Thanks to a generous grant from KKL-JNF / Masorti Olami / Mereaz Olami, Women’s League is grateful to provide 3 workshops of Conversations Between Sisters.
Sichot beyn Achayot means “conversations between sisters.” This program is designed to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the members of WLCJ in North America, the Masorti women from Israel and Masorti Olami, our communities around the world.
This program is designed to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the members of WLCJ in North America and the Masorti Olami women of Israel. It is designed to address the question, “How are we the same, and how are we different?“
Each of the three workshops will address this question by concentrating on one specific issue that is both relevant and timely to us all, and will include presentations from two speakers, one from each side of the Atlantic. These workshops will each be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate.
Participation in this program is a benefit of your membership.
Questions?
Contact Rabbi Margie Cella
2022 Programs
Sichot beyn Achayot: Conversations between SISTERS
Workshop 1: Thursday, October 20, 2022
Workshop 2: Sunday, November 20, 2022
Workshop 3 – December 11, 2022
MiDor L’Dor – Taking the 100-Year Journey from Bat Mitzvah to Egalitarianism
How did the first bat mitzvah lead to the expanded roles for Jewish women, both in the synagogue and the community? We will explore how things have changed in the last 100 years and ponder what the next 100 may bring.
Speakers:
Prof. Alice Shalvi, Founder of Women’s Rights Movement in Israel and Israel Prize recipient for her contribution to education
Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz, JTS Chancellor and Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History
Saralee Schrell-Fox, Educator and Chazzanit, Jerusalem
Rabba Dikla Druckman-Sherzer, Fuchsberg Jewish Center, Jerusalem
Click HERE to read the Speaker Bios.
Workshop 2 – November 20, 2022
MiDor L’Dor – Revering and Honoring the Generations Until 120
How do we maintain value and meaning in our lives at every age? We will discuss the importance of self-care, as well as ideas for caregivers, as we honor the generations that gave us our Jewish values.
Speakers:
Prof. Alice Shalvi, Founder of Women’s Rights Movement in Israel and Israel Prize recipient for her contribution to education
Rabbi Judith Hauptman, Professor Emerita of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture, JTS
Rabbi Miriam Berkowitz, accredited Hospital Chaplain/Spiritual Caregiver, Jerusalem
Rabbi Tracee Rosen, Hospital Chaplain, Phoenix, Arizona
Rabbi Judith Edelman-Green, pastoral caregiver and educator, Kfar Saba
Click HERE to read the Speaker Bios.
Workshop 1 – October 20, 2022
MiDor L’Dor – Transmitting Our Jewish Values to the Next Generation
How do we connect to the next generation to make Judaism relevant for today and tomorrow? We will explore the various settings of educating our children: formal, informal, and in the family and community.
Speakers:
Prof. Alice Shalvi, Founder of Women’s Rights Movement in Israel and Israel Prize recipient for her contribution to education
Shira D. Epstein, Ed.D, dean, William Davidson Graduate School of Education, JTS
Rabbi Nathalie Lastreger, Kehilat HaMinyan HaMishpachti, Kfar Vradim, Upper Gallilee
Amy Skopp Cooper, director of the National Ramah Commission, US
Aliza Zeff, Director and Head of School, Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim
2021 Programs
Sichot beyn Achayot: Conversations between SISTERS – Workshop 3 – December 12, 2021
Click HERE to view this session.

Topic: Conversations Between Conservative and Masorti Sisters
Three pairs of women will each explore some aspect of living Jewishly as a Conservative/ Masorti Jew, comparing life in North America to life in Israel. Following the 3 conversations, all participants will be invited to participate in breakout rooms, where women from both sides of the Atlantic will have the opportunity to engage in conversation.
Conversation 1: Comparing the Nativ/College Experience to the IDF/College Experience
Speakers:
Women’s League: Aliza Bromberg Gaber, Graduate Student at Tufts University
Masorti Olami: Yaarat Dvash Yehoshua, College Student in Jerusalem
Conversation 2: Living Jewishly In a Minority vs. A Majority Population
Speakers:
Women’s League: Ellie Kremer, Israel Chair and Mothers of Olim Net
Masorti Olami: Sophie Fellman Rafolovich, National Chairperson Masorti Movement in Israel
Conversation 3: Being A Lay Leader in the Conservative/Masorti Movement
Speakers:
Women’s League: Debbi Kaner Goldich, WLCJ International President
Masorti Olami: Alexis Silverman, IPP Kehilat Moreshet Avraham (KMA), East Talpiot
Participation in this program is a benefit of your membership.
Questions?
Contact Rabbi Margie Cella
mcella@wlcj.org
Sichot beyn Achayot: Conversations between SISTERS Workshop 2 – Sunday, November 14th
Click HERE to view recording of this session.
Davening at Robinson’s Arch video
Rabbi Debra Cantor’s Presentation
Topic: Davening as Conservative / Masorti Women
Speakers:
Women’s League: Rabbi Debra Cantor, Congregation B’Nai Tikvoh, Bloomfield, CT
Masorti Olami: Rakefet Ginsberg, Executive Director Masorti Movement in Israel
Two speakers will examine the question of davening as Conservative/ Masorti women; they will address the experience of davening with Women of the Wall, and also davening in an egalitarian setting at Robinson’s Arch.
Program funded by: generous grant from KKL/MERCAZ
This program is designed to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the members of WLCJ in North America and the Masorti Olami women of Israel. It is designed to address the question, “How are we the same, and how are we different?
Each of the 3 workshops will address this question by concentrating on one specific issue that is both relevant and timely to us all, and will include presentations from 2 speakers, one from each side of the Atlantic. This workshop will each be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate. The third and last workshop, coming in December, will conclude with breakout rooms in which participants will have an opportunity to join the conversation. Click here for the Conversations Between Sisters_3 Workshops Flyer.
Participation in this program is a benefit of your membership.
Questions?
Contact Rabbi Margie Cella
mcella@wlcj.org
Sichot beyn Achayot: Conversations between SISTERS – Workshop 1
October 17, 2021
Click HERE to view recording of this session.

Topic: Conservative/Masorti Conversion
Speakers:
Women’s League: Rabbi Elana Zelony, Congregation Beth Torah, Richardson, TX
Masorti Olami: Rabbi Diana Villa, Schechter Institute and Rabbinical School, Jerusalem
Program funded by: generous grant from KKL/MERCAZ
This program is designed to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the members of WLCJ in North America and the Masorti Olami women of Israel. It is designed to address the question, “How are we the same, and how are we different?
Each of the 3 workshops will address this question by concentrating on one specific issue that is both relevant and timely to us all, and will include presentations from 2 speakers, one from each side of the Atlantic. During the October and November workshops will each be followed by a Q&A session in which all attendees will be encouraged to participate. The third workshop in December will conclude with breakout rooms in which participants will have an opportunity to join the conversation. Click here for the Conversations Between Sisters_3 Workshops Flyer.