In This Issue:
CGLR News
- President's Message
- CGLR Board Meeting
- Opening Program
- Torah Fund
- Happenings Around the Region
WLCJ News
- Partnership to Combat Anti Semitism
- Social Action Initiatives
- Women's Health Resolution
- Makom B'Yachad
- Good & Welfare
CGLR Leadership
-
Good & Welfare
- Leadership Fund
- Your CGLR Board
NOTE: If your are reading this newsletter on your smartphone, it will be easier to read in landscape mode.
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President's Message - Thinking about 5782 |
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Shalom!
Have you noticed, the days are quickly getting shorter?
I'm an inveterate morning person. Early each morning, well before my family begins to stir, I love to gaze out the kitchen window and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. It’s a ritual that helps focus my day. Lately, however, I'm finding that I’ve long finished savoring that first cup of coffee before the sun is up to brighten my view.
The days are getting shorter, but I know that despite the fewer hours of daylight, the gift of time remains a constant. Each day still has 24 hours! Time is just “dressed” a bit differently now.
Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, once said that of all the things we have, time is the most precious. The question is, how do we manage this precious gift? Let’s take a moment to think about this.
The High Holidays helped somewhat. They’ve been called Judaism’s significant time-management tool, designed to ensure that we live for the things that matter, things that bring meaning, value, and joy. And so, we were encouraged to pause and evaluate how we’ve lived so far. During that gifted time, we could re-channel and re-establish our priorities, rewire and replenish our energy, and reintroduce ourselves to all the opportunities in the year ahead.
It was a life and a time reset. So, where do we go from there as we begin this year of 5782?
This week’s parsha, Bereshit, supports our time of renewal and beginnings as we read the magnificent panorama of stories from creation through to Noah. We discover a framework that explores human nature and illuminates our own search for a purposeful life. We’re inspired as we read that G-d gave us a good world, but we’re also challenged to be in a partnership with G-d and make a real commitment to improving this world.
We’re called to act and see life as a verb.
Through this prism, looking at our work within our Affiliates/Sisterhoods this year, we have wonderful opportunities to use our gift of time to build a more vibrant, richer Jewish life for our family and the larger Jewish community. This year, working together, we can identify countless ways where we can live up to our partnership with G-d, helping to create a world of wholeness, compassion, joy, and justice. We can learn, we can be a force for good, we can be a voice for those less fortunate, we can be the support for each other as we begin our journey anew. We each can make a difference.
In this sense, we all are leaders, who lead by influence. By our presence and commitment, by how we engage with our family, community, synagogue, and with each other, we can add our unique page to the unfinished story that is Conservative Judaism. Together, we can cherish each day’s promise of time, and through our deep commitment of service to our Jewish Community, we can help secure a priceless gift for the next generation.
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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When: Monday, October 11, 2021
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm Eastern Time
7:00pm - 8:00pm Central Time
Meeting ID: 818 3306 4518
Passcode: 174355
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If you have not registered for our Opening Program,
TODAY- October 1
is the deadline to register by 5:00pm EST/ 4:00 CST!
your name, Sisterhood Affiliate, City, State and cell number.
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Our Torah Fund Campaign is off to a great start. I hope each Sisterhood is thinking about how they will promote Torah Fund this year. There are many ways one can give to Torah Fund.
1. Go online to inspired.jtsa.edu/torahfund and make your donation.
2. Send a check to the Torah Fund office.
3. Send an e-card by going to torahfundecards.jtsa.edu. There are five different cards to choose from. It cost $5 for each card and your sisterhood gets credit towards their Torah Fund goal.
However, you decide to give to Torah Fund know that your donation is greatly appreciated and goes towards the future of Conservative Judiaism. For further details on the Nuts and Bolts of Torah Fund please join us for our Torah Fund Workshop on Sunday, October 17th from 10:30 am-noon ET.
I want to take this time and wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.
B’Yachad-Together!
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Shalom,
Rebecca Goldwasser
Vice President of Torah Fund
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Happenings Around the Region |
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Partnership to Combat Anti Semetism |
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UNITED SYNAGOGUE CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM, WOMEN’S LEAGUE FOR
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM, FEDERATION OF JEWISH MEN’S CLUBS AND ADL
FORM PARTNERSHIP TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM
New York, NY, September 17, 2021… The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ), Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) and ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) have agreed to form a partnership aimed at combating
the alarming rise in antisemitic rhetoric and violence through education and advocacy.
This partnership will make ADL’s expertise and tools readily accessible to almost 600 USCJ-affiliated synagogues, and nearly 40,000 WLCJ members, and FJMC clubs through the latter’s own vast media channels. ADL, USCJ, WLCJ, and FJMC will also deliver jointly designed educational materials to congregational and sisterhood affiliates and individual WLCJ members and FJMC clubs. They also will, in coordination with Secure Community Network,
increase reporting and response to antisemitic incidents occurring at conservative synagogues, sisterhood affiliates and men’s clubs.
“USCJ, Women’s League and Men’s Club stand firmly side by side with the ADL in our new partnership. This collaboration will provide the education and training for our 600 member congregations, sisterhood affiliates and men’s clubs to raise the awareness necessary to respond to antisemitism on their home front " said CEO Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal.
“We are keenly aware at ADL that antisemitic incidents are on the rise in the U.S. and around the world, and that future trends indicate a dangerous trajectory,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “We believe that this partnership, which marries both ADL, USCJ, WLCJ and FJMC ’s vast expertise and resources, will make serious headway in combating the scourge of antisemitism through education, advocacy, incident reporting and community awareness, and ultimately turn the tide against hate.”
Debbi Kaner Goldich, President of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, noted, “Women’s League for Conservative Judaism has been a leading advocate in the fight against antisemitism through its resolutions and education of our members in their affiliated Sisterhoods. In this partnership, WLCJ joins together with USCJ and FJMC and the ADL to condemn and combat acts of antisemitism in violation of the fundamental privileges of religious liberty and equality of citizenship.”
Designated ADL, USCJ, and WLCJ representatives have also agreed to collaborate on future joint programs and offerings including webinars and developing joint resources for USCJ, WLCJ and FJMC the communities and communities they serve.
About ADL:
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.
About The United Synagogue Conservative Judaism (USCJ):
We strengthen synagogues. We are the network that ensures there are thriving centers of Jewish practice across North America, Israel, and beyond that celebrate both tradition and contemporary life. Together, we demonstrate what an authentic and dynamic Judaism looks like, inspire people to be a part of it, and advance its critical role in the world.
About Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC):
FJMC (Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs) is the international umbrella organization for a confederation of more than 250 men’s auxiliaries serving 25,000 men around the globe. Our chapters are concentrated in North America throughout the United States and Canada. The influence of FJMC’s programs and contributions is felt worldwide. FJMC’s mission is to involve Jewish men in Jewish Life.
About Women’s League for Conservative Judaism:
Since 1918, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is the voice of the women of the Conservative movement and represents its forty thousand members on a wide array of national, international and religious issues. The mission of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is to strengthen and unite synagogue women’s groups, their members, and individual members, support them in mutual efforts to understand and perpetuate Conservative/ Masorti Judaism in the home, synagogue and community, and reinforce their bonds with Israel and with Jews worldwide. Women’s League accepts the Jerusalem Program, which is the platform of the World Zionist Organization. Through its ongoing Torah Fund campaign, Women’s League continues to financially support the students of the five worldwide Conservative Seminaries.
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Gary Rosenthal's Hiddur Mitzvah Project - Thursday, October 7th @ 7:30 PM ET |
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Hiddur Mitzvah Project with Gary Rosenthal
Registrations through Wizevents will be required to receive a kit. However, our members may join the Zoom to enjoy the program even if they choose not to make a piece of art.
RSVP deadline is September 9th in order to guarantee delivery. Late orders will be accepted but delivery is not assured.
So what's the process?
A kit will be sent to each registrant containing supplies and instructions.
Plus...
Gary Rosenthal has offered to set up a link for our members to purchase his art from his stock. He will then give 25% of the sales back to Women's League.
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Women's Health Resolution - Please COMMENT |
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To the Membership of WLCJ
The Resolutions and Public Policy Committee has approved the following Women’s Health Resolution (2021). This resolution passed the WLCJ Executive Committee and is being offered to our membership for comment.
The Resolutions Committee, which drafted this resolution, will review all comments and make changes, as the committee may deem useful and appropriate. Then the resolution will be offered to the WLCJ Membership for final vote. If passed, this resolution becomes an official position of WLCJ. Our hope is that our affiliates will develop programming and projects inspired by this resolution.
Resolutions have been a part of the work of Women’s League for over 70 years. We are proud of the positions we have taken, as we have added the collective voice of thousands of Conservative Jewish women to the call for justice, freedom and tikkun olam. The WLCJ website contains the entire archive of our resolutions.
Please take a moment to read our Women’s Health Resolution and send your comment.
Marlene Oslick and Karen Cuker,
Committee Co-Chairs
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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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Mazel Tov
to Simchat Torah Honorees
Our President, Pam Schlosberg of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, Illinois.
Sisterhood Co-Presidents, Deborah Gubin & Laura Kordan of Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago, Illinois.
If you know of any other Sisterhood Presidents honored on Simchat Torah, please let me know to include them in our next Wave. Laurie B. Davis
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Central Great Lakes Leadership Fund
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 today. Your gift will provide support for those women in our region who may need financial assistance to participate in 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:
- You may send a check (Payable to Women’s League for Conservative Judaism) to:
Pam Schlosberg
144 Whistler Rd
Highland Park, IL 60035
Please include: the occasion, your name and address
plus the name and address of the recipient.
Your caring will help keep our future strong - and we thank you!
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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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Laurie B. Davis
Webmaster
Central Great Lakes Region
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