Why Women’s League?

Stay tuned for more “Why WL?”!

Denise Brand

WHY WL? – From Mid-Atlantic Region When I first joined Women’s League it was mainly for the purpose of entering the Bat Mitzvah class and to learn Hebrew. Through those studies, I met wonderful, spirited women who stirred my need to help! Then, again through my classes, I learned about Makom B’Yachad, which has become family to me. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that they care about me and will do whatever possible if I need anything – including prayers. Then I went to the convention in Chicago and became a Bat Mitzvah – WOW!!  Not only did I meet MORE amazing women, I saw for myself how strong and organized WL is and I was so proud to be a member!! I knew I was hooked. Now I’m Chair of the Mishpachah Committee for International, plus Social Action for MAR-velous MidAtlantic!! Both committees focus on inclusion and being a family – very Jewish values. I am so proud to be a Jewish woman and lucky to be a part of WL; this organization truly “Walks the Walk” of the...

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...

Lynette Seader

WHY WL? – From Garden State Region My name is Lynette Seader, Immediate Past President of the Garden State Region and twice Sisterhood President at two congregations. I have also worked in programming, education, and membership positions. I believe in Sisterhood, entering my 30th year of involvement. I have felt the rewards in making friends and being part of fun and successful events. I work now to get others to overcome their hesitation to join Sisterhood and invest their time to join Sisterhood or simply just pay dues. Sisterhood is an ideal venue to make new friends, connect with Judaism and provide programming, fundraising to benefit your synagogue at large. Sisterhood suits my lifestyle as I am a “doer” with the energy required to get things done and innovate to a changing population. Sisterhood was instilled in me in midlife as a social venue to learn more about being a Jewish woman. After my Presidency, I got involved in Adult Education which opened interest for learning...

Emily Gannes

WHY WL? – From North by Northwest Region Having grown up on the East Coast, living in Jewish neighborhoods where public schools are closed on Jewish holidays, where one’s neighbors, classmates, teachers and friends are Jewish, and all Jewish amenities are close by, Howard and I married, lived in Vestal, N.Y. for 3 years, had a baby, and moved to Northern California. We quickly learned that to experience having a Jewish community in California one needs to join a synagogue because there are no Jewish neighborhoods in Northern California. Therefore in 1974, our young family of four joined Congregation Beth David in Saratoga, CA. I began teaching Kita Alef in the religious school, which I loved, and continued to do for 30 years, and immediately became an active member of the Beth David Sisterhood. Between teaching in the school, attending Shabbat services regularly, and assuming a position on the Sisterhood board, it was easy to quickly acquire friends and find the Jewish community my...

Barbara Brande

WHY WL? – From Southern Region I joined Sisterhood at my synagogue because members asked me to assist them with a project. I was asked and became involved! When I joined my husband in Birmingham, AL, Temple Beth-El’s Sisterhood invited me to a Newcomer’s brunch. There I met women who welcomed me to the community. During our “get to know you” conversations my interest in baking came up. Quickly, I was asked to join my new friends in the shul’s kitchens to bake Oneg treats for Friday services. As we baked together and I participated in more activities, I gained new friends, added to my Jewish learning, and became an engaged synagogue and Sisterhood member resulting in leadership roles today. I will always appreciate Hannah z’l, Rita and the other women who welcomed me, mentored me, and guided me to my appreciation of WLCJ. What I know from my experience is that asking for assistance with a specific task is an effective way to involve a newcomer who may someday become an Affiliate leader....

Lois Silverman

WHY WL? – From Mid-Atlantic Region Today in our changing society the word “family” is hard to define. For me, a true family is a group of people working together for a common goal, with love. And certainly, that is what I found in WL—a family working for common goals: the well-being of our loved ones and ourselves, the survival of our congregations, and the betterment of our world. Tzedakah, deeds of lovingkindness, and justice are what we members of the WL family have worked for in the past, work for now, and will work for in the future. L’Dor v’dor. Lois Silverman Past Presidents Council, WLCJ – Temple Sinai, Dresher, PA  

Debbie Lempert

WHY WL? – From Central Great Lakes Region My first connection to Women’s League was a CGLR Region convention. I stood in the hotel lobby, a newbie and not knowing many people, I spotted Edna Shrank and Laurie B. Davis. They grabbed me and put me in a minivan with Karen Kaufman and Debbi Green. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, with these women and WLCJ. Although I was active on the Region Board for a short time and attended a few international conventions, I didn’t have a strong connection. I was in awe of past international presidents, including Cory Schneider, Margie Miller, and Carol Simon, but those were women who I didn’t think I’d ever really know. Fast forward to 2020 and Covid. Debbi Goldich asked me to co-chair Tefillah with Toby Holtzman. Toby and I had spoken once about this assignment and then the world closed down. While I was sad at what had happened, I was relieved that I wasn’t going to have to plan several tefillah services,...

Doreen Bornfreund

WHY WL? – From International Northeast Region This past weekend at my synagogue our women celebrated Beth David Women Shabbat — women leading and participating in every part of the Shabbat prayer service, from our woman synagogue President, who led us in Pesukei, to our female ShinShinim, leading us in Adon Olom. Our Affiliate President stood on the bimah to welcome everyone. As an International Vice President representing Women’s League, I read a message from Julia Loeb, our International Women’s League President. Yasher Koach to all who participated. It was wonderful to see all these women on the bimah and around the aron hakodesh. At Beth David Women, we still have one more important event to celebrate: the installation of the 2025-2027 Executive and Board of Directors is on June 17. Twelve members of the board and two past presidents will be installed. The thing is, they are mostly the same women as in the last term,...

Sandra Eliaser

WHY WL? – From North by Northwest Region Each of us has G-d within ourselves. The shekinah dwells in our lives to be a light unto the Nations; to adorn and surround ourselves with a beauty that will inspire us to see the whole world as a mirror to G-d’s holiness; for our homes to have peace and to have loving and healthy relationships and connections where love is protected. I have been blessed to be able to have Shabbat with my grandchildren. Each week they light the Shabbat candles with me, with the same prayers I learned from my mother. L’dor v’dor! Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow wrote, in the Women’s Torah Commentary, that G-d is in our synagogues and in our homes, with the Ner Tamid in the synagogue and lighting of the Shabbat candles in our homes, making our homes a blessing. As I write this, it is the Shabbat right before Purim. It is also my beloved mother’s yahrzeit. I miss her every single day. She passed away on Valentine’s Day, six years ago. She...

Meryl Raskin

WHY WL? – From Mid-Atlantic Region I grew up in an Orthodox family in Providence, RI. My father, an attorney, was a founder and first president of the Orthodox Providence Hebrew Day School. He and a few other men founded the school in 1947 so their children would have a safe place to learn. My two older brothers were born in 1940 and 1943, I was born in 1945, and my younger brother was born in 1946. My oldest brother had started in public school but was very uncomfortable there, so that was the motivation for founding Providence Hebrew Day School. PHDS, as we called it, grew slowly, but we had excellent teachers for Hebrew and secular subjects. The first home for the school was in an old house where my mother and some other women came every day to prepare a hot lunch. We recited the full Birkat Hamazon after every lunch. Where my family went to shul was less important than where our school was. There were several Orthodox shuls within walking...
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