Message from the Region President

Thank you to Emma Zerkel and Lisa Kadosh for the outstanding CGLR Conference 26! I know that members of the Adath Israel Sisterhood enjoyed gathering and participating in the conference together, as did a few other affiliates. I am so pleased that the region will have an amazing new board, led by Robin Beth Lash. However, the old board is not quite finished!

I am excited that I have two trips scheduled, so far, to see six affiliate/sisterhoods! My chauffeur (also known as my husband) keeps warning me not to work too hard. I laugh and remind him I have the fun part of these trips, while he has the hard part – getting me to where I need to be. We are headed to Cleveland to visit with Women of Park and B’nai Jerushun. Then off to Youngstown to visit friends from Temple El Emeth. Final stop on this tour is Beth El Sisterhood in Akron. I feel that I have lost so much time this year; I sometimes feel like I am racing the clock.

Running Out of Time

That feeling of running out of time is not that uncommon at this point in the year. Most affiliates have their closing programs, installation of officers, and Torah Fund events. Let’s not discuss schools ending, graduations, and vacations looming.

Countdowns are happening, including counting the Omer up to Shavuot. I like this holiday as it gives us a chance to catch our breath and learn a bit, to reflect on our role in accepting the commandments and what that means in our lives today. Also, we get to enjoy yummy dairy dishes. In the Chicago area, we lived within easy driving distance of Eli’s Cheesecake factory. Our synagogue celebration always included a wide variety of cheesecakes from the outlet!

We have another countdown happening. WLCJ Convention is only two months away! Early bird registration has been extended to May 14. If you’ve been procrastinating, stop! Push that link and register. Board members, which included affiliate presidents, have been sent applications for CGLR scholarships for convention. We’ve also included it in this issue of The Wave. If you need some financial help getting to convention, please use this resource. CGLR has its Leadership Fund just for this occasion. Applications are due May 12. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Wanda

Wanda Pitzele, CGLR President
cglrpresident24@wlcj.org