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Dear Central Great Lakes,
The power of words is a singular, powerful force. Words are genuinely significant, and their energy and power are uniquely ours to choose: to help, to heal, to inspire, to spread joy…The possibilities are endless. Over the years, we learn to craft our words to express exactly what we want them to mean -- well, most of the time.
Sometimes, do you find that you just can’t express something in words? Do you find at times that any word that comes to mind falls short of what you want to say? Sometimes, all that’s possible to say is, “There are no words” or “I can’t find the words.” And then we have the sounds of silence, a shrug of our shoulders, and perhaps a shake of our head.
These dialogues with silence seem to occur when we are trying to express something that goes to the very core of our soul. No matter with whatever clear-sighted earnestness we try – there are some feelings that are inexpressible. And, sometimes there are no words.
This is how I feel, as I try to capture my experience at our Women's League for Conservative Judaism’s (WLCJ) International Convention 2023. As I tried to write this message, my mind was racing like the text-correct function on an iPhone, scanning word replacements and coming up short or, worse, coming up with an ill-conceived notion that came from an iCloud far away.
The best adjectives: awesome, magical, unbelievable, exciting, dynamic, terrific, (I’m sure you can add to my list) although fine, fine words, somehow don’t capture all that was the Convention 2023 from my perspective as a delegate and as the proud president of our dynamic Central Great Lakes Region (CGLR), the Convention’s host region.
There are no words I could find that could truly define an experience where our collective hearts soared.
- How do you capture the excitement, whether on Zoom or in person, of sharing time together with Conservative Jewish Women from across North America and the world?
- How do you express how our souls stirred as we lifted our voices together in prayer and song each day?
- How do you define the excitement of witnessing the historical continuum of Women's League as committed, dedicated officers were discharged, and a new slate of equally amazing officers was installed?
- How do you present the exuberance of the delegates as we learned of Torah Fund’s success, made possible by our individual contributions this past year?
- How do you express the pride we felt as we witnessed the Women of the B’Not Mitzvah Class complete their three years of study?
- How do you describe the joy we felt as Affiliate Sisterhoods received the Jewels in the Crown Award for their extraordinary programming over three years?
- How do you explain the inspiring opportunities to learn and grow through workshops, speakers, and programs that were available to us?
- How do you possibly explore the joy when we were able to participate in the Social Action program, Shifrah and Puah, and make a difference in the lives of women in Uganda?
- How do you share the excitement of Rosh Chodesh celebrated in real-time with our sisters, the Women of the Wall in Israel?
- How do you try to explain how it felt to renew friendships, meet new friends, hug women we only knew on Zoom?
- How can you capture the pure joy of all that was Sisters Celebrating Together?
Do you see the dilemma?
Perhaps it’s best to express all that Convention was by offering my deepest gratitude to all who gifted us with Convention 2023, Sisters Celebrating Together:
- The phenomenal Convention Committee: Edna Schrank, Convention Chair; Rachel Ferber and Dana Sirkin, Vice Chairs of Programs; and Anise Parnes, Vice Chair, Logistics; and Debbi Kaner Goldish, Immediate Past President, WLCJ.
- The countless number of committee members from throughout WL who worked on everything from Installation Production and Education Workshops to the Special Project Shifrah and Puah Maternity Center and Tefillot.
- The countless women from CGLR who were everywhere from the Medical Task Force, Greeters, Table Setters, Ushers, Program Leaders to Huggers for Torah Fund, Party Organizers, Region Food Purchasers and Schleppers!
Thank you for providing an Extra-Ordinary Experience that enabled all of us to be together in joy, to discover how to further our relationships with G-d, to enhance our work as stewards of Conservative Judaism for the generations that will follow us, and to give us an opportunity to strengthen and build our relationships with our Women’s League Sisters.
The work of your hands and hearts has inspired us for the year(s) ahead and shone a beautiful light on new ways we can 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. Please visit www.wlcj.org to view the highlights of Sisters Celebrating Together.
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