Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5 of Tishrei, 5787
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Are you an active member of WLCJ, and this email was forwarded to you? Subscribe to WLCJ emails here.
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To see the full schedule of WLCJ events and programs, visit our calendar.
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Sun | Nov 1 | 12:00 pm | 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 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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REGISTRATION FOR 2026-2027 HEBREW CLASSES HAS CLOSED.
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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 only enrich your knowledge of Judaism,
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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 by September 16, 2026.
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THE BAT MITZVAH CLASS OF 2023-2026
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Rosh Chodesh – Women of the Wall
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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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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 | 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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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 | 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 | 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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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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Rally Against Antisemitism
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RALLY AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
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Words matter. Action matters even more.
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Wed | Sep 23 | 5:00 pm ET
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47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10017
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Entrance at 47th Street and 2nd Avenue
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As the United Nations General Assembly meets, join UJA, JCRC, the greater Jewish community, and fellow New Yorkers as we call on world leaders to act decisively to stop the growing tide of antisemitism.
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Please arrive by 4:00 pm. No banners, backpacks, large bags, strollers, chairs, or umbrellas. Space is limited. Admission is first come first served.
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WLCJ Sustainability Survey
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A Note from Susan Farber – WL Sustainability Chair
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As we begin another year of WLCJ activities and virtual programming, we want to hear your voice. Your feedback will help shape future programs focused on environmentalism and sustainability.
Two core principles of WLCJ – Shema Koleinu (Hear Our Voice) and Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) – guide this initiative and our invitation to participate in this survey.
We hope you will take fewer than 10 minutes to complete the survey by September 24, 2026, sharing your priorities and selecting the topics that most interest you for future learning and action. Closing open-ended questions offer an opportunity to share additional thoughts and ideas.
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Read WWOT for Parashat Ha’Azinu
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Written by WLCJ Executive Director Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
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Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat of return between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, sits at a moment of intense spiritual listening and reflection. It takes its name from Shuvah Yisrael—“Return, O Israel”—calling us back toward God and toward our truest selves. In this liminal space, Parashat Ha’azinu offers its final poetic message from Moses: “Ha’azinu ha’shamayim—Give ear, O heavens.” The Torah itself becomes a song of listening.
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Click the link below to read the rest of this week's Weekly Words of Torah.
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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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No formal Makom B'Yachad on Friday, 9/25 and 10/2
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Torah Fund Rosh Hashanah E-Cards
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SEND YOUR ROSH HASHANAH GREETINGS WITH TORAH FUND E-CARDS
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The High Holidays are in full swing! There is still time to send warm wishes to family and friends with a beautiful Torah Fund Rosh Hashanah e-card while supporting a meaningful cause.
Your e-card purchase supports the Torah Fund campaign, which provides scholarships, programs, and special projects at Conservative/Masorti institutions of higher Jewish learning around the world.
E-cards are also available for many other occasions, including birthdays, mazal tov wishes, thank-yous, condolences, and get-well wishes.
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Resolution on Climate Change
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A Message from the Resolutions and Public Policy Committee
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The Resolutions and Public Policy Committee extends its sincere gratitude to all WLCJ members who participated in the vote on the Climate Change Resolution. The resolution was approved by an overwhelming margin and is now part of WLCJ's official public policy.
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By adopting this resolution, our membership has affirmed that human-induced climate change is not only an environmental issue but also an existential threat requiring informed action and moral leadership.
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We encourage every Sisterhood Affiliate to explore the suggested programming ideas at the end of the resolution. By engaging members and educating our communities, you can bring this resolution to life.
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We welcome your input. Please send us your ideas for topics. If you’d like to help work on a resolution, please let us know.
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Read the Climate Change Resolution here.
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Laurie Silverblatt, Resolutions and Public Policy Committee Chair
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Region/Sisterhood Affiliate Events
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IntraContinental Region Presents
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BREAK YOUR BAGELS FOR BREAK THE FAST
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Thu | Sep 17 | 6:30 pm CT | Zoom
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Join online for IntraContinental Region's warm and festive opening event! You will learn step-by-step how to make your own bagels to break the fast.
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Led by ICR Program Vice President Caryn Landes
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Agudas Achim, San Antonio, TX
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She will demonstrate two recipes – delicious plain bagels and pumpernickel bagels. The complete recipes cards and ingredient lists will be directly emailed to you prior to the event, giving you plenty of time if you want to participate.
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If you are in the US, you can scan the QR code to pay via Zelle or follow the instructions in the registration form.
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If you are in Canada, contact Louise Raber at raber@shaw.ca or pay via Stripe, which you will find in the registration form.
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Registration ends September 16.
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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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