Dear Central Great Lakes,

March 2023 is here – a unique definition for Everything, Everywhere, and All at Once! 

There’s the all-month celebration of Women’s History Month as we pause to study and celebrate the pow-her-ful role of women in history, yesterday and today. Concurrently, the world of sports celebrates victories posted daily in the basketball brackets of March Madness. 

March invites us to hop on the weather roller coaster: powerful wintry storms one day and a tease of spring the next. Hats on. Hats off!  And as we treaded ever so lightly on the Ides of March, we were gifted with the song of birds on that fateful day, reminding us that hope reigns eternal.

And here we are amid of all of this. 

We stand as an ever-resilient community of women taking each day together with shared vision and purpose. The key words: resilience; community; purpose. Each day working together within a beautiful sacred community, striving to support each other in our work to make this topsy-turvy world a little bit better.  We understand that the core of our sacred community is about being agents for healing and repairing our communities and the larger world. 

So, how are we doing?

In retrospect, we have thrown our arms open! One benchmark can be found each month as we share Rosh Chodesh with Israel’s Women of the Wall, our modern-day Western Wall liberators.  This past month, our Women’s League Executive Director, Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields, and our International President, Debbi Kaner Goldich, represented all of us at the Women of the Wall’s Rosh Chodesh service in Israel. They represented our collective support for these Jewish women who strive to make the Western Wall, the Kotel, a place where women can pray freely. It was a proud moment when we witnessed Rabbi Ellen lain Torah and Debbi Kaner Goldich receive an aliyah. We stood together in person and virtually with grace, strength, and joy in solidarity with Jewish women throughout the world -- a resilient community strong of purpose. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Pam

Pam Schlosberg

CGLR President

cglrpresident21@wlcj.org

847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)

The Ukraine War Continues -

Please help if you can!

We can extend our sense of renewed hope and send our light forward by a donation via The Schechter Institutes, Inc. www.schechter.edu/donate or

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

Dear Sisters,

I have spoken about becoming a part of Legacy Society in previous WAVEs.  I feel it bears repeating. Leaving a legacy gift helps with the sustainability of Torah Fund for many years to come.  It doesn’t cost you any more presently, but all you need to do is add Torah Fund as a beneficiary to your IRA or add it to your will.  This will allow future generations to have the scholarships needed to continue the growth of our leadership of the Conservative/Masorti Jewish Movements.  I am also mentioning this now because it is our goal for 80 CGLR women to make a Legacy gift by the time of our International Women’s League Convention in July 2023 in Schaumburg, IL.  Please see the flyer below for additional information and for a link to the website.

Be strong and courageous.



Shabbat Shalom,

Rebecca Goldwasser

CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund

rebeccatorahfund@gmail.com

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

of higher education.

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!

REGISTRATION FOR

WLCJ Convention 2023

IS NOW OPEN!!

When:

Sunday, July 16 - Wednesday, July 19

Where:

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Schaumburg, IL (a suburb of Chicago)

WLCJ 2023 Convention Social Action Project:

Our Shifrah and Puah Project –

GIVING THE GIFT OF A HEALTHY BIRTH

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 6 is 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

Look for more information to come and more ways to help our Convention 2023 Shifrah and Puah Maternity Center Project. Have a wonderful Shabbat and realize how important “GIVING THE GIFT OF A HEALTHY BIRTH” can be to help to those who need our help. The help we can give is truly of life-saving value.

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 LIFE.

Best,

Ellen & Randy

Todah Rabbah and Shalom,

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

     Visit YOUR CGLR Website

YOUR Resource for all Things CGLR!



We welcome information to post about your affiliate. Send us your news, and we will add it to our site!

Click here -> http://www.wlcjregion.org/central/

Take a look at CGLR's NEW Facebook page at

WLCJ Central Great Lakes

SPECIAL NOTICE for the March 31 issue:

Please send your copy to Karen Weiss at kbweiss1023@gmail.com

because

Laurie B. is traveling the world! :)

Mi Sheberach for

Rhonda Cohn, Past President of CGLR

Ruth L. Harris, IntraContinental President

Susan Steinberg, Southern Region President



We wish them a Refuah Shlemah -

a complete and speedy recovery

Baruch Dayan Ha Emet

With sadness we advise you of the passing of Elaine Baren z"l, a Past President of the former New York State Branch as well as Sisterhood President and Congregation President of Temple Beth El of Greater Buffalo, before it merged with Temple Shaarey Zedek Buffalo to form Temple Beth Tzedek.

Funeral services were held on March 7. There was no formal shiva.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family of Elaine Baren at 96 Brookdale Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221.

We extend our condolences to 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 memory of Elaine Baren, 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.

Sincerely,

Pamela Schlosberg

CGLR President

Baruch Dayan Ha Emet

With sadness we advise you of the passing of Eleanor Braun z'l, mother of Amy Hymes, former Florida Region President.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 15, in North Lauderdale.

Shiva will be observed at Eleanor Braun's home in King's Point: 

7763 Southampton Terrace Apt. 314  Tamarac, Florida 33321



Shiva times:

Wednesday:  Minyan at 7 pm

Thursday: visitation 1 - 4 pm, Minyan at 7 pm

Friday:  visitation 12 noon - 2 pm

Sunday:  visitation 1 - 4 pm

Messages of condolence may be sent to Eleanor's family at the above address.

We extend our condolences to Eleanor'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 memory of Eleanor Braun, 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.

Sincerely,

Pamela Schlosberg

CGLR President

Baruch Dayan Ha Emet

We extend our deepest condolences to Paula Ferguson, a member of CGLR Board of Directors, on the loss of her brother, Todd McConnell. May Paula and her loved ones be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

If you would like to make a donation to Women’s League in memory of Todd McConnell,  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. 

Sincerely,

Pamela Schlosberg

CGLR President

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

Your gift provides support for those women in our region who may need financial assistance to participate in our WLCJ Convention in July, a region conference, or one of our educational programs.  

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

Donations in any amount are welcome. There are two ways to donate:

Simply click the “DONATE” button below. Then, email Pam at: cglrpresident21@wlcj.org

with the occasion, your name and address plus the name and address of the recipient.

or 

Simply send a check

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

Pam Schlosberg

144 Whistler Rd

Highland Park, IL 60035

Please include:

Your caring will help keep our future strong - and we thank you!

When I became a Bat Mitzvah many years ago... you know, when girls had their Bat Mitzvah on a Friday night, were able to sing the Haftarah, sing the Kiddush and perhaps be able to lead the congregation in Yigdal... My Rabbi said the following three words to me when he spoke directly to me... ALWAYS BE YOURSELF!

Shabbat Shalom,

Sue Bengele

WLCJ Financial Secretary

Sbengele@wlcj.org

PER CAPITA was due January 10, 2023.

If payment has already been made, it is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support of 

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.**

If you are experiencing difficulties, 

please reach out to the Financial Team or call or email

Marjorie Maxwell, CGLR Financial Secretary, at

marjorie.s.maxwell@gmail.com or at 847-207-5750.

Checks should be payable to:

Womens League for Conservative Judaism

520 8th Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Thank you to the following affiliates, whose per capita has been 

received and recorded (as of 3/14/23) by Women’s League!

Adath Israel Congregation, Cincinnati, OH

Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue, Lorain, OH 

B'nai Jeshurun Congregation, Pepper Pike, OH

Beth El Congregation, Akron, OH

Beth El Congregation, Pittsburgh, PA

Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah, Wilmette, IL 

Beth Israel, Tri City Jewish Center, Davenport, IA

Congregation B'nai Moshe, West Bloomfield, MI

Congregation Beth Ahm, West Bloomfield, MI 

Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, Milwaukee, WI 

Congregation Beth Judea, Long Grove, IL

Congregation Beth Shalom, Oak Park, MI

Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook, IL

Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis, IN 

Congregation Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Rockford, IL

Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Southfield, MI

Ezra-Habonim, The Niles Township Jewish Congregation, Skokie, IL 

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

Ohavay Zion Synagogue Sisterhood, Lexington, KY  

Sisterhood of Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago, IL

Temple El Emeth, Youngstown, OH

The Park Synagogue Sisterhood, Pepper Pike, OH

*­* Please do not delete from the database until after July 1 any WL members for whom you've paid per capita for this fiscal year (7/1/22-6/30/23), even if they are no longer active members.

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei – Shabbat HaChodesh - March 18, 2023

This Shabbat’s Torah Reading is the double portion of Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, and concludes the book of Exodus, Sefer Shemot. The Children of Israel gather to see the completion of the construction of the mishkan, the Tabernacle. It was very important for the Children of Israel to see the fruits of their labor, and gather together to see the completion of the mishkan, the dwelling place of God. We are gearing up to gather together, as sisters, at our triennial Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Convention, in July 2023. I hope you are all as excited as the Children of Israel must have been in our Torah reading. We too will be together, in the dwelling place of God, as we see our sisters, whom we have not seen in years. Our little zoom boxes will come alive, and truly God will gather amongst us as well, as we look into the eyes of our sisters, and see in each other the face of God! I cannot wait!  Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!

NIGHT AND DAY—The Jewish Connection to the Movie Musicals of the 1940s - Session 3, The War Years

Lois Silverman, WLCJ Communications Co-Chair

In the 1940s the creation of Hollywood musicals was led by Jewish composers, directors, and writers. The creators included legends of musical theater including: Irving Berlin, Sigmund Romberg, Jerome Kern, the Gershwin Brothers, Rodgers and Hart, and Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Explore the Jewish contribution to the movie musicals of the 1940s, a decade of vast changes in American society and movie musicals.

Part 2--This training will focus on equipping participants to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community, specifically through language and pronoun-use. It assumes prior knowledge of the basics of LGBTQ+ identities and concepts, which will be covered in the first workshop. Rakhel Silverman (pronouns: they/them/theirs), New York Education and Training Manager, and Hannah "Hensch" Henschel, Associate Director of Education and Training (pronouns: they/them/theirs) will co-facilitate our discussion and answer our questions. 

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12:00 Noon ET; 11:00 AM CT; 9:00 AM PT; 10:00 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? Sign up below.Sign

Project Stock the Shelves   

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

Learn More

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors.

Key to Calendar:

CGLR Events

WLCJ Events

Affiliate Events

Wednesday, March 22 @ 7:00 PM CT/ 8:00 PM ET- CGLR presents "The Ten Plagues and the Exodus in Jewish Art"

Thursday, March 23 @ 6:30 PM CT/ 7:30 PM ET - How to Live Forever - Writing & Sharing Your Sisterhood/Region Story

Thursday, March 23 @ 7:30 PM CT - EHNTJC's Women's Seder

Thursday, March 30 @ 7:00 PM CT/ 8:00PM ET - Health & Wellness - End of Life Issues, Part II

Wednesday, April 19 @ 11:30 AM CT lunch; 1:00 PM CT/2:00 ET program - EHNTJC presents "Miep Gies Remembers: The Woman Who Saved Anne Frank's Diary"

Wednesday, April 19 @ 7:00 PM CT/8:00 PM ET - Congregation Ohave Sholom Sisterhood Book Talk, Mapping Eden

Sunday, April 23 @ 6:30 PM CT/ 7:30 PM ET - Mishpachah: Going Deeper: LGBTQ+ Language & Pronouns (Part 2 of 2)

Thursday, April 27 @ 6:00 PM CT/ 7:00 PM ET - WL Reads interviews Alyson Richmond and Shaunna Edwards, co-authors of the book, The Thread Collectors

May 13 @ 9:30 AM CT/ 10:30 AM ET - EHNTJC Sisterhood Shabbat

Laurie B. Davis

Communication VP/ The WAVE Editor