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Dear Friends

Sacrifices, sacrifices, and more sacrifices. Our Torah portions these past weeks have been filled with God’s instructions on all the Korbanot -  that the Israelites were commanded to make in the Temple. A sacrifice or offering usually suggests that one must give up something or lose something. Although that is certainly a part of the ritual, that is not at all the literal meaning of the Hebrew word. The word Korbanot comes from the root Kuf-Resh-Bet, which means "to draw near," and indicates the primary purpose of offerings: to draw us near to God.

The rituals involved in the Korbanot were performed exclusively by the Kohanim, the Priests. These rituals were only performed in the Temple in Jerusalem. The procedures could not be performed by anyone else, could not be performed in any other place and since the Temple no longer exists, we can no longer offer Korbanot.

Certain Korbanot were brought purely for the purpose of communing with and coming closer to God. Others were used to cleanse a person of ritual impurity. Some Korbanot were brought for purposes of atonement and others were brought for the purpose of expressing thanks, love, or gratitude to God.

Our Parsha this week is Tzav from the Book of Leviticus or Vayikrah and it is basically an instruction book for the Kohanim. It gives a listing and description of how to perform each of the ancient types of sacrifices that God commands to be implemented in the Temple in Jerusalem: They include the following:

• Olah / Burnt Offering: ox, sheep, goat, dove, or pigeon - entirely burned on the altar.
• Minchah / Gift Offering: grain - part burned on the altar and part eaten by the kohen.
• Chatat / Sin Offering: ox, sheep, goat, dove, pigeon, or grain - part burned on the altar, part eaten by the kohen, and part destroyed.
• Asham / Guilt Offering: same as Chatat.
• Zevach Shlamim / Well-Being/Peace Offerings: ox, sheep, goat - part burned on the altar, part eaten by the kohen, and most eaten by the person offering the sacrifice.

There were three sub-groups:

• Todah / Thanksgiving Offering: for someone who came through a difficult journey or ordeal. Interestingly, today, we say the Birkat Hagomel for similar reasons such as after recovering from a serious illness or in gratitude for completing a dangerous journey. We thank God for blessing us with goodness. This blessing may only be recited in the presence of the congregation. 
• Neder - Vow offering
• Nedavah - Freewill Offering: for generally saying thanks to God.

The first four types of sacrifices were all intended to bring the people closer to God and to atone for their sins. However, the Zevach Shlamim or Peace Offerings were intended to offer the people a chance to give their personal thanks to God. It is interesting to note that these were the only sacrifices allowed to be eaten by the people and not only by the Kohanim. In fact, the people were told they had to eat the meat of that sacrifice entirely on the day of the sacrifice. “The flesh of [the] thanksgiving sacrifice of well-being shall be eaten on the day that it is offered; none of it shall be set aside until the morning” - Lo yaniach memenu ad boker (Leviticus 7:15). 

The commentators wondered why the Todah/Thanksgiving Offering had this particular requirement. R. Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508) suggests that if the meat is required to be eaten in a single day the owner is more likely to invite more people to share in consuming the sacrifice thus giving the opportunity to share thanks with other people and to build community.

While the physical aspect of the sacrificing of animals is troublesome to the modern mind, there is wisdom to be found in these ancient rituals that can speak to our hearts and minds today. I was taught by my former rabbi, that when the siddur mentions a desire for the return of sacrifices, we should not interpret these words literally. We should be recognizing the devotion of the people at that time and their commitment to God, and it is that Intention and Dedication we should be praying to achieve.  

Additionally, one of the most central teachings in Judaism is gratitude. It is traditional for Jews to say thanks when we wake up in the morning - before washing or eating breakfast. We say “Modeh Ani L’Fanecha, Melech Chai V’Kayam, Shehechzarta bi nishmati Chemla Rabah Emunatecha” – “I am thankful to you oh God, for returning my soul to me and for giving me one more day of life.” Listen to this lovely YouTube version: https://youtu.be/eNdwdn9uSBE  

Although we do not offer sacrifices today, we still live lives surrounded by miracles for which we can give thanks. Many of those miracles take the form of the people we love or in special occurrences or moments in our lives and some of those miracles are found in the ordinary moments of our lives - like opening our eyes in the morning; a facetime chat with a loved one; reading a book to a child or taking a walk on a warm day.

Next week, when we celebrate Judaism’s oldest holiday, may we take the opportunity to connect with the generations who came before us and may we reach out to the people we love, whether virtually or in person. May we look for the chances to recognize the miracles that surround us every moment of our lives and let us all give thanks.

Wishing you all a Chag Kasher V’Sameach!

Shabbat Shalom

Marilyn

Our programs are a benefit of your membership in your local affiliated Sisterhood/Women's Group or as an Individual Member of Women's League for Conservative Judaism

Our 2022-2023 Chazak v'Ematz Campaign

Be Strong and Courageous

Writing this week’s message is easy – all I must do is kvell about INR's Torah Fund program featuring JTS' H.L. Miller's Cantorial School Senior Josh Ehrlich on March 20th. His presentation demonstrated how students benefit from our Torah Fund dollars at the five institutions of higher learning. Your donations make a difference!

If you missed the program or if you’d like to watch it again, here’s the link to the recording: Click Here

The program was a benefit of your Women’s League membership. However, we hope that in appreciation of Josh's program, if you have not already done so, you will support your affiliate's efforts to reach its Chazak v'Ematz Torah Fund campaign goal by donating to Torah Fund. There are many ways to do so. Send checks to your local Torah Fund Chair. Donate online. Designate your gift to go to the Spaces campaign. Become a member of the Torah Fund Legacy Society. Recognize the 80th anniversary of Torah Fund with an additional gift of $80.00. Send paper cards or ecards in times of joy or sorrow. All donations, large and small, make a difference. If you have already done so, thank you!

Here is the US link for online giving: https://inspired.jtsa.edu/give

and here is the link for US ecards: Torah Fund eCards – Send an eCard to a loved one. (jtsa.edu)

Here is the Canadian link for online giving:

https://torahfundecards.jtsa.edu/canadian/  

Remember when you first buy an ecard you may make an additional donation.

Josh generously shared information on recordings from The Choral Torah (54 of his choral compositions - one for every Torah portion).

Josh sent us the following:

Here are some recordings I have of the Choral Torah:

These two are from a reading of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance Chamber Choir last spring:

(Tz’aka from Tol’dot) https://soundcloud.com/joshehrlich/tzaka

(Va’Y’chabkeihu from VaYishlach) 

https://soundcloud.com/joshehrlich/vaychabkeihu-and-he-embraced-him

Here are some that were recorded by the Choral Torah Collective at Song Leader Boot Camp in 2020:

(Miryam HaN’via from B’shalach)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAAV9lyX40k

(Ashan from Yitro) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7EfXFnCrZg

And finally, here’s a link with more info about the book (including the link to purchase it):

https://www.cantors.org/product/the-choral-torah-five-books-in-four-parts/

Again, thanks for the kind words, for the opportunity, and for all that Women’s League and Torah Fund do for so many students around the world.

Josh also added two links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAAV9lyX40k&authuser=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7EfXFnCrZg&authuser=1

When we support Torah Fund, our dollars, combined with the donations of our sisters in other congregations, near and far, have an impact on our future. Thank you for all your donations, large and small, because you help students like Josh.

Wishing you and yours a Zissen Pesach.

Linda Boxer

INR Torah Fund VP

INRTorahFund@gmail.com 

Join us in Schaumburg this July, for WLCJ Convention 2023!

Watch this message from our Convention Leadership Team

Registration for WLCJ Convention 2023 is

OPEN

We can't wait for you to be a Convention 2023 delegate!

In the Torah Portion, Terumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19   God tells Moses to collect donated materials to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan or Tabernacle. God describes how to build all the things that will fill the Mishkan - the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar, and the Mishkan’s walls and curtains.

The Shifra and Puah Maternity Center in Uganda was “built” in July 2018, due to the efforts of an Israeli nurse and midwife, Ilana Shemesh, who wanted to improve the maternal and infant mortality rates in Uganda.

Through donations, this center serves the women of Mbale and its neighboring villages and has a multi-denominational clientele and staff of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

All services provided by the center are completely free of charge to encourage women to come in for prenatal, birth and post-partum services rather than going through their pregnancies unassisted. The center is dependent on donations. That’s where we come in.

March 6th is the International Women’s Day, a National Holiday in Uganda. Help us support the women of Uganda and the work that was started in 2018. With your donation, or your Sisterhood’s donation, we can help maintain and improve the degree of health and wellbeing of the women and their babies of Abayadaya, Uganda.

Here is the recent category added:

• $126.00, you can cover the costs of mosquito netting and Malaria treatment and medications - Pitocin, iron pills and infusion solutions; for all pregnant women to prevent stillbirths, prematurity births, and poor fetal growth for an entire MONTH.

Here are just a few other examples of what we can help cover with your donations:

• $18.00, you can cover a woman’s cost to get an ultrasound during her pregnancy and to have her baby delivered at the Center.
• $36.00, you can cover the costs of the sanitary napkins necessary after each delivery for an entire MONTH.
• $72.00, you can cover the costs of the laundry service to keep the sheets, towels and gowns clean for each delivery for an entire MONTH
• $108.00, you can cover the MONTHLY costs of supplying each mother with three sets of baby outfits and one blanket; otherwise, they only have rags to wrap their baby in.

These are just a few examples of what we can do with your donations. With your donation, whatever the amount, you will help greatly.

You can go to the Women’s League website, click on the Convention 2023 Special Project button at the top menu. From there you'll be able to donate by category or by amount. Thank you for your support of GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE.

Best,

Ellen & Randy

Ellen Grossman

WLCJ 2023 Convention 2023 Social Action Project Co-Chair

elkie17@gmail.com

Randy Schwartz

WLCJ 2023 Convention 2023 Social Action Project Co-Chair

rschwartz@wlcj.org

Mishpachah: Exploring LGBTQ+ Identities. Building Bridges... Creating Community

Part 2 - April 23rd from 7:30-9:00 ET: Going Deeper: LGBTQ+ Language & Pronouns

This training will focus on equipping participants to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community, specifically through language and pronoun-use. It assumes prior knowledge of the basics of LGBTQ+ identities and concepts, which were covered in the first workshop. Rakhel Silverman (pronouns: they/them/theirs), New York Education and Training Manager, and Hannah "Hensch" Henschel, Associate Director of Education and Training (pronouns: they/them/theirs) will co-facilitate our discussion and answer our questions.

WL Reads

Thursday,

April 27 @ 7:30 PM ET

WL Reads co-chairs Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will interview co-authors, Alyson Richmond and Shaunna Edwards about their novel, The Thread Collectors, which will appear in stores and online in August 2022. 

For images and details: Alyson Richman | Shaunna Edwards | The Thread Collectors

This novel focuses on two Civil War-era women. Stitchery is a common activity, as well as their concern for soldiers during this tumultuous interval. Their threadwork connects their lives in New Orleans.

Join us for an engaging virtual conversation about this novel and how these co-authors, Ms. Edwards and Ms. Richmond collaborated to create this praiseworthy novel.

Weekly Words of Torah

Parashat Tzav - Shabbat HaGadol - Yom HaAliyah – April 1, 2023

The name of our Torah Reading this week, Parashat Tzav, means Command. Tzav is the root of the word Mitzvah - commandment. How often do people think about being commanded these days? Do people just think about the Ten Commandments - or are most cognizant that we actually have 613 commandments, mitzvot? Many do know that 613 is a significant number in Judaism. However, we are not able to fulfill all 613 commandments, because many are related to sacrifices, which we no longer have, since we do not have a Tabernacle or Holy Temple in Jerusalem. However, we still read about the sacrifices, many of which are spoken about in Parashat Tzav. How many commandments do you fulfill each day? Do you feel commanded? How can one fulfill the commandments in a modern day society, where we do not have sacrifices? May we be strong and courageous as we fulfill mitzvot every day! Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous!

Makom B'Yachad

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12PM ET; 11AM CT; 9AM PT; 10AM MT

Join Zoom Meeting:

 https://zoom.us/j/630830287

Meeting ID: 630 830 287

Password: 875936

Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish?

INR of Women's League for Conservative Judaism