WHY WL? – From the WL Membership Chair
In July 2023, I was honoured to be installed as a Vice President of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. When I accepted the position, I felt that it was the culmination of thirty years of involvement with WLCJ. I was excited to bring these years of experience to this new role. Having survived three profound health issues in the past three years, I was grateful that my prayers were answered and I was motivated, that going forward, I would make every moment meaningful and fulfilling.
Over the years my participation in Women’s League has happened on many levels. On my Synagogue’s Sisterhood/Affiliate, Beth David Women – from Secretary through to President (more than once!), and, still active on the Executive. On the Branch/Region, Canadian Seaway Branch and subsequently International Northeast Region – from Chairing Conferences through to Z’havah Chair. On different positions on the International Board as a Z’havah Chair and as a Kol Ishah Co-Chair.
On the International Executive, I was now allocated the role of Membership Co-Chair. Within two months, my co-chair resigned and I have solely presided over a Committee of fourteen women for the past two years. It has been a wonderful experience collaborating with these marvellous women as we set our sights on the perpetuation of WLCJ.
As Membership Chair, I wanted to bring a new way of reaching out to WLCJ members. How and why do we move on and grow our organization? WLCJ has so much to offer the women in our Synagogues and Communities. To this end, I invited all the members of WLCJ to share their “Why WL?” stories.
As Membership Chair, on December 2, 2024, I hosted a zoom program, attended by 70 women, welcomed by our presiding International President, with a D’var by our Executive Director and with participation by several Past International Presidents, a Region President and an Executive Committee Appointee, sharing their stories. There were breakout rooms for the attendees to tell their stories. So informative and uplifting! So encouraging and inspiring!
Since September 2024, in each WL Week newsletter, under the ‘Membership Matters’ banner, a story has appeared, titled: “Why WL?”
I began with my story. Over these many months, we have read the stories of members on all levels. Individual Members. Affiliate members. Sisterhood Presidents and Sisterhood Board members. Region Presidents and Region Board members. Executive and members of the International Board. With reasons from being invited by a friend, to moving into a new area, and, searching to make friends. Through ten months and thirty-five personal – individual – stories, along with three submissions written by me. From 96 words to 851 words. Sharing our stories, our wisdom and our commitment to Women’s League. All so interesting and enheartening. Thank you, so very much, to – each and every one of you – who contributed and supported this endeavour.
Ultimately, I am concluding with the knowledge that membership in WLCJ is important on many levels: Friendship – Community – Learning – Leadership.
It certainly has been, and continues to be, quite the journey for me. Thank you for coming along for the ride. Here’s to the successful continuation of Engaging, Enriching, Empowering and growing our members.
We Are Women’s League – Am Yisrael Chai! – Oseh Shalom!
Doreen Bornfreund
International Vice President, Membership Chair, WLCJ – Beth David Women – Toronto, ON
3080 Broadway, Suite K900, New York, NY 10027 | Phone: 405-870-1260 | info@wlcj.org
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