CHAI LINES
The Newsletter of the International Northeast Region
October 29, 2021 - 23 Cheshvan 5782
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From the Region President
Shalom Friends,
 
My mother’s Hebrew name is Chaya Sarah (bat Pinchas v’Leah). This is uncannily similar to this week’s Torah portion of Chayei Sarah or the years lived of Sarah, our matriarch. In contrast to the opening sentence of the Parsha that says Sarah died at 127 years old, my mom, Sara, is alive and well at only 99 years of age (kinehora, Pu Pu Pu!). My whole family is blessed to have her with us. 
 
The Parsha actually describes Sarah’s years in three separate periods. “The span of Sarah’s life came to one hundred years and twenty years and seven years – These are the years of Sarah’s life”. By separating each period with the word ‘years’ the reader is made to question its significance. Rashi explains that the verse seeks to compare these three periods in Sarah’s life. 
 
In other words, Sarah retained the innocence of a 7-year-old when she was 20, and the beauty of a 20-year-old when she was 100 (Gen.R.58:1). Rashi explains that the extra words “these are the years of Sarah’s life” (sh’nei chayei Sarah) means that they are Kulam Shavim le-tovah or they (the years) were all equal in goodness. According to Rashi, the phrase “sh’nei chayei Sarah” emphasizes that the totality of Sarah’s life was good.
 
Though the Parsha deals with the death of Sarah, it is more about the legacy she left as it is her son, Isaac, who will pass on her wise teachings to his descendants and to the Jewish people to come.  
 
The Parsha begins with Sarah’s death and ends with Abraham’s death. But the most important theme of the Parsha is the story of the arrangement and meetings leading up to the marriage of Isaac to Rebecca. Over a whopping 67 verses we learn how Abraham sends his servant away from Canaan to find a bride for Isaac. Rebecca shows her kindness by offering to draw water for the servant and his camels at the well. The servant meets Rebecca’s family and then takes Rebecca to Isaac, who marries her.
 
As I read this story, I couldn’t help reflecting on my own family’s recent experience with another wedding – that of my nephew, Jonathan. It was our first adventure of cross-border travel since the pandemic began. (Note: all attendees were both fully vaccinated and tested for Covid-19.)
 
The wedding was officiated by my niece, Rabbi Rachel Bluth, who is Jonathan’s sister and who recently received her smicha (rabbinical ordination) in Israel. Jonathan’s bride is a Jew by Choice and the two had gone through an Orthodox online conversion course for over a year, culminating in her Mikvah experience in New York. Her parents graciously welcomed us all and were very supportive of her choice. Not only did they host a Friday night dinner and Saturday night reception for the families and friends who came from all over North America, but they seemed genuinely delighted with their daughter’s decision and her selection of a life partner.
 
The wedding itself was amazing. While the ceremony was originally scheduled to be held outdoors, a sudden downpour precluded that option and the Chuppah was moved indoors. Accompanied by a wonderful Klezmer trio, the bridal party joyously entered the 200-year-old building’s wine cellar. Rabbi Bluth’s explanations of the time-honored Jewish wedding rituals were eloquent, comprehensible, and yet sensitive to the mixed crowd. She emphasized the reasons and historical significance of many of the prayers and actions performed and even invited the bride’s grandmother to recite an Irish wedding prayer. I was particularly thankful that my mother had the opportunity to participate in the wedding ceremony through the wonders of Zoom.
 
After the reception, we were seated at our tables in the banquet hall when the bride and groom entered to the music of the traditional Hora. This part blew my mind - eighty people joined the circles, whether this was their first Hora or their 100th. The band played and we all danced for over 25 minutes! The newly married couple and both sets of parents were flying in the air on chairs. The groom was also tossed around by his friends who formed a human trampoline. Everyone had a fabulous experience that will never be forgotten.
 
The rest of the evening was like most weddings – eating and drinking, enjoying each other’s company and dancing to great, popular music. We all returned to our homes or hotels, not only with a ‘loot bag’ but with thoughts and prayers for this new couple starting on their journey together as they create their own Jewish legacy for their descendants to follow. May you all have similar joyous occasions to celebrate in your lives.
 
REGION REMINDERS:
 
SAVE THE DATES! 
 
1.   Sunday November 7TH at 11:00 am
MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP with Corinne Hammerschlag who has invited all sisterhood/affiliate Presidents and Membership Chairs to attend.
 
2.   Wednesday December 1ST
Our next INR region event. It will be a delightful evening Hanukah program. Please tell all your sisterhood/affilite members to come and enjoy the fun. Details will be in our next Chai Lines issue.
 
3.   January 12, 2021
TORAH FUND Region Program featuring Lisa Ellison (formerly Kogan), who will speak about Jewish Women and Social Action.
 
Calendar Diaries are now available for purchase. This is the first year the Calendar Diaries have included holidays from other religions.
 
WL Week – Are YOU receiving your WL Week? It is chock full of wonderful programs, Jewish learning opportunities and activities. If you are not receiving it, please let me know and I will arrange it. All programs and events are open to any affiliate or Individual WL member.
 
Please Invite Me! – Thank you to Joan Lowenstein for inviting me to attend the Temple Adath Yeshurun Sisterhood’s program “What Every (Jewish) Family Should Know About Breast Cancer Risk” given by an outstanding speaker – Dr. Jayne Charlamb.
 
Please remember to invite me to your Sisterhood events and celebrations. Until Covid is over I will not be able to visit you in person, but zooming is the next best thing.
 
Proudly Publicize your Programs – please send me your upcoming or past programs to share with the region. Many other Affiliates could use your ideas to create their own program. Sharing is caring for our region members.
 
I would like to wish you all a peaceful and joyful Shabbat.
 
Marilyn Cohen, INR President
From our Region
Help Wanted:
What: A Few Good People!

For: The INR Communications Team!

Requirements: Prior experience working with Constant Contact is a plus but not absolutely necessary if computer literate. Also, it would be helpful if candidates have some experience writing and editing articles or reports in some capacity of work or volunteer experience.

If you are interested or know of someone who might be a good “fit”, please contact Joan Lowenstein at jmglowepp2021@gmail.com.

Thank You!
From our Torah Fund Vice President
The B’Yachad/Together Campaign Continues

Our 2021-2022 Torah Fund B’Yachad Campaign supports scholarships and programming at the five Conservative/Masorti seminaries. Can you name them?

The students are as diverse as the locations. Help strengthen Jewish education and ensure the vibrancy of the Jewish people for decades to come, with your gift to Torah Fund. Each gift, large or small, together makes a difference. You make a difference with your gift.


For our Canadian supporters: We’ve been promised that on-line giving is coming soon for our Canadian donors. In the meantime, please make your cheque payable to Jewish Theological Society and send to your affiliate’s Torah Fund Chair. If you wish to mail directly to the Jewish Theological Society, 100 Elder Street • North York, Ontario, M3H 5G7, please email me that you sent it. A Canadian tax receipt will be issued and sent to you. Thank you for your contribution.

We thank you for each and every donation. Our future rabbis and cantors and educators thank you. Together we make a difference.

For more information or questions, please contact me.

Linda Boxer
INR Torah Fund VP
From Women's League
October Awareness Month
WL Education: List of Educational Programs
How to Live Forever - Thursday, October 28th 
@ 7:30PM ET
Minyan Ahavah - Friday, October 29th @ 4:45 PM ET
Personal Conversations - Thursday, November 4 @ 7:30PM ET
Questions?
Contact
Vivian Leber
Personal Conversations Chair
Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein leads Congregation Beth Ohr, in Bellmore, NY.
Rabbi Dana Bogatz leads First Hebrew Congregation, in Peekskill, NY. 
Women of the Wall - Thursday, November 4th @ 11:30PM ET
On Rosh Hodesh Kislev, WOW is hosting a historic Torah Mantle Parade. They will enter the Kotel plaza with supporters carrying empty Torah mantles. The message: women must have access to Torah at the Kotel. They highlight the flagrant inequality women face at this holy site and they demand that the government implement the Kotel Agreement. https://fb.me/e/4ed3IeGLN
 
Friday, November 5th at 6:30 AM Israel /
Thursday, November 4th at 11:30 PM ET
ADL's Never Is Now: The World's Largest Annual Summit on Antisemitism and Hate - Sunday, November 7th - Tuesday, November 9th
Attend ADL’s Never Is Now: The World’s Largest Annual Summit on Antisemitism and Hate to listen, to learn and to take action. Join us as we gather virtually with thousands of experts, students, community leaders and more to tackle crucial conversations about hate and bigotry in today’s world. Together we’ll discover what each of us can do to combat antisemitism and bias in all its forms right now. The Summit is being held virtually, Sunday-Tuesday, November 7-9, 2021 and there is no cost to attend. There will be a special track for high school students, and attorneys can earn free CLE credits. Sign up today! Neverisnow.org
WL Reads - Thursday, November 11th @ 7 PM ET
Sichot beyn Achayot: An Open Dialogue Between Disapora and Israeli Sisters - Workshop 2 - Sunday, November 14th @ 1 PM ET
Weekly Words of Torah
Makom B'Yachad
Women's Health Resolution - Please COMMENT
Programming Idea of the Week
Gary Rosenthal Special Event Shop
Women of the Wall
WL PrezNet
Upcoming Sisterhood Calendar Events & WL Groups to Join
American Mothers of Olim GoogleGroup
Sisterhoods...
1. Do you know which Israeli Kehilah is your sisterhood twin? 
2. Do you have a contact name and e-mail so that you can easily reach out? 
3. Would you like that info? 
 
If you answered “no” to either/both of the first two questions, and yes to the third, contact Ellie Kremer, the WLCJ Israel Committee Chair by text or email: ellieventnor@gmail.com.
Previous WLCJ Programming
Weren't able to join us? Visit our Youtube Channel for more videos. View our past recordings.



Tell us about YOUR Sisterhood 
event coming up!
Antisemitism in the US and Responding Effectively - Recording and Resources Available
The Jewish Theological Seminary and
the American Jewish University
Social Justice and the Jewish Middle Class; Heschel Book Talk; Poetics of the Zohar; and More
Cokie Roberts' Jewish Story, Ehud Barak on War and Peace and More!
Arts at AJU Welcomes You Join us in our art studio this November + online learning
Wear Your Ramah T-Shirt Day: Nov. 4th
Be sure to Follow @ReshetRamah 
on Instagram and Like Reshet Ramah: Alumni Network for T-Shirt Day updates and pictures!
More info, click here: https://fb.me/e/1SytleRbr
Shabbat Across Ramah 2021! Nov. 12th
Join thousands of Ramahniks and friends of Ramah from across the world to connect with your Ramah community! More info, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/610165309988109
Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies
How to Live an Ethical Jewish Life with Rabbi Dr. Vernon Kurtz
Most of us are familiar with Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers. Fewer of us are knowledgeable about its companion volume: The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan... 
 
Dates: Sundays, October 31;
November 7, 14, 21
An Encounter with the Legacy of 19th-20th Century Jewish Communities in Ukraine with Rabbi Irina Gritsevskaya
Countless Jews around the world have their roots in Ukraine; their families having left a once vibrant Jewish culture destroyed by the Holocaust and the Soviet regime...
 
Dates: Sundays, October 31;
November 7, 14, 21
Rabbinic Teachings on the Destruction of the Temple and its Relevance for Contemporary Society with Rabbi Dr. Vernon Kurtz
The fall of the Second Temple and the exile from Jerusalem were cataclysmic events in the life of the Jewish people...
 
Dates: Tuesdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23; Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28
To register and find more courses, go to:
MERCAZ USA & CANADA
The MERCAZ USA Summer 2021 Newsletter is Here! Plus No Fear Rally: A Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People, and MERCAZ Reads Israel: Watch our Book Club Discussion about 'All the Rivers', and more.
INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism