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During these very busy times of the High Holy Days, Chai Lines will be be published on a limited schedule. Look for your next two issues of our region newsletter on Friday October 7, 2022 and Friday October 28, 2022.

In the interim, please be on the lookout for special programming publications regarding our upcoming region program with Author Maggie Anton on November 2, 2022! 

And as always, view current ongoing WLCJ programing in your weekly WL Week and on the WLCJ website at www.wlcj.org.

Dear Friends,

We are currently in the Hebrew month of Elul, which is traditionally the time, before the High Holy Days, when we engage in self-examination or Cheshbon Hanefesh (translated as “the accounting of the soul”). This is a very special period of introspection and self-analysis when we can ask some the following questions:

   -In what ways have I made the world better (or worse)?

   -What does my life add up to right now?

   -How do I affect the lives of others? Are their lives easier   

    because of my behavior?

Cheshbon Hanefesh is a necessary beginning toward meaningful change. May we all follow our Women’s League theme Chazak v’Ematz (Be Strong and Courageous) as we strive to reach the goals, we have set for ourselves.

REGION MATTERS:

INVITE ME

Don’t forget to invite me to your affiliate/sisterhood programs, whether they be on Zoom or in person. I would love to visit your community and either attend an event or just meet your leadership over coffee. Please contact me at inrpresident21@wlcj.org to share your thoughts, concerns, or great program ideas. It would be an honour for me to meet our INR women in person.

UPDATE YOUR AFFILIATE POSITION LIST

Affiliate Presidents or Data Managers: If you have not already done so, please update your 2022-23 Board Positions on the Women’s League database. You need to list all the positions on your Board along with their contact information. It is vitally important so that Women’s League’s International Chairs can communicate with their counterparts within affiliate/sisterhoods. If this is technically difficult for you, please contact Razel Kessler, WLCJ Office Administrator, at rkessler@wlcj.org who will be glad to assist you.

SUSTAINABILITY/REVERSE TASHLICH

October 2nd is the day we have set aside to perform the amazing mitzvah we are calling “Reverse Tashlich”. Please read the message below in this newsletter for details. All the arms of the Conservative/Masorti Movement are involved in this endeavour. Basically, it will be a joint action in which we attempt to clean up the garbage and refuse thrown into our waterways or parks. Instead of throwing crumbs into the waters near us, we will collect refuse and take it out of these areas. Please encourage your affiliate or synagogue to join in this effort.

Marilyn Cohen

Region President

inrpresident21@wlcj.org

And one more very important thing...

It is my honour to have Carole Burke write the main article for this week’s Chai Lines Newsletter. Carole is on our INR Board as the Canadian Chair for Public Policy & Advocacy and is also our region’s representative on the WLCJ Board. Having been the last President of Montreal Women’s League and long-time leader in her Shaare Zedek Sisterhood, Carole brings a unique sensibility to our region, as she was born in Britain. This past week was very difficult for her as her beloved Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Thank you, Carole, for offering us your personal thoughts and feelings.

Shabbat Shalom,

Marilyn

By Carole Burke

It is with a heavy heart that I write these words. Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, described by the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as 'our rock who never let us down' has died.

Parachuted into her destiny by her uncle's abdication and her father's early death, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary more than fulfilled her vow to serve us all her life.

I do not remember the first radio speech that she made to comfort children who had been evacuated for their safety but I remember the newspaper photos of Princess Elizabeth in army uniform. She drove ambulances and trained as a mechanic. She was one of the last World War 2 veterans. I remember her wedding to the gorgeous young Prince Philip and, all too soon, the glory of the Coronation in1953.

The Queen loved and encouraged the Commonwealth of Nations. In particular she loved Canada. She and Prince Philip visited us twenty two times. Whether square dancing in 1951 or opening Expo 67, or exploring the west, she and Prince Philip understood us and were close to all our Prime Ministers and Governors General.

Her links with the Jewish Community, particularly in Great Britain, ran deep. One of her first actions on her accession was to become Patron of the Council of Christians and Jews, an organization which was founded during the Second World War. She was aware of and very much involved with Holocaust Education and spent much time with Holocaust Survivors. She and Prince Philip visited Bergen Belson. In 2005 pictures of Holocaust Survivors were hung in Buckingham Palace and she spent a very long time with each of the people portrayed. She has educated and encouraged her children and grandchildren to do the same.

The Queen was and now King Charles is the Defender of the Faith. That faith is Protestant, but in an evolving Commonwealth of many faiths, they have both reached out to and encouraged those of us who do not share that religion. She also used her position to help heal wounds with other nations. Only she could have visited the Republic of Ireland and only she could have gone to Germany. 

No matter what was going on in her own life the Queen never failed to comfort and strengthen us. When the pandemic attacked us in recent years she used zoom and other technology to talk to us. I will never forget watching her in her green dress telling us that in spite of everything this would pass, and we would, in the words of the song, meet again.

People close to Her Majesty commented on her kindness and consideration for others. They also talked of her huge sense of humour. Well, there are people who believe that she really did jump out of the helicopter at the 2012 Olympics. Nonetheless she refused to have a double except for the actual jump and kept the whole thing a secret from her family! Recently when she had tea with Paddington Bear, we finally discovered what she kept in her handbag!

When Prince Philip died, she said that meetings led to partings. On another occasion the Queen commented that grief was the price one paid for love. The outpouring of grief which has followed her death shows in full measure the depth of our love.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary's name will surely be for a blessing.

By Marion Tully

Women’s League has convened a Sustainability round table, and I have been designated as our region’s representative. This initiative was conceived by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin with help from Carol Simon, Past International President. This year they are concentrating on water, with a project called “Reverse Tashlich”.

Rabbi Ed Rosenberg who leads a group called Tikun Hayam/Repair the Sea, recently addressed our group. Among many other things, we learned that 70% of our planet is water. From our Jewish perspective when we think of water, we often think of the story of Noah’s Ark, the parting of the Red Sea, Miriam’s well or the Mikvah. Rabbi Rosenberg equated the Torah and water as life itself. He taught that the Sea is God’s, and we must not destroy it. Did you know that thirty-three billion pounds of plastic are found in the ocean every year?! We are commanded not to destroy with the phrase “Bal Tashchit”. If the oceans die – we die!

Therefore, this year at around the time of the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, when you go out to do “Tashlich”, do not throw breadcrumbs into the water because it is harmful to the fish. It is better to throw bird seed or small pebbles into the water. Or even better yet, perform a “Reverse Tashlich” and take polluting materials out of the water. Maybe your affiliate or synagogue can set up an Environmental Committee to organize a team to go to your local body of water with garbage bags and gloves, to pick up the refuse found on the shore. Try to reduce the use of plastic utensils, plates, and cups at all your meetings. Try to find compostable or bio-degradable alternatives. Finally, please register online (the link is in the flyer below) to participate in our Reverse Tashlich program on Sunday October 2nd. Remember - Water is Life!!!

The 5783 Torah Fund pin Chazak v'Ematz, Be Strong and Courageous represents 80 years of ever-increasing strenth of Torah Fund.

Torah Fund is celebrating 80 years of supporting our future leaders of the Conservative/Masorti movement. It is a milestone! If your affiliate is having a special program or making a special donation to Torah Fund to mark the occasion, please share that news with the Co-Chairs of the 80th anniversary celebration, Margie Miller (Mmiller@wlcj.org) and Rita Wertlieb (Rwertlieb@wlcj.org). How wonderful for INR to be able to participate in this celebration. All those who donate an additional $80.00 over and above their usual donations, to acknowledge this anniversary will be honored at the WLCJ convention, July 16-19, 2023, in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Torah Fund pins have been distributed to the affiliates based on prior donations. If you do not have your pins, please check with prior Torah Fund Chairs to see if they received your package of pins. If you need more pins or have other issues, please let me know.

Remember ecards are always available to share simchas and sorrows.

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

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

Paper cards are available, too.

Those websites will also allow you to make online donations. Checks/cheques are still accepted as well. Your local Torah Fund Chair can guide you on the process.

Would you like to attend an ordination of our rabbis? The Zacharias Frankel School in Potsdam, Germany has invited Torah Fund donors to their ceremony on October 23, 2022. Think about that: the ordination of Conservative rabbis in Germany. This ordination is the result of all those donations to Torah Fund; donations large and small, pooled together to make a difference to students in Germany, Israel, and North and South America. It is your donations that help make this ordination possible.

Save the dates for Torah Fund Stands with Israel, informative webinars that are available to us. Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 1:00 pm eastern and Monday, January 30, 2023, at 8:00 pm eastern. For all you do, thank you!

Questions? Comments?

Contact Me!

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com

Author Interview

Maggie Anton

The INR Programming Committee is pleased to present Maggie Anton, the award-winning author of Rashi's Daughter's. Maggie will be with us on Wednesday November 2, 2022 @ 7:30 pm to discuss her newest book, The Choice. More information will be available in upcoming issues of the Chai Lines newsletter.

Message from Torah Fund

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

Torah Fund Stands with Israel - Sunday, September 18 @ 1PM ET

Join Women of the Wall for a moving Selichot service at the Kotel! In the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to pray communally for forgiveness. Come participate in these beautiful prayers and piyot on Tuesday, September 20 at 2:00 PM ET at the women’s section of the Kotel. We will also live stream the service on Facebook. 

Sichot Beyn Achayot: MiDor L'Dor / Conversations between Sisters Series - Thursday, October 20 @ 12:00 PM ET

Thursday 10.20.22 at 12:00 PM-1:30 PM ET

Workshop 1 MiDor L’Dor: Transmitting Our Jewish Values to the Next Generation

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

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

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

Sharsheret: How to Best Support a Loved One Facing Cancer - Thursday, October 6 @ 8 PM ET

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. We all know someone who has faced a cancer diagnosis, and for someone facing cancer, support from friends and family is critically important...

How to Live Forever - Thursday, October 27 @ 7:30 PM ET

Archives tell stories, document people, and are your recorded memory. They form an important part of your community, culture, and history. They can be a source of pride, awe, and understanding of who and what you are for future generations. They are how your sisterhood can Live for Ever!

This 7th session in the “How to Live Forever” series will present a Step-by-Step on how your sisterhood can tell its story and share its memories with past, current and future members and the community...

Recordings of past sessions are available on the Women's League website.

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

Women’s League is thrilled to share that we have partnered with internationally renowned Israeli artist, Avner Moriah, to bring a special evening of incredible art to our members! You will meet the artist and then have the opportunity to shop his website: avnermoriahprints.com using a discount code which was created just for our members. Each of you can enjoy a 20% savings off the entire website! This exclusive offer will not only allow you to get a sneak preview and to build excitement for the main event, it will serve as our trial run. 

PROMO CODE: WL2022

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

Programming Idea of the Week

Sarah is the founder of Political is Personal (PiP), an initiative of in-depth interviews conducted with Israeli Jewish and Palestinian women, who share how the conflict has affected their lives. 

At PiP, Sarah interviews Israeli Jewish and Palestinian women from age 18 and above, from Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and even some women who live in the Diaspora but who have lived in the region for at least ten years. Approximately 100 women have been interviewed so far. 

In addition to interviewing and storytelling, Sarah has spoken about PiP, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli society, women's voices within the context of the conflict as well as her own personal experiences living in the region (“My Life in Israel: To Live in a Conflict Zone”) and for academic and professional audiences in Israel, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Belgium, and the US.

To learn more about Sarah or to book her as a speaker for your Sisterhood affiliate, click here.

To learn more about Political is Personal (PiP), click here.

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Ki Tavo - September 17, 2022

Moses again exhorts the people to keep God’s commandments “with all your heart and soul” (26:16). Just as “You have declared the Lord to be your God,” he says, “the Lord has declared you to be [God’s] special people… set high above all other nations” (26:17-19). This parashah contains both curses and blessings. Curses apply to anyone who: makes a graven image; dishonors father or mother; hinders the blind; perverts the judgment of strangers, orphans, and widows; strikes their neighbor secretly; takes a bribe; does not maintain all the words of the Torah. Observing the commandments will bring blessings: in the city and field; with abundant fruit of body, ground, and animals; coming in and going out...

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?

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

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

Calendar Diaries are available in TWO SIZES. 

Pocket Size: 4x6in. Planner Size: 8.5x11in. Both available to ORDER NOW.

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

New Webinar Series on Censorship; Live Online Courses; Library Book Talks; and More

Just Added Classes! Holocaust & Music, Responses to Zionist Critics, and More!

Schechter's Ongoing Hybrid and Zoom Courses

Schechter is holding a free Rosh Hashanah webinar this coming Sunday, Sept. 18th, 12:00 Noon EST in the US, 7:00 pm in Israel. Attached is an invitation. 

The Jewish State through the Eyes of Great Israeli Writers

with Dr. Shana Rosenblatt Mauer

What kind of images of the Jewish State have Israeli writers created in their poems, short stories and novels? In the early days of the Jewish State, Israeli writers created works intended to stir Zionist passions and honor the painful compromises involved in settling Israel. Then, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, they started questioning Zionist values. By the 1980's their concerns focused on secular-religious friction, living with the threat of terror, the West Bank, competition between Sephardi and Ashkenazi culture, and, not least, the everyday lives of men and women in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Through these works, we will learn about the passions and conflicts that have been at the heart of Israel's evolution from a newborn nation to a thriving country. Texts for the course will be provided.

Authors Include: S.Y. Agnon, Natan Alterman, Yehuda Amichai, Chaim Nachman Bialik, David Grossman, Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, and more.  

Dates: Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6, 13 (6 classes total)

Shana Rosenblatt Mauer has been Learn More (Flyer with Registration Link & Fees) on topics in Modern Jewish Literature for nearly two decades at a number of Israeli universities and colleges. She is part of the faculty of Herzog College and a lecturer at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies. Her most recent article, "Transgressive Post-Holocaust Narratives: From Richler to Englander," was released this past April in Holocaust Studies and her most recent book, Mordecai Richler's Imperfect Search for Moral Values, is being released this Learn More (Flyer with Registration Link & Fees)

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!

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.

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