In This Issue:
CGLR News
- President's Message
- Getting to Know You
- Torah Fund
- CGLR in 5782
- Happenings Around the Region
WLCJ News
- Welcome New Staff Member
- Weekly Word of Torah
- Social Action Initiatives
- Sichot beyn Achayot-An Open Dialogue Between Diaspora & Israeli Sisters
- Women's Health Resolution
- Makom B'Yachad
- Women's League Reads
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.
|
|
Shalom!
The Song Plays On
How majestically the Shofar blast signaled the end of Yom Kippur and ushered in the New Year, 5782. We listened and heard with our hearts and emotionally set our focus ahead to a new beginning, full of promise, opportunity.
Perfectly timed, tomorrow, we’ll again listen but this time to the majestic poem of parsha, Ha’azinu. Here Moses prepares the Israelites for what’s ahead for them in the Promised Land and what’s expected of them when he will no longer be there to lead them.
In this last message, Moses must summarize his prophetic message in a way the people would always remember, be inspired by, and then pass along, generation to generation. So, as commanded, Moses crafted a compelling, stirring poetic verse, known as the Song of Moses – an admonition of what happens when we stray from Torah and purpose; and the recognition of hope that is Torah.
It’s an emotional lesson focused on reaching the very heart and soul of all who listen – compelling, passionate words, set within the framework of poetry, and delivered by song. The extraordinary power of music that evokes emotion also helps his message endure.
Rabbi Gedalia Schorr noted that Moses sings of the past, present, and future, “melding the message in perfect harmony as if it’s happening at the same time.” This, perhaps, is why it resonates as deeply with us today as it did to those who listened to it for the first time. Poetry and song together ensure the Song of Moses will be remembered -- for a perfect constellation of words can magically touch the inner core of our being from heart to heart, and a song can resonate and reverberate over time and remain forever. The poetic words of Moses, so carefully chosen and delivered through song, awaken our souls today.
Our challenge as Conservative Jewish women, as leaders within our communities, is to speak to the hearts and minds of our members and inspire to them to actively participate in our journey of service this year. As leaders, we can listen to the spirit within The Song of Moses, of what it is to be a Jew, and keep it close to our hearts; we can passionately embrace the emotional dimensions of Judaism -- righteousness, kindness, compassion – as we support each other on our journey; and we can seek the courage to make our lives a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach Sukkot,
Pam
Pamela Schlosberg
Central Great Lakes Region President
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
|
|
Shabbat Shalom!! My name is Robin Beth Lash and I’m the CGLR Vice President of Programs.
I live in Farmington Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, and I’m a member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek (CSZ) in Southfield, MI. Since childhood, I have always pursued an active role in Judaism by attending weekly services and serving on a myriad of committees and community organizations.
After joining Sisterhood, I held many of positions on our board that prepared me to become President. I have attended Women’s League International Conventions, Leadership Institutes, CGLR Spring Conferences and have served on the CGLR Board and International Board of WLCJ.
In my professional life I was a vocal music/theatre arts teacher for 34+ years until I retired in 2012. Although I retired, I missed being with students so I now indulge my love of teaching by working as a building sub. I enjoy traveling, especially to NYC.
I have been married to my husband Larry for over 32 years and he is a professor at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. Our son, Yale, recently graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2020 and is now part of the workforce.
I hope you will help me achieve three goals by:
- encouraging creativity, connections and communication between Sisterhoods/ Affiliates and individuals across the region when planning and implementing programs;
- adding me to your member lists so I can be attend programs throughout the year;
- considering being part of the Programming Committee helping to create and implement programs for the region.
Here’s to a great year,
Robin
248.613.1778
|
|
CGLR Opening Program for 5782 |
|
Shalom,
Rebecca Goldwasser
Vice President of Torah Fund
|
|
Happenings Around the Region |
|
Welcome Isabelle,
New WLCJ Staff Member
|
|
Isabelle Luksza is a recent graduate from the University of Vermont where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion. It was at UVM where she found her passion for religious and cultural studies. She is currently working full-time as a Data and Media Coordinator at WLCJ.
Isabelle Luksza
Data and Media Coordinator
|
|
Parashat Ha’Azinu - Haftarah II Samuel 22:1-51 - September 18, 2021
The Haftarah for Parashat Ha’Azinu, from II Samuel 22:1-51, is a song of David in which the king praises God for helping him all his life. In this song, King David expresses his gratitude to God for his own personal success. The Haftarah describes God as a “Rock” (II Samuel 22:3, 32, and 47). In the haftarah, King David makes it clear that God deals out to people what they deserve (I Samuel 22:26-28).
In Parashat Ha’Azinu, we read a song acknowledging the role of God in the history of Israel. Moses explains in Deuteronomy 32:3 that it is his intent to proclaim God's greatness in his song. Moses expresses thanks to God on behalf of the entire nation. The Torah reading contains many references to God as a “Rock” (Deuteronomy 32:4,15, 18, 30 and 31).
Michael Fishbane, in the Etz Hayim Chumash (p. 1197) states that “through the liturgical juxtaposition of this Haftarah and the Parashah the reader is faced with two religious paths: a God-centered way of remembrance and humility and a self-centered way of forgetfulness and pride. The one gives life; the other destroys.”
Two very unusual words appear in both the Torah reading and Haftarah. Moses says in Deuteronomy 32:5 that the children of Israel are perverse (עקש) and wily (פתלתל). This is the only time the word “perverse” appears in the Torah, and the word “wily” appears only here and possibly in Genesis 30:8). These same two roots also appear in the Haftarah in II Samuel 22:27. The word “perverse” appears only five times in the books of the Prophets (Nevi’im), and “wily” appears only here. Therefore, these words are unusual in both the Torah and in the Nevi’im.
submitted by
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
WLCJ Executive Director
|
|
Gary Rosenthal's Hiddur Mitzvah Project - Thursday, October 7th @ 7:30 PM ET |
|
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 14th 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.
|
|
|
Sichot beyn Achayot: An Open Dialogue Between Disapora and Israeli Sisters -
Sunday, October 17th @ 1 PM ET/ 12 noon CT
|
|
Session 1: Conservative/ Masorti Conversion
|
|
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. For this session and the 2nd session in November, it will be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate. The 3rd session in December will conclude with breakout rooms in which participants will have an opportunity to join the conversation.
This session will have an opportunity for all participants to enter Breakout Rooms to engage in conversations between North American and Israeli sisters at the end of the program
Click on speakers’ pictures to read their bios
|
|
|
Women's Health Resolution - Please COMMENT |
|
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
|
|
Makom B'Yachad-Special Holiday Schedule |
|
Makom B’Yachad - all during Makom B’Yachad
Fri, Sept 24 - Pre-Shemini Atzeret Yizkor
Please be advised...
There will be NO Makom B'Yachad
on the following dates this month:
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Wednesday, Sept. 22
Tuesday, Sept. 28
Wednesday, Sept. 29
________________________________________________
Makom B’Yachad - all during Makom B’Yachad
Fri, Sept 24 - Pre-Shemini Atzeret Yizkor
____________________________________________________
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
|
|
Women's League Reads-
Thursday, November 11, 2021
@ 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT
|
|
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.
Questions? Contact
(Double Click on her name)
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know......
In this year's United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism Calendar, Central Great Lakes Region has TWO Sisterhood Affiliates highlighted:
October 2021
Beth El Congregation, South Hills, Pennsylvania
June 2022
Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook, Illinois
MAZEL TOV!!
|
|
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!
|
|
Central Great Lakes Region Board |
|
 |
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
|
|
|
|
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
****************************
Nominating
Fran Hildebrandt
WLCJ Board Representing CGLR
Rebecca Goldwasser
Fran Hildebrandt
Robin Beth Lash
Cynthia Lerner
Wanda Pitzele
Pam Schlosberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laurie B. Davis
Webmaster
Central Great Lakes Region
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
