Shalom!
This past week, I came across a phrase that captured my imagination – “quiet beyond quiet.” The author explained that it’s that place we find sometimes when we’re very still, when our breath settles, our heart beat slows, and our chattering mind is paused.
Listen to the quiet beyond the noise. That’s when we can truly listen and hear that still small inner voice that shapes and develops our life’s vision and our purpose. Jonathon Sacks z'l calls this focus, our inner-directedness -- exploring the new and unknown while keeping faith in the old. It’s what we see dramatically unfold in the story of Abram in this week’s parsha.
G-d instructs Abram "Go forth from your land, your birthplace and your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Gen.12:1). He was told to go forward and forge a new way, different from those around him.
As readers, we know what will happen – we know the rest of the story. But Abram didn’t. Yet, he responded with quiet courage and moved forward. He listened to the inner voice that was G-d; and he was guided along the journey to “the land I will show you.”
Abram shows us how to lead and move forward through challenges. We see that a leader follows an inner voice, a vision and purpose that goes beyond what is and goes to what might be.
Abram was focused on reaching a new land. And, as Rabbi Sacks z'l teaches, once there, "Abram’s purpose was to teach his children and household to follow the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.” They, too, would carry the inner voice with them wherever they went.
In many ways, Lech Lecha is a directive to lead a life that reflects the good and the power within us; it’s a call to courageous living and leadership.
As modern Conservative Jewish women, we have opportunities to lead by being a presence within our synagogues and our communities. We can help build and sustain a community based on shared values and responsibilities. By our actions, we can teach our children and prepare a legacy of Conservative Judaism for the generations that will follow us.
Through programs offered by WLCJ, we have countless opportunities to be a force for change -- whether it’s combating hunger through engagement in our Stock the Shelves program; reinforcing bonds with Israel and Jews worldwide through programs such as “An Open Dialogue Between Diaspora and Israel Sisters,” partnering with Sharsheret to support Jewish women facing cancer, or supporting the centers for Conservative Jewish education through Torah Fund. Check out wlcj.org for information on these and many more opportunities.
Finding the quiet beyond quiet and listening to our inner voice is the beginning. Going forward together to make our lives a blessing is the next!
Shabbat Shalom
Pam
Pamela Schlosberg
Central Great Lakes Region President
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
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My name is Sandy Petak Carleton. I am honored to be the Central Great Lakes Administrative Secretary.
I live in Roscoe, Illinois, 90 miles NW of Chicago, near the Wisconsin border. I am a member of Congregation Ohave Sholom and Sisterhood in Rockford, IL. As we are a small congregation and sisterhood, I am part of a four-person presidium that has shared the presidency for about eight years. Along with our past president, each of us on our board shares multiple positions in sisterhood and/or congregation. I am the fulltime treasurer and the editor of the bimonthly congregation and sisterhood E-newsletter and weekly reminder which sends out links for services and programs. The newsletter is not what I expected to be doing upon retirement, but I feel I am making a needed contribution.
I taught high school special education for 26 years and until the pandemic subbed many years in my former department. In the last 18 months, I have attended many WL classes and programs and my Judaism has become increasingly important. To relax, I enjoy reading, walking, and watching sports. My husband, John, is a retired physics teacher from the same school and we have an adult son, Jeff.
For five years, I was an affiliate president on the CGLR Board, but this is my first time as a region officer. As secretary, I promise to keep accurate and complete minutes of all region meetings, start a binder to keep all region policies to be given to future administrations, respond to Leadership Fund donations, and do other duties as needed. I hope to meet many of you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Sandy
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Torah Fund is turning 80!
In 2022 Torah Fund will turn 80 years old. That is many years that we have been able to support our future Rabbis, Cantors, and Educators to preserve the Conservative Jewish Movement. There is a practice in Judaism called gematria, which is the spiritual meaning of numbers. Where there is no significant meaning of 80 there is significance to the number 8 and the number 10, which when you multiply them you get 80. Eight is the number of completions, for example, the tabernacle was completed in 8 days and Hanukkah is an 8-day holiday. Ten is the symbol of good luck and power. There are 10 commandments, and you need 10 people to make a minyan. Torah fund has completed 80 years and it is powerful in how many people it has helped to secure our future of our Conservative Jewish Community.
Keep your eye out for the new invitation shell to use for your Torah Fund events in 2022 celebrating our 80th anniversary. They will be ready to order soon. WLCJ will also be putting together programming ideas for all affiliates to use for this upcoming anniversary year.
I look forward to hearing about all the affiliates Torah Fund events. Please invite me and I will do my best to attend. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca Goldwasser
CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund
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Torah Fund Stands With Israel
Monday, October 25 at 8:00pm ET
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Happenings Around the Region |
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Adath Israel Sisterhood, Cincinnati, Ohio, had a wonderful hybrid opening event. One of their talented members is a self-trained florist who has been arranging flowers for many years. Each sisterhood member participating picked up a vase of flowers along with a lunch bag of baked goods, an egg salad sandwich, and sparkling cider. All of the participates met on zoom while the flower arranger taught via zoom from their synagogue's social hall. Everyone learned a lot about flowers and arranging and at the end of the program, women were spotlighted to show their creations. Here are a few pictures from the event:
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Parashat Lekh Lekha - Isaiah 40:27-41:16 - October 16, 2021
In Parashat Lekh Lekha, Avram is commanded by God to leave his father’s home, and go to a new place that he does not know. In the Midrash, Rabbinic Legend, Avram is depicted as destroying his father’s idols. Avram is fearful that the kings he just defeated (Genesis 14) would retaliate and seek revenge against him. God tells Avram, “Fear not, Avram, I am a shield for you” (Genesis 15:1). God tells Avram that his descendants will spend 400 years in exile serving other people. God is referring to the time the children of Israel will spend as slaves in Egypt. One might wonder if the children of Israel knew that their slavery would eventually end after 400 years, as God had told Avram. God selects Abraham from all the people on earth to father a new nation dedicated to God.
In the Haftarah for Parashat Lekh Lekha, from Isaiah 40:27-41:16, the people are preparing for a difficult move. In Isaiah 40:18-20 and 41:6-7, we read about idols and idol makers. We read in Isaiah 41:10 and 41:14, that God tells the Israelites, “Fear not.” In the Haftarah (Isaiah 41:1-5), God invites the nations to try to argue who controls history. The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 41:18 calls Israel “My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, seed of Abraham, my friend.” Both the Torah and Haftarah indicate that God chose Israel, and the fate of the people of Israel depends on their allegiance to God.
There is a reference in the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Ta’anit 21a, which explains another reason why Parashat Lekh Lekh is read together with the haftarah from Isaiah 40:27-41:16. It is stated in this talmudic passage that the dust and straw of Isaiah 41:2 refers to Abraham’s ability to throw dust and straw stubble into the air and have them turn into swords and arrows. A midrash teaches that in Genesis 14:4, Abraham went to battle against the four kings, taking with him his army of 318 men and explains how Abraham provided weapons to his troops.
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submitted by
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
WLCJ Executive Director
WWOT for October 9, 16, 23, and 30, click button below:
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Sichot beyn Achayot:
An Open Dialogue Between Diaspora and Israeli SISTERS -
Sunday, October 17th @ 1 PM ET
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SAVE THE DATES
Workshop 2: Davening as Conservative/ Masorti Women
Sunday, November, 14th @ 1PM ET
Workshop 3: Conversations Between Conservative and Masorti Sisters
Sunday, December 12 @ 1PM ET
Questions? Contact Rabbi Margie Cella, WLCJ Educational Programming Coordinator
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שׂיחוֹת בֵּין אְַחַיוֹת, Sichot beyn Achayot means “conversations between sisters”. This program is designed to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the members of WLCJ in North America and the Masorti Olami women of Israel. It is designed to address the question, “How are we the same, and how are we different?"
Each of the 3 sessions will address this question by concentrating on one specific issue that is both relevant and timely to us all, and will include presentations from speakers from each side of the Atlantic. The October and November workshops will each be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate. The third workshop in December will conclude with breakout rooms in which participants will have an opportunity to join the conversation.
Workshop 1: Conservative/Masorti Conversion
Sunday, October 17th @ 1PM ET
Two rabbis will explore issues of Conservative/ Masorti conversions: Is the experience different for rabbis in Israel vs. North America? How are conversions from our movement accepted in Israel? And what are the ramifications for their children/grandchildren with respect to marriage and Aliyah?
Click on speakers’ pictures above to read their bios
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Antisemitism in the US and How We Can Respond Effectively
Tuesday, October 19 at 2:00pm ET
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Health & Wellness-Thursday, October 21st at 8:00pm ET |
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Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
Loss and grief is one of the most significant concerns when supporting people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers. Losses and grieving occur in different ways at all stages of the caregiving journey. Whether they are no longer with us physically or mentally, we all wish we can be better prepared. Join us and Elizabeth Robles of the Alzheimer’s Association for a fascinating conversation about Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Do you know of someone or have a loved one with this medical condition? Whether you have questions or just want to be informed about these health conditions... join us.
Further information will be provided closer to date.
Questions?
Contact
Mindy Steinholz
WLCJ Health & Wellness Chair
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WL Reads, Thursday, November 11, 2021
7:00pm ET
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WL Reads co-chairs Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will be interviewing R. L. Maizes, CO Finalist Colorado Book Award. Her recent short stories book, We Love Anderson Cooper, will be the focus of our virtual conversation. Most of the stories deal with the direct aftermath of trauma or hurt, and it is in this immediacy that we get to know the characters. Or at the very least, we get to know them at their lowest. Join the author and WL Reads co-chairs this November 11th.
Zoom link will be sent upon registering.
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Gary Rosenthal's Hiddur Mitzvah Project |
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Gary Rosenthal has offered to set up a link for WLCJ members to purchase his art from his stock. He will then give 25% of the sales back to Women's League.
The password is WLCJ2021.
Special Discount Code: WLCJ25%
Questions? Contact Grace Schessler
WLCJ Programming Chair
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Let My Tallit Go
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is thrilled to announce our collaboration with Nashot HaKotel (Women of the Wall), whose central mission is: “… to attain social and legal recognition of our right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray, and read from the Torah, collectively and aloud, at the Western Wall. We work to further our mission through social advocacy, education and empowerment.”
WLCJ believes wholeheartedly in this 3-pronged program and is inviting all to join in our future endeavors to further this mission. Now more than ever we need to show our support due to the negative demonstrations in the last few months (e.g. shredding the WOW siddurim and pouring hot coffee on Anat Hoffman’s tallit).
As a result of our first meeting on July 6 (shown above), we are beginning this joint collaboration by participation in the following ways:
- Attendance at Rosh Chodesh services at the wall (either in person or via live streaming)
- Purchase of WOW items (tallitot, challah covers and prayer books); (see links below for more information); and
- Participation and publicizing a joint educational program in January 2022 (details to follow).
Together, we will bring positive social change for women in Israel. We will succeed!
WOW Merchandise
All prices include regular shipping (with tracking, 2-4 weeks).
Express shipping costs an extra $20 per item:
Four Mothers - $250.
Garden of Eden - $225.
Spirit of Israel - $250.
Siddur - $36.
Challah Cover - same design as our Garden of Eden tallit - $72
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is now Psalms, Pirkei Avot,
and Kaddish
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays
12PM Noon Eastern Time;
11AM Central Time
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
Dial by your location:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York);
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose);
+1 647 558 0588 Canada;
+972 55 330 1762 Israel; +972 3 978 6688
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Take a Bow -
Robin Lash VP Programs!
For bringing us "Broadway’s Back” —
an extraordinary evening of entertainment!
We had 184 screens from every corner of our 7-state region in our virtual theater. An amazing turnout and a fun evening!!
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Central Great Lakes Region Board |
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Executive Committee:
President
Pam Schlosberg
Communications
Laurie B. Davis
Education
Fern Schwartz
Membership
Gilda Schwartz
Program
Robin Beth Lash
Secretary
Sandy Carleton
Torah Fund
Rebecca Goldwasser
Treasurer
Wanda Pitzele
Financial Secretary
Marjorie Maxwell
Parliamentarian/ IPP
Fran Hildebrandt
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Board of Directors:
Communication/
Social Media
Paula Ferguson
Communication/Website
Rachel Ferber
Education/ Israel
Open
Membership Service
Cynthia Lerner
Member Support
Marlene Ostrow
Presidents Council
Laurie B. Davis
Program/Books
Renee Kaplan
Creative Judaic Arts
Lynda Abraham-Braff
Spring Conference
TBD
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Nominating
Fran Hildebrandt
WLCJ Board Representing CGLR
Rebecca Goldwasser
Fran Hildebrandt
Robin Beth Lash
Cynthia Lerner
Wanda Pitzele
Pam Schlosberg
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Webmaster
Central Great Lakes Region
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