Shalom!
To Kindle the Light of Hope
This past Sunday was the last night of Hanukkah. There’s always a special glow to the Hanukkah menorah we light on the last night. And if you were truly present, perhaps you heard the silent choir of hope created by its glowing eight candles. Each flickering candle lent its voice to a melody meant to fill our hearts with warmth, our souls with the courage, and our spirit with renewed resilience. The final reprised chorus was one of inspiration and rededication.
This year, I lingered awhile after the last candle flickered out just to savor the spirit of the moment, to linger and watch that last bright reddish glow of this candle. It cast a unique, brief glow in the darkness that followed. And I thought about what it means to rededicate ourselves – to finding hope.
The reality for most of us was that this past year was a challenge. Our world was fragile at best. There were times when it seemed that we were living in a strange land, experiencing illogical events that belonged more in the world of J.K. Rowling than ours. Then, only last week, we all shared the shocking horror and tragedy of the mass shooting that occurred at Oxford High School in the Detroit suburb of Oxford Township.
The pain was, and remains, palpable for many. Our hearts ache for the children who were witness to the event, their parents, teachers, and counselors; the neighbors, our CGLR Sisters who live in Michigan. As the President of one of our Affiliates wrote, “We are all suffering in some way.” And we all grieve with them.
Against this backdrop, we needed every light of Sunday’s menorah to remind us of hope and resilience. We needed every light to connect to the sparks of hope within us. We needed every light to remind us that although we are in an endless panoramic of change, within this challenging backdrop that we can’t begin to understand, we can find hope.
We’re blessed with an inspiration in this week’s parsha, Vayigash. Here we read another chapter in Joseph’s amazing personal story and more importantly, his response to events that could have thrown him into the depths of despair. He’s a powerful, though complex, teacher. His trust in G-d gave him immense strength and resilience – though he doesn’t stifle his anguish. As Rabbi Karyn Kedar noted, he goes forward through the pain that settled in his heart and does good.
There is always a way to get to the other side of fear, sadness, of disappointment, and pain. Perhaps it’s a rededication to hope that’s the bridge. And the pathway forward is as strong as the hope which is in our hearts – in our very DNA as Conservative Jewish women. Hope is the belief that together we can make the world a better place. By our actions, our commitment to each other and to our mission of service, that we can make things better.
So, together, let’s keep the spirit of hope alive – and say, “yes” to life!
Gratefully wishing you, 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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Lead by Empowering Those Around You - Some Thoughts
Enable Others to Act
A project, study conference, fund raiser or a program doesn’t become a reality through the actions of a single person. Each requires a team effort and group collaboration.
· Give your power away. Sharing and fostering your team’s ownership of moving a project/program along, will make them stronger and more capable.
· Increase members’ self-determination and develop their competency on projects.
· Foster collaboration by building trust and strengthening individual relationships
· Give everyone a voice in the decision-making process. The guiding principle is that the team is larger than any one member. It’s also more comfortable for the team to know that there is mutual help and support.
· Ultimately, it’s easier to achieve shared goals when you involve others in the decisions to be made, trust them to handle the execution, give them responsibilities, and credit along the way.
When your Affiliate members are trusted and have more discretionary authority and more information, they will more than likely produce extraordinary results. And through those relationships, you empower your members and enable them to grow as leaders.
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My name is Fran Hildebrandt. I am Immediate Past President of CGLR, as well as the Parliamentarian and Nominating Chair for our Region. I also serve on the WLCJ Board as Chair of Mishpachah-the Modern Jewish Family and sit on the Torah Fund Cabinet. Before that I served as Region Torah Fund Vice President and was Madricha for two WLCJ Conventions.
I live in Farmington Hills, Michigan where I am a member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, Michigan. While I have served in multiple positions on our sisterhood and synagogue boards, I am currently serving as a Vice President of Beth Shalom. Being involved in Sisterhood is a family activity. I am a second-generation Sisterhood President as my mother was President of her Sisterhood and my sister is currently President of our Sisterhood.
In my previous life, I was a counselor and teacher for over 35 years. Part of my career was as a vocational counselor at JVS, and the major part was as a middle school counselor or high school English teacher at (mostly) Brandon School District.
I love to travel. It began when we moved to Medan, N. Sumatra, Indonesia in the 1980’s where we taught at an international school. This experience influenced my views on religion, diversity, and the world. I would rather read than sleep and enjoy gardening, music, and researching our family history. I serve on the advisory board of a Metro Detroit women’s interfaith group (WISDOM) and am a docent for the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.
Next week, (on the 15th) I will have been married for 47 years to the same man. Before he retired, my husband Tom was a special ed teacher consultant. We share three sons and two daughters-in-law: Matt who is married to Melanie and have given us three grandchildren (our shining stars -Samara, Elie, and Koby); Michael who is married to Jessica and they are raising dogs; and Dan who is single and has a cat. We are truly fortunate that two of our children live in Michigan and that we can visit with our Boston kids and grandkids very often.
Sisterhood, Region, and Women’s League has been an important part of my life. I feel especially grateful for the friends that I have made and all that I have learned from the programs, conferences, conventions, and leadership trainings I have attended. If you are not active in your Sisterhood or the Region, I hope you will consider becoming more involved. I will be forming the Region Nominating Committee. If you are interested in being a part of it, please contact me.
Have a wonderful week.
Shabbat Shalom
Fran
248.318.8301 / fshildebrandt@gmail.com
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Torah Fund supports programs and scholarships at the five Conservatives/Masorti global institutes of higher education. |
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A Torah Fund Story
Why do we give to Torah Fund? Each of us have a story of why we give some are personal and some of our stories are from how Torah Fund has helped a friend, a family member, or a congregant. As I was reading an article on the JTS website I came across Maya Zinkow’s story, which was written by Dona Burkat. Donna wrote the following:
I asked Maya a few questions about her education, and this is her story in her own words.
“I grew up in the Midwest, the daughter of two rabbis. I never thought I’d follow in my parents’ footsteps, yet as I grew and developed Jewishly on my own and with the help of many precious mentors, I came to the rabbinate with a sense of calling. Every piece of who I am – a teacher, a learner, a storyteller – converges at “rabbi.” It is a gift and a blessing to be able to come to this work, to serve the Jewish people with a sense of purpose and passion. As I take my steps into the rabbinate, I am girded with the wisdom of my ancestors, with the voices of feminist scholars and thinkers, and with a deep sense of gratitude to God and to those who have nurtured me to this moment. I am eager and excited to see what comes next, to serve and help build the next chapter of the American Jewish story!" Maya has been working as a rabbinic intern at Romemu Yeshiva and the Columbia/Barnard Hillel. Yasher Koach to Maya Zinkow! We look forward to hearing about her future endeavors.
We all have stories of why Torah Fund is important to us. Please tell me your story so everyone can hear it. Also, please donate to Torah Fund. You will be playing a major part in helping future students pursue careers for the future of Conservative/Masorti Judaism. All amounts matter. Thank you. Give Today.
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Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca Goldwasser
CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund
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Shabbat Message
December 11, 2021
By Cameron Fields, WL Individual Member
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If I forget thee O Jerusalem… Reflections of my experience at Women of the Wall |
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One of the activities I was most excited about during Nativ, my gap year in Israel, was davening (praying) at the Kotel, the Western Wall, with Women of the Wall each Rosh Chodesh, new month. I was privileged to daven with Women of the Wall nearly a decade ago, way before my Bat Mitzvah, with my mom and grandmother. Now I was able to daven with my tallit and tefillin. Women of the Wall’s 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.” Each month they have a prayer service at the Kotel, and I truly believe that each time one partakes in their services they gain a new perspective on the relations between different sects of Judaism in Israel (or Jerusalem in particular). This past October, I wrote the following poem after partaking in the Women of the Wall Rosh Chodesh service at the Kotel, a service that I will never forget. While there were moments during the Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan service where I felt uncomfortable or upset, overall I learned so much and had an impactful and thought-provoking experience while wrapped in my tallit and tefillin under the shadows of the Kotel.
אִם אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ יְרוּשָׁלָיִם
אִם אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ יְרוּשָׁלָיִם, תִּשְׁכַּח יְמִינִי
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, it is as if I forgot my right hand.
As I stand below the shadow of the Western Wall and unravel my Tefillin I see the fresh marks on my right hand, protrude and unapologetically apparent.
But along with the Tefillin indentations are my wounds and scars.
Will those be forgotten if I forget Jerusalem?
How could something so present in my mind be forgotten?
It will not. It can not. I will not allow that to happen.
Jerusalem is my home.
Jerusalem is the place of my people.
Jerusalem has allowed me to learn so much about the history of my people.
It is a place where I find myself filled with happiness and simultaneously boiling with anger and feelings of neglect.
It is a place where I find myself connected to the greater Jewish community… but it also is a place that causes a divide in my connection to Jerusalem itself.
It is where being myself has become a catalyst for protest.
Will I ever be able to forget Jerusalem…NO.
Jerusalem has given me so many life-changing experiences… both for better and for worse.
I have been
yelled at,
blocked,
stepped on,
and jumped through obstacles.
After each one, I feel that Jerusalem has forgotten me.
It has forgotten that I too am Jewish.
I too share the same history, love, and connection to Israel and its Holiest City.
Am I not allowed to show my love and devotion to God in the Holy City?
Is my prayer not valid, real, or worth being heard?
Jerusalem have you forgotten what diversity of prayer looks like?
Please, you cannot accept the prayers filled with screaming, hateful words, and violence towards fellow Jews.
That is not prayer… that is hatred towards one’s own family.
Jerusalem hear my voice!
Hear me call out and say that Jerusalem is also my home!
Shouldn’t I be comfortable in my home?
Jerusalem have you possibly forgotten that the way someone connects and practices their Judaism can vary.
Jerusalem is the word diversity not in your dictionary?
Jerusalem, remember that I too want to feel at home.
I too want to express my words of prayer freely.
I too want to practice Judaism without fear.
I too want to sing with my fellow sisters and brothers.
I too want to be unapologetically Jewish.
Jerusalem don’t forget me.
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Since writing this poem, I have also attended services for Rosh Chodesh Kislev and Tevet, and Hanukkah Candle Lighting with Women of the Wall. Each experience brings me new meaning. I look forward to sharing my experiences davening with Women of the Wall with WLCJ on Sunday, January 30, 2021 at noon eastern.
Shabbat Shalom,
Cameron Fields
WLCJ Individual Member
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In 2010, Women’s League began the tradition of bestowing Jewels in the Crown awards to some of our Sisterhoods / Affiliates at our Conventions. These awards recognize those Sisterhoods/Affiliates which meet certain standards of education, engagement, and participation. A crown signifies sovereignty. Those Sisterhoods / Affiliates who achieve this award are the best at educating, inspiring, and helping others. This is accomplished through their own programs and events or through the use of programs and events designed and presented by Women’s League.
At the next WLCJ International Convention in 2023, we will again bestow these awards on those Sisterhoods/Affiliates who meet certain requirements. As we plan for 2023, we are taking into account the pandemic and how it has affected planning and programming and how it may continue to do so. Covid has put a damper on meetings, programs, and events. Nevertheless, we are encouraging all Sisterhood/Affiliates to keep Jewels in the Crown in mind as you work on your events for the remainder of this year and for next year in order to be eligible to receive an award. Our goal is to motivate as many of our Sisterhoods/Affiliates as we can to take this opportunity to receive a Jewels in the Crown award.
One new addition will be some information on diversity and inclusion initiatives which you might be surprised to realize your Sisterhood/affiliate has already done- have you adapted a program to allow for the participation of our differently abled members, or done a program which reaches out to our membership from marginalized communities?
More information on all things Jewels in the Crown will be forthcoming to help our member affiliates plan for their award applications. It is wonderful to be able to say to the members of your Sisterhood/Affiliate, to the members of your synagogue, and to prospective members that yours is an award-winning organization. We look forward to welcoming our newest award-winning affiliates who will be designated a Jewel in the Crown of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism at our Convention in 2023!
Shabbat Shalom,
Anne and Mindy
Anne Schimberg
Jewels in the Crown 2023 Co-Chair
Mindy Steinholz
Jewels in the Crown 2023 Co-Chair
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Parashat Vayigash - Ezekiel 37:15 - 28 - December 11, 2021
The haftarah that is b’yachad, together, with Parashat Vayigash is Ezekiel 37:15-28. In Parashat Vayigash,Joseph and Benjamin have a reunion filled with tears. In Genesis 45:12, we read the phrase “see for yourselves,” which seems to mean that in order to understand completely what is happening, Joseph’s brothers cannot just hear an explanation but must also see evidence that supports it. The brothers require a visual sign, similar to the Israelites in the haftarah. In the Torah reading, Joseph causes his brothers to go through the action of going home to get Benjamin and bringing him to Egypt in order to facilitate them reliving the time they were alone with Joseph and sold him. The purpose of the enactment was to teach them to protect their younger and weaker brother. In the haftarah, we also see an action which symbolizes a lesson.
In the haftarah, Ezekiel proclaims the reunion of the two halves of Israel, symbolized by the two sticks. One stick has the name “Judah” engraved on it, which included the tribe of Benjamin in the Southern Kingdom and on the other stick, the name “Ephraim,” Joseph’s son who represents the Northern Kingdom. Ezekiel’s reunion of Judah-Benjamin and Ephraim Joseph parallels the Torah reading’s reunion of Benjamin and Joseph.
submitted by
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
WLCJ Executive Director
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WLCJ Emails not Mobile/Tablet Friendly - Disclamer |
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Please be assured that we are aware that there is a technical glitch if viewing this message on some mobile devices and tablets. We are working on this situation. If you have trouble seeing the message below, you can click on - (If this is not displayed properly or you can not view the images, click here) which is located on the top of the email received from us or use a different device. |
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Sichot beyn Achayot:
An Open Dialogue Between Diaspora and Israeli SISTERS -Workshop 3- Sunday, Decemberber 12th @ 1 PM ET
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Three pairs of women will each explore some aspect of living Jewishly as a Conservative/ Masorti Jew, comparing life in North America to life in Israel. Following the 3 conversations, all participants will be invited to participate in breakout rooms, where women from both sides of the Atlantic will have the opportunity to engage in conversation.
Workshop 3: Conversations Between Conservative and Masorti Sisters
Three pairs of women will each explore some aspect of living Jewishly as a Conservative/ Masorti Jew, comparing life in North America to life in Israel. Following the 3 conversations, all participants will be invited to participate in breakout rooms, where women from both sides of the Atlantic will have the opportunity to engage in conversation.
Conversation 1: Comparing the Nativ/College Experience to the IDF/College Experience
Speakers:
Aliza Bromberg & Yaarat Dash Yehoshua
Conversation 2: Living Jewishly in a Minority vs. A Majority Population
Speakers:
Ellie Kremer& Sophie Fellman Rafolovich
Conversation 3: Being A Lay Leader in the Conservative/ Masorti Movement
Speakers:
Debbi Kaner Goldich & Alexis Silverman
Rabbi Margie Cella
WLCJ Educational Programming Coordinator
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
Executive Director
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Missed Workshop 2?
Click on the video (image) below to be taken to the recording.
Missed Workshop 1?
Click on the video (image) below to be taken to the recording.
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How to Live Forever: Creative and Innovative Ways to Present Your Story - Thursday, December 16th @ 7:30 PM ET
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If you would like to share any creative ways you already have or plan to pass on your family history, please contact Cory Schneider at cschneider@wlcj.org.
You’ve done your research, written some stories, pulled together pictures and documents. The easiest way to make sure other people know about your family history research is to give it to them. But how? What is the best way to do that? This 6th and last session in the “How to Live Forever” series will explore a variety of creative ways to share your history. These ideas will be a response to an often-said statement, “None of my family are interested in our history!” The answer to that is to get creative in HOW you present your family history.
Join us for this workshop when Cory Schneider, Women’s League Archives Chair, presents a multitude of information and ideas collected from people who have done just that. Lots of creative ideas will be shared for you to choose from to interest and excite your family. All you have to do is to pick what works for you!
Questions?
Contact
Cory Schneider
Archives Chair & Consultant
Past International President
Administrator, Torah Fund Legacy Society
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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 to use is WLCJ2021.
Special Discount Code: WLCJ25%
Questions? Contact Grace Schessler
WLCJ Programming Chair
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WL Reads - SAVE THE DATES |
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Thursday, January 27, 2022, 7PM ET
Elyssa Friendland Last Summer at the Golden Hotel
Sunday, March 13, 2022, 1PM ET
Julia Zuckerman Book of Jeremiah
Thursday, June 2, 2022, 7PM ET
Zhanna Shor. At The End of the World Turn Left
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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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KEHILLAH KEDOSHAH
As a Kehillah Kedoshah — a holy community — Women's League observes the obligations of United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism and does NOT do any business on Shabbat and Holidays. Please refrain from e-mails and posting on social media on these days. Todah Rabbah.
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Mazel Tov Updated
Susan and James Farber,
on the marriage of their son, Jared
to Kristin Kasperek in mid November.
Susan is WL Reads Co- Chair.
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In Memory of
Matt Yosafat z'l, father of Debbie Lempert. Debbie is a WLCJ Board member, Consultant and Virtual Tefillot Co-Chair.
Graveside Services were held December 9th.
Shiva will be observed Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 PM, and Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 PM, at Debbie and Hamilton Lempert's Residence (406 Meadow Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45215), and Friday, December 10 at 6:00 PM via Zoom with Adath Israel (Meeting ID: 964 3981 1078 Passcode: 809566).
Messages of condolence may be sent to Debbie at her home address above or to dlempert2@gmail.com.
May Debbie and her family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
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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
Torah Fund
Rebecca Goldwasser
Secretary
Sandy Carleton
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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