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The WAVE Newsletter
December 8, 2023 ~ 25 Kislev 5784
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Dear Central Great Lakes,
What’s top of mind now? The War in Israel? The hostages in Gaza? The suffering in Ukraine? But wait, it’s also Hanukkah! What about the Festival of Lights, the celebration of miracles, rededication, and resilience?
This is our reality -- stark contrasts that can confuse even the strongest among us! How do we handle this emotional whiplash?
Let’s turn to our Talmudic rabbis for some how-to advice or, at the very least, encouragement. If we embrace a brief moment of stillness, we can hear their voices whispering through our sacred texts reminding us, especially in the month of Kislev, of the power of one -- of the power of a single candle to drive out the darkness.
Now as our lives swirl in a darkness that we could never have anticipated, we realize that we need to reclaim a spiritual audacity of courage and strength and focus on all that can brilliantly cast away the darkness that envelops our world, if only for a moment – if only for the eight days of Hanukkah. We’re definitely on a mission! Are you in?
We not only must celebrate Hanukkah – we need to do it with all of our hearts. Let’s see how we’re doing.
Armed with our colored-coded check list, we’ve polished our Hanukkiah(s), Check; set out the newly purchased box of candles and chocolate gelt, Check; made sure that all the ingredients for our cherished latke recipes were on hand, Check; found that box of dreidels way on the back of the shelf, have a box of fresh, temptingly decorated sugfganyot, (jelly donuts), and copies of the prayers and songs of Hanukkah; Check, Check, Check!
Continuing our mission…we couldn’t forget that,as carefully as we prepared our homes, we also had to check our spirit. Not an easy task. We had to find, deep within us, the joy that is the promise of this Festival of Lights and the hope within its story of resilience, rededication, and hope. We needed to find our inner light. We had to dig deep, and we did. Check!
Finally, last night, as sundown quieted the cacophony of the world around us, as our rabbis taught, one candle magically transformed the darkness with a simple beautiful light that reached the very depths of our souls.
Once again, we saw how our beautiful Jewish traditions, so poignantly simple, so dramatically calming, were at-the-ready for us to activate with the lighting of one small candle. No batteries or miles of extension cords needed. Once activated, they gifted us with an inner peace that defied description. We felt the warmth of our traditions envelop us like an emotional blanket. One diminutive Hanukkah candle was a powerful force that shone brightly. Let’s not hurry past this thought. It’s quite amazing.
For despite its rather diminutive size, one candle had the power to illuminate the space created for it and the darkest corner of the space as well. In a very real sense, it reflected the power of one for good. Therein is the nugget that can help us rediscover the unique gift of rededication that Hanukkah brings to each of us.
Our mission, to ensure that the lights of Hanukkah and the spirit of this Festival shine bright, must stand strong. For our holidays and festivals and their traditions are not only reminders of our deepest faith and abiding hope but, as we go forward with determination and resilience, they enable us to respond as a force of strength to those who challenge our very existence. By our actions, we say, “We are here!"
One Hanukkah candle’s steadfast flame quietly reminded us of the basic Jewish values we live by, aspire to, and embrace as Jewish women: to keep the unique light that glows within us shining; to be present where there is a need; to bring light where there is darkness, to offer comfort where there is sorrow or pain, to keep our faith and hope ever-present. This is our pathway forward today.
One candle’s steadfast flame helped us to rededicate our days and find the courage to make each day a blessing.
Alden Solovy, in his poem, Lamps Within, amplifies this message as he encourages us to keep the flame of our souls ever-bright:
Light it with your joy.
Light it with your tears.
Light it with your song.
Light it with the work of your hands.
Light it with hope.
Light it with service.
Light it with this prayer.
Light it with praise to G-d’s holy name.
Hanukkah can renew our spirit in these difficult days. WL and CGLR provide the opportunities to sustain this commitment and embrace our role as keepers of the flame of mitzvot, family study, Israel, Torah, and community.
Tonight we celebrate the second night of Hanukkah, beautiful in its simplicity, magical in its ability to use the flame of two candles to see anew the ideals of our tradition, magical in its ability to inspire and strengthen our deepest resolve to be all that we can be as Jewish women.
May this inspiration burn brightly each night of Hanukkah.
And may these days of Hanukkah bless you and your loved ones with renewed hope and courage and with many moments of happiness and peace.
Wishing you, my amazing CGLR sisters, Chag Uri Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
Pam Schlosberg
CGLR President
cglrpresident21@wlcj.org
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
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Because CGLR cares, we remain committed to peace and send our prayers for those who suffer in Israel and the Ukraine. | |
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A Prayer for Israel in this Time of War
by Rabbi Naomi Levy
God, our Strength and Protection, we pray for the State of Israel in this
devastating time of war, shock and grief. Our hearts are breaking, God. We pray
for the lives of the innocent civilians who have been heartlessly kidnapped by
Hamas, bring them home, watch over them, God. We pray for the lives of the
soldiers who have been taken captive, we pray for their safe return, shelter them,
God. We pray for the souls of the innocent victims who were brutally slaughtered.
Send comfort and strength, God, to the grieving. Send healing to the injured, and
strength and wisdom to their doctors and nurses. We pray for all our brothers and
sisters in Israel in this time of tragedy and crisis.
Watch over Israel, God, spread Your shelter of peace over the land and over all
our brothers and sisters who live there. Shine Your light upon Israel’s leaders,
officers and advisers, help them to overcome all divisiveness and to act with
clarity and determination. Protect the men and women who defend Israel, let them
be safe and may they be victorious over the Hamas terrorists who attacked our
people. Watch over them, God. 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. Peace, God, please, God.
God of the brokenhearted, God of the living, God of the dead, gather the souls of
the victims into Your eternal shelter. Let them find peace in Your presence, God.
Their lives have ended, but their lights can never be extinguished. May they shine
on us always and illuminate our way.
Amen.
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A Prayer of Peace for the People of Ukraine
by Rabbi Naomi Levy
G-d, our hearts are with all the people of Ukraine,
Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky,
And with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Ukraine
200,000 souls
Who crouch in fear
As the sound of sirens and bombs pierce the air.
Synagogues once filled with songs of celebration
Have become makeshift shelters.
Echoes of the Holocaust reverberate.
The memory of the one and a half million
Martyred Ukrainian Jews.
G-d, we pray that the panic in the streets of Ukraine
Will give way to the sound of children playing,
And the sound of sirens will give way to songs of hope.
We pray that the world community will unite
And cause the Russian army to retreat.
We pray for no more violence
Or bloodshed
And we pray that diplomacy
Will be the path to peace.
Hear our prayers, G-d,
Hear the prayers of the mothers and fathers,
the prayers of the children
longing for safety.
G-d, our Shelter,
Bring peace.
Let it rain down from the heavens like a mighty storm.
Let it wash away all hatred and bloodshed.
Peace, G-d. Please, G-d. Amen.
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Please consider extending a sense of renewed
hope and send our light forward.
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Find more Israel-related resources on
the WLCJ website.
We now have a webpage with all the resources collected. Please go to www.wlcj.org and click on the Resources menu and then on Israel.
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Save the Date Now and Grab Your Sunglasses! | |
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SAVE THE DATE!
CGLR Spring Conference 2024
April 7 – 9!
Hosted by:
The Affiliate of Adath Israel Congregation
Cincinnati, Ohio
Join us for:
A Region Party, Programs, Workshops, Discharge of 2021-24 Officers;
Installation of Region Officers 2024-26; Valued Volunteers and
Milestone Awards, Inspiring Speakers, AND a Total Solar Eclipse, too!
Watch for more Conference news and information.
Please Note:
A block of rooms at special conference rates are now available at the
Embassy Suites by Hilton, 4554 Lake Forest Drive; Blue Ash, Ohio.
Hotel Room Registration is open now! Click Below.
Conference Registration will open February 14.
Looking forward to seeing you in Cincinnati!
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Hotel Room Registration is open now! | |
CGLR is Looking for Board Members for 2024-26 | |
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Dear Sisters,
It is so exciting that Chanukkah is starting. We can all bring a little more light to this very dark world by doing more mitzvot. We can all light our menorahs each night and give tzedakah. There are plenty of organizations these days that need our tzedakah. Torah Fund is always a great organization to which to give tzedakah, as we need to help with scholarships so that we can continue to have great rabbis, cantors, and educators to lead us in these times of need. Encourage your affiliate members to buy e-cards for Chanukkah, condolences, baby naming, times of joy, or even just for a "thank you." Remember that money raised through e-cards does go towards your affiliate goal. It comes in a separate report four times a year. To send an e-card, just click on the link below:
https://torahfundecards.jtsa.edu
I also wanted to let you know that we will not have a region Torah Fund event this year for two reasons:
1. January 21 is the next Torah Fund Stands with Israel Program at 1:00 PM ET. Even though our event was planned for the evening, we didn’t want you to have to choose which event to go to. Please mark your calendar for Torah Fund Stands with Israel; these are always informative events.
2. We will be having a Torah Fund luncheon on the Monday of Conference. It will be a great event and we will be giving awards to those who have achieved their goal over the last two years and to those who have made their goal for this campaign by April.
Conference is April 7-9 in Cincinnati. I hope to see you there.
I hope your Chanukkah is very bright and joyous.
Rebecca Goldwasser
CGLR Vice President of Torah Fund
rebeccatorahfund@gmail.com
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 at
1:00pm ET
We invite you to join us at
Torah Fund Stands with Israel
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2023-24 Torah Fund Campaign | |
Torah Fund Legacy Society | |
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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!
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Torah Fund supports programs and scholarships for the five Conservatives/Masorti global institutes
of higher education.
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Scan Code
to send E-Cards --->
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We want to spotlight your Affiliate/Sisterhood’s events and programs and give your Affiliate Sisterhood a Shout Out in The WAVE.
Please send us your flyers and photos! And please invite Pam, CGLR President, to join you, too!
Please share your Affiliate's events and programs with us. The next full issue of The WAVE will be published on Friday, December 22.
Flyers are due by 1:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 19.
Please send your copy to Laurie Davis at LBD715@gmail.com.
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Mazel Tov
to
Gilda Schwartz, CGLR Membership VP
on her birthday, December 16
Mi Sheberach
for
Rhonda Cohn, Past President of CGLR
Alyssa Volkov, Ariella Ylena bat Rachel Devorah,
is the daughter of Rhonda & Dave Cohn. Rhonda is a Past CGLR President.
and
Ellen Kaner Bresnick, WLCJ Kehilla Co-Chair
We wish them a Refuah Shlemah-a complete and speedy recovery
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Baruch Dayan HaEmet
for
Judy K. Goldstein z"l, Past President of IntraContinental Region
Blanche Meisel z"l, charter member of the first group of Keter Kavod of Torah
Fund, former Branch President of Northern New Jersey, active member of
Women's League of B'nai Torah, Boca Raton, former member of Pacific
Southwest Region.
Gloria Adelson z"l, Past President of Southern Region, and Past WLCJ Affiliation and Retention Chair; most recently she was a member of the WLCJ Board and the Torah Fund Cabinet.
Phyllis B. Osherow z"l, mother of Meryl Balaban. Meryl is a member of the WLCJ Board of Directors, a Consultant and the Shabbat Message Chair. Meryl is a Past President of Garden State Region and Past WLCJ Vice President.
May their memories be for a blessing.
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Congregation Beth Shalom Affiliate,
Northbrook, Illinois
Opening MeetingO
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Congregation Adath Israel Affiliate
Cincinnati, Ohio
Affiliate's Hanukkah Happening
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from WL Week
Tuesday, December 6, 2023 | 23 Kislev 5784
To see the entire WL Week email, click here!
The website calendar is updated on a regular basis.
For upcoming calendar events, click here!
To read the latest Shabbat Message from Julia Loeb,
WLCJ International President, click here!
To read the Weekly Words of Torah from
Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields, WLCJ Executive Director, click here.
To read Rabbi Ellen's Reflections on the Masorti Leadership
Solidarity Mission to Israel, click here.
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For WLCJ Individual Members
חג שמח
Hoping the warmth of the candles and the aromas of traditional foods fill
your hearts with comfort as our thoughts turn to Hanukkah!
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
7:30 p.m. Eastern Time Zone
Individual Members
In Conversation
A Virtual Meeting
The first of a series of virtual events to create connections!
REGISTER
Need a Hanukkah gift?
Gift a Women's League Individual Membership to a friend/family!
GIFT A WLCJ MEMBERSHIP
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WL Civil Rights Journey
Monday, March 11 - Wednesday, March 13, 2024
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The Jewish fight for civil rights helped create fundamental changes in this country. Join us as we learn about the brave freedom fighters and tour significant civil rights sites in Georgia and Alabama. Some of those sites include the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, and MUCH more!
These first-hand experiences will allow us to explore issues of race and racism, and the legacy of civil rights. As we travel and reflect together as a Women’s League community, we will personally consider how each of us can make an impact today.
Civil Rights Monday-Wednesday Trip Costs
$1,200 paid in full at registration
$165 single room supplement
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What is included
• All meals from Monday lunch through Wednesday lunch
• Continental breakfast on your own is included at each hotel.
• All provided group meals are kosher.
• Hotel for Monday and Tuesday nights
• Ground transportation in an air-conditioned coach bus
• Admission to all museums and historic sites
What is not included
• Transportation to and from your home city to Atlanta
• Lodging before or after the trip (information on suggested hotels to follow)
• You must arrive in Atlanta before 10:00 AM on Monday, March 11, so we recommend that, if you are flying in, you might want to arrive on Sunday in case of any flight delays.
• We will not return to the Atlanta airport until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 13, so we recommend that you book a flight after 7:00 PM that night or stay an additional night and fly home the following morning.
Space is limited. Please register soon so you don’t miss out.
Registration Deadline: December 1 for Women’s League members
If there is still space available after December 1, we will then open the registration to family of Women’s League members until December 15.
Your payment for the tour and meals is refundable until December 21.
Randy Schwartz
WL Special Projects Chair
rschwartz@wlcj.org
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Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
11:00 AM CT / 12:00 Noon ET
Yizkor Service TODAY!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/630830287
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
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Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during
Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish?
Sign up here to lead a part in Makom B'Yachad.
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שׂיחוֹת בֵּין אָחַיוֹת, 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, the Masorti women from Israel and Masorti Olami, and our communities around the world. It is designed to address the question, “How are we the same, and how are we different?” The theme of this year’s program is כּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עָרֵבִים זֶה בַּזֶה, Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh, All of Israel is Responsible for One Another [BT Shevuot 39a]
Each session 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 both sides of the Atlantic. Each workshop will be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate.
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Session Three: Volunteerism: Mitzvot, Motivations and Methods - Sunday, December 17, 2023, 11AM CT / 12 PM ET (Zoom) | | |
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SAVE THE DATES
WL Reads programs
coming up:
The Choice by Maggie Anton
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, 1 PM ET
Exile Music by Jennifer Steile
Date and Time TBA
Karen Block
WL Reads Chair
kblock@wlcj.org
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Key to Calendar:
CGLR Events
WLCJ Events
Affiliate Events
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Wednesday, December 10 - CGLR BOD Meeting, 7:00pm CT/ 8:00pm ET
Tuesday, December 12 - Mathilde's Master Class at 6:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM ET (Zoom)
Sunday, December 17 - Sichot Beyn Achayot - Session Three: Volunteerism: Mitzvot, Motivations and Methods at 11 AM CT / 12 PM ET (Zoom)
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2024
Sunday, January 21- Torah Fund Stands with Israel Program at 12 noon CT/ 1 PM ET (Zoom)
Sunday, January 21- CGLR Torah Fund Event / CANCELLED
Sunday- Tuesday, January 28-30 - WL Leadership Institute, Boca Raton, Florida
Wednesday, January 31 - WLCJ Individual Member Conversation at 6:30 PM CT/ 7:30 PM ET (Zoom)
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Sunday, Februsry 11- WL Reads 'The Choice" by Maggie Anton at 12 pm CT/ 1 PM ET (Zoom)
Wednesday, February14- CGLR Conference Beyond the Eclipse - Registration opens.
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Central Great Lakes Region Board | | | | |
