Voices of WRJ: Va-y'chi

by Marla Goldberg Parashat Va-y’chi literally translated means “he lived.” But how did Jacob live? This last portion in the Book of Genesis focuses on the impending death of Jacob and later his son Joseph. What are the lessons we glean from reading this? Let me suggest the following: blessings and legacy. While there is a lot of detail about death preparation and where Jacob will be buried (in the place of his forefathers), a bigger emphasis is on the gathering together of all of his sons to offer blessings. In addition, Jacob first calls and blesses Joseph’s sons, his grandsons Manasseh and Ephraim (this is what later becomes our blessing for our children primarily offered on Shabbat evening), endowing the future of the people of Israel as well as the land. This has its own twist, but you will have to read it to find out what this is about. In Jacob’s calling of his sons on his near to deathbed, what came into my mind was the roll call at our WRJ Board meetings. There is a bit of this that happens at my own sisterhood meetings with officer reports, but it is not the same as calling out the names of women who have agreed to serve in these important leadership positions. I am struck by the quiet in the room as we listen to each other’s names and answer with "here," or "hineni," I/we are here. As Jacob offers each son a blessing, he names their strengths or defining characteristics (some more positive than others). This process reminded me that each of us brings our own individual strengths into the room, into the organization, and ideally is recognized for that gift/blessing. What is so remarkable to me about WRJ and our sisterhoods, is that we can be appreciated for the abilities that we have and use—or even for trying out and practicing new skills we wish to learn. It is a safe place to do so and if you venture out and try, you will find many who support your efforts in this space. On a personal note, I believe this parashah is a wonderful time to take a moment at the beginning of any WRJ, WRJ District, or sisterhood meeting to literally look around the room and “count your blessings”: these women who share your values and in turn, and together, speak in a louder voice, and make a bigger difference than one of us could do alone. Please remember to be welcoming to those on the threshold of entering the room—we were all there at one time, and for some, it was not such an easy step to take. When someone asks to join your table, even if it is filled, ask them to bring another chair up—you get the idea. As for legacy, we are the lucky ones! With WRJ, we recently celebrated our 100^th year being a vibrant and formidable organization. We are mighty and live up to our tagline constantly by claiming that we are Stronger Together. This is a blessing we all share. It is Jacob who portends that both our matriarchs and patriarchs will unite as one people/family and settle in the Promised Land. Keep your eyes and ears open as we begin to plan our next WRJ Israel trip—Spring of 2017. We will travel as a larger group and explore, learn and jointly count our blessings. As it is customary to do when we reach the end of each book of Torah, we declare: chazak, chazak v’nitchazeik, be strong, be strong, and may we strengthen one another. Marla Goldberg is proud to have been installed and serve on the WRJ Executive Committee. She feels lucky to have held the role of WRJ Midwest District President and multiple portfolios in WRJ, the WRJ Midwest District, and her own sisterhood.