faith and The Talmud masterfully interweaves love and faith through historical events, Jewish tradition, history and the Talmud.

Maggie explained that the characters in her latest book were inspired by Chaim Potok’s The Chosen and The Promise. Maggie transformed Potok’s childhood characters into new adult characters fifteen years later. Maggie elaborated that she chose the names for her characters based on some of her own family members. Additionally, many of the situations in the novel were based around Maggie’s life.

It was a most compelling presentation, and we were so pleased to have been able to have Maggie join us. As a token of our appreciation, we have made a donation, in Maggie’s name, to Torah Fund.

Now on to discuss matters of this very important date - November 11th. Every year on November 11th, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace. Likewise, every year on November 11th, Veterans Day is observed as a Federal Holiday in the United States.

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. - on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

The poppy is the symbol of Remembrance Day. Plastic poppies are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion the proceeds of which provide assistance to veterans. In the United States, Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11th, honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to the US national security is appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

In honor of all those who have served for the US and Canada, I would like to share with you the following Remembrance Day poem adapted by Rabbi Jarrod Grover of Beth Tikvah Synagogue.



For all who have served for the cause of peace in our armed forces, we pray…

For all who have lost loved ones due to war, we pray …

For all who continue to suffer due to war, we pray…

For all who long for peace, we pray…

For all who dedicated their lives to peace, we pray…

For all who bring comfort to veterans and their families, we pray…

For all who live in despair, we pray…

For all who seek healing of body, spirit and soul, we pray…

For all who live with great loss due to war, we pray …

For all who minister to veterans and survivors, we pray …

In the end, let us not forget all the men and women who fought and sacrificed their lives.

Shabbat Shalom,

Adele Weinstein

INR Program/Education Vice President

WLCJ Canadian Liaison

adelew@rogers.com

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

Here in the International Northeast Region of Women’s League, the leaves are falling. It’s that season again. Not all the leaves fall all at once. Some trees lose their leaves early. Some leaves cling to the branches long after most of the leaves are raked up, collected, and gone. Those last leaves are strong and courageous, just like our Torah Fund Campaign theme. Those leaves stand out. How long will they cling to the branches? It doesn’t matter what the other leaves have done, they hang on a bit longer. Next spring, the trees will bud with new leaves.

By next spring, the students we support will have mastered more material in their quests to be our rabbis, cantors, teachers, and educators. All donations to Torah Fund, those that are large and those that are not, make a difference in the lives of our students we support in the five institutions that are affiliated with the Conservative/Masorti movement. The campaign continues to the end of June, but the need is always present for our students. Mazal tov to Beth Tikvah Women, Toronto, Ontario, for already reaching their campaign’s goal. But please don’t stop your support. There is no limit, just a goal.

This is the 80th year of Torah Fund. If you can make an additional donation in the amount of $80.00, it will be appreciated and well used as we support the educational opportunities in our five schools.

Learn more about Torah Fund visit:   www.jtsa.edu/torah-fund

Please utilize ecards to send cards to send greetings in times of joy or sorrow.

In the US Torah Fund eCards – Send an eCard to a loved one. (jtsa.edu)

In Canada: Canadian eCards – Torah Fund eCards (jtsa.edu)

Our region crosses the border, but because eCards are sent via email, you should use the ecard website in your home country, even when sending cards to our sisters in the other country.

Paper cards are available from your local Torah Fund Chair.

Questions? Comments? Contact Me!

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

Avner Moriah Program - Monday, November 7 @ 7 PM ET

Thank you to Grace Schessler, WLCJ Vice President and Program Chair, for planning our amazing program with Avner Moriah! If you missed the program, you can watch the recording here:

This is a WLCJ FUNDRAISER and we thank Avner Moriah for contributing a percentage of all sales to WLCJ.

Please go to his website:

 http://avnermoriahprints.com/ and take a look at his beautiful collection. Discount code is valid until December 31st, 2022.

20% DISCOUNT CODE: WL2022

Watch Avner Moriah at JTS Women's League Pavillion video below (click on the image):

WL Reads - Thursday,

November 17 @ 7 PM ET

WL Reads Co-Chairs,Merle Carrus and Susan Farber interview Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Fashion Orphans, on November 17th. Join us for an engaging virtual conversation about this novel and Ms. Meyers’ 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:



• Sunday, January 8
• Thursday, April 27

Download Hebrew version of the Flyer HERE

Sunday, 11.20.22 at 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET

Workshop 2 - MiDor L’Dor: Revering and Honoring the Generations Until 120

How do we maintain value and meaning in our lives at every age? We will discuss the importance of self-care, as well as ideas for caregivers, as we honor the generations that gave us our Jewish values.

Speakers: 

Prof. Alice Shalvi, Founder of Women's Rights Movement in Israel and Israel Prize recipient for her contribution to education

Rabbi Judith Hauptman, Professor Emerita of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture, JTS

Rabbi Miriam Berkowitz, accredited Hospital Chaplain/Spiritual Caregiver, Jerusalem

Rabbi Tracee Rosen, Hospital Chaplain, Phoenix, Arizona

Rabbi Judith Edelman-Green, Pastoral Caregiver and Educator, Kfar Saba

Sunday, 12.11.22 at 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET

Workshop 3 - MiDor L’Dor: Taking the 100-Year Journey from Bat Mitzvah to Egalitarianism

How did the first bat mitzvah lead to the expanded roles for Jewish women, both in the synagogue and the community? We will explore how things have changed in the last 100 years and ponder what the next 100 may bring.

Speakers: 

Prof. Alice Shalvi, Founder of Women's Rights Movement in Israel and Israel Prize recipient for her contribution to education

Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz, JTS Chancellor and Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History

Saralee Schrell-Fox, Educator and Chazzanit, Jerusalem

Rabba Dikla Druckman-Sherzer, Fuchsberg Jewish Center, Jerusalem

All of the #GivingTuesday Campaign will go to the “MASORTI WOMEN’S DAYS OF STUDY”.

#GIVINGTUESDAY Facebook Fundraiser

Help us spread the word in social media! Please click on the button below to share our WLCJ GivingTuesday Facebook Fundraiser. Together we are louder and heard even further if you help us share our fundraiser page. Let’s exceed what we raised last year on Facebook! Click on the button below.

Personal Conversations 

Thursday, December 1 @ 1 PM ET

Topic: Eager to Travel Again? Learn What’s New in Jewish Heritage Travel, Come Back to Israel, or Explore the World.

Presenters: Iris Hami and Rebecca Stern, with Gil Travel Group (with offices in Philadelphia, New York and Tel Aviv).

Do you dream of finally returning to Israel with your family, or are you looking for a fresh travel itinerary to see Israel with a group? How about adding a leg to Dubai? Perhaps Spain and Portugal are calling to you? Or Prague, Berlin, Venice, Buenos Aires, or Mumbai? As the Covid-pandemic recedes, many of us are raring to get up and go! Wherever we go, we naturally aim to celebrate a place’s multiple heritages and flavors, while finding its Jewish history and culture—and do so kosherly...

Women of the Wall Presents "Sacred Feminism" -Tuesday, December 6 @ 12 PM ET

Women’s League and the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) are jointly sponsoring a Women of the Wall (WOW) program on Tuesday, December 6 at 12:00 PM EST. This is our second joint program with WRJ sponsoring WOW. Alieza Saltzberg, an educator at Rothberg International School at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will be speaking with WOW about “Sacred Feminism”, which explores how Jewish women may have been deliberately left out of Halacha’s evolution. Sacred Feminism grew out of the need and desire for women to participate in organized Judaism. Our work with WOW falls under World Community Engagement which is run by Illene Rubin. Please see the flyer below to register.

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Vayera - November 12, 2022

We begin Parashat Vayera with Abraham greeting his three visitors, while he is recuperating from his brit milah, circumcision, at the age of 99. Sarah overhears the three visitors, who were messengers from God, telling Abraham that Sarah, who was advanced in years, and was no longer menstruating, would bear a child in a year. Sarah’s reaction to hearing this news was laughter. Have you seen that in your own life? You or someone you know hears some incredible, unbelievable news, and there are really no words to express what is felt and what is being heard – and the only reaction is a laugh? Even our matriarch Sarah had a nervous laugh. Anybody who laughs when they feel awkward and do not know what to say – you are in good company. Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!

Makom B'Yachad

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

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

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.

Programming Idea of the Week

Two Jewish Authors and Artists from Vancouver, BC

Pnina Granirer (born April 11, 1935, Romania) is a Romanian-born Canadian painter and writer. In 1944, as a child, Granirer witnessed the transport ready to take her and other Romanian Jews to the extermination camps. Her life was saved when the Second Jassy–Kishinev Offensive saw the Red Army drive out Nazi German forces. After World War II, Granirer's family was "sold" to Israel by the Romanian government. She emigrated to Israel, where she attended the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. After completing her degree, she moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1965 where Granirer began to find her way as an artist.

Granirer's paintings express her belief that "beauty has always existed side by side...

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

Jewels in the Crown Returns to Convention 2023

Jewels in the Crown is an opportunity for your Sisterhood to be honored for exceptional programming and participation.

See below for information and application.

Application and supporting materials must be submitted to Women’s League by

March 2, 2023.

For more information email: jewel@wlcj.org

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

BQLI Region

NY Historical Society Lunch &

Docent Tour

In-Person Event

Wednesday, November 16

@ 12:00 PM ET

For more information/to register:

RSVP by Friday, November 11

Central Great

Lakes Region

CGLR Comedy Central

presents Just for Laughs

Virtual Event

Wednesday, November 16

@ 7:00 PM CT

For more information and to RSVP, contact Robin.

Florida Region

Monthly Bookclub Series

Virtual Event

Wednesday, November 30

@ 7:30 PM ET

Zoom Meeting ID: 878 3781 1703

Passcode: 172777

For more information/schedule:

Ukrainian Jewish History; Rethinking the Pharisees; Carol Gilligan at JTS; and More

Nazis, WWII, and the Middle East + Janet Yellen's Rise to Power

Schechter's Ongoing Hybrid and Zoom Courses

The world gained three new Rabbis. We are all very proud of our International WLCJ President Debbi Kaner Goldich who delivered greetings at the Ordination Ceremony.

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.

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.

You’ve seen how informative and inspiring Never Is Now is. So, we’d like to invite you to be one of the first to sign up for this year’s edition of the largest annual summit on antisemitism and hate — and save at least 20%!

11,000 people joined us virtually last year and we are excited to welcome thousands more this year as we come together in person on November 10 for Never Is Now 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City.

For more information and registration: Click here.

Click on the button to visit website for summer events:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism