by Lynne Turry The Torah portion for this week is from Exodus 12:37-42. We all know the story well, how the Israelites fled from Egypt and traveled from Rameses to Succoth with around 600,000 men on foot. Though the scholars do not know the exact location of theses cities, they can use other details of the journey and speculate their symbolism, in order to commemorate the tale. If one assumes that the men did not travel alone but with a wife and family, the numbers may have been as high as nearly three million people. The Israelites were forced out with few provisions after having lived in Egypt for 430 years, though this number, as large as it is, may simply be an approximation. And as the story continues, the Israelites, with time of the essence, baked unleavened bread because the dough taken from Egypt didn’t have time to rise.

by Becky Markowitz Our Torah portion this week, Tzav from Leviticus, presents challenges to our modern-day thinking as it discusses ritual rules, offerings, and sacrifices; but, I see it as a very simple and profound lesson. Instead of sacrifices or goods, we are to bring or offer the very best of ourselves to God and in doing so we make the world better. Rituals offer us a way to bring meaning to our lives and carry on traditions that have been passed to us and create ones to pass onto future generations. It also reminds us to be thankful and not take for granted many things in our daily lives. Not only does this make sense, but it makes us responsible for our actions and reminds us that we control more than we sometimes think. Women have always been leaders and were key and vital members in the biblical community – even though the Torah did not recognize them by name. Today WRJ stands proudly as women leaders in North America, Israel, and all around the world. We lead the way in prayer, support of community, civil rights, gay rights, youth, and so much more. Women get things done. They enhance the home, the bimah, the board room, and every room. We need to proudly and enthusiastically ask women to become part of our WRJ family so they can continue the work that we are doing. As our tagline states – 'Stronger Together!'

by Ann Fishkin This week’s Torah portion, Vayikra, is from the third book of the Torah: Leviticus. Vayikra, which is the first word in the book, is Hebrew for "and God called.” In this Torah portion, God calls Moses into the tent and explains the different sacrifices that atone for guilt or sins, and distinguishes between sins committed inadvertently and sins committed on purpose. For many crimes, animal sacrifice was a way to gain forgiveness from God. These sacrifices ceased to be practiced when the Temple was destroyed and are completely foreign to our lives today. But, we still need to atone for our sins, especially if we want to live with integrity and at peace with ourselves and with our God. Let me back up a minute: I always like to define my terms before I start speaking about them. This helps keep us on the same page.

by Sandi Firsel This week is a double parashah: Exodus 35:1-38:20, Vayak’heil and Exodus 38:21- 40:38, P’kudei. Vayak’heil deals with laborious and detailed instructions explaining the building of the Tent, the Tabenacle, and the Courtyard. The Israelites now feel sure that God will be with them, so long as they do not disobey God’s word. They are ready and eager to make a physical place for God to dwell. Moses calls upon everyone to participate in this task saying, “Everyone whose heart is moved shall bring gifts to God.” People brought the finest metals, gems, skins, linens, and other costly items to contribute. It is believed that the women were significant contributors of the materials which were integral to building the sacred place. Females were capable artisans who could turn raw materials of textile into exquisite fabric. Also, it appeared that women owned valuables and could make decisions, independently of their fathers and husbands, about their donations. This assumption is demonstrated clearly when the “Golden Calf” was constructed and the women withheld their gold, rings, and jewelry to something they did not believe in, but were committed donors to God’s dwelling place.

by Dr. Sharon Z. Draznin Parashat Ki Tisa, in the book of Exodus, begins with Moses taking a census of the Israelites (men over the age of 20) and collecting a half-shekel from each person to be used for the construction and upkeep of the Tabernacle. Taking a census involves counting, to determine the total number or to have merit, importance, or value, as in, “Your contribution really counts.” When I look at the more literal meaning of counting, I can see a direct relationship to WRJ and sisterhood in terms of membership. It is vitally important to the health of our cherished organizations that we encourage and nurture membership. Even though this portion refers to adult Israelite men, we can, in these modern times, and in a more inclusive and participatory society, understand that the example stated above is one that creates a positive and healthy model for us today. I encourage you to think about ways you can involve yourself and others in becoming active members of your local sisterhood and of WRJ in a larger and broader sense.

by Resa Davids Parashat T’tzaveh is devoted to four sets of detailed instructions. Not one of the topics is relevant to my life. I have picked a few olives in my day, but I am not about to bring clear olive oil to the Tent of Meeting to light the Ner Tamid. I am not a seamstress (in fact, the required blouse that I had to present in 8^th grade sewing class wound up in the hands of my mother’s dressmaker so that I would not fail the class). Therefore, the instructions of how to prepare the apparel for Aaron and other priests do not relate to me. Sacrifice and the regulations related to the incense altar? No, not relevant, and not even stimulating. The time has come to read each verse with its commentary. And then it is time to read the articles and views written at the end of the parashah. I begin to understand that there are some issues embedded in the text which could become topics of interest to me and to my readers. Slowly, these topics begin to meld into a compelling theme.

by Phyllis Bigelson Parashat T’rumah tells of the beginning of the building of the Mishkan, where God would dwell among the Jews as they traveled in the desert. The text does not state that God shall actually dwell in the sanctuary, but that he “may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). God is not living in the Mishkan, but instead among the Israelites themselves wherever they travel. In my own life, I have traveled back and forth from the East Coast to the West, first to care for my mother and now for my sister, with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. I know God always travels with me and is there to help guide my way and give me strength, even when I am far away from my own family, friends, and synagogue. When I had the difficult task of traveling across the country and finding an Alzheimer’s home for my sister this past year, I called upon the WRJ women in her area for help. Within an hour, I received telephone calls from a Rabbi and several WRJ sisters offering assistance and guidance. The WRJ community has always been among my “travelers” by supporting me emotionally wherever I travel. I am not sure I would have been able to handle this situation by myself. God is living among us every day, wherever our roads may lead us in life.

The last few parashot have had the Israelites more than frantic. They have left Egypt, crossed the Sea, begun their journey through the wilderness, and encountered crises of lacking both food and water. There has been an uprising and the beginnings of a mutiny. The Ten Commandments have been given to the people and amazingly received and accepted, "Na'aseh v'nishma, We will do and we will understand:" a concept I personally find remarkable but which I believe we still practice to this day.

by Helene H. Waranch This week’s parashah, Yitro (Ex. 18:-20:23), has resonated with me for many years because it sets the standards for Jewish leadership. We are given the guidelines so that we, as leaders may learn from Jethro’s advice to Moses, may “make know the laws and teachings of God” (Ex. 18:16) and may gain skills observed by Moses’ example. When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law and a Midianite priest, visited the Israelite campsite, he saw Moses acting alone for hours hearing all the people’s disputes. Jethro told Moses that he cannot be the only one to provide leadership. Jethro recommended that Moses select “capable individuals who fear God—trustworthy ones who spurn ill-gotten gain” to “share the burden” (Ex. 18:21-22). These selected leaders were assigned to listen to all the disputes, act on the minor ones and send only the major disputes to Moses’ consideration. Thus, an effective leadership team was trained and established with Moses at the helm.