Dear Central Great Lakes Sisters,

How are you with managing the new upgrades on your computer, or the new apps that promise to make our lives efficient, or perhaps, the latest technology-loaded appliances guaranteed to take us over-the-moon with joy?

Can I share? Recently, I decided to get a head start on things. I wandered down to the laundry room to start my, “Oh so very beautifully organized day!” It was 7:00am, and I was moving!

Then I remembered, that after 20 years of a rather thoughtless laundry process, I now faced a computerized washing machine. It has bells, whistles, texts with directives for bulky, OXI-sanitizing, wrinkle-resistance, delicates, so-so materials, a crazy-color option, and more possibilities staring at me than I ever realized I would want in a single wash! I was waiting for the question, “Would you like this with coffee or tea?”

I tried several times to get the steps correct and the buttons tapped ever so lightly to engage the next prompt. Somehow, I only managed to turn the machine off. Not a great start to my “Oh so very beautifully organized day!” After following the pictures in the owner’s manual, I found the pathway to the heavenly phrase, “Load Clothes Now.” The face-off was over. The machine turned on.

However, I started to look around for the over-abundance of bliss that one is to feel when upgraded technology has brought you a simple, stress-free way to improve your life. I was grateful for the new machine, but It all was not stress-free or my finest moment of what was an “Oh so very beautifully organized day!”

Where do we find the simpler, stress-free way to improve our lives? It’s certainly not in technology that promises to ease the frenzied pace of our busy lives. It’s not in the latest Artificial Intelligent Chatbot, always available to provide chill-out advice with the empathy of a doorknob.

Come along with me. We each have the answer. It’s in our Jewish toolbox organized under this week’s Parsha, Emor, which is partly dedicated to the Jewish Calendar. Here we find Shabbat among the major festivals. It’s described as both a moed, an appointed time and a mikra kodesh, as sacred assembly. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, notes, Shabbat marks “the holiness of time and the time of holiness.” 

Abigal Uhrman in a JTS Commentary describes Shabbat as a “Collective Pause.” It’s Judaism’s answer to the Geek squad’s admonition to Stop, Wait, and Reboot.  One day in seven, we stop and enter onto the presence of G-d. We get off the world as we know it and return to something greater than ourselves: The magic and mystery of our heritage where we can experience the closeness of the Shechinah and the warm radiance of G-d’s love.

The manual to a successful Shabbat however, requires a stillness. In this time of perpetual motion, nothing is more urgent now than the stillness of time. We need time to breathe, to inhale deeply, to simply “be.” Rabbi Sacks taught that Shabbat is our moment of eternity in the midst of time. Within the cycle of the week, it creates a delicate rhythm of action and reflection, making and enjoying, running and standing still. Without that pause to experience family, community, and God, we risk making the journey while missing the view. In what Rabbi Sacks called, the still-point in our turning world, Shabbat is our time-tested answer to how we can de-stress, refocus, re-energize and as poet Mary Oliver notes, to live with maximum aliveness.

In this spirit, I would like to share this Shabbat prayer for all of you, my wonderful CGLR Sisters:

As we reach out to you, our G-d, from our quiet Shabbat places - 

May we stand still for a brief moment and listen to the beauty of this stillness.

For a moment:

Help us to stop the wheels of every day to be aware of Shabbat;

Help us to find its stillness in the peaceful sanctuary of our souls.

As we reach out to you, our G-d, from our quiet Shabbat places - 

We need this quiet space to test the balance of our days and the weight of our own needs against the heaviness of the world’s demands.

The balance is precarious:

 Steady us with faith.

 Steady us within these quiet places with a stillness where we will hear our own best   

                 impulses speak.

 Steady us with these quiet places and with a stillness from which we can reach out

                 to each other.

 Steady us with these quiet places where we can find strength

   and with this strength, help us to turn again to your service.

                                           (Adapted from, Covenant of the Heart)

Through Shabbat, may we each find peace and the strength and courage to make our lives a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Pam

Pam Schlosberg

CGLR President

cglrpresident21@wlcj.org

847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)

P.S. Looking forward to seeing you in July!

WLCJ Convention 2023

Sunday, July 16 - Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Hyatt Regency Schaumburg

(a suburb of Chicago)

Come Join Us!

A Message from the WL Medical Task Force

When uploading your COVID vaccine records, please be sure that it includes all doses you have received and that your name is clearly visible on the records.  

Thank you.

If you need assistance, please contact Razel Kessler, Women's League Office Administrator, rkessler@wlcj.org, 405-870-1260.

Convention Convention 2023 Creative Judaic Arts Workshop

Presented by Jody Glass, Women’s League Creative Judaic Arts Co-Chair

Sunday, July 16, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Monday, July 17, 9:00 – 10:30 pm

The Hamsa dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. The word "hamsa" comes from the Hebrew word "hamesh," which means five. Sometimes known as the Hand of Miriam, Moses’ sister, or the Hand of Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter, it is believed to protect against the evil eye and all negative energies.

You will have fun creating your string art Hamsa with a coordinating border.

This project is easy to complete whether in person or virtually.

The kit includes all supplies and instructions needed.

We promise, this project will not leave you in knots!

Order deadline is June 15.

Materials Cost: $12.00

Shipping/Freight Cost: $7.00

*Materials ordered by Canadian members will be picked up at Convention by Canadian delegates to be distributed once back in Canada, post-Convention. The freight cost will cover the transportation of the materials from Chicago to Canada.

Questions?

Contact

Jody Glass

glass.jody@gmail.com

CGLR Convention Kippah to Wear Proudly!

This special Convention Kippah is made by our very own

Wanda Pitzele, an award-winning Master Bead artist. The stunning beads beautifully capture the blue of our CGLR logo. Only 90 will be made because the beads are no longer being made and the

color will remain irreplaceable!

These truly are one-of-a kind - just like CGLR; and they're truly a treasure - just like all of our CGLR Sisters!

Priority will be given to in-person CGLR delegates.

Our cost is $30 each, a 25% discount off the retail cost for

Wanda's beaded head coverings.

Your purchase will help to support CGLR's Scholarship Fund.

To order: Email Wanda at wanda.pitzele@icloud.com.

Payment: Either send your check (made payable to "CGLR") to Wanda Pitzele at 2885 Parkwalk Drive, Cincinnati OH 45239 or "Zelle" your payment to her at 630-289-3349.

Kippot will be distributed at the convention; however, if you want

yours in advance, it can be shipped to you for an additional $5.00.

Note: Preference will be given to CGLR members first.

Non-CGLR members can purchase this Kippah @ $40.00.

These Kippot are Wanda's own design. She is a cherished vendor, supplying many of WLCJ Affiliates' Judaica Shops for decades with her unique design and colors!

Madricha - Hebrew term for guide, leader, teacher (feminine)

Madrichot – plural of Madricha

The job of the madrichot is to help you smoothly navigate WLCJ International Convention in Schaumburg, IL, this coming July. If you need help with registration, finding a roommate, travel advice, figuring out where to be when, etc., they’re the ones to ask.

As the host region, our Central Great Lakes Region is expecting a great turnout, so great in fact that two Madrichot are needed! Seriously, Gilda and Wanda are ready to help you with whatever you need for convention. 

This will be Wanda’s 12^th convention. She has attended as a newbie, as a president of her sisterhood, as a region officer, as a presenter, and as a committee member planning workshops.  That is a lot of history to draw from! How great is that?

While this is only Gilda's second convention, she has attended several conferences! She is a past President of the Adath Israel affiliate sisterhood and is currently Membership VP of CGLR. She is looking forward to helping coordinate a fabulous convention for all CGLR delegates! How lucky can we be?

Their motto:

”If we don't know the answer, we will find out!"

Here’s how to reach your CGLR Madrichot:

Wanda Pitzele - 630-289-3349; wanda.pitzele@icloud.com

Gilda Schwartz – 513-314-5291; gilda49@aol.com

The Ukraine War Continues...

The Enormous Suffering Continues-- 

Masorti Olami's Support Continues --

Our CGLR Advocacy and Support Continues!

We can extend our sense of renewed hope and

send our light forward.

In the U.S., donate via The Schechter Institutes, Inc. www.schechter.edu/donate or

via Masorti Olami: Support Our Work (masortiolami.org)

The Rabbinical Assembly commissioned Rabbi Naomi Levy to compose a prayer for Israel on its 75th birthday in these challenging times. The prayer has been translated into Hebrew and Spanish and will be recited by Jews across the world over the next few weeks at services and celebrations. Along with Rabbi Levy, we hope that you find meaning in it and share it with your friends and families in person and on social media. 

A Prayer for Israel at Seventy-Five 

by Rabbi Naomi Levy 

God, our Light, Israel at seventy-five 

is a miracle before our eyes. 

Zion weeps tears of gratitude and joy, 

Her children are flourishing, her cities teeming with promise 

and innovation.  

We marvel at this tiny nation, ancient and new. 

Jerusalem’s holy golden stones safe beneath the Iron Dome. 

There is so much to be thankful for, 

Yet our hearts can’t help but ache for all the sacrifice, 

All the precious lives lost to terror and war, 

Grieving parents whose children are no more. 

Send comfort, O God, and blessings and strength. 

Spread Your shelter over Israel, over all who live there. 

Protect the men and women who defend the land, 

Hear their prayers. Bring peace, God. 

Let it rain down from the heavens like a mighty storm, 

Let it wash away all hatred and bloodshed. 

We pray for the day 

When the sound of sirens will give way to songs of celebration. 

Let the skeptics roll their eyes, 

A two thousand-year-old hope will never die.  

Guardian of Israel, in these fragile days of protest and unrest,  

Fill Israel’s leaders with humility and wisdom 

To protect democracy and justice. 

So long as there is breath within us 

Our people must speak out with all their might 

To defend what is right. 

Prophecies of old can still come true, 

A psalm on David’s lyre still soothes,  

The fire the Maccabees lit still burns, 

Our Jewish heart still yearns. 

We remember the hope, 

The lamb and the lion, 

All of us, 

All of us, 

Dreaming of Zion.  

Bless Israel with peace, God.  

Please, God.  

Amen

Over the last two weeks I was able to attend two Torah Fund events. One was virtually and one in person. Both were great events. Congregation Beth Judea’s event was in person, but I was able to speak to them about Torah Fund via Zoom. Their Cantor, Bat Sarah, spoke about women’s role in Judaism. I was also able to attend the Torah Fund event of my own affiliate, Adath Israel, this past Monday, honoring my friend, Marlene Ostrow. Both events were wonderful, and I am glad I could be a part of them and speak about Torah Fund. I hope to be able to be a part of more Torah Fund events before this campaign ends. If you have not had your Torah Fund event yet, you still have time. Chazak v’Ematz does not end until June 30. Below are some pictures from the events I attended.

Andrea Heiger, CGLR Torah Fund Support; Rebecca Goldwasser,

CGLR Torah Fund Chair; Debbie Kaner Goldich, WLCJ International President and Pamela Schlosberg, CGLR President, spoke at Congregation Beth Judea's

Torah Fund Program in Long Grove, Illinois.

Be Strong and Courageous.



Shabbat Shalom,

Rebecca Goldwasser

CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund

rebeccatorahfund@gmail.com

Torah Fund supports programs and scholarships for the five Conservatives/Masorti global institutes

of higher education.

New Digital Torah Fund eCards Available NOW:

Send a greeting with ecards and support Torah Fund! Make your gift more meaningful by using our ecards for every occasion!

Mazel Tov to

Rabbi Murray and Barbara Ezring on the birth of granddaughter

Gabriele Danielle. Proud parents are Cantor Eryka Velazquez and Cantor Gil Ezring.

Barbara is International Torah Fund Chair.

Yom Huledet Sameach

(Happy Birthday) to

Rebecca Goldwasser, CGLR Torah Fund Chair,

on May 8

Mi Sheberach for

Rhonda Cohn, Past President of CGLR

Ruth L. Harris, IntraContinental President

Susan Steinberg, Southern Region President

Zelda Jacobs, past president of KIPOT Region



We wish them a Refuah Shlemah - a complete and speedy recovery

Baruch Dayan Ha Emet

With sadness we advise you of the passing of Judith Gottesman z'l. Judy was a past president of the former Connecticut Valley Branch1988-1990, a past Recording Secretary, a past WLCJ Vice President and past Archives Chair. 

Funeral services was held Wednesday, May 3.

Shiva will be held at Judy's home, 95 Weed Ave. Norwalk, CT 06850, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday, with visiting 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. each day.

Messages of condolence to her daughter Amy Gottesman, and son, Alan Gottesman, may be sent to the above address or to GottesmanAmy@gmail.com.

The family requests that donations in Judy's memory be made to Torah Fund.

We offer our condolences to the entire Gottesman family and pray that they will be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

If you would like to make a donation to Women’s League in Sandy's memory, please click here. If you would like to make a donation to Torah Fund in her memory, please click here. If you're in the U.S. and wish to send a Torah Fund ecard, click here.

Whether you’re celebrating the joy of a simcha or remembering a loved one who passed away, please consider donating to our CGLR Scholarship Fund today. Your gift provides support for those women in our region who may need financial assistance to participate in WLCJ Convention, Sisters Celebrating Together or

in Leadership Workshops. .

We will send a lovely card to the recipient acknowledging your gift. 

 Donations in any amount are welcome.

Simply click the “DONATE” button below. Send the occasion, your name and address, plus the name and address of the recipient to Pam at cglrpresident21@wlcj.org.

You also may send a check

(payable to Women's League for Conservative Judaism) to:

Pam Schlosberg

144 Whistler Road

Highland Park, IL 60035

Your caring will help keep our future strong - and we thank you!

May 6 - Parashat Emor

The word Emor, which is the name of this week’s Torah Reading, means speak. I am sure we all have someone in our life, who no matter what topic is being discussed has something to say. Is what is said always appropriate, applicable, or, informative? Or do some people just speak to hear themselves speak? Then there are people in our lives, I hope, whom we know, that when that person does speak, you know it is important, because they do not speak just for the sake of speaking, but because they truly have something important to say. Which kind of person do you prefer to converse with? Which kind of person are you? Perhaps it depends on the situation, if someone speaks often, or holds back. When someone speaks, do you always respond? Active listening is also very important. One of the greatest gifts one can give to someone else is the acknowledgement that what was said, was actually heard. May we both speak and listen with strength and courage. Chazak v’Ematz - Be Strong and Courageous! 

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12:00 Noon ET; 11:00 AM CT; 9:00 AM PT; 10:00 AM 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? Sign up below.Sign

RSVP by May 8, 2023, to attend IN-PERSON

The Ordination ceremony will be Livestreamed via Facebook Live,

starting at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time/ 7:00 p.m. CT/ 8:00 p.m. ET.

If you are unable to attend in person, we welcome you to click here to watch online. (You do not need to have a Facebook account in order to watch.)

Pre-Convention Women’s League Reads Book Discussion

Golem Girl: A Memoir by Riva Lehrer

Monday, June 5, 8:00pm ET / 7:00pm CT / 6:00pm MT / 5:00pm PT on Zoom facilitated by Rachel Kamin

The vividly told, full-color memoir of an artist born with disabilities who searches for freedom and connection in a society afraid of strange bodies. A longtime faculty member of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Riva Lehrer is currently an instructor in medical humanities at Northwestern University and will join us in-person at the WL Convention in Schaumburg on July 18. Read & discuss Golem Girl before the Convention and bring your copy to Schaumburg to get it signed by the author. 

Project Stock the Shelves   

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors

If you’ve been shopping recently, you can’t help but notice how much the cost of food has gone up. Please consider contributing a Kosher item to your pantry collection this month.



Debbie Bettan

Social Justice Project Chair

dbettan@wlcj.org



Karen Block

Social Justice Co-Chair

kblock@wlcj.org

Ardis Wexler

Social Justice Co-Chair

judgeardis@aol.com

Learn More

Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors

Key to Calendar:

CGLR Events

WLCJ Events

Affiliate Events

Monday, May 8 - CGLR Executive Committee Meeting @7PM CT/ 8PM ET

Wednesday, May 10 - WLCJ Convention 2023 Early Bird Registration Ends.

Wednesday, May 15 - Torah Fund Stands with Israel @ 7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET

Monday, May 22 - Ziegler's Rabbinic Ordination Ceremony @ 7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET

Monday, June 5- Pre Convention WL Reads Program @ 7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET

Laurie B. Davis

Communication VP/ The WAVE Editor