Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 27 of Elul, 5786

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To see the full schedule of WLCJ events and programs, visit our calendar.

L’shanah Tova U'metukah!

May 5787 fill your hearts with divine light, health and happiness, sisterhood, peace, and abundant blessings!

SEND YOUR ROSH HASHANAH GREETINGS WITH TORAH FUND E-CARDS

The High Holidays are nearly here! 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.

Purchase your Rosh Hashanah e-cards now and schedule them to arrive just before the holiday. E-cards are also available for many other occasions, including birthdays, mazal tov wishes, thank-yous, condolences, and get-well wishes. 

There are moments in history that remain forever etched in our hearts. As Jews, we understand poignantly the sacred responsibility of remembrance.

This week, we pause to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in a field near Shanksville, PA.

The magnitude of that terrible day remains overwhelming to all who experienced its tragedy, directly or indirectly. We mourn the innocent lives lost – men and women, young and old, neighbors and strangers, each one a cherished human being whose absence is still deeply felt.

We honor the extraordinary courage of the first responders who ran toward danger and the quiet heroism of the countless individuals who offered comfort, aid, and hope amid unimaginable devastation.

We hold close all those who continue to grieve, and we remember those whose bodies and spirits still bear the wounds of that day.

God, full of mercy, who dwells on high, grant perfect rest beneath the sheltering wings of Your Divine Presence to the souls of all who perished on September 11.

Shelter them forever in the shadow of Your love and bind their souls in the bond of eternal life.

May their memories forever be a blessing.

Pam Schlosberg, International President

L’Shanah Tovah from Torah Fund!

As you gather for Rosh Hashanah services and dinners this weekend, don’t forget to wear your new Shema Koleinu Torah Fund pin!

This year’s theme, Shema Koleinu, “Hear Our Voice,” celebrates 40 years since the first woman was invested as a cantor at The Jewish Theological Seminary. The joyful women and musical symbolism on this year’s pin celebrate the importance of every woman’s voice being heard.

When someone compliments your beautiful pin, please take a moment to share the important work of the Torah Fund campaign. Your support provides scholarships, programs, and special projects at Conservative/Masorti institutions of higher Jewish learning around the world.

Help make this season sweeter by supporting the future of our Conservative/Masorti movement.

Torah Fund Donation Platform & Website Workshop Recording

The recording from the Torah Fund Donation Platform and Website Workshop is now available to watch in the Members Portal.

Since both workshop sessions covered the same material, we’ve posted the September 3rd recording for everyone to access. Thank you to everyone who joined us! We had over 150 participants across the two sessions.

HOW TO ACCESS THE RECORDING

We hope you enjoyed the workshop and found it helpful as you navigate the Torah Fund donation platform and website. Thank you for your continued support of the Torah Fund campaign!

ROSH CHODESH TISHREI – NO LIVESTREAM AT THE KOTEL

Fri | Sep 11 | 7:00 am IT | 12:00 am ET

As women of WLCJ, we will usher in the new moon and officially start the month of
Tishrei with our preparations for Rosh Hashanah and the new year of 5787.

Even though the holiday precludes us from davening with the Women of the Wall this month, please keep their voices front of mind – hear their plea for equality at the Kotel.

Shema Koleinu – Hear Our Voice.

Sichot beyn Achayot – Conversations Between Sisters

SHEMA KOLEINU – HEAR OUR VOICES

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.

Session 1: Shimor haKolot shel HaNitzolim – Preserving the Voices of Survivors

Sun | Oct 11 | 12 pm | Zoom

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.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Session 2: The Power of Our Voices – Giving a Voice to Those Unable to Speak for Themselves

Sun | Nov 22 | 12 pm | Zoom

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.

Session 3: Raising Women’s Voices in Prayer

Sun | Dec 20 | 12 pm | Zoom

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. 

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.

REGISTRATION ENDS SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

Learn Hebrew, from the Siddur to the Torah

WLCJ ZOOM classes for 2026-27 will start on October 15 and run through June 4.

If you would like to expand your Jewish literacy skills, learn Hebrew from scratch (perhaps while also participating in the WL Bat Mitzvah class), or improve your ability to read Biblical Hebrew, consider enrolling in one of our classes today!

A minimum of 6 students is required for each class. 

Level 1 is for students with no or limited knowledge of Hebrew. Students will learn to recognize the letters and vowels of the alephbet, read and understand basic words in the siddur. Offered on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Register for Level 1 – Tuesdays here.

Register for Level 1 – Fridays here.

Level 2 is for students who know all of the Hebrew letters and vowels and want to be more confident when reading the Siddur. Offered on Thursdays.

Register for Level 2 here.

Level 3 is for capable Hebrew readers who would like to be more comfortable with reading, siddur choreography, prayer vocabulary and a general understanding of the meaning of prayers. Offered on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Register for Level 3 – Tuesdays here.

Register for Level 3 – Fridays here.

Level 4 is a Chumash class for proficient Hebrew readers who want to strengthen their skills and learn vocabulary through the study of weekly Torah and Haftorah portions. This class will delve into the meaning of text by examining word roots, prefixes, suffixes and other basic Hebrew grammar. Offered on Thursdays and Fridays.

Note: Time changed to 4:00pm.

Register for Level 4 – Fridays here.

skatz@wlcj.org

Sharon Katz, WLCJ Hebrew Classes Chair

Register for Level 4 – Thursdays here.

Picture yourself here three years from now – leading a service, delivering a D'var Torah, and chanting Torah.

THIS COULD BE YOU!

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, but you will become a part of a special community of women with a common goal and bond. 

Please let us know your interest by emailing Toby B. Holtzman, the Bat Mitzvah Chair, at tholtzman@wlcj.org by September 16, 2026.

THE BAT MITZVAH CLASS OF 2023-2026

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Read the Climate Change Resolution here.

Laurie Silverblatt, Resolutions and Public Policy Committee Chair

lasilverblatt@gmail.com

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