It Has Been an Honour

By Doreen Bornfreund, International Vice President, Membership Chair, WLCJ 2023-2026

As I look at the date that I have chosen for my WLCJ Shabbat Message, my thoughts are swirling. Foremost is that I am one month away from attending Convention 2026. What a three years it has been since I was installed as WLCJ International Vice President and Membership Chair!

Installed on Zoom, when an unexpected surgery prevented my being in Chicago in person. Recovery slowing my efforts for the first few months. October 7, 2023, bringing everyone and everything to a standstill. Relying on the expertise of the wonderful women of the Membership Team to guide and aid me in facilitating my vision to highlight the benefits of WL membership, while directing two subsequent groups of Region Membership Vice Presidents in their roles.

During my time here, we picked up speed in years two and three with the Why WL? Stories, on both the Sisterhood Affiliate and Individual Membership levels; We also reached out to Presidents of all Sisterhood Affiliates and to those members of Sisterhood Affiliates who unfortunately disaffiliated during this time period. Every step of the way, we were striving to perpetuate Judaism.

My thoughts turn to the “Who,” “Why,” and “Where” I am at this time. The month of Sivan was the birth month and the month of death of my father, Moshe z”l. Sivan 6 and Sivan 30. In June 1971, at the shiva, my mother encouraged me to participate in saying Kaddish with the men, not yet a common practice for women at that time. Was that when I set off on this winding road?

As I write this, I have just finished spending an exorbitant amount of time in synagogue–comprising six synagogue services in just over a week between Pesach and the two Shabbats included in and ending the festival. I can still hear the melodies dancing in my head. Wrapping around me.

This Shabbat we read in Sh’lach–Numbers 15:37-41–“Adonai said to Moshe… Speak to the children of Israel… instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations … look at them … be reminded to observe all My commandments and to be holy to your God.”

These fringes are on my tallit. As you read this, you and I have just celebrated the festival of Shavuot, which also included a Shabbat service. Best of all, I recently attended my wonderful WLCJ Beth David Women Shabbat led entirely by our women! Prayer tunes whirling in my head at all these services as I participated, draped in my Women of the Wall tallit. Mom, can you see me now?

Thank you for these past three years–for the opportunity to study Torah with my peers–to learn with, teach, and reach out to my WLCJ sisters–to envelop myself in my heritage.

I have been honoured to volunteer with many other dedicated women of WLCJ in our journey to share the ways to preserve Judaism within our families and community. L’dor v’dor.

Excited to see you all at WLCJ Convention 2026 in Alexandria, VA! Until then, Shema Koleinu.

Shabbat Shalom,
Doreen Bornfreund
International Vice President, Membership Chair, WLCJ 2023-2026