The fall has been a busy time in our PSW
Region. Look for the articles and pictures in this issue about our PSW
Shabbaton, the Women’s League Annual Meeting and our Torah Fund Study
Day.
By Marilyn Berkowitz
I’ve enjoyed attending the following paid up membership events for these Sisterhoods: Temple Etz Chaim, Temple Ramat Zion, Temple Aliyah, Temple Beth Am and Valley Beth Shalom. Each event had a different theme for the evening that was carried out from the invite to the food and decorations. What a creative and clever group we are!
Women’s League is coming back to PSW in January. I will be on a road trip with our International President Cory Schneider. We will be visiting our Sisterhoods in Arizona and New Mexico. Cory will also be in Las Vegas for the Leadership Institute on January 24th – 26th. Be sure to look for the article about it in this newsletter and consider attending.
It’s hard to believe it’s almost Hanukkah. May the lights of Hanukkah shine upon you and fill your life with hope and happiness.
PSW Shabbaton, Women’s league annual meeting and torah fund study day
By Linda Bresler, Monica Hoffman, Judy Fisher, and Renee Ravich.
Perfect weather plus delicious meal plus inspiring speakers = a wonderful Torah Fund Study Day. This year’s theme, Le’avdah ul-shamrah- to plant and preserve, was evident in our setting, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden, our use of compostable tableware delivered and picked up by Waste Less Living; and the topics of our speakers.
Rabbi Ahud Sela from Sinai Temple talked about how the Bible originally said that we should be vegetarians (Genesis 1:29), and added animals later (Genesis 9:3). A lot of foods are kosher, but the way the animals are treated when they are alive is not humane (e.g. goose liver, veal, chickens raised in cages, etc). We should take every aspect of the way we live and how we can do things better: change your light bulbs to energy efficient ones, unplug things when you turn them off (they still use electricity when turned off 10% is wasted), eat organic and vegan. Jessica Aldridge, the Executive Director for Burbank Green Alliance and a volunteer with Earth Resource Foundation, spoke about doing more than recycling to help the environment.
She helped us to understand the problem which begins with manufacturing and ends with consumerism. Twenty five percent of trash in the world is from the USA. An average American generates 5 pounds of post consumer solid waste per day, but only recycles 1 pound. Most of this waste is plastic which is made from petroleum and winds up in the largest landfill in the world- the OCEAN. There is enough plastic in the world which if recycled would eliminate the need to produce any more. If we recycled or reused everything possible it would be equivalent to having no car exhaust in Southern California. So what is the answer? We need to head towards a zero waste society by promoting sustainability- if we take from the environment we need to put something back. Businesses and manufacturers as well as the consumers need to take responsibility for reducing use, reusing items, composting instead of burning, using less packaging, becoming energy efficient, and of course recycling. So what can we do? Jessica left us with lists of simple ideas for us to use every day as well as resources and programs. These are available by contacting Renee at rravich@san.rr.com.
In keeping with the theme of “to plant and to preserve”, Women’s League members were treated to a tour of plants mentioned in the Bible. These plants included the Cedar of Lebanon which was used in building the Temple and Solomon’s Palace, the Cypress, believed to have been used to build Noah’s ark, a Fig Tree, a Grape Vine, and a Date Palm Tree, which provided food for the ancient Jews. We ended the day with two new benefactors, over $140.00 in the tzedakah boxes for the Scholarship Campaign, more information about our world, and a feeling of contentment from a wonderful day.
PSW Shabbaton, Women’s league annual meeting and torah fund study day
By Lillian Radomsky Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood Las Vegas, NV
On Sunday, October 18th, Blanche Meisel, Kim Memar and Lillian Radomsky attended the Women’s League International Annual Meeting and Torah Fund Study Day at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Arcadia, California. It is a rare that this special meeting is held on the West Coast.
Almost 200 of our sisters from all over the Unites States and from Canada were there, and yes, they were of all ages and at all stages of life. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies addressed the audience and spoke of how he is looking forward to meeting with Chancellor Arnold Eisen of the Jewish Theological Seminary in Israel this week to discuss cooperation between these two marvelous schools.
This year’s Torah Fund campaign –To Plant and Preserve—was reinforced by Rabbi Ehud Sela, who made us aware of how every decision we make about what we use and consume affects our immediate environment and eventually has an impact on the state of our planet. That can be quite overwhelming to consider, but what all of us can do is think globally and act locally and personally.
PSW Shabbaton, Women’s league annual meeting and torah fund study day
By Kim Memar Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood Las Vegas, NV
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the Shabbaton, the W.L. International Annual Meeting and Torah Fund Study Day and a tour of the LA Arboretum. We enjoyed Shabbat dinner together and were tickled with the "Blue Grass" service Friday night at Temple Aliyah, the continuation on Shabbat morning, of course Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson's talks and his exceptionally answered questions. Dinner and havdalah at Carol Maller's home was delightful. Sunday morning included perfect weather and the day was incredible.
The reports on what has been done and what is changing from the Interational Board Members on Torah Fund, Mercaz, Convention 2010, Training Services & Leadership Institute, Kol Ishah Society, Finances, Region Updates and Bylaw changes made for a full morning. A beautifully served buffet luncheon followed and then a mini symposium on the environment, along with Biblical Tours while dodging magnificent peacocks that were strolling leisurely around us. It was a wonderful spiritual weekend in which I was able to renew my body and my spirit while once again strengthening the ties within our Region. The bonds we create through these stimulating experiences help us to strengthen our friendships and our Jewish identities. I am so proud to be a member of this outstanding and amazing group of women.
Around Our Region
By Rhoda LipsigPacific Southwest Area Vice President
We are sooooo lucky to have Six Area Directors who enjoy what they are doing and love connecting with the Sisterhood Presidents in their areas. They love hearing what’s happening, helping where needed, suggesting when asked, lending an ear when support is important, helping in any way they can as a friend, a mentor, and a “sister.” Judy Rosenthal is in the San Diego area. Mary Ann Bernath is in the San Gabriel/ Pomona area. Ellen Wiesen is in Los Angeles. Roberta Spaacia is in Tri Valley East and Vicki Wolf is in Tri Valley West, and Kim Memar’s area is Arizona/Nevada/New Mexico/ Utah. We do need an Area Director for Orange County and I am filling in until someone is chosen.
In this issue and future issues, you’ll see some of the wonderful programs the Sisterhoods are doing. We thank the Presidents for sharing these special events that other Sisterhoods may want to try themselves – similar to what happens at Spring Conference. I can’t believe that ideas are flying back and forth already to create our exciting Conference 2010. We’ll all keep the Sisterhood Presidents informed about these plans and welcome their ideas and participation.
On a personal note, I was delighted to have met the women from International Women’s League who came from across the country and Canada to Women's League's Annual meeting here in L.A. It was a fast moving and stimulating weekend for all of us. You’ll read about it in this issue of Chai Lites. I was especially glad to have finally met Margie Miller, Regional Services Chair who is my mentor in my position as Area Vice President. Margie helps me, just as I help the Area Directors to help the Sisterhood Presidents who help and guide their Board Members who supply services, inspiration, camaraderie, and religious fulfillment for their Sisterhoods………phew! Thanks to the Area Directors and Sisterhood Presidents who got the word out to make that weekend such a success.
By Gloria Sher, Sisterhood President Temple Ramat Zion, Northridge, CA
Recently we enjoyed our annual membership dinner at Truxton's resturant in Westchester. Twenty-three Sisterhood members enjoyed the wonderful evening in a private room complete with Jewish-themed skits that brought our members together in random groups as an icebreaker. The buffet dinner was delicious! We took advantage of a great ideas from Gloria Cohen (Immediate Past President of Women's League, who I spoke with at the annual meeting) we gave out Tzedakah boxes and handed out “What can Sisterhood do for you?” cards for each attendee at the dinner. There were several great suggestions proposed including a trip to the Huntington Gardens including tea in the Tea House and a request for more cultural outings such as a visit to the Skirball Museum. We will be sure to add those and other requests to our calendar this year so our ladies know we are listening! Programming VP, Natalie Brill, will be sending out “We’re blue that we missed you” e-mails to the members that did not attend our annual Membership dinner as Gloria recommended!