News

An End to Uncertainty

Posted on June 1, 2024

By Grace Schessler, WLCJ Executive Committee Appointee and Personal Conversations Co-Chair Commencing on the evening of the second Seder, we count the days between Pesach and Shavuot, or as we know it, Counting of the Omer. These fifty days can be an opportunity for deep personal reflection. Omer, the sheaf of barley offering that took Continue Reading »

Ruminations on Yedid Nefesh

Posted on May 25, 2024

By Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, WLCJ Executive Director My Rabbi often encourages us to just use the words of the Siddur, prayer book, as a guide. He suggests that if we feel drawn to one particular prayer, or certain words, we should dwell on those words, and not necessarily follow along. As a pulpit Rabbi, where I Continue Reading »

A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance – Reflecting on Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut

Posted on May 18, 2024

By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President In the United States, we observe Memorial Day as the start of the summer season. Some place wreaths at gravesites, but many just spend the day at picnics or barbecues or shopping the many holiday sales. Most give little thought to the connection to the losses memorialized on this Continue Reading »

Building Community by Building Family

Posted on May 11, 2024

By Fran Hildebrandt, WLCJ International Vice President and Kehilah Co-Chair This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. A day when we honor the wild and wonderful women in our lives who have raised us and/or influenced us.  Not all of them are our mothers. Many of us have other women who have impacted our lives, be they Continue Reading »

Walking the Walk

Posted on May 4, 2024

By Janet Kirschner, WLCJ International Vice President and Per Capita Chair By now everyone has probably put away those Pesach dishes and cleaned up from the holiday. I hope you had a zissen and meaningful holiday. This week’s parashah, Achrei Mot, means After the Death, specifically the death of Aaron’s sons Nadiv and Avihu. The parashah describes the ritual service of Yom Continue Reading »

Zissen Pesach

Posted on April 20, 2024

By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President As the first night of Pesach approaches on Monday, our communities are abuzz with both excitement and the typical pre-holiday panic. This week, we are busy with extensive preparations—cleaning, shopping, and cooking. As I get ready for this year’s holiday, I reflect on previous celebrations, each one a vivid memory interwoven Continue Reading »

JWI’s campaign #IBelieveIsraeliWomen

Posted on April 16, 2024

From Jewish Women International on April 11, 2024: This year, we invite you to add a flower to your seder plate as a way to stand in solidarity with the women of Israel – to honor the memory of those who we lost at the hands of Hamas and other terrorists, to give hope to Continue Reading »

Conference of Presidents Resource Guide 4.16

Posted on April 16, 2024

  PASSOVER RESOURCES See a list of Passover supplements from various Jewish organizations HERE, compiled by AZM. Buy your Hostage and Missing Families Forum haggadot HERE. Digital versions will be made available shortly. ADL Audit ADL released its 2023 Audit of Antisemitic Events this morning. Read the report HERE.  

Everything You Need for Passover [USCJ]

Posted on April 16, 2024

  Everything You Need for Passover: Hosting a Seder for People New to Judaism or the Seder “So, you’re hosting a seder and you are expecting guests who might be new to Judaism or new to Passover? Well, my friend, you have picked the perfect holiday to do so.” Read on for more tips on Continue Reading »

Passover Supplement

Posted on April 15, 2024

  Download PDF