Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 19 of Tishrei, 5787
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To see the full schedule of WLCJ events and programs, visit our calendar.
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WHO ARE WOMEN OF THE WALL?
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Women of the Wall is a multi-denominational Jewish feminist organization based in Israel that works to secure the right of women to pray out loud, wear prayer shawls (tallit and tefillin), and read from the Torah scroll at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem.
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In December 1988: A multi-denominational group of roughly 70 women first gathered at the Western Wall with a Torah scroll for a women's prayer service, sparking immediate public controversy and opposition.
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Fact: The Women of the Wall struggle – Rabbinic thought (over centuries!) vs. the
Desire of Women to actively pray in public venues (Kotel/Synagogue) at fixed times.
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Fact: The Torah does not explicitly forbid women from praying out loud or from wearing tallit and tefillin.
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Women of the Wall Mission: As Women of the Wall, our central mission is to attain social and legal recognition of our right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray, and read from the Torah, collectively and aloud, at the Western Wall.
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Shema Koleinu! Hear their voices on livestream once a month – the link to the next
livestream will be shared the week of October 5 for Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan.
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WLCJ Educator Rabbi Margie Cella
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Tue | Nov 10 | 8:00-9:30 pm ET | Zoom
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As a lead up to live-streaming with WOW during the year, WLCJ will be providing a series of Rosh Chodesh Group programs on Zoom, on some evenings before we join WOW at the Kotel individually.
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We will participate as a group, enjoying the women’s holiday of Rosh Chodesh while welcoming the new month together – B’Yachad.
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Please consider inviting the members of your Sisterhood Affiliate to join you.
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As women of WLCJ, we will usher in the new moon and officially start the month of Kislev in the first of this series.
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Shema Koleinu – Hear Our Voice.
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Doreen Bornfreund, Women of the Wall Chair, WLCJ
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Sichot Beyn Achayot 2026 Sessions
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Sichot beyn Achayot – Conversations Between Sisters
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SHEMA KOLEINU – HEAR OUR VOICES
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There are many ways in which we use our communal voices to strengthen our relationship with God. We will look at three very different instances of using our voices for Tikkun Olam, repairing our world, while imploring God to hear us and support us.
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Session 1: Shimor haKolot shel HaNitzolim – Preserving the Voices of Survivors
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Sun | Oct 11 | 12:00 pm ET | Zoom
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The Shoah (Holocaust), October 7, and September 11 – three of the most traumatic events of modern history. We will hear personal stories from both Israeli and American survivors of these events and learn how important it is to preserve their stories for future generations.
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- Rabbi Chaya Rowan-Baker, Dean of Schechter Rabbinical Seminary
- Irene Shashar, Holocaust Survivor and Retired Professor from Hebrew University
- Leni Wesley, Holocaust Survivor and Psychotherapist at Shalvata Hospital
- Mandy Book, Director of Maggid: Generations of the Shoah
- Sandy Goldwasser Berenbaum, Holocaust Speaker and WLCJ Member
- Sheila Kaufman, Survivor and WLCJ Member
- Margie Miller, WLCJ Past International President, Consultant, and Activity Chair
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKERS HERE.
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Session 2: The Power of Our Voices – Giving a Voice to Those Unable to Speak for Themselves
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Sun | Nov 22 | 12:00 pm ET | Zoom
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Our voices form such an integral part of our worship, through singing, talking, and studying. But what about those among us who are non-verbal? We will look at how, using new technological advances, we can enable those who are non-verbal to fully engage in religious life.
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Session 3: Raising Women’s Voices in Prayer
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Sun | Dec 20 | 12:00 pm ET | Zoom
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This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first ordination of women cantors at JTS. We will look at the halachic process involved in bringing that to fruition, as well as how the role of cantor has changed over time. We will also speak with some Israeli women who serve as shlichot tzibbur (prayer leaders) in their Masorti congregations.
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Sun | Nov 1 | 12:00 pm ET | Zoom
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Join us for a special program highlighting the impact of the Torah Fund campaign through the stories of four rabbinical students from The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, and The Schechter Institutes of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
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Each student will share their personal journey to rabbinical school and how scholarships have helped make that journey. The program will conclude with a moderated Q&A session.
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Learn more about the students here.
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Brought to you by the Torah Fund Campaign of Women's League for Conservative Judaism.
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This program is co-sponsored by Ramah, Keshet, the Rabbinical Assembly, the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, and The Schechter Institutes of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.
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Read WWOT for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
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Written by WLCJ Executive Director Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
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Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah bring the cycle of the chagim, holidays, to a quiet yet climactic conclusion. After the outward joy of Sukkot, the Torah invites us to pause—“Shemini atzeret tiheyeh lachem”—an intimate “holding back,” as if God asks us to remain just a little longer in the divine presence. Simchat Torah then transforms that intimacy into celebration of the Torah itself, dancing with the very words that shape our covenantal life.
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Click the link below to read the rest of this week's Weekly Words of Torah.
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Statement from NGO Committee EASAPP
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NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace Calls for Global Leaders to Decline Events Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the UN Durban Conference and Its Antisemitic Legacy
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New York, NY – 25 years ago, the United Nations-sponsored World Conference against Racism met in Durban, South Africa. Intended to unite countries in the fight against racism, the conference quickly devolved into a forum to vilify and isolate Israel, Jews and Zionists. The hatred and antisemitism on display have had long-reaching effects, contributing to the tsunami of global antisemitism of recent years.
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In response to efforts at the 2026 UN General Assembly to commemorate the anniversary, the UN-affiliated NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP) and its member organizations, including Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW), Jewish Women International and Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, issued the following statement:
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"The UN-affiliated NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP) and our member organizations work to fight antisemitism at the United Nations and around the world. 25 years later, the hateful, antisemitic legacy of the Durban Conference is not something the United Nations or any nation should celebrate. We urge foreign leaders to stand against all forms of antisemitism and decline to participate in or legitimize the commemoration of the Durban Conference scheduled for September 28th during the General Assembly meetings.
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We welcome meaningful dialogue and strategies to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. 25 years ago, the Durban Conference, meant to be an opportunity to address racism, became a platform for hatred during which antisemitic materials were prevalent and Jewish organizations and individuals were harassed and intimidated. It is something we should all recall with horror and repugnance, not commemoration and celebration. In an era in which antisemitism and violence against Jews continue to rise around the world, with dire effects on individuals and communities, we should be working instead to promote understanding and peace.
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We call on global and UN leaders to condemn the antisemitism that permeated the Durban Conference a quarter of a century ago and oppose ongoing efforts at the UN and elsewhere to isolate and demonize Israel and the Jewish people.”
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EASAPP is constituted as an Affiliate Substantive Committee of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CoNGO) in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. It was formed in New York and was approved in Vienna on April 27, 2023, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the establishment of CoNGO. It is the 38th Committee of CoNGO. The mission of the EASAPP is to combat antisemitism, bigotry, hate, and genocide, and promote peace. It supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a blueprint for peace and prosperity including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
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BOOK/AUTHOR EVENTS FOR 2026-2027
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All Zoom discussions are on Sundays, 11:00 am-12:15 pm ET.
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Special WL Youth Session with
Author Ruth Spiro
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Concealed by Esther Amini
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Special WL Youth Session with Ruth Spiro
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All Afternoon by Susan Kleinman
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2026-2029 Bat Mitzvah Classes
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Picture yourself here three years from now – leading a service, delivering a D'var Torah, and chanting Torah.
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Here is your opportunity to become a member of the Bat Mitzvah Class of 2026-2029. This three-year program, taught by Rabbis, Educators, and Leaders of the Conservative movement, will meet once a month. Joining this class will not
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only enrich your knowledge of Judaism, but you will become a part of a special community of women with a common goal and bond.
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Please let us know your interest by emailing Toby B. Holtzman, the Bat Mitzvah Chair, at tholtzman@wlcj.org.
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THE BAT MITZVAH CLASS OF 2023-2026
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JTS RABBINICAL & CANTORIAL OPEN HOUSE
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Tzohar: A Window into the JTS Rabbinical School and H. L. Miller Cantorial School
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Thu | Oct 15 | 8:00 am-5:30 pm ET | JTS
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3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
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Join us on the JTS campus for a day of learning, reflection, and community. Experience firsthand the Torah, training, and transformative educational environment that shape the next generation of rabbinic leaders.
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Meet current students and faculty and discover how JTS cultivates the knowledge, awareness, and practical skills needed to become inspiring, innovative spiritual leaders.
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Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday |
12 noon ET, 9am PT, 10am MT, and 11am CT
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A virtual service for our WLCJ Sisters to recite Mishaberach (the Prayer for Healing) and Psalms, and study Kaddish.
https://zoom.us/j/630830287
Meeting ID: 630 830 287
Password: 875936
Want to sing, teach, help with technology, and more during Psalm Study and Kaddish? Sign up here!
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Informal Makom B'Yachad on Friday, 10/2
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Region/Sisterhood Affiliate Events
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Does your Region/Sisterhood Affiliate have any upcoming programs that are virtual or hybrid? If so, please send the details to info@wlcj.org so we can include them in a future edition of WL Week.
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Find additional resources and shortcuts here.
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Read the Virtual Journal here.
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View the 2026 Convention Photo Gallery here.
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Watch webinars from 2026 Convention here.
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Place an ad in the Virtual Journal here.
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Contact our Communications Co-Chair to join a Google Group here.
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