CGLR History

We Are Central Great Lakes Region…

….A region of dynamic warm, caring, interested, and interesting community of Conservative Jewish women.

We’re a part of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, (WLCJ) the largest synagogue-based Women’s organization in the world, whose mission is to perpetuate Conservative / Masorti Judaism through the home, synagogue, and community.

Initially, Women’s Leagues organized its Sisterhoods throughout America and Canada into branches. In 2008, WL reorganized and replaced its branches with thirteen regions, and CGLR was formed by joining the Central, Michigan and KIPOT Branches. Today, we proudly include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and their 29 Affiliates/Sisterhoods.

CGLR’s mission is to help our Affiliate/Sisterhoods and individual members succeed by serving as the connection to Women’s League and by providing training programs, seminars, leadership workshops, support services, and problem-solving consultancies which strengthen and support them. 

Because of the breadth of our region and in adherence to COVID policies, we rely on technology as a primary form of communications.  We conduct region meetings and programs on Zoom enabling participation by the members from all of our seven states while in the comfort of their homes.  

We publish a bimonthly digital newsletter, The WAVE filled with region information as well as Women’s League updates. And we have reinvigorated our CGLR Website as a resource for all things CGLR!  When possible, post COVID, we will again connect in person at Spring Conference and WLCJ Convention. Until then, these events are virtual.

We continue strong nurturing the role women play as keepers of the flames of mitzvot, family, study, Israel, Torah and community and empowering women to be all that they can be as modern Conservative Jewish Women who make difference!