PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Friends,
The last six months have been a whirlwind in the Region. Thank goodness
for Shabbat, or we’d never have a chance to rest!
I have had the pleasure of joining my “sisters” at a number of membership and Torah Fund programs and Shabbat services. It’s the best part of my job, meeting or reconnecting with women who share the same Jewish values and work tirelessly to support their synagogue and greater communities. We learn from each other, laugh together, share parts of our lives. I thank all the women who have invited me to their “homes” and made me feel welcomed. I look forward to my upcoming visits.
Iris Lasky and I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of women at Congregation Beth Shalom in Corona, who have since become a new affiliate. Welcome to the family!
Our Region hosted three big events in recent months. We started with our annual Open Branch meeting in the Frances Kuris Sukkah. Two big events- our Torah Fund Study Day and Women’s League Leadership Institute- were held in January. See the articles elsewhere on the page.
We on the Region Board understand how hard it is for those of you that are out of the Los Angeles area to participate in some of our programs. Our Torah Fund team, led by Agnes Emert with help from Lisa Pompan, is developing a new program to connect our Sisterhood/Women’s Leagues groups who choose, with a student at Ziegler or JTS. This will give a face to your Torah Fund campaign and make it more personal. Details will be forthcoming.
Have you been opening the PSW Shabbat Greetings? Each week special events from our Region and Women’s League for Conservative Judaism are highlighted. Sometimes I include a drash, though I readily admit I am not a Torah scholar. Our membership women have been answering your questions. In coming weeks I’ll include information about our Conference speakers and workshops.
As part of my position, I serve on the Leadership Council of the PSW Region of United Synagogue. This group has representatives from all arms of the Conservative Movement. It’s an honor and responsibility to be a part of the group that is planning new ways to foster communication and cooperation between the arms.
I also serve on the Boards of the American Jewish University and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. The best perk is getting to meet the students as they enter their first year and watching them grow. This year I participated in the mock interviews for the students being ordained this May. What an amazing group of Rabbis going out into the world! Though we gave them tough questions that may be asked by future employers, they answered with knowledge, respect, and aplomb.
Have you marked your calendars for our Pacific Southwest
Region Conference May 6-7? We are meeting again at the Hilton in Orange
County/Irvine. Look for details elsewhere in this Chai Lites.
I hope to see you there!
L’Shanah Tovah,
Renee
Have Torah Fund – Will Travel!
I will never forget my very first, official visit as Regional Torah Fund Vice President, to Shomrei Torah in West Hills for their annual Torah Fund Shabbat Dinner. I not only had to prepare a ‘speech’ but a ’bio’ as well. I wrote and re-wrote a dozen times, I practiced and rehearsed a hundred times. I was representing our Region, Women’s League, and Torah Fund – our Shomrei Torah ‘sisters’ had every right to expect and receive a ‘quality, professional product’. Yes, I was that nervous, obsessed and took myself far to seriously.
I was prepared to ‘give’, but not prepared to ‘receive’. Open arms and smiling, bright faces welcomed me. I was treated both as a long lost friend and queen. Hospitality according to Abraham & Sarah – a mitzvah I was reminded of by the ladies of Shomrei Torah.
Since then, I have traveled to Congregation Ner Tamid in Rancho Palos Verdes; Congregation Beth El in La Jolla; Temple Beth Shalom in Long Beach; Adat Ari El in Valley Village; and Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas. I look forward to my visits to Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center; Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills; and my own Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles.
I have learned that each Sisterhood/Women’s League is unique in many ways, such as: size of membership; number of Torah Fund donors; type of Torah Fund event; and method of fundraising. And, each Sisterhood is the same in many ways, such as: the generosity of their members with their time and money; the dedication and commitment of their members to Sisterhood/Women’s League and Torah Fund; the hospitality which they extend to ‘strangers’; and the pleasure and fun they experience together.
I have realized that every Sisterhood/Women’s League is the living embodiment of this year’s theme, hiddur mitzvah. Their members enhance the mitzvot of hospitality and tzedakah by performing them with enthusiasm, creativity, tenacity and commitment, thereby adding greater meaning to our actions and to our lives.
I am grateful for the opportunity to meet so many of my ‘sisters’. I am awed by their ceaseless hard work for the Torah Fund Campaign. I am inspired by their resourcefulness; challenged by their ideas; and humbled by their kindness.
Todah Rabbah & L’Shalom
Agnes Emert
Torah Fund Vice President
“VOS MACHSTU?”
“How Are You?” and how is your Sisterhood? Have you read Renee Ravich’s “Shabbat Greetings?” Our Membership Team has contributed 4 articles to this wonderful source of Sisterhood/Women’s League information. Thank you for all your questions that our Team has logged in to answer. We have enjoyed this interaction and hope it’s helping your Sisterhood to grow.
Membership is an ongoing challenge. We’re already meeting to work on the upcoming Membership Workshop at Conference on Sunday, May 6th. We’ll be calling a lot of you to see what specific questions you want us to address, and which successful Membership Program you have had and would like to share. We’ll focus on finding and welcoming new members, tools to attract and keep your membership, and finally on Z’Havah.
By the time you read this, the Z’Havah Program on February 9th at Valley Beth Shalom titled Miss Representation will be history except for the kudos. I can hear them already. Yasher Koach to Heather Binder and Jessica Goldklang, our Regional Z’Havah Co-Chairs, and their committee who brought this to our community of women.
Remember to email your Membership questions to our Team at fred91367@aol.com. Your name will be held in confidence but we’d like to talk with you later to see if these ideas have helped. We’re still looking for a name for this column. A prize for the winning name will be given at Conference. Any suggestions?
Rhoda Lipsig, Iris Lasky, Judy Stein,
Kim Memar, Jessica Goldklang, and Heather Binder
Your Women’s League Membership Team
SPRING CONFERENCE—IRVINE HILTON
BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATES
SUNDAY, MAY 6TH - MONDAY, MAY 7th
REGISTRATION PACKETS ARE IN THE MAIL
Highlights of Conference include several interactive plenary sessions:
“Blessed is God Who Made Me A Woman?- Gender, Identity and the Choices We Make”- a panel discussion moderated by Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Associate Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
“Navigating the Generational Divide: How a Better Understanding of Generational Differences Can Help Us Toward Our Common Goal”- Lori Klein, Assistant Director, School of Jewish Communal Service, HUC-JIR/Los Angeles
“Continuing the Conversation: Israel Beyond Crisis”, Myra Clark-Siegel, wife of Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles
Some of our personal growth workshops include:
“Get Organized- Tips for All Stages of Life”- Sara Getzkin,
Professional Organizer
“Diet Myths, Trending Foods, ‘Super Foods’ and Mindful Eating-“ Robin Berlin, Registered Dietitian
Text Studies with Rabbi Ilana Grinblat
Creative Judaica Arts Project- Decorate two silk scarves!
Plus relevant and outstanding workshops for your Sisterhood / Women’s League from our Region Board-
Other Highlights: Boutique- Game Night- Shacharit services
Special Entertainment from Joy Weiser, Off Keys and our own Ruach Revelers!
SEE YOU THERE!
AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY
I just returned from the 3 day Women’s League Leadership Institute at The American Jewish University. Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, our International “umbrella” organization for our Conservative Sisterhood/Women’s League groups, sponsors these Leadership Institutes twice a year throughout the United States.
I knew I would have kicked myself if I had missed this one that was so close to my home. It proved to be an incredible 3 days of honing our skills and learning new ones. We shared personal challenges and those we all have in common as volunteers in the organization we love. We expanded our Jewish knowledge and gained confidence through our new-found abilities as leaders.
Starting each day at Shacharit with the Ziegler Rabbinic Students was the most inspiring way to begin, even battling the traffic at 7:15 AM to do it! The speakers during the three days included Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Rita Wertlieb – our International President, and Rabbi Cheryl Peretz. Immediate Past President of our Region, Marilyn Berkowitz moderated a panel discussion on Navigating Leadership with panelists Gaby Cosgrove, DDS, Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD and Janice Kamenir-Reznik, co-founder and president of Jewish World Watch. Trainers extraordinaire Margie Miller and Aliza Goland led individual groups throughout the 3 days and we learned so much by doing prepared and insightful exercises, and listening and working together. The camaraderie of 20 women, half from PSW Region and the rest from all over the USA and Canada was amazing. An added benefit was getting to know the women from our Region. Topics such as “Search Out Success,” “Team Dynamics,” “Communication Essentials,” “Ready, Set, Goals,” and finally “Where Do We Grow From Here” and more gave all of us material to absorb and build on. Mimi Pollock took care of all arrangements and was our “sorority mother” for those 3 days – especially those confused souls trying to figure out why we entered AJU on the 3rd floor! The breathtaking views made up for the slight confusion.
It was interesting to see how the classes at the beginning all came together at the end to tie up the ideas the leaders were teaching. Great, not intimidating, and FUN are the words I would use to describe my experience. There was even a graduation and gifts at the end for everyone. I highly recommend the Women’s League Leadership Institute to all of you.
Rhoda Lipsig
Membership Vice President
Wish You Were There – Torah Fund Study Day 2012
“Thought provoking and very meaningful.” “…gifted me with the
insight that my actions are sometimes as important as my prayers.”
“…perfect balance of providing information and generating discussion.”
“Enjoy always the lessons learned through stories of others and
rabbinic teachings.”
“She gave me pause for thought…the time I take to live my Judaism in my
home has value.”
“Glad to be among so many different women.” “Warm &
inviting…brilliant & inspiring.”
These are some of the comments expressed by the 90+ ladies attending this years’ Torah Fund Study Day on January 22nd at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. We were most fortunate to have four dynamic women educators to lead our classes exploring Enhancing Mitzvot: In your Community, Synagogue, Home and for Your Self.
Dr. Margaret Avineri, Senior Director of Clinical & Client Support Services at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, led discussions on personal involvement in community based activities and its roots in a commitment to Jewish values.
Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Associate Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, and a panel of 3 diverse ladies invited reflection and conversation on the varied experiences of prayer in the Synagogue.
The mother and daughter team of Rabbi Sherre & Alea Hirsch fueled dialogue on what it takes to infuse your home with Judaism.
The ‘Mikvah Chick’, Sue Rosenthal, taught us ‘everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask’.
Our gratitude to Rabbi Aaron Alexander, Associate Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, for taking the time on a Sunday morning to launch us with his affecting D’Var Torah.
Todah Rabbah to every one who joined us, and for those who couldn’t, wish you were there.
Agnes Emert
Torah Fund Vice President
Judaica Shop
As your Pacific Southwest Region Women’s League Judaica Shop co-chairs, we would like to introduce ourselves and familiarize you with our role and what services, training and assistance we are able to offer to you, whether you have a long standing shop or are opening a new one.
Below we have listed needs identified by Judaica Shop chairs in the past with which we can help.
Computerized management programs and systems for:
1. Inventory
2. Purchasing
3. Profit and loss
4. Tracking and paying sales tax
How to optimize available space
Training and scheduling of volunteer staff
What, where and how to optimize purchasing
How to encourage synagogue support
How, where and when to advertise
We are available for site visits, email discussions or phone conference
calls as well as scheduled visits to our synagogue Judaica Shop, to
assist you.
Please contact us with your questions and let’s talk about Judaica Shop “Best Practices”.