WL Week
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 30th of Shevat 5782
To view more information/registration page, click on the program below.
February 2022 | Shevat / Adar I 5782
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday / Sat
6
7
8
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
9
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
10
11 12
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
14
15
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
16
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
17
18 19
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
20
21
23
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
25 26
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
February/March 2022 | Adar I / Adar II 5782
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday / Sat
6
7
8
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
9
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
10
11 12
Makom B'Yachad 12PM
Women of the Wall
Rosh Hodesh Adar is midnight Tuesday, February 1 for those of us on Eastern Standard time. https://fb.me/e/14HzyJC5y
Photos from January 30th Program: Who Owns The Wall?
Rosh Hodesh Adar is midnight Tuesday, February 1 for those of us on Eastern Standard time. https://fb.me/e/14HzyJC5y
Per many requests, here is some follow-up information:
If you are interested in having a WOW representative as a speaker, please contact Nechama Namal, WOW Director of Philanthropy. development@womenofthewall.org.il
The links below are from Women of the Wall to give you more information on their efforts and places to show your support.
To sign up for their newsletter: https://www.womenofthewall.org.il/
To Donate: https://www.womenofthewall.org.il/donate/
To make a Purchase: https://www.womenofthewall.org.il/donate/shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenofthewall to watch Rosh Hodesh and to follow WOW
Every Rosh Hodesh except for those falling on Shabbat, you can find WOW at the Western Wall or on their Facebook page – see their live feed at 12:00 AM EST – the evening before Rosh Chodesh in Israel. Remember, you can watch the video the next day, if you are not a night person!
WOW Merchandise
All prices include regular shipping (with tracking, 2-4 weeks). Express shipping costs an extra $20 per item:
Four Mothers - $250
Garden of Eden - $225
Spirit of Israel - $250
Siddur - $36
Challah Cover - same design as our Garden of Eden tallit - $72
Statement on Non-implementation of Kotel Agreement
The Conservative/Masorti movement organizations feel betrayed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government’s ongoing refusal to implement the 2017 Kotel Agreement, most recently expressed in an interview with the Jerusalem Post January 28. The agreement, reached between the government of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Haredi parties in his government, the Women of the Wall, and the pluralistic streams of Judaism, calls for the formal establishment of an egalitarian prayer plaza at the Kotel.
It is unconscionable that Prime Minister Bennett has shelved these plans in light of the fact that alongside a majority of ministers and MKs in the present government who concur with the implementation, the majority of Israelis also believe that there should be free access for all Jews to pray according to their custom at the Western Wall. It is inconceivable that the government of Israel should continue to prevent freedom of prayer and equal rights to all Jews.
Furthermore, the continued denial of religious freedom is directly contradictory to the Prime Minister’s and other Ministers’ stated desire to bridge the gap between Israel and world Jewry. It is of grave concern to us that an increasing number of our members do not see themselves represented in the way Judaism continues to be practiced in the Jewish state. Israel cannot afford to turn its back on the majority of the Jewish people at a time when it is soliciting the assistance of World Jewry in combating anti-Israel actions in the UN and other forums.
We call upon Prime Minister Bennett and his government to immediately implement the Kotel Agreement, manifesting his own belief that Israel should be a home for all Jews.
We are happy to work with all and any government agencies to help promote the implementation of the agreement in the shortest possible time.
Masorti Women Study, Reflect and Pray in Our Challenging Times - Sunday, February 13th @ 12 noon ET
Click here to see the full program
Lectures are available in Hebrew, English, Russian and Spanish
Don't waste another minute before registering for this final regional event! You won't be sorry!
Women’s Masorti Online Study Days
Day 2 / Northern Region
Sunday, February 13th
12:00 Noon - 2:55 PM ET
Because the study days are on Zoom, you can choose to participate in sessions both days. In order to help the organizers, please reserve your choice of sessions now.
If the button feature doesn't redirect you,
below are the direct links to register. You can use either:
https://www.masorti.org.il/WSDregion
World Wide Wrap - Sunday, February 13th [All Day]
A Five-Week ‘Crash’ Course on Tefillin for the World Wide Wrap
Sunday, February 13th
Prepared by
Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
,
WLCJ Executive Director
Tefillin 101
If you and/or your sisterhood would like to participate,
FJMC members and affiliated synagogue Men’s Club members can register here. Learn more about Tefillin 101 by reading Executive Director Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields’ updated guide to wrapping here !
Tefillin 101 – Week 4
This week
will provide seven more interesting concepts about Women and
Tefillin
. For a groundbreaking article on Women and
Tefillin
– Anne Lapidus Lerner “‘Bind Them as a Sign…’ Not for Men Only.”
Women’s League Outlook
64, no. 2 (Winter 1993): 13–14.
To continue reading, click here .
World Wide Wrap 2022 Video
Importance of Tefillin - See many familiar faces
Consulting Services Workshop #2 : Exploring Leadership - Tuesd ay, February 22nd @ 7 PM ET
Questions?
Contact
Renee Ravich
Consulting Services Chair, Sisterhood Support Chair
Looking for new leadership for your Sisterhood affiliates but not sure what to do? Women’s League is offering two workshops presented by our Consulting Services team and open to all members. The first workshop took place o n January 9th.
A Women's League training program to support all regions and Sisterhood affiliates by the Consulting Services of WLCJ.
2nd Workshop: Exploring Leadership -- Finding alternatives to the traditional leadership structure.
It will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET.
Margie Miller , WLCJ Nominations Chair and Immediate Past International President, is teaching this workshop.
Health & Wellness - Thursd ay, February 24th @ 8 PM ET
Please join us Thursday evening on February 24th at 8:00 PM ET for our Health and Wellness Women’s League Program.
Our topic in conversation will be: “ How Genetics and the Environment interact to cause Cardiovascular Disease in Women ”
Speaker: Dianna Milewicz, MD, Ph.D of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston
More information to follow. In the meantime you can RSVP to join the program below:
Jews in Film - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Series 2 of 3 - Monday, February 28th @ 3 PM ET
Jews in Film, a Women's League education program; Somewhere over the Rainbow – The Jewish Connection to Movie Musicals of the 1930s.
Join Lois Silverman as she presents how Jews and their music have influenced American music and especially American musical theater. This truly American art form attracted the talents of the greatest songwriters of the pre-rock era who between them wrote the musical and lyrics for practically all the great musicals of the ’30s and ’40s.
For more information, go to: https://www.wizevents.com/register/7940
WL Reads - Sunday, March 13th @ 2 PM ET
Questions?
Contact
WL Reads Co-Chairs
Merle Carrus
Please join us Sunday on March 13th at 2:00 PM ET for our WL Reads Program.
WL Reads co-chairs Merle Carrus and Susan Farber will be interviewing Julie Zuckerman , author of The Book of Jeremiah .
More information to follow.
Sustainability: Today, Tomorrow, and L'Dor V'Dor - Tuesday, March 29th @ 7:30 PM ET
TUESDAY,
MARCH 29TH
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
KICKOFF EVENT
Questions?
Contact
Corinne Hammerschlag
Environment Co-Chair
or
Lymor Wasserman
Environment Co-Chair
Programming Idea of the Week
Rebel Daughter
takes the reader back in time to an event that changed the course of human history, the destruction of Jerusalem and the second Temple. A thrilling saga of family, faith and forbidden love while
blending the fascinating story of the Jewish people with a timeless protagonist determined to take charge of her own life against all odds.
Join author Lori Banov Kaufmann and scholar Dr. Jonathan Price , of Tel Aviv University, as they discuss this book of historical fiction and share the details of their 10-year collaboration ...
To continue reading, click HERE .
Women's League Archives
Women’s League Archives: Join Us in Our Quest!
Exciting things are happening with our Women’s League archives. The Board of Women’s League voted to permanently loan our archives to the Jewish Theological Seminary. This is fabulous since it will insure our historical items will be stored and catalogued properly and will be more accessible to our members as well as the public.
During the next few months, we will be transferring all of our archival material (and there is a lot) to JTS. And you can help! We want to make sure we have everything needed from Women’s League international, our branches and regions to tell our story. Do you have hidden away somewhere meeting minutes, branch/region directories, brochures, newsletters, event information, memorabilia, creative handcrafts? Photographs?
We are asking you to search through your files, albums and boxes of materials and gather them together. Please label the pictures with a date, what event, who the people are, and where are they. Please label other items with their story (if not told in the item). Email Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields ( ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org ) for information on where to mail it to. For questions, contact Cory Schneider .
Thanks in advance for your help!
Also, watch for information on three new How to Live Forever zoom presentations: Collecting and Organizing Your Sisterhood Archives , Collecting and Organizing Your Region Archives , and Writing Your Organization’s Story .
Women's League Resolution 2022
Upon reading the Women's Health Resolution, please cast your VOTE. To vote, click on the button below and it'll take you to a doodle website.
All you need to input is your name and email to cast your vote.
Karen Cuker
Public Policy & Resolutions Co-Chair
Marlene Oslick
Public Policy & Resolutions Co-Chair
To the Membership of WLCJ,
PLEASE VOTE!
The Resolutions and Public Policy Committee has approved the following Women’s Health Resolution (2022) . This resolution passed the WLCJ Executive Committee and was offered to our membership for comment in WL Week. The Resolutions Committee, which drafted this resolution, reviewed all the member comments and made some changes and clarifications which the committee deemed appropriate and which enhanced the spirit of the resolution.
Now we are asking the 40,000 members of WLCJ to vote yes or no on this resolution . If passed, this resolution becomes an official position of Women’s League and a part of our historical archive.
Further, our hope is that our Sisterhoods will develop programming and projects inspired by this resolution.
Please take a moment to read the WLCJ Women’s Health Resolution (2022) and VOTE .
Thank you,
Marlene Oslick and Karen Cuker,
Public Policy & Resolutions Co-Chairs
Jewels in the Crown Returns to Convention 2023
Jewels in the Crown is an opportunity for your Sisterhood to be honored for exceptional programming and participation. See below for information and application.
For more information: jewel@wlcj.org
Weekly Words of Torah
Parashat Terumah Exodus 25:1-27:19
Haftarah : 1 Kings 5:26-6:13 - February 5 , 2022
The outlines of the covenant have been given; the next step is to build a sanctuary; Hashem asks that the people bring a free-will offering of all the raw materials needed to construct this portable dwelling for the Divine. This is followed by very specific instructions for the building of the ark, the menorah, the tabernacle itself, and the altar.
The haftarah describes the construction of the Temple under King Solomon’s direction, in the 480th year after the liberation from Egypt (approximately 958 BCE). He begins by drafting a force of 30,000 men who were forced to quarry the stones that would be used in the construction. The exact dimensions of the Temple are given: it would the same shape as the mishkan, but twice as long, twice as wide, and three times as high. God grants Solomon the wisdom to oversee this important project and promises to be with the people if he remains faithful to God’s commandments—thus fulfilling a promise that had been made to his father King David.
The clear connection that joins the parashah and the haftarah is the construction of an earthly structure for the purpose of communing with the Divine. The mishkan of Exodus was portable and temporary, and was constructed from the terumah, the voluntary offerings brought by the entire nation; the Beit HaMikdash of 1 Kings, in contrast, was permanent, and constructed through the forced labor of those drafted by King Solomon. The second superseded and replaced the first. However, for both structures, God made the promise ×•×©×›× ×ª×™, “I will dwell” among them (the people of Israel). (Exodus 25:8 and 1 Kings 6:13) One was a sanctuary for a people wandering in the desert, one for a people settled in their land. Both were designed for the needs of the people—and in both cases, Hashem was present within the people. Where and how do you encounter the Divine in your life today?
Makom B'Yachad
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
12 PM ET; 11 AM CT; 9 AM PT; 10 AM MT
*Makom B'Yachad will be at 11AM ET on 1/26.
For Zoom link, email Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields at
ewolintz-fields@wlcj.org
Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Daily Psalm Study, and Kaddish?
The Rabbinical Assembly - Preorder
Coming soon from the Rabbinical Assembly: A new edition of Megillat Esther ! Newly translated and interpreted for the 21st century, this Hebrew-English edition draws on traditional sources, contemporary scholarship, and deep insights from Conservative rabbis to bring the megillah to life.
The discount code is WLCJPURIM
Megillat Esther: The Book of Esther features:
The Hebrew text of the megillah
An expanded narrative translation (by Rabbi Martin S. Cohen) that evokes the playfulness and allusiveness of the megillah
A second, contextual translation (by Rabbi Pamela Barmash) that draws on contemporary scholarship in Biblical Hebrew to capture the literary style and linguistic connotations of the Hebrew text
Thoughtful essays on each chapter of the megillah that unfold its literary and religious meanings
Insightful comments on selected verses by a diverse group of Conservative rabbis, including Rachel Ain, Jacob Blumenthal, Neil F. Blumofe, Analia Bortz, Susan Leider, Zachary Silver, Amy S. Wallk, and Yonatan M. Warren
Blessings to be recited before and after the public reading of the megillah on Purim, as well as the accompanying evening ( Arvit) service from Siddur Lev Shalem
By bringing multiple voices and interpretations to the Book of Esther, Megillat Esther reflects the rich diversity of people and approaches that characterizes Conservative Judaism. This innovative book will yield fresh insights and enhance your experience of Purim year after year.
Preview chapter 1 of the megillah here .
Megillat Esther: The Book of Esther , edited by Martin S. Cohen. List price $15.00, discounted price of $10.00 for RA/CA/USCJ or bulk orders of 50+
Now available for preorders here . Books will ship in February 2022. Purim is March 17-18.
Ongoing WLCJ Happenings
The cost for the weekly questions email and hard-cover book is currently $99. For more information and to receive a $10 discount click below:
Women's Leag ue for Conservative Judaism gets a donation by using the link .
Cory Schneider
Archives Chair & Consultant
Past International President
Administrator, Torah Fund Legacy Society
cschneider@wlcj.org
Stock the Shelves
Your contribution will help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors. Check with your local pantry for other suggestions.
Debbie Bettan
Social Justice Project Chair
Karen Block
Social Justice Co-Chair
Ardis Wexler
Social Justice Co-Chair
WLCJ App
We brought back the WLCJ App.
It's available for download on all devices (iPhone/iPad/Google Play/Android).
WLCJ App
February 2022 Corrected Calendar Diary Pages
Upcoming Sisterhood Calendar Events & WL Groups to Join
Florida Region
North Atlantic Region
Tour Jewish Harlem on Zoom
Sunday, Feb 27 - 7PM ET
Email Audrey to RSVP
yanofskya@yahoo.com
Mid-Atlantic Region
9th Annual Open a Book...
Open Your Mind for 2020-21.
NOW until April 2022
Admission is $18 per author
Communications Committee Facebook Initiative
Calling all Sisterhoods and Regions that would be interested in learning how to create a Facebook page for your Region or Sisterhood?
American Mothers of Olim GoogleGroup
Contact Ellie Kremer ,
the WLCJ Israel Committee Chair by text or email: ellieventnor@gmail.com .
Previous WLCJ Programming
Weren't able to join us? Visit our Youtube Channel for more videos. View our past recordings.
Tell us about YOUR Sisterhood
event coming up!
News from Seminaries WLCJ Supports
Two Views of the Book of Psalms; Portraits of Jewish Educational Leadership; Honoring Cantors; and More
REMINDER - Safety in the Synagogue Is This Wednesday
Schechter's Winter 2022 Hybrid and Zoom Courses
Torah Fund eCards
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!
Additional Opportunities
50th Anniversary Mission to Israel
The Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center - July 11-17, 2022
This coming July, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center welcomes you back to an open and thriving post-pandemic Israel for an educational, inspiring, and unforgettable week-long mission where we will put our Jewish identities FRONT AND CENTER. For Itinerary and Registration: https://fuchsbergcenter.org/IsraelMission/
Valley Beit Midrash - February through March 2022
How to Answer a Fool
February 3
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm MST
Non-member: $18
Member
: FREE
Presented by Professor Christine Hayes
The Significance of the Mitzvot of Purim in our lives today
Thursday, March 10
9:00 am - 10:00 am MST
Non-member: $18
Member
: FREE
Presented by
Rabbanit Sharona Halickman
A Virtual Tour of the First Jewish Community in North America!
Thursday, March 24
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PDT
Non-member: $18
Member
: FREE
Presented by
Janet R. Kirchheimer
Suffer ing Servants! How to Deal with the Missionary at the Door
Thursday, April 7
11:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT
Non-member: $18
Member
: FREE
Presented by Rabba Dr Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz
More events, go to: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/upcoming-events/
WLCJ | 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 820, New York, NY 10115