Parashat Ha’azinu

By Debbie Lempert, WLCJ Vice President of Consulting Services

It’s hard to believe that our Women’s League for Conservative Judaism International Convention was only ten weeks ago. Since then, I have found myself trying to share my convention experience with others. How do I put into words the love, friendship, and support I felt while surrounded by hundreds of Jewish women—praying, singing, learning, laughing, and connecting?

I wish I could bottle those feelings in a spray can or a candle and release them at an affiliate or region gathering, so everyone could experience the scent—and sense—of what our organization has to offer Jewish women.

I also wish I could find the words to express my deep gratitude to my convention co-chairs, staff and the many volunteers who helped make convention such a tremendous success. We spent countless hours planning and thinking through every detail, always trying to anticipate what our women would want and need from their convention.

In some ways, I felt a little like Moses in this week’s parashat, Ha’azinu. Moses commanded the Israelites, “Ha’azinu”—“listen carefully”—as he reviewed our people’s history. He shared every last bit of wisdom, knowledge, advice, and warning he could, preparing the Israelites for their new lives in Canaan. Then Moses turned the leadership over to Joshua and climbed Mount Nebo, knowing that his own journey was coming to an end.

Sadly, Moses did not get to see the Israelites thrive in Canaan. I was more fortunate. I had the privilege of seeing all of our instructions, plans and countless details come to life in rooms filled with women radiating energy, excitement, friendship, and love.

I made new friends and hugged sisters whom I had only seen in Zoom boxes for three years. And then, suddenly, it was over.

Like Moses, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

As I continue to bask in the memories of convention, it is time to turn over the reins of convention planning to the new chairs. My role has changed and I’ve returned to my Zoom box, once again connecting with sisters across the world from behind a screen.

But I will carry the memories of convention with me. If I close my eyes, I can Ha’azinu—listen carefully—and hear the sounds of my sisters: singing, praying, learning, laughing, and giving thanks for the extraordinary gift of being together.

And perhaps that is the greatest gift of all: knowing that even when convention ends, the connections we made and the love we shared continue.

LShalom,

Debbie Lempert
WLCJ Vice President of Consulting Services
dlempert@wlcj.org