This I Believe
National Public Radio has a wonderful series called “This I Believe.” The program offers listeners the chance to tell others around the country about their deepest beliefs. Predictably, listeners have believed in God, love, joy, religion, marriage. The commentaries are always thoughtful and interesting, and they usually are well written as well. They stimulate my own thoughts as I listen.
What do I believe?
I believe in community.
Psychologists, sociologists, and historians all agree on human beings’ need for socialization. For the most part, we are groupies. We like to share experiences, feelings, passions. When there are no groups, we form them – both formal and informal. Marriage, family, work, government, synagogue, sisterhood, sports – all depend on individual people being part of a group.
I believe in the minyan community. Since May, I have been part of various daily minyanim as I say kaddish for my mother. These groups of caring people have been a powerful source of healing for me. As a stranger standing to say kaddish, I am greeted and offered condolences. And even when I am not saying kaddish, I am comforted by the concern of this community.
I believe in the sisterhood community. The feminist movement affected each of us profoundly. Over the last decades, as women sought equality and parity with men, we placed ourselves in arenas once traditionally all male. But we have suppressed our need to be in arenas that are just for women. We have forgotten the specialness of it.
Sisterhood is a women’s community. It is a place for each woman to share experiences, feelings, and passions, and to support others. Creating such communities depends on outreach and relevant programming, flexibility, and skill in identifying what will draw in members.
I believe in the Women’s League region community. Within our regions, members network, mentor, and effect change on a wider scale. Participants, who come with a wealth of experience and a commitment to strengthening their sisterhood communities, broaden that experience and sharpen their expertise. By dividing each of our 13 realigned regions into areas of six to 10 sisterhoods, we are creating new connections between communities and ensuring more successful services, support, and communication.
I believe in the Women’s League international community. I am amazed, almost daily, by the breadth and depth of our organization and by the contributions of our members to the Conservative/Masorti movement and world Jewry. We are a multifaceted community, joining hands with sisterhoods and regions as we work with the other Conservative movement and international organizations that affect our lives, Israel, and the world.
I invite you to join whichever Women’s League communities answer your needs. Become active in your congregation’s sisterhood, where you can take advantage of serious adult study, join Orpah’s Book List, create beautiful Judaica, or support the children and students of your community. Build the foundation of your region at spring conferences, where you will benefit from the excellent programming and skill building that are the hallmarks of these annual events. Celebrate Women’s League at our convention in Detroit in November. Join your voice to the voices of the thousands of other women who already have found friendship and support.
When I say I believe in community I really mean I believe in each of you. I believe we can grow together in this wonderful community that is Women’s League.
Cory R. Schneider is president of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.
