Dear Central Great Lakes,

Okay, I have on my pink T-shirt, pink sandals and pink nail polish, I’m sipping my crisp Strawberry Acai Refresher from Starbucks and I'm wearing my oversized, rose-tinted glasses. What do you think? Have I captured the summer 2023 scene?

The summer of ’23 has been nothing less than a virtual roller coaster ride from apocalyptic weather and government proclamations to this torrent of pink mania raining down on everything. But we’re very good at keeping our now pink seatbelts buckled. And the adventurous surprises of our lives continue. Who would have imagined last summer that this Barbiecore would be a force? 

The unforeseen impact of a movie based on the iconic Mattel doll, Barbie, is the summer’s biggest surprise. It’s a box office sensation without any indication of losing its glitter. Audiences not only dress from head to toe in pink, but it's reported that fans buy out any pink candy from the concession stands, too. That would have been enough, dayenu, (with deepest respect to Barbie’s Jewish roots); however, Barbieland is all around us: from pink frosted donuts, pink clothes with pink feathers, bows and glitter, and home décor to Manola Blahnik satin pumps, fashions for your dog, Israel’s Golda ice cream in a Barbie flavor, and even pool floats. And, yes, that does include the traditional favorite, a pink swan.

All this enveloping merchandise is an attempt to encourage us to live in a bright, pink wonderland and channel our inner-Barbie. But looking more closely, there’s more to Barbie than all of its strategic merchandising would lead us to believe.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency noted that the initial vision of Ruth Handler was to create an adult-bodied fashion doll that provided a new option for young girls, whose dolls, until then, only represented infants. Barbie was launched as a one-of-a-kind doll that proudly shared a shelf with a myriad of baby dolls.

Barbie was never my doll of choice growing up – my feminist side was nurtured at a very early age. However, times change, and perspectives sharpen. Beneath this modern Barbie’s deep pink plastic coating are some rather serious, unexpectedly weighty messages.

What makes this Barbie different? Below the glitter, dancing, and parties is the message that resonates with women today. It’s the question of how we value ourselves. In the second half of the movie, the character America Ferrera, delivers a movie-stopping monologue on the impossible double standards of being a woman. It’s since become the most talked-about scene.

See if you agree. Here are a few excerpts from America’s speech to Barbie:

It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong.…

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin…



You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault... (See www.youtube.com for the complete speech.)

This monologue resonates because its cacophony of ideas swells to form a sort of musical score for the fact that, as women, we need to recognize our value, to self-accept, and to explore opportunities for empowerment and leave that tightrope we walk at home. This is the message of the summer of ’23.

And it’s not only in a movie theme. Forbes magazine, in partnership with Mika Brzezinski, founder of Know Your Value, created a summer ’23 series that also focuses on the importance of women to know their value, to recognize their value, and to be recognized as valued. It’s a persistent challenge.

And standing next to you on this journey of introspection, self-awareness, and growth is Women’s League, Central Great Lakes Region and your affiliate sisterhood. Valuing each of you for what you bring to WL, region, and your affiliate is not simply the flavor of this summer of ’23. Valuing each of you is at the core of our mission: to enhance, empower, and enrich each member to be all that she can be as a Modern Conservative Jewish Woman.

In the course of the year ahead, we will continue to offer opportunities, to learn, to attend Leadership Training Workshops, to work together in support of WL resolutions focused on impacting the larger community, to explore possibilities to participate as leaders, and so much more. We are your mentors, advocates, and support -- working together in a unique bond of friendship forged by shared values. Together, we’re part of a wonderful history of service to our Jewish Community. Together, we provide a pathway forward to make our lives a blessing and - best of all – no oversized pink sunglasses are required! 

Shabbat Shalom,

Pam

Pam Schlosberg

CGLR President

cglrpresident21@wlcj.org

847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)

Save the Date:

Sunday, September 10

6:30pm CT / 7:30pm ET

Come join us for exciting

 CGLR Training Workshops!

Want to place a virtual Journal Ad?

Have you supported the Convention Social Action Project yet? Please do so NOW!

CGLR President Pam Schlosberg & Ilana Ben-Ze'ev, Affiliate President of Congregation Shaarey Zedeck, Southfield, Michigan

Karen Weiss showing North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL's Jewels in the Crown Award

Creative Judaic Arts Workshop at Home

Post-Convention 2023 Creative Judaic Arts Workshop (Zoom Session)

Presented by:

Jody Glass, Women’s League Creative Judaic Arts Chair

Thursday, August 24, 7pm CT / 8pm ET

The Hamsa dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. The word "hamsa" comes from the Hebrew word "hamesh," which means five. It is believed to protect against the evil eye and all negative energies.

Enjoy creating your own string art Hamsa with a coordinating border.

• Easy to complete in person or virtually.
• Kit includes all supplies & instructions.

This project will not leave you in knots!

Materials Cost: $12.00 + Shipping/Freight Cost: $7.00

Questions? Contact Jody Glass, WL Creative Judaic Arts Chair

glass.jody@gmail.com

Please consider extending a sense of renewed hope and send our light forward.



In the U.S., donate via The Schechter Institutes, Inc. www.schechter.edu/donate or

via Masorti Olami: Support Our Work (masortiolami.org)

Torah Fund pins will be mailed to all affiliates in late August.

Shalom,

Rebecca Goldwasser

CGLR VP of Torah Fund

rebeccatorahfund@gmail.com

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!

Torah Fund supports programs and scholarships for the five Conservatives/Masorti global institutes

of higher education.

New Scan Code --->

Yom Huledet Sameach

(Happy Birthday) to

Fran Hildebrandt, CGLR Past President on August 8 (belated wishes)

Wanda Pitzele, CGLR Treasurer, on August 14

Lynda Abraham-Braff, CGLR Judaic Arts Chair, on August 21

Mazel Tov to

Laurie B. and Ira Davis, on the birth of

Isla Mae Davis. Proud parents are Alan & Angela Davis

& big sisters are Eva & Amora.

Laurie B. is Past President of CGLR.

Mi Sheberach for

Zelda Jacobs, past president of KIPOT Region

Ellen Kaner Bresnick, WLCJ Education Co-Chair

We wish them a Refuah Shlemah - a complete and speedy recovery.

Baruch Dayan HaEmet

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.

Funeral services have been hel and shiva will continue through Tuesday.

Messages of condolence to Cheryl's family may be sent to

11 Riverside Drive, Apt. 14EW, New York, NY 10023 or to MemoriesofCherylPatt@gmail.com.

We extend our condolences to Cheryl's family and pray that they will

be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

If you would like to make a donation to Women’s League in Cheryl's memory, please click here. If you would like to make a donation to Torah Fund in her memory, please click here. If you're in the U.S. and wish to send a Torah Fund ecard, click here. If you're in Canada and wish to send a Torah Fund ecard, click here.

With sadness we advise you of the passing of

Robert M. Beren z'l,

brother of Lela Jacoby, past WLCJ Board Member, past PSW Branch President and Torah Fund Cabinet member.

Funeral services will be held in Wichita, KS, with shiva to be observed on Tuesday evening.

Messages of condolence to the family may be sent c/o Julie and Marc Platt, 10393 Strathmore Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90024 or to Njlbj@aol.com. 

We extend our condolences to Lela and her family and pray that they

will be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

If you would like to make a donation to Women’s League in Robert's memory, please click here. If you would like to make a donation to Torah Fund in his memory, please click here. If you're in the U.S. and wish to send a Torah Fund ecard, click here. If you're in Canada and wish to send a Torah Fund ecard, click here.

Whether you’re celebrating the joy of a simcha or remembering a loved one who passed away, please consider donating to our CGLR Scholarship Fund today.

Your gift provides support for those women in our region who may need financial assistance to participate in our

Leadership Workshops or our CGLR Conference 2024.

We will send a lovely card to the recipient acknowledging your gift. 

 Donations in any amount are welcome.

Simply click the “DONATE” button below.



Send the occasion, your name and address, plus the name and address of the recipient to Pam at cglrpresident21@wlcj.org.

You also may send a check

(payable to Women's League for Conservative Judaism) to:

Pam Schlosberg

144 Whistler Road

Highland Park, IL 60035

Your caring will help keep our future strong!

NEW!

Pocket Size = $11.00

Planner Size = $26.00

Contact the WL office for quantities over 10. 

405-870-1260

Mail-In Form

In the past few weeks, I have experienced several new beginnings—an installation as President of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, a family wedding and Tishah B’Av, which marks the beginning of the period of seven weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah. The overriding message of Tishah B’Av is that “We can be better than we have been.” The time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time to focus on improving ourselves and our relationship with others and with God. If we take that assignment seriously, we must prepare in advance and as we move through Av and approach Elul, it is a good time to begin these preparations. A baseball team doesn’t show up on opening day without any training. The bride and groom don’t meet for the first time under the chuppah, I didn’t assume my new position without a long transition period, and we shouldn’t arrive at Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the year, without taking the time for reflection and self-examination.

Beginnings mark the threshold of change and growth in our lives. Whether assuming a new position, joining in marriage with your beloved, or preparing for the Chagim, holidays, these fresh starts are laden with anticipation and challenges. As we embark on these new journeys, we encounter a fascinating interplay of ease and difficulty that shape our experiences and influence our personal development.

On one hand, beginnings often evoke a sense of ease and excitement, providing us with the impetus to embrace the unknown. As I start this new position, the possibilities are endless, and I am so enthusiastic about new responsibilities, new friendships and new opportunities. Similarly, marriage requires a profound bond of love, trust, and shared aspirations, infusing our hearts with joy and hope. As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, we feel a collective spirit of tradition and spirituality, a sense of belonging and unity which makes these beginnings feel familiar and comforting.

On the other hand, beginnings are accompanied by situations that call for resilience and determination. In this new position, I will face many challenges and will need to be able to adapt quickly. In marriage, merging two lives can present unique dynamics and interpersonal hurdles that require open communication and compromise. The approaching Holidays may entail revisiting customs and practices, navigating family traditions, and grappling with the demands of modern life, which can be overwhelming.

Rashi, the medieval Jewish scholar, succinctly captured the essence of beginnings, stating, "All beginnings are hard." This observation serves as a poignant reminder that no matter the context, new beginnings are bound to present challenges that test our fortitude and adaptability. It is through these challenges that we discover our strength, resilience, and capacity for growth.

Indeed, the journey of beginnings is as multifaceted as life itself. While ease and excitement set the stage, difficulty and uncertainty often accompany us on our path. As we embrace the dichotomy of beginnings, we learn to appreciate the beauty of the process - the thrill of discovery, the fulfillment of accomplishments, and the lessons learned from setbacks.

In the tapestry of life, beginnings offer a blank canvas where we have the opportunity to shape our destinies and create meaningful connections. Each beginning holds the promise of growth and transformation, even amidst the hardships that may arise. The challenges encountered during new journeys serve as stepping stones toward personal growth, resilience, and self-awareness.

As we embrace the words of Rashi, let us approach all beginnings with open hearts and minds, ready to embrace the ease and confront the hardships. Each journey brings its own set of lessons, and it is through these lessons that we evolve and become the architects of our own destinies. So, as you encounter new beginnings in life, remember to cherish the moments of ease and face the challenges with courage, for it is through these experiences that you will truly thrive.

It won't be easy. A beginning never is.

Shabbat Shalom,

Julia Loeb

WLCJ International President

jloeb@wlcj.org

Parashat Re’eh 8/12/2023

This week’s Torah Reading, Parashat Re’eh, has a very personal meaning to me, because my father, Dr. Arthur H. Wolintz, died during the week of Parashat Re’eh on August 22, 2011. It was very ironic that he died the week of this Torah Reading, because re'eh means “see” and my father was a neuro-ophthalmologist, a physician who dealt with issues related to vision, eyes and the brain. I want to dedicate my WWOT to my father’s memory, and show how we can incorporate concepts of arevut, responsibility in our lives, based on how he lived his life, and the meaning of the word re’eh.

My father was the president of his synagogue, the Flatbush and Shaare Torah Jewish Center in Brooklyn, New York, for over a decade, and he attended morning services nearly every day, to help make a minyan, in case someone needed to say kaddish. My father taught by example that it was everyone’s responsibility to be part of the quorum of ten, so a minyan would exist for prayer. After minyan, he had a list of people who he would call from the president’s office at the synagogue, to check how they were feeling. My father often did not return from services until at least an hour after they ended, but he saw it as his responsibility to keep in touch with his fellow synagogue members. My father also was very dedicated to his life as a physician, helping people see better. He never turned away a patient who could not afford his examination.

He was very supportive of organizations that helped the blind, which was a way he showed how important the verb re’eh, see, which begins our Torah Reading this week, was in his life. How does seeing and looking impact our life and the responsibilities we hold near and dear in our lives? Do we assist those who have challenges seeing, by providing them large-print items, or reading to them? Do we help people who cannot see cross the street? Or not put obstacles in their way? Is there someone who could use a call today? Have you helped make a minyan, so others in your community can say Kaddish? Although no longer physically in the world, I see my father’s presence every day in the values he taught us all to live by, and in the legacy he left. Yehi Zichron Baruch. May the memory of Dr. Arthur H. Wolintz continue to be a blessing.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12:00 Noon ET; 11:00 AM CT

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? Sign up below.

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

Key to Calendar:

CGLR Events

WLCJ Events

Affiliate Events

Tuesday, September 6- CGLR Board of Directors/ Affiliate Presidents 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET (Zoom)

Sunday, September 10- Defining Women's Value as Leaders of CGLR

6:30pm CT/ 7:30pm ET(Zoom)

Laurie B. Davis

Communication VP/ The WAVE Editor