Debbie Lempert

WHY WL? – From Central Great Lakes Region

My first connection to Women’s League was a CGLR Region convention. I stood in the hotel lobby, a newbie and not knowing many people, I spotted Edna Shrank and Laurie B. Davis. They grabbed me and put me in a minivan with Karen Kaufman and Debbi Green. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, with these women and WLCJ. Although I was active on the Region Board for a short time and attended a few international conventions, I didn’t have a strong connection. I was in awe of past international presidents, including Cory Schneider, Margie Miller, and Carol Simon, but those were women who I didn’t think I’d ever really know. Fast forward to 2020 and Covid. Debbi Goldich asked me to co-chair Tefillah with Toby Holtzman. Toby and I had spoken once about this assignment and then the world closed down. While I was sad at what had happened, I was relieved that I wasn’t going to have to plan several tefillah services, as I had NO IDEA what I was doing. Little did I know that Toby and I would be asked to help with Makom B’Yachad, which was born and raised during COVID. I made a lifelong friendship with Toby and did get to develop and lead services at the 2023 WLCJ International Convention in Schaumburg, IL. Today we are busy co-chairing programming for the WLCJ 2026 International Convention. I have had the privilege of co-leading the Leadership Institute with both Margie Miller and Carol Simon, who I consider dear friends and mentors, and have taught me so much about being a leader. WLCJ has rocked my world. I have friends in many cities and look forward to meeting many of them in person in years to come. Thanks Women’s League for Conservative Judaism!

Debbie Lempert
Convention 2026 Co-Chair, WLCJ – Adath Israel Congregation, Cincinnati, OH