Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 25th of Tevet, 5786

Highlights for this week's Women's League newsletter:

2026/5786 – January 17/28 Tevet

Parashat Vaera

You are invited to tailor the following texts to meet the needs and goals of your Women’s League Shabbat committee. 

We are pleased to offer a collection of poems, songs/music videos, articles, rabbinic excerpts, readings based on the current Torah Fund theme of Oseh Shalom, and many more materials related to the next Women’s League Shabbat. 

Various D’var Torah are included exploring different ideas and themes, including a dedicated D’var Torah for Parashat Vaera to be used specifically on January 17, 2026.

Be a Friend – Tell a Friend about Women’s League!
Each of us likely knows at least one Jewish woman who doesn’t belong to a Women’s League affiliate or perhaps even to a synagogue . . . (continue reading)

Invite your friend to join Women’s League, either through joining an Affiliate or as an Individual Member.

Doreen Bornfreund

WLCJ Membership Chair

dbornfreund@wlcj.org

We are heartbroken by the antisemitic destruction at Beth Israel, the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi. Nearly 60 years after the KKK bombed their office, it is devastating to witness this hate once again.

We are deeply grateful that no one was harmed, and we stand in solidarity with the Beth Israel community during this painful time.

Sunday, January 25 - Tuesday, January 27, 2026

This is your last chance to register for the upcoming Women’s League Leadership Institute, taking place from January 25–27, 2026, at Temple Sinai in Hollywood, FL. Designed to empower skilled and dedicated leaders, this multi-day workshop offers interactive training to enhance your communication style, goal-setting abilities, and Jewish knowledge.

The $299 registration fee includes all materials, programming, and meals, with a special room block available at the La Quinta Inn & Suites to ensure a fully immersive community experience. We strongly encourage all participants to stay at the hotel to maximize networking opportunities and shared learning outside of formal sessions. Don't miss this opportunity for personal and professional growth. Secure your spot and register today!

LAST CALL!

Debbie Zimmerman

WLCJ Leadership Institute Logistics Chair

dzimmerman@wlcj.org

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

7:15 pm ET | 4:15 pm PT

Meet Jerilynn Payne:

Her Journey to Judaism, amid a Life of Service and Activism

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Jerilynn Payne, a WLCJ Board Member and dedicated “Jew by Choice” who brings vibrant energy to everything she does. Jerilynn will share her unique path to Judaism along with inspiring stories from her diverse career and extensive volunteer service. Join us to discover how faith and activism intersect in her incredible journey.

Susan Farber                Vivian Leber

WLCJ Individual Membership Co-Chairs

sfarber@wlcj.org          vleber@wlcj.org

Doreen Bornfreund

WLCJ Membership Chair

dbornfreund@wlcj.org

Registration Is Open

for All Spring Semester Classes

If you would like to expand your Jewish literacy skills, and/or improve your ability to read Biblical Hebrew, you should take one of our classes. Classes begin on February 4, 2026.

Level 2+

Designed for returning students who do not yet read smoothly, this class utilizes Shabbat and holiday prayers to improve reading fluency and understanding.

Level 3+

This course is intended for students who have taken this class previously and wish to continue their studies at this current level.

Level 4 - Chumash 

Proficient Hebrew readers are invited to strengthen their skills and build vocabulary by studying the weekly Torah and Haftarah portions.

Level 4 - Advanced Siddur 

Ideal for strong readers or graduates of our Level 3 Grammar class, this course delves into prayer structure through the analysis of word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and essential grammar.

A minimum of 6 students is required for each class.

Rachel Ferber

rferber@wlcj.org

Hebrew Course Chair

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

This Tu B'Shevat, Your Senators Need to Hear From You

Tu B'Shevat Virtual Lobby Day for Climate Solutions with Jewish Earth Alliance

WLCJ is co-sponsoring Lobby Day.

This Tu B'Shevat, join the Jewish Earth Alliance, members of our community, and Jews from across the state to urge the 119th Congress to act for ethical climate policies and solutions that protect people and the planet.

This is a critical moment. Congress has the power to stop efforts to weaken bedrock environmental laws and roll back regulations. We will meet virtually with US Senators or their staff to share our values and push for policies that safeguard our future. These focused, half-hour meetings take place online, and you will receive everything you need to participate with confidence.

Tu B'Shevat is the Jewish Earth Day. Let’s use it to make our voices heard.

Jewish Earth Alliance

jewishearthalliancelobbyday@gmail.com

Thursday, February 5, 2026

7:30 pm ET | 4:30 pm PT

Toolbox Talks for Sisterhood Affiliates

A dynamic Zoom series open to all Women’s League members

Are you looking for solutions to today’s leadership challenges?

Would you like to learn the difference between having a title and being an effective leader?

Do you want to turn goals into accomplishments?

If you said yes, then Toolbox Talks for Sisterhood Affiliates is for you!
Join us for one session, all six, or however many work for your schedule.

Next Session – February 5, 2026

Topic: Sisterhood Nominations: Consider A New Approach
Presenter: Rachel Ferber, WL Consultant and Hebrew Classes Chair, and Renee Ravich, WL Consultant and Region Services Chair

Upcoming Toolbox Talks sessions:

March 5, 2026

May 7, 2026

June 4, 2026

Anise Parnes

WLCJ International Vice President and Consulting Services Vice Chair

aparnes@wlcj.org

Registration is now open for February 8! Save the date for March 9.

Click the image below to learn more.

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Hybrid Program

Monday, March 9, 2026

On Zoom Program

Monday, February 9, 2026

3:00 pm ET | 12:00 pm PT

All That Jazz and More—Jews and 1970s Hollywood Musicals

Explore the Jewish connections behind iconic 1970s Hollywood musicals. Through film clips and visuals, these stand-alone sessions highlight the Jewish actors, composers, writers, and directors who shaped films like Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, A Star Is Born, and Saturday Night Fever. A must for movie and music lovers alike.

Session One—Monday, February 9, 2026—Fiddler on the Roof and Tradition—Traditional musicals

Upcoming sessions:

Session Two—Monday, March 9, 2026—No Laughing Matters—Dramatically themed musicals

Session Three—Monday, April 13, 2026—Not Your Parents’ Kind of Musicals—Rock and contemporary musicals

Lois Silverman

lsilverman@wlcj.org

Shabbaton: Friday–Saturday, July 10–11, 2026 

Convention: Sunday–Wednesday, July 12–15, 2026

The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center

5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22311

Click here or on the image to go to the online application or here for PDF version.

NEW - Click here to view the video of the application procedure.

Click the image to read Torah Fund’s message about the Creating New Spaces campaign!

Still need to register?

Click the image to explore each Zoom program. We’d be delighted to have you join us.

Tues. Jan. 27, 2026

at 11:00 am ET

Sun. Feb. 22, 2026

7:30 pm ET

Feb. 13-14, 2026

Sun. April 12, 2026

1:00 pm ET

Ongoing Google Group

Seaboard Region

Meet the Authors

Select Mondays at 7:30pm ET

BQLI Region

Weds. Jan 14, 2026 at 7:30pm ET

North Atlantic Region

Tues. Jan 20, 2026 at 7:00pm ET

Seaboard Region

Weds. Jan 21, 2026 at 7:30pm ET

Pacific Southwest & North by Northwest Regions

Sun. Jan 25, 2026 at 9:00am PT

Central Great Lakes Region

Sun. Feb 22, 2026 at 12noon CT

Does your Region/Sisterhood Affiliate have any upcoming programs that are virtual or hybrid?

If so, please send the details to info@wlcj.org so we can include them in an upcoming edition of WL Week.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

12 noon ET, 9am PT, 10am MT, and 11am CT

A virtual service for our WLCJ Sisters to recite Mishaberach (the Prayer for Healing) and Psalms, and study Kaddish.

Zoom link can be found in WL Week. Please email info@wlcj.org if you are not in our mailing list.

The WWOT, the Weekly Words of Torah, each week through the end of June 2026, will connect to the 2025-2026 / 5786 Torah Fund general campaign, Oseh Shalom – Maker of Peace. To read more Weekly Words of Torah, click here.

Parashat Vaera | January 17, 2026

Here we see Moses and his brother, Aaron, taking on the task of negotiating with Pharaoh for the release of the nation of Israel from Egyptian slavery. The brothers make multiple trips to Pharaoh, demanding on behalf of God that he let the people go. Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to grant their freedom, hardening his heart more with each refusal. . . . 

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