Edith Magruder

WHY WL? – From Seaboard Region

Women’s League was waiting for me when I found my way to Congregation Kol Shalom of Annapolis (Md.) conservative synagogue. The monthly meeting was announced, I showed up and was handed the secretary notebook. Led by the leaders at the time, I attended educational days and conferences within driving distance. 

The wonder to me is “what was Women’s League like before COVID?” because that is when it came alive for me. The 2020 Conference was virtual; I could attend, but did not know what to expect. While scrolling the 2020 conference program, a “Daily Psalms” study opportunity caught my attention. To this day, I have been a regular on what was later named Makom B’Yachad.  

Women’s League has afforded me learning opportunities that gave me a much-needed lift into living in the world of Judaism. Of course, we did complete the study of the Book of Psalms and have continued to seriously study the wisdom of our sages on the assigned days for what is now 5 years. This is a study that I treasure because it is in the Zoom room with women sharing our spiritual journey. We are all there to listen, learn, and receive a deeper understanding of the Torah.

In 2023, I attended my first WL Convention in Schaumburg, Illinois. That was amazing and life-changing in several ways. It was a delight to meet and greet in person so many of our Zoom acquaintances. So many times, I heard members expressing such glee about meeting in person! At the conference, the events were well planned and amazing but several of the speakers are still fresh in my memory today. First for me was Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson. We had a brief exchange and that made my day! “The Everyday Torah” which he authored is my favorite self-teaching study tool. Every Monday, it is my favorite way to study the weekly Torah portion.

At that conference, I was honored to be a graduate of the first adult B’not Mitzvah class. This was a life-changing experience. My fellow congregants at Kol Shalom of Annapolis embraced me with such warm expressions for an accomplishment made possible by the Women’s League. Honestly, I am not sure I knew how meaningful it was to be an adult B’not Mitzvah.  

I will say that my studies in the Women’s League sessions have made me stronger in my home synagogue. No details or names mentioned here, but I was encouraged to be a contact for the Sisterhood that was without a president back in 2020. From that innocent beginning, I continue to be active. In addition, I owe familiarity of the services and prayers to my extended enrollment in Hebrew classes as well as the Makom B’Yachad program. Women’s League offers a wealth of knowledge, activities, wisdom, etc. and it is an honor to be a part an organization that cares so much about the needs of its members. 

Edith Magruder
President, Kol Shalom Sisterhood of Annapolis, Annapolis, MD