Kol HaDarom Barbara Ezring, Southern Region President Anne Weiss, Editor Spring 2010

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1 A publication for the Southern Region of Women s League for Conservative Judaism Kol HaDarom Barbara Ezring, Southern Region President Anne Weiss, Editor Spring 2010 A Note from Barbara What a winter snow all over the South! It may have been cold and snowy outside, but inside, our Sisterhoods provided much needed warmth. Check out in this issue of Kol HaDarom, what some of our Sisterhoods have been up to this winter. Purim has come and gone and that means that Pesach and spring are right around the corner. Our Southern Region committees have been busy preparing for our 2 big spring events. Rene Montaigne, Ellen Potash, and Rosalie Nagler are coordinating a great Road Trip. From Sunday, April 25 through Tuesday, April 27, Cory Schneider, International President of Women s League for Conservative Judaism, Rene, Ellen, and I will go out to our members, meeting the women in our Sisterhoods in Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis, Tennessee and in Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama. What an opportunity for us to meet our members and for our Sisterhood members to get to know Cory. Our time together will be informal, informative, and fun. We re looking forward to a great trip. Todah Rabah to Rene, Ellen and Rosalie for all the time you have given Southern Region. Everyone is invited to join us for our annual face-to-face Open Board Meeting, Sunday May 2-Monday, May 3. Thank you to the members of Shearith Israel Sisterhood, Atlanta, for hosting this event. Our committee, Jen Slipakoff, Johanna Norry, Lauren Rudick, Cindy Jaret, and Rene Montaigne are preparing 24 hours of information sharing, networking, workshops, Sisterhood Presidents Training, dining, meeting and having fun. We are happy to welcome our Women s League Trainer, Linda Levine, who will share her experience and knowledge with our Sisterhood presidents. Marcia Menuskin and Marilyn Liberman are organizing our biennial Light of Torah Awards. You won t want to miss this event. I am looking forward to meeting new friends and reuniting with old friends this spring. Have a wonderful Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach, Barbara Light of Torah Award Southern Region of Women's League for Conservative Judaism established the Light of Torah award in 1987 to honor those women in our Region who help their Sisterhoods reach their goals. Everyone honored through the years have all been selected by members of their Sisterhood as the one who reflects their vision of the outstanding Sisterhood woman. The members of this outstanding group of women, each in her own way has given of her time and talents. They are the beacons who set our standards. The next Light of Torah awards will be presented at our May Board meeting. Please send in your choice immediately. We want a selection made by each of our Sisterhoods. This is a special honor and we hope to see 100% participation. Marilyn Liberman and Marcia Menuskin

2 PAGE 2 KOL HADAROM SPRING 2010 From Anne Greenbaum, VP Membership Southern Region Mid-winter is a time when we often need to rattle ourselves. So hold on to those Purim Groggers or Mardis Gras noisemakers and let's energize ourselves and work a bit more enthusiastically to invite others into our organization, and aim to inspire, to instruct, and to enjoy ourselves in our Sisterhoods and in our Southern Region. Have you or your members bought-in to the following myths about Sisterhood? If so, shake your noisemaker and learn what is indeed true and beautiful about Sisterhood. MYTHS YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD ABOUT SISTERHOOD Sisterhood s only goal is to raise money (for the synagogue) In fact, our main goal is to perpetuate Conservative/Masorti Judaism, emphasizing love of family, observance of mitzvot, the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Our educational programming fulfills this goal. The study of Torah is very important. We are proud to support our individual synagogues, the Torah Fund Campaign on behalf of Conservative Jewish educational institutions and the land of Israel through fundraising efforts. Sisterhood is a very insular organization, interested only in itself In fact, we play an important role in the quest for a healthier quality of life for the entire community. Environmental and political issues are also a concern of sisterhood. Participating in programs to help the homeless, aged, addicted, and needy members of our communities is one of our most important concerns. Biennially at its convention, Women s League considers resolutions that advocate for the community and Klal Yisrael Sisterhood s activities resolve only around the kitchen We are really a multifaceted organization meeting the needs of all our women through educational activities, community service projects, special interest groups, and general programming. Our goal is to create a cohesive body of women with varied interests who will participate in areas of synagogue life. We offer women an opportunity for personal growth by participating at a Women s League Leadership Institute. Sisterhood has no national clout Our organization is a vital part of Women s League for Conservative Judaism, which is the largest group of synagogue women in the world. Our voice is heard actively on the international scene through Women s League s representation at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), Religion in American Life (RIAL), Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, MERCAZ, Masorti and Masorti Olami, and many other such organizations. Sisterhood cannot do anything for me personally We provide opportunities for each member to become a more informed Jewish woman. She can develop her volunteer and professional skills in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Women, who share similar interests, work together to achieve spectacular results. Women are invited to enhance their leadership skills through the Women's League Leadership Institute. Submit your articles for publication to Anne Weiss, Editor at a1weiss@bellsouth.net

3 SPRING 2010 KOL HADAROM PAGE 3 News from our Sisterhoods West End Sisterhood, Nashville Four six inches of snow fell the day before Tu B Shevat and our scheduled Torah Fund event, but the weather couldn t keep us away. Torah Fund, like the Post Office, must deliver! Our guest speaker was Rabbi Dahlia Kronish, who is head of the Solomon Schecter Day School of Chicago. Our Rabbi, Kliel Rose, his wife Doris Kosmin, and Rabbi Kronish spent their Rabbinical School year in Israel for together and become wonderful friends. Rabbi Kronish talked about how as a rabbinical student, and a female, she had been asked on several occasions to lead Tu B Shevat seders. She then started talking about her journey to the Rabbinate and how events that happened in her life, and her family history, impacted that. She was speaking of her life at JTS and several professors there, and then mentioned a Professor who taught Jewish law. She told of how she was affected by some of his comments, related to saying a prayer for people who were different. She talked about how her roommate was also affected, and said her roommate was a Rabbi in North Carolina now. She then started talking about Rabbi Faith Cantor. When she got to a good stopping point, I raised my hand and asked if by any chance her roommate had been Rabbi Faith Cantor in Charlotte, and she said Yes! I explained to Rabbi Kronish that we met Rabbi Faith Cantor at the WLCJ Southern Region Conference at Camp Ramah last year. It was nice that we were able to make the Southern Region connection. Etz Chaim Sisterhood Marietta Congregation Etz Chaim's Rosh Hodesh group got their "bells ringing" for Purim. The women congregated for their annual evening of playing in the ceramic studio of Paula Coplon to make clay groggers "Through the eyes of long lashes" - the year's theme for the group. It was great fun exploring the world of clay, texture and color. Paula fired the pieces, added the necklace and bells so the women could wear their pieces and blot out Haman's name during the reading of the Megillah. Continued on page 4

4 PAGE 4 KOL HADAROM SPRING 2010 What s Going on in Southern Region Sisterhoods? (continued from page 3) Synagogue Emanu-El Sisterhood, Charleston Sisterhood of Synagogue Emanu-El, sponsored their first Mitzvah Yomit Table on Shabbat, October 10. Everyone was invited to study Pirkei Avot with Ellen Miriam Brandwein. Temple Beth-El Sisterhood, Birmingham On January 28, members of Temple Beth-El Sisterhood experienced an hour and a half interlude of singing, dancing, eating, drinking, and reading from the Tu B Shevat Haggadah. It was a celebration commemorating the Jewish New Year for trees. It was a celebration of the coming together as a community of women, who, like trees, provide roots, shelter and sustenance for our families and for future generations. (from the Temple Beth-El bulletin) Adas Yeshurun Sisterhood, Augusta Adas Yeshurun Sisterhood recognized all the mitzvot its members pursue at its Craft Meeting, February 9. Members created Mitzvah Yomit pins matching beads to volunteering, giving tzedakah, making minyan, lighting Shabbat candles, visiting the sick Sisterhood of Shearith Israel, Atlanta Sisterhood of Shearith Israel, created wire and bead kippot at their Rosh Chodesh celebration on February 15. Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood, Atlanta, CBS Sisterhood, sponsored its first-ever Mah Jongg night a huge success and they prepared the brunch for the Religious School students and their parents following the Men s Club annual World Wide Wrap presentation. The women of CBS Sisterhood work tirelessly behind the scenes to enrich their shul. Their hard work and dedication each week in the kitchen resulted in the preparation of almost 2,000 meals in just two months. Through their programming activities, Judaica Shop sales, and catering, they have provided much needed financial support to their congregation. Bnai Zion Sisterhood, Chattanooga Thursday, March 4 was the date that members of Bnai Zion Sisterhood joined together for Vashti s Banquet, a chance to recapture the queen s fabled banquet with a clearly modern twist in the joyous and triumphal atmosphere that must have surrounded Vashti and her companions. Women were treated to a delicious Middle Eastern dinner, belly dancing, massages, henna painting, door prizes, and lots of fun.

5 SPRING 2010 KOL HADAROM PAGE 5 Southern Region was Honored to Host Rabbi Marc Rosenstein Rabbi Murray Ezring, Rabbi Rosenstein, Rabbi Neil Sandler, Rabbi Mark Zimmerman Rabbi Rosenstein spoke in November 2009 at Southern Region Southern Region was honored to host Rabbi Marc Rosenstein, the Mercaz USA Lech Lecha Shaliach. On November 8, Rabbi Rosenstein spoke to us about Conservative Judaism in Israel what we can learn, what we can teach. We learned what it is like to live in Israel as a Conservative/Masorti Jew and also about our relationship with Israel as Conservative Jews. Todah Rabah, thank you so much to Randi Strumlauf, president, and all the members of Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood, Atlanta, for the delicious desserts, for opening your great Judaica Shop, and for your wonderful hospitality. Thank you also to Cindy Jaret, Atlanta Area Director for coordinating publicity and working with Randi. And, thank you to Jen Slipakoff, copresident of Shearith Israel Sisterhood, for designing the beautiful flyer for the event. Annual Open Board Meeting and Training Sunday Monday, May 2 3, 2010 Presidents Training Session led by Women s League Trainer, Linda Levine Torah Fund and Programming Workshops for all Sisterhood Members Dinner honoring Light of Torah Awardees A block of rooms has been reserved at the Doubletree Hotel Atlanta North Druid Hills/Emory Area, 2061 North Druid Hills, Atlanta, GA Rooms will cost $89 + tax and include breakfast. Please, call to make your reservation and reference our group code: WLJ. Deadline for hotel reservations is April 5, 2010.

6 SPRING KOL HADAROM SOUTHERN REGION WOMEN S LEAGUE FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM SPRING OPEN BOARD MEETING AND TRAINING Hosted by Congregation Shearith Israel Sisterhood 1180 University Drive NE, Atlanta GA (404) PAGE 6 Sunday, May 2 Monday, May 3, 2010 Sunday 12 noon - 1 pm Registration and Light Lunch 1:15 2:15 Training for all Sisterhood Presidents Incoming, Ongoing, and Outgoing 2:30 3:30 Presidents training continues for Incoming Presidents 1:15 2:15 & 2:30 3:30 Concurrent workshops for other Sisterhood Members 3:30 Light refreshments for Atlanta participants, and hotel check-in for travelers 5:30 Dinner 7:30 Dessert & Light of Torah Awards 8:30 Relax with Women s League Monday 9 am Psalms Study followed by Open Board Meeting Meeting to be adjourned by 12 noon Name: Registration received: / /2010 Address: City State: Day phone #: Eve phone #: address: Name of Sisterhood City Will you attend be attending the President Training? yes no Are you an incoming Sisterhood President? yes no Would you like Shabbat home hospitality? yes no Cost (including lunch, dinner and materials) $60.00 Sunday Dinner Only $28 Please make checks payable to: Congregation Shearith Israel Sisterhood Please, send registration form and check by April 5, 2010 to: Shearith Israel Sisterhood Attn: Women s League Open Board Meeting 1180 University Drive NE, Atlanta GA 30306

7 SPRING KOL HADAROM PAGE 7 WOMEN S LEAGUE SURVEY Women s League is interested in knowing the extent to which its programs and services are valued by all Conservative women. Please take 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire in CJ Magazine or online at The responses will guide the organization as it assesses the resources it provides. Invite women who might not be members of your sisterhood to fill in the survey so that Women s League can be the voice of all Conservative Jewish women. The deadline for filling out the survey is March 18. TORAH FUND Passover is just around the corner and it s time to get rid of those unwanted articles in your home and support Torah Fund at the same time. ebay for Torah Fund is an easy way to help you accomplish both goals. You can donate anywhere from 10 to 100 percent of your selling price to Torah Fund. Your sisterhood gets credit, and you get the tax deduction. Just gather your treasures and go onto ebay; click on Giving Works and T for Torah Fund. If you need help, contact ebay chair Marjorie Fuhrmann, at mfuhrmann18@gmail.com. She is ready, willing and able to help. As you think about Passover, please remember our students. If you are near one of our schools, and have a place at your seder table, extend an invitation to a student to join you. Also, consider the students who could not complete their studies without the help of our Torah Fund Scholarship Project. If you have fulfilled your pledge, but would like to add a bit extra toward the Scholarship Project ( plus giving ) send a check to Carolyn Baron (Torah Fund, 3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027); call or Sherrill Solomon ( , shsolomon@jtsa.edu) or donate online at LISTSERVE JUST FOR JUDAICA SHOPS Women s League has just inaugurated an on-line discussion group for Judaica shop chairs. Moderated by Chair Jacki Stevens and Lois Silverman, internet services coordinator, this is an opportunity to share questions, concerns, and achievements with other gift shop chairs across the continent. Post your questions to: wljudaicashop@googlegroups.com Please post only questions and information pertinent to Judaica shops. Hopefully by sharing our knowledge, we will have more efficient and financially successful gift shops for all of us! Questions? Contact Jacki Stevens at jstevens@wlcj.org. LOVE TO COOK? Women s League is hosting an online fundraiser you won t want to miss, featuring products from The Pampered Chef, March 1-31, 2010, just in time for Passover. Just follow these easy steps: During the month of March, log onto Select Shop Online. Enter WLCJ as the Fundraising Host in question #1

8 PAGE 8 KOL HADAROM SPRING 2010 Plan to attend WOMEN S LEAGUE CONVENTION 2010 December 12-15, 2010 Marriott Waterfront Baltimore It's not too early to plan to join hundreds of women from across North America and Israel for four remarkable days of sophisticated learning, interactive workshops, spiritual prayer, entertaining speakers, fabulous shopping, wonderful friends, and a few surprises. Give yourself the gift of a Women's League biennial convention! New for Convention 2010 Gala Vashti s Banquet on Tuesday evening (unlike any party you ve ever seen!) Hands-on interactive drop-in presentations of Women s League programs A virtual journal that will be online for a full year, which will reinforce the Women s League commitment to the environment Installation of officers on Sunday evening Installment payment plan Online registration and registration team New Sisterhood Initiatives for Convention The Jewels in the Crown: A three-level award for sisterhoods that demonstrate commitment, excellence and creativity in programming and in the use of Women s League materials. Information for every sisterhood to participate and be recognized at convention will be available soon. Books for Baltimore: Creating Community One Child at a Time: To demonstrate our tangible commitment to the convention theme, Women s League will be presenting a new reading book to every third grade student in the system (approximately 7,000 books). Sisterhoods and regions are encouraged to participate to their fullest ability. And don t forget the hallmarks of every Women s League biennial convention Fascinating speakers Inspiring services Valuable workshops Region meetings and parties Great shopping Delicious food Wonderful camaraderie RESOLUTIONS Women s League has been engaged in creating and acting upon public policy and social action resolutions for over 60 years. We have individually and collectively made our voices heard on contemporary issues that affect Jewish life and the greater welfare of the world. The body of resolutions provides the authority for Women s League s support of a wide range of public policy issues. Resolutions are presented to the delegates at convention for approval and action. Any member of Women s League who would like the convention body to address an issue is invited to submit her idea for consideration. For information, contact Rita Altman, Public Policy & Advocacy chair, at altmanrc1@verizon.net. A Guide to Writing Public Policy Resolutions can be downloaded from the website, Policy and Advocacy.

9 PAGE 9 NEWSLETTER TITLE VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 MEMBERSHIP PURIM SPIEL, PASSOVER FOURSOME & SHAVOUT SUGGESTIONS Once upon a time, in the land of Shushan, there was a Women s League Sisterhood president, whose name was Vashti, who ran the Sisterhood her way. She never looked for new members. She never asked the members what programs they would like. The executive committee could only do what she told them. Every meeting was the same old thing -- belly dancing, belly dancing, belly dancing. We all know what happened to Vashti: the king made demands; Vashti said no; she did not have the support of the members, and suddenly, Vashti was no longer in Shushan and no longer Sisterhood president. What was the Sisterhood to do? They wept and they fasted but they couldn t find a president and the members were dropping quickly. But then the new queen, the lovely Esther, gladly lead the Sisterhood to success. What did Esther do? She read Blueprint for Membership and the Z havah Planner. She called her region membership vice president for suggestions. She asked Women s League s training services to send someone to help increase membership, develop leadership and plan programs. Share your success story with your membership Vice President, Anne Greenbaum, and you can write your own membership megillah. Have you ever wondered what is going through the minds of successful membership chairs as they clean out their cabinets and wash down everything in sight before Passover? Since it is too overwhelming to figure out how to fit three more people at their seder tables, they instead take the time to review what is happening with their Sisterhood membership. Take a cue from them and remember why this year is different than every other time you think about membership. 1. Every other year you review membership just three weeks prior to submitting your plans. This year plan your strategy early. 2. Every other year you concentrate on enticing new synagogue members to join. This year work on last year s new members as well. 3. Every other year you re concerned with bringing in dues paying women. This year concentrate on involving more women. 4. Every other year it takes a phone call from the region asking why there has been a drop in membership. This year, recruit those who have not rejoined. Shavout speaks to us about rules to live by. Membership offers rules (well, suggestions really) to make Sisterhoods the place to be. 1. Kindness and civility are catching. Practice being warm and friendly. 2. Encourage women to work with you, not for you. 3. Ask the women what they want and invite them to make it happen. 4. Invite women to join or rejoin. Everyone wants to be asked. 5. Meet or call all potential members. Don t use as your only contact. 6. Let women know the benefits of sisterhood, what s in it for them. 7. If you can reach each woman at least once or twice a year, this is a success. 8. Adjust the membership material on to fit your needs. 9. Build teams and committees. Encourage new and long time members to participate. 10. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Thank them and always smile. If you have other suggestions, please do not hesitate to share your ideas with Women s League Membership Chair Harriet Merkowitz (harrietm18@comcast.net).

10 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 NEWSLETTER TITLE PAGE 10 NEW FROM WOMEN S LEAGUE Count Your Blessings has been updated with a beautiful new cover by artist Susan Leviton. This popular Women s League publication presents the most frequently recited berakhot (blessings) in Hebrew, with translations and transliterations. This book would make a wonderful present for hostess gift or welcome to new sisterhood members. The book is available by calling the Women s League office at , extension7150# or online at orderdept@wljc.org. IMAGE PLUS Public Relations Handbook Entirely redone, this new Sisterhood guide from Women s League focuses on all aspects of public relations that sisterhoods can use today, from how to create a Sisterhood brochure to using public service announcements. Brand new is a chapter on social networking: how to market sisterhood through new technologies such as Facebook and Twitter. Every Sisterhood president will receive a copy at spring conferences. Members of Women s League can download the handbook from the Women s League website, LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE It s not too early to start planning for the next Leadership Institute. Participation is a proven way to prepare the next generation of leaders in your Sisterhood. When: July 25-27, 2010 Where: New York City Yom Yarok, Green Day is more than just a Tu B Shevat celebration. Included in the kit is material to use throughout the year for engaging and informative environmental programming for sisterhoods, congregations and families. Members of Women s League can download all of the material other than the children s match game from the website, KERUV The Sisterhoods affiliated with Women s League--both by design and by practice--provide the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to foster a Jewish home and lifestyle. Every Sisterhood should be a warm and welcoming gateway into Jewish life for all women, including the non-jewish woman. Those already contemplating or in the process of conversion, as well as those married to Jews, and/or raising Jewish children, will find the support and encouragement that Sisterhoods can provide. Therefore, Women s League recommends that sisterhoods offer full membership to women who support the above mission of Women s League. However, only Jewish women may serve as officers and members of the board of directors. The Rabbi of the synagogue is the mara d atrah (religious authority) for each sisterhood and must be consulted before instituting any change in membership policy. Look for keruv programming ideas in the near future. Download the Conservative movement welcoming keruv brochure from

11 SPRING 2010 KOL HADAROM PAGE 11 March, 2010 Adar 5770 Dear Friends, Masorti Olami - Chile Earthquake Relief Fund On Friday night at 3:00 am, an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter Scale struck Chile. This was the most severe earthquake in Chile for 50 years, and one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. So far, more than 700 people are known to have died. Chile is home to more than 25,000 Jews, among them six Masorti kehillot in Santiago, Vina del Mar, and Conception. We have contacted the rabbis in each of these kehillot, and have sent words of support and encouragement in this time of great need. You too can play a part in supporting our Masorti kehillot in Chile, helping them and others in their cities to recover from this disaster and to rebuild their lives. Please make a donation to Masorti Olami's Chile Earthquake Relief Fund, and 100% of your donation will help provide for the immediate and long-term needs of recovery. To make a US tax deductable donation, go to for details. You can make a donation online by selecting Chile Earthquake Relief Fund in the program designation. While many of us still have Purim celebrations fresh in our mind, please spend a moment to help our fellow Masorti Jews get through this tragedy. Please share this information with your sisterhood, congregation, family, and friends. Thank you for your support. Rabbi Tzvi Graetz Executive Director, Masorti Olami Knoxville Oak Ridge Nashville Memphis Birmingham Montgomery Chattanooga We are on the Road Again! Sunday, April 25 - Tuesday, April 27, 2010