Dear Central Great Lakes,

Smile – it’s mid-June…

… a unique state-of-mind! The time of celebrations, congratulations, and culminations: Valued Volunteers Awards, Recognition Dinners, Installations, End-of-the-Year luncheons, Final Programs of the year. We connected in a spirit of mutual appreciation. It’s all good!

It’s mid-June...

… a unique time when, under our numerous tents, connected by the wonderful covenant of our affiliate sisterhoods, we looked back on the past year. We’ve shared dreams, and shared goals of inspiring leadership, and shared objectives to find new ways to be of service to our Sisterhood and our community. Together, we were both pathfinders and travelers. Together, as Theodore Roosevelt once urged, we dared greatly. It’s all good!

It’s mid-June…

… a unique milestone reached. We worked with strength and courage through 2022-23. And now, we can look back with a deep appreciation on what we accomplished together in a year filled with challenges, of course, but also filled with rewards. It’s all good!

However, it’s mid-June…

…and we can only look back over our shoulders for a moment. Our work is a continuum. It’s part of our tradition! We end and begin again. Whether as we complete Deuteronomy and immediately turn the page to Genesis or complete a book of Torah and shout, “Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek” and go forward to strengthen others. We continue.

So, it is with our work as leaders within our affiliate sisterhoods and in service to our region, that we begin again. We grab every ounce of our resilience, and we look toward 2023-24. We plan our calendars, adjust our budgets, create strategies to increase and sustain our membership, advocate for Torah Fund, and we acknowledge the path forward waiting for us.

Realistically, this continuum of working to get extraordinary things done in the months ahead is not without challenges. The biggest among these? Doing the ordinary and extraordinary things with strength and courage and leading with positivity and hope.

I realize that today’s world is filled with a cynicism, where even the New Yorker dedicates its cover to shopping in a market that features packages of “Doom and Gloom” on sale. To find joy that leads to hope and confidence for yourself, and then as leaders, to spark it in others, may be nothing short of an act of courage and resistance to the day-to-day that surrounds us.

But I do believe deeply that joy, hope, and positivity is for us to create. It can drive our perspective and our purpose. It’s basic to the “muchness” that we were born with, you know, that full-hearted abundance of hope, imagination, and yes, that deep joy.

This week’s parsha, Sh’lach, we read of the importance of leaders to remain positive and hopeful. Among twelve leaders selected to scout out the land and report back, only two, Joshua and Caleb, told the people that conquest of the land was achievable. They didn’t say it would be easy, but that it was doable!

G-d rewarded them, and they alone of their generation entered the land. They inspired hope and confidence.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l, noted that in this world of responsibilities and challenges, we need to be that light of hope that brightens a place where the Shekhina, the Divine Presence can dwell. As leaders, it’s our imperative.

So, as we end the year and begin again – we need to remember to bring along a full box of joy that we can share. And with sharing, inspire our CGLR women to fully participate in the work of Sisterhood/Region/Women's League, in the dedicated service we provide in preserving Judaism for today and for generations that follow. It’s all good!

In this moment both of reflection and of vision, we can embrace our “muchness” and live bravely, care deeply, share our joy freely amidst all that challenges us daily. And together, we can find the strength and courage to make our lives a blessing.

I wish you a joyful, 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 in Schaumberg, Illinois!

Have you registered for Convention yet?

Want to place a virtual Journal Ad?

Have you supported the Convention Social Action Project yet?

Convention 2023 Registration Deadlines

Convention Registration Deadline: June 28, 2023

No in-person registrations will be accepted after June 28.Virtual registration will continue up to the start of Convention.

Convention Cancellations: Requests for cancellation must be emailed to Razel Kessler at rkessler@wlcj.org by June 28, 2023.

All cancellations will be assessed a $200 fee.

Hotel Reservations: Room rates of $139/night are guaranteed until June 16, 2023. Hotel reservations should be made directly with the hotel by going to this link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-WLCJ

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 2023 Creative

Judaic Arts Workshop

Sunday, July 16, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Monday, July 17, 9:00 – 10:30 pm

Post-Convention 2023 Creative Judaic Arts Workshop (Zoom Session)

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

Thursday, August 24, 7pm CT / 8pm ET

The Hamsa dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. The word "hamsa" comes from the Hebrew word "hamesh," which means five. 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.

Project easy to complete in person or virtually.

Kit includes all supplies & instructions.

This project will not leave you in knots!

Order deadline is June 15.

Materials Cost: $12.00

Shipping/Freight Cost: $7.00

Questions? Contact Jody Glass, WL Creative Judaic Arts Co-Chair

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 artist, supplying many of WLCJ Affiliates' Judaica Shops for decades with her unique design and colors!

Hi all, 

32 days until Convention!! We can't wait!

I am attaching a picture of the beautiful region kippah made by our own Wanda Pitzele! Get your orders in! $30 now, $40 if you wait until Convention! CGLR will be identifiable by our gorgeous KIPOT!

Please let us know your travel arrangements, when you know them. If you fly into O'Hare, we recommend you make arrangements with American Taxi. You can call them in advance to make arrangements, and they will track your flight, so they will be there when you land. Their contact information is 847-252-9237. They come highly recommended by our Chicago sisters!

You are probably wondering what to wear. For daytime, comfortable business casual is preferred. There won't be any " formal" evenings. Shabbat clothes will be fine! Convention hotels tend to be over air-conditioned, so it is advisable to bring a sweater or shawl. Comfort is the most important thing!

We have received a request for a roommate for the Shabbaton on Friday and Saturday nights. If you are coming and need a roommate, let us know ASAP. If you still need a roommate for Convention, let us know! We are doing our best at matchmaking!

Get excited for our CLGR party on Sunday night! A blind auction, trivia and comedy are on the agenda. Drinks and snacks too! Please bring some cash for the auction, and the $10 couvert for the party.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one or both of us.

Gilda Schwartz. 513-314-5291. Gilda49@aol.com

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

Have a great week and Shabbat Shalom!

Gilda and Wanda

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)

We have been strong and courageous this year re-entering the community after the pandemic. The Chazak v’Ematz campaigns has ended above our goals for the year and because of all of you our future leaders of our Jewish community will have the benefit from an amazing education at one of our amazing five seminaries. There are a few housekeeping items that we need to do before the end of the Chazak v’Ematz campaign:

• All online donations need to be made prior to Shabbat on June 30th

according to your time zone.

• Donations that are checks need to arrive in the Torah Fund office in

New York by June 30th . Otherwise, they will be counted towards next

year’s campaign.

• Each affiliate needs to send to me at rebeccatorahfund@gmail.com

the amount of Benefactor and Guardian pins you want for next year

by July 1 st . Include the address of where you would like the pins to be

sent.

• If your affiliate’s Torah Fund chair will change for the next year,

please send that to me as well.

Our 2023-24 campaign is Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh Campaign, "All the

people of Israel are responsible for one another." The pin is in the shape of a heart and will highlight the word ‘arevut,’ responsibility. It corresponds to the theme from the Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 39a, that all the people of Israel are

responsible for one another, and we assume that responsibility through our support of the five Conservative/Masorti institutions of higher education.

Be Strong and Courageous,

Shabbat Shalom,



Rebecca Goldwasser

CGLR VP of Torah Fund

rebeccatorahfund@gmail.com

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!

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

of higher education.

Yom Huledet Sameach

(Happy Birthday) to

Fern Schwartz, CGLR Education VP on June 25

Mazel Tov to

Fran Hildebrandt,

on her new position as WLCJ Kehilla Co-Chair

on the WLCJ 2023-2026 Board

Mazel Tov to

Our CGLR Members becoming

B'not Mitzvah at Convention

Lisa Bloom - CGLR

Sandra Carleton - CGLR

Esther Hellman - CGLR

Marlene Ostrow - CGLR

Jill Tomar - CGLR & FL

Mazel Tov and Yasher Koach to

Our Jewels in the Crown Award Winners!

Adath Israel Congregation, Cincinnati, OH

Beth El Sisterhood, Pittsburgh, PA

Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook, IL

Congregation Beth Shalom, Oak Park, MI

Congregation Beth Judea, Long Grove, IL

Congregation Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Rockford, IL

Ezra-Habonim, The Niles Township Jewish Congregation, Skokie, IL

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park,

Sisterhood of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Southfield, MI

Mi Sheberach for

Susan Steinberg, Southern Region President

Zelda Jacobs, past president of KIPOT Region

Ellen Kaner Bresnick, WLCJ Education Co-Chair



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

Baruch Dayan Ha Emet - Elly Sokol

With sadness we advise you of the passing of Elly Sokol z"l. Elly was a past WLCJ Vice President and past President of IntraContinental Region.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 13. Shiva details are not currently available.

Messages of condolence may be sent to Elly's family at her address, 3003 Van Ness St. NW #W905 Washington, DC 20008.

We extend our condolences to Elly's family and pray that they will be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

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!

Pocket Size = $11.00

Planner Size = $26.00

Contact the office for quantities over 10. 

405-870-1260

Calendar Diaries are available for pre-orders.

All orders will ship before the end of June.

Mail-In Form

All those who are attending Convention will receive their Calendar Diaries at Convention.

We were delighted in late 2020 when the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use and over the next year, so many people took advantage of the ability to be protected from the ravages of the pandemic. In May of 2023, both the World Health Organization and the United States declared the end of the pandemic state of emergency. However, we know that the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate and continues to cause infections and deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US has updated vaccination guidelines. The initial vaccines used in the fight against COVID-19 are no longer in use in the US. The original Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna vaccines are no longer available and instead there are newer bivalent versions which better protect against the circulating variants. In addition, the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine is no longer available at all. 

The current guidelines call for all individuals age six years and older to receive at least one dose of the bivalent Pfizer/BioNtech or Moderna bivalent vaccine regardless of whether they received any of the original vaccines or how many they received. People aged 65 and up may get one additional does at least four months after their first dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get one additional dose two months or more after the last dose of updated Covid-19 vaccine. They should speak to their physician for more specific guidance. 

In Canada as of March of 2023, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines were listed as the preferred vaccinations for use against COVID-19.

Why is this important? It is important to help keep us all safe, to minimize hospitalizations, severe illness, and the spread of this virus. It is also important for those who are planning to attend large gatherings such as our long-awaited Convention! So if your last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was in 2021 or in the spring of 2022, this means you have not had an updated or bivalent vaccine. You should put it on your to-do list!

If you have questions, please contact your physician. I wish you all good health and look forward to seeing many of you at Convention!

Dr. Mindy Steinholz

Health and Wellness Chair

msteinholz@wlcj.org

Celebration breakfast to follow

RSVP on the Convention Website at WLCJ.ORG

On July 17, 30 women will be called to the Torah during the morning services on Monday of Convention to celebrate their B’not Mitzvah. They will lead the service, and many will read Torah for the first time. These women first came together almost three years ago, responding to an announcement in Women’s League Week that we would be starting an adult Bat Mitzvah class. They came for many reasons—Some are Jews by choice and are just starting their Jewish Journey, some women had a Bat Mitzvah at 12 or 13 in congregations that were not egalitarian. They may have had their Bat Mitzvah on a Friday night or were not allowed up on the bimah, and some women joined the class for Torah Lishmah—learning for the sake of learning. For the past two and a half years, we have met every month, on Thursday nights, for ninety minutes to study, mostly with amazing rabbis in the Conservative movement, sometimes with our amazing Women’s League rabbis or members. We would like to thank all our teachers for helping these women reach this special day. 

The women prepared for each class by reading required texts or handouts, thinking about questions provided by the teachers in advance and, recently, writing Divrei Tefillah on prayers from the morning service. The classes were thought-provoking, and sparked discussion and many questions. After all, ours is a religion based on asking questions.  One of the requirements for the class was that all our students know the aleph-bet and be able to read basic prayerbook Hebrew. We started a series of Hebrew classes and many women participated. When you hear them lead their prayers on Zoom or from the bimah, or you hear them read Torah, you would never know that some of them did not know any Hebrew when they started this class. We would like to acknowledge the 14 volunteer Hebrew teachers that shared their knowledge and love of the language over the past three years, and we would like to thank Rabbi Cella for teaching trope to the class. 

If you would like to see yourself on this list in three years, whatever your reason for joining, watch for the announcement about the next Bat Mitzvah class which will start this Fall. 

See you in Schaumburg!

Julia Loeb

WLCJ Education Co-Chair

jloeb@wlcj.org

Ellen Kaner Bresnick

WLCJ Education Co-Chair

ebresnick@wlcj.org

Parashat Sh'lach – June 17, 2023

Parashat Sh’lach tells the story of the spies going into the land of Israel, to scout out what the people and area were like, and then report back to Moses what they saw. All the spies except two, Joshua bin Nun and Caleb ben Yefuneh said that the people were like giants, and they did not give a favorable report; in fact they were very negative. However, Joshua and Caleb brought back grapes and said that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey. They were positive, and did not scare the children of Israel. What kind of leader do you strive to be - positive or negative ? What kind of leader do you think gets more accomplished? Which of these spies showed leadership skills - those who followed the crowd, or Joshua and Caleb, who went against the majority of the spies? It is often hard to voice a contrary opinion, and it takes great strength and courage, as exemplified by Joshua and Caleb. May we follow the example of Joshua and Caleb, voicing our opinions, even if we know there are those who will disagree with us. 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

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

Friday, June 16 - Masorti Women's Study Day @ 6:30 AM CT/ 7:30 AM ET

Convention Special Events

Monday, July 17 - B'not Mitzvah @ 7:30 AM CT

Monday, July 17 - Torah Fund Luncheon @ 12:30 PM CT

Laurie B. Davis

Communication VP/ The WAVE Editor