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Dear Friends,

I am excited to welcome our feature writer Carole Burke, to this week’s Chai Lines newsletter. Carole is our region’s Canadian Public Policy and Advocacy Chair and a long-standing leader in her sisterhood and synagogue, Shaare Zedek in Cote St Luc, Quebec (just outside Montreal).

Carole was born in Southampton, England, came to Canada in 1964, and became a “proud Canadian citizen” in 1972. She is a Past President of her sisterhood, has held other positions on its Board and was the last President of the Montreal Women’s League before we all merged and became the International Northeast Region.

Carole and Linda Shohet outdid themselves as the Co-Chairs of our Region Conference last year and both are working on their joint Torah Fund virtual program on May 23rd with their honoured guest, Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership at JTS. Please refer to the flyer below for more details.

You may recall Carole’s heartfelt article about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. As she is our “Royal Expert”, I have asked her to again provide us with an article regarding the Coronation of King Charles III, taking place tomorrow in London, England. Carole has also expressed some feelings and memories of the last coronation which she witnessed firsthand. Todah Rabah to Carole!

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

INRPresident21@wlcj.org

P.S. For another real treat click on the link below Carole's article to enjoy the Portnoy Brothers & the United Synagogue Schools Coronation Choir singing Adon Olam!

Carole Burke

I was 14 years old at the last Coronation. We had a generous holiday from school, so my parents took my brother and me to London to stay with our aunt and uncle and two cousins. They had television! Michael and I were just elated to be in the same city as the Queen even if we were not invited to the Palace!

For weeks every news broadcast had talked of the crowds and the important people who were invited to the Coronation and here we were among them! It teemed with rain the day of the Coronation, but nobody cared. People had been camping out for days to get a glimpse of the Queen in her golden coach.

We settled down to watch. I was overawed by the music, the trumpets, the processions in the Abbey and the ceremony itself. After the Queen was crowned all the princes and noblemen had to swear allegiance to her, starting with Prince Philip.

Outdoor tv reporting was in its infancy and commentators were literally up in trees.

When the Canadian commentator saw the Mounties coming down the Mall he almost fell out of his perch in his excitement.

Although the Coronation is essentially a Christian ceremony traces of Judaism can be found in it. The Coronation anthem is taken from Psalm 122: ‘I was glad when they said unto me we will go into the House of the Lord’.

As the monarch is anointed the choir sings Handel's version of Zadok the Priest. 1Kings1 34-45: Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed King Solomon and all the people rejoiced and said GOD SAVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!... Imagine my surprise when I read that Zadok was OUR Zadok! At fourteen years old I had assumed a priest was either Catholic or Protestant!

The Coronation of King Charles III will be far more inclusive than those which went before it. The grandson of a Righteous Gentile who was buried in Israel he has always enjoyed close relations with the Jewish community in Britain and the Commonwealth. Because the Coronation is on a Saturday, the Chief Rabbi will be the guest of the King the night before so that he will be able to walk to Westminster Abbey. At the same time Charles has respect for the many different faiths practiced by his other subjects. All will be represented at his Coronation. Some will carry his robes, some will hand him his regalia, and there will be different choirs including a gospel choir. 

I am so looking forward to this Coronation, but I know that as soon as I hear the trumpets sound their fanfare and the choristers call out VIVAT, VIVAT, to welcome the King, I will react with the awe of that fourteen year old!

GOD SAVE THE KING!

Carole Burke 

Canadian Public Policy & Advocacy Chair

Caroleburke1944@gmail.com

WOMEN’S LEAGUE CONVENTION 2023

I am pleased to announce that the Early Bird Deadline has been extended to Wednesday, May 10th. Convention offers the perfect opportunity for delegates to learn about new programs, skills, and ideas for speakers to bring back to your own sisterhoods. Even if you cannot attend in person, you have the option of attending virtually. As I have previously mentioned, the cost to attend via Zoom is based on the complicated and expensive technical expertise needed to record this multi-faceted event.

Here are a few highlights of what you will experience: Special Workshops for Affiliate Presidents and Region Leadership; Farewell to outgoing Women’s League President and administration and Installation of new President and Board; Celebrating our B’not Mitzvah; Amazing Guest speakers; Shifra and Puah Tzedakah Project; inspiring tefillot; delicious food; camaraderie, region parties and unique Judaica vendors.

Read all about Convention in the flyers below and register to join us on July 16th in Schaumburg IL.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn

P.S. Even if you are not attending Convention, we encourage all affiliate/sisterhoods and individual members to donate to the Shifra and Puah Maternity Center. Click on the Donate button in the flyer below. Todah Rabah.

Our 2022-2023 Chazak v'Ematz Campaign

Be Strong and Courageous

How did you celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut this year? I was lucky enough to be able to attend two celebrations. The first one, on the actual holiday, was at my shul: a barbecue and Israeli song fest coordinated by the Men’s Club. How nice to enjoy good food, good company, and great music to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel’s independence. The second was the following Sunday at the Jewish Community Center for a community wide celebration. There I helped (wo)man the table from our shul, with flyers about our programs, swag give away items (chap stick, ice packs, super balls, keychains, phone pockets) with our logo. We also had a big bowl of candy which drew in a lot of people. We were stationed by the stairs so everyone going between the two floors had to pass our table. We could hear the music from the auditorium during the program, and the Israeli dance music upstairs. It was loud, busy, and fun.

Israel is just a bit older than I am. I never knew a world without Israel as a nation, but I remember well my parents’ fears during various wars that Israel was in danger. That the Jewish people might again learn tragedy was strongly felt in my childhood home. That is one of the many reasons why I support Torah Fund. The donations we give, large and small, help our future rabbis, cantors, scholars, and educators learn at one of our institutions of higher learning, so they can venture out into the world and teach the rest of us. The graduates from the five institutions we support help keep Judaism vibrant.

Our current Torah Fund Campaign, Chazak v’Ematz, is winding down and will close on June 30th. If you were thinking about making a donation to help our region reach its goal, now is the time. Of course, donations received after June 30th will be accepted toward the next campaign. We never stop because the need for scholarship aid never stops. Watch for news of the new campaign July 1st. In the meantime, remember the many ways to make gifts to support Torah Fund, the dedicated tzedakah of Women’s League.

Join the Torah Fund Legacy Society so your patronage lives on. Click here to learn more: https://www.jtsa.edu/hidden-page/torah-fund-legacy-society/

Send ecards for Mother’s Day and graduations, or to share joys and sorrows.

In the US: https://torahfundecards.jtsa.edu/

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

Contact your Torah Fund Chair to obtain paper cards.

In the US, donate online: https://inspired.jtsa.edu/give/314821/#!/donation/checkout

In Canada, donate online by using the Canadian ecard link above and adding an additional amount.

Remember the special project, Creating New Spaces, which will equally fund two important projects: A “Women’s League Study Space” in the new undergraduate residence hall at The Jewish Theological Seminary, and a special course of training for rabbinical students at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, entitled “Women’s League Institute on Gender Bias and Harassment.” Our goal is to raise $200,000 that will be split equally between the two projects. Donate using the links above and specify Spaces.

Please consider a special donation in honor of Torah Fund’s 80th anniversary. Donors to this special fund will be acknowledged at the Convention July 13-16, 2023. I hope to see you there!

Comments or questions? Contact me.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

Join us in Schaumburg, Illinois this July 16-19,

for WLCJ Convention 2023!

Watch this message from our Convention Leadership Team

In the Torah Portion, Terumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19   God tells Moses to collect donated materials to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan or Tabernacle. God describes how to build all the things that will fill the Mishkan - the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar, and the Mishkan’s walls and curtains.

The Shifra and Puah Maternity Center in Uganda was “built” in July 2018, due to the efforts of an Israeli nurse and midwife, Ilana Shemesh, who wanted to improve the maternal and infant mortality rates in Uganda.

Through donations, this center 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. That’s where we come in.

March 8th was International Women’s Day, a National Holiday in Uganda. Help us support the women of Uganda and the work that was started in 2018. With your donation, or your Sisterhood’s donation, we can help maintain and improve the degree of health and wellbeing of the women and their babies of Abayadaya, Uganda.

Here is the recent category added:

• $126.00, you can cover the costs of mosquito netting and Malaria treatment and medications - Pitocin, iron pills and infusion solutions; for all pregnant women to prevent stillbirths, prematurity births, and poor fetal growth for an entire MONTH.

Here are just a few other examples of what we can help cover with your donations:

• $18.00, you can cover a woman’s cost to get an ultrasound during her pregnancy and to have her baby delivered at the Center.
• $36.00, you can cover the costs of the sanitary napkins necessary after each delivery for an entire MONTH.
• $72.00, you can cover the costs of the laundry service to keep the sheets, towels and gowns clean for each delivery for an entire MONTH
• $108.00, you can cover the MONTHLY costs of supplying each mother with three sets of baby outfits and one blanket; otherwise, they only have rags to wrap their baby in.

These are just a few examples of what we can do with your donations. With your donation, whatever the amount, you will help greatly.

You can go to the Women’s League website, click on the Convention 2023 Special Project button at the top menu. From there you'll be able to donate by category or by amount. Thank you for your support of GIVING THE GIFT OF A HEALTHY BIRTH.

Best,

Ellen & Randy

Ellen Grossman

WLCJ 2023 Convention 2023 Social Action Project Co-Chair

elkie17@gmail.com

Randy Schwartz

WLCJ 2023 Convention 2023 Social Action Project Co-Chair

rschwartz@wlcj.org

RSVP by May 8, 2023 to attend IN-PERSON

The Ordination ceremony will be Livestreamed via Facebook Live, starting at 5:00pm Pacific Time. If you are unable to attend in person, we welcome you to click here to watch online. (You do not need to have a Facebook account in order to watch.)

Pre-Convention Women’s League Reads Book Discussion

Golem Girl: A Memoir by Riva Lehrer

Monday, June 5, 8:00pm ET / 7:00pm CT / 6:00pm MT / 5:00pm PT on Zoom facilitated by Rachel Kamin

The vividly told, full-color memoir of an artist born with disabilities who searches for freedom and connection in a society afraid of strange bodies. A longtime faculty member of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Riva Lehrer is currently an instructor in medical humanities at Northwestern University and will join us in-person at the WL Convention in Schaumburg on July 18. Read & discuss Golem Girl before the Convention and bring your copy to Schaumburg to get it signed by the author. 

This program is using a NEW method of registration through our Members Portal. To view more instructions as to how it works, click on the image below to view the tutorial.

Gila Fine is a teacher of Aggada at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, exploring the tales of the Talmud through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. She is also a faculty member of the London School of Jewish Studies, the Nachshon Project, and Amudim Seminary, and has taught thousands of students at conferences and communities across the Jewish world. Gila’s dynamic literary method and unique intertextual approach – ranging from folktales to fiction to film – bring the stories of the Talmud to life, revealing their relevance for our time. Haaretz has called her “a young woman on her way to becoming one of the more outstanding Jewish thinkers of the next generation.”...

May 6 - Parashat Emor

The word Emor, which is the name of this week’s Torah Reading, means speak. I am sure we all have someone in our life, who no matter what topic is being discussed has something to say. Is what is said always appropriate, applicable, or, informative? Or do some people just speak to hear themselves speak? Then there are people in our lives, I hope, who we know, that when that person does speak, you know it is important, because they do not speak just for the sake of speaking, but because they truly have something important to say. Which kind of person do you prefer to converse with? Which kind of person are you? Perhaps it depends on the situation, if someone speaks often, or holds back. When someone speaks, do you always respond? Active listening is also very important. One of the greatest gifts one can give to someone else is the acknowledgement that what was said, was actually heard. May we both speak and listen with strength and courage. Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous! 

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.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

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

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?

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

WLCJ-FJMC Inclusion Resource Book

We are not accepting mail-in order forms for this item as of now. Please place your order online or by calling (405) 870-1260.

#StandUpToJewishHate is a new campaign to educate everyone in the United States about the rise of antisemitism and mobilize people outside the Jewish community to help us address growing hate and intolerance. We need to drive home the message that Jews make up just 2.4% of the U.S. population but are the victims of 55% of all religious hate crimes. Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and a wide coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish groups are asking as many people as possible to post and share #StandUpToJewishHate on social media, using the blue square emoji on your phone, as a simple but powerful unifying symbol of solidarity. During the campaign, you will see the blue square taking up 2.4% of TV and digital screens, billboards and social feeds to call attention to the disparity between the Jewish population size and scale of hate that Jews face, both online and in person.

Here are a few actions you can take to #StandUptoJewishHate and join this national movement:

• Post and share #StandUpToJewishHate — and/or # with a blue square — an emoji already available on most mobile devices — on your social media channels, email signatures and text messages, alongside a message of support against hate and intolerance.
• Speak up and share your personal story with antisemitism.
• Follow the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign at @StandUpToJewishHate on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to keep up-to-date with #StandUpToJewishHate and learn more about antisemitism.
• 
  

Together, we can educate and empower more people to join us as we Stand Up to Jewish Hate.

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

Mazal Tov to Barbara Finkel!

She joined our society of Kolot BiK’dushah, which is our way of recognizing our members who have acquired skills as either baalot tefillah (prayer leaders) or baalot kri’ah (Torah readers). Barbara was recognized with the Nashim BiK’dushah category this past weekend at her Sisterhood’s Spring Brunch of the Seaboard Region.

Do you know of another Sisterhood Affiliate member you would like to nominate?

More information on how to available on our website:

https://www.wlcj.org/member-services/services-to-members/kolot-bikdushah/

Garden State Region

Congregation Torat El

Sunday, May 7th at 11:00 AM ET - 1:00 PM ET

Hybrid Event

Meet Meira Cook, author of The Full Catastrophe

Pre-Paid $15 per person (or virtual) / $20 at the door 

More information, call (732) 531-4410 or click below to register:

Can We Heal Our Toxic Politics?; Mystical Reflections on Lag BaOmer; and More

This Week! 50 Words That Shaped Jewish Thinking

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

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

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

TOUR GLOBAL JEWISH LIFE: KYIV, UKRAINE

Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 12 PM PT/1 PM MT/2 PM CT/ 3 PM ET 

Explore the streets of Ukraine’s capital city and discover the centuries of Jewish prosperity and cultural influence up until the Holocaust.

Jews have been living in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine since the 8th century and have made an invaluable contribution to the development of the city. Kiev was once home to Jewish scholars and rabbis, writers and Zionists, and business, cultural and political leaders. Over the years, Kiev’s Jewish community has experienced times of amazing prosperity and tragic devastation. Join tour guide Evgenia as she takes you through the streets and squares of Ukraine's capital to discuss topics, such as Jewish prosperity in the sugar, wine and timber businesses, famous Jewish personalities that called Kiev home, pogroms throughout the centuries, the role Jews played in Ukraine’s fight for independence from the Soviets, and the mass murder of Kiev’s Jews during the Holocaust. More information, click HERE.

For the past six years, Keshet and USCJ have worked together to deliver Keshet's Shivyon Project cohort for USCJ-affiliated synagogues. 

Keshet, in partnership with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), is launching the Shivyon Project cohort for USCJ-affiliated synagogues on February 28! The Shivyon project is a year-long cohort-based opportunity for synagogues that want to focus on creating organizational change in order to better support LGBTQ+ community members and staff. Through the Shivyon Project, a synagogue will gain access to in-depth education, practical training, coaching, skills, and knowledge to spark long-lasting change from congregational policies to the individual experiences of your community’s participants and staff. Check out Keshet's website to learn more and sign up.

If you have questions, please ask Fran Hildebrandt, fshildebrandt@gmail.com.

Young Professionals Poland Trip

Ramah Israel and Reshet Ramah are partnering to create a meaningful Poland experience for adults in their 20s and 30s. Please fill out the form below if you are interested in this opportunity. 

Dates organized by Ramah Israel and Reshet Ramah to participate in a Poland trip are:

• August 20-27, 20023
• December 24-31, 2023
• May 19-26, 2024

If you are not in this age cohort, click here for information about another adult Poland trip led by Ramah Israel.

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. 

Save the Date: September 10, 2023

6th Annual Reverse Tashlich

Add the largest Jewish Community Waterfront Cleanup to your 2023 programming. Register as a community or individual to stay up to date!

Introducing: The Repair the Sea App: Click HERE to Watch Video

Join our international community virtually on the Repair the Sea app.

Reshet Ramah Poland Journey

May 20-26, 2024

Designed for rising Jewish leaders ages 22-30*

On this six-day journey through Poland, our community will explore the cities of Warsaw, Lublin, and Krakow; hold each other up in Zbylitowska Gora—the Children’s Forest, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Treblinka; volunteer in cemeteries and local communities; meet with Jewish and non-Jewish peers; thank some of the families of Poland’s Righteous Among the Nations; and celebrate Shabbat in Krakow with the revitalized Jewish community and the work of the JCC Krakow.

We will work to fulfill our generation’s responsibility to remember, rebuild, and retell.

Please reach out to Adina Scheinberg, National Ramah Program Director, at adina@campramah.org with any questions. 

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.

Click on the button to visit website for additional events:

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism