Close your eyes and wait for it……..the doors are about to open……. just wait and listen…… here it comes…….oh my………..1300 Conservative Jewish Women in 1 room......man was it LOUD! Sunday November 12, 2006 is a day that I know I will remember forever.

A delegation of 15 women from our Northern California Region, including 8 women just from B’nai Shalom alone, traveled to Philadelphia, PA for the 2006 Biennial Convention of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. That was the day it began. This convention was to be jam-packed with dynamic, instructive, exhilarating and innovative sessions to help guide all Sisterhoods to their own individual successes. I couldn’t wait. The excitement had been building for months. Reservations were made, roommates decided, clothes finally packed and the long flight east. It was to be 4 days that we would NEVER forget and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

I have never experienced so much in such a short period of time. I guess it was possible because we averaged only about 4 hours of sleep per night and never sat still for a moment. There were incredible opportunities for networking, learning, dance, prayer, healing, art, parties and of course shopping. Did you think there would be so many Jewish women around without the chance to shop? There were more than 50 vendors from all over the world giving us ample opportunity to part with our cash. Make sure you visit Sisterhood’s Judaica shop soon to see all of the wonderful items that Eva Vogel, buyer extraordinaire, was able to procure just for us. With so much going on at once it was truly impossible to take part in everything that I wanted to do, but that means I will have to go again. One of the many highlights of the convention was the Opening Plenum. I like to refer to this as organized chaos. Every member of every sisterhood of every region was in attendance. There was the reading of the Rules of the Convention, the Region Roll Call, which had banners flying high and hoots and hollering – especially when Northern California was called out. Anne Nicolson-our Region President, made us proud with her “classy” introduction and explanation of who we really are. There were elections, speeches and even some “campaigning for the future.” It was an exciting, boisterous session with immediate results. That is what I love about being with women. We get the job done!!!

As we celebrated the woman of valor, a festive Eishet Hayil awards luncheon was the next big highlight. Susan Lefelstein, our very own Eishet Hayil honoree was sitting on the dais in grand form. As her name was announced and she stood to receive her award, we from Northern California had the opportunity to once again shout and cheer with pride for one of our own. Sue received a personalized printed edition of art especially commissioned for this event. Next came many parties into the wee hours of the morning with lots of laughter and friends, both new and old. Sleep as I said before, was NOT on the agenda. The days and nights were filled with informative speakers from many venues of life. Rabbi Bradley Artson-the Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies spoke about the future of Conservative Judaism and how we fit in the 21st Century. Dr. Ron Wolfson is Fingerhut Professor of Education at the University of Judaism and co-founder of Synagogue 3000. We were all completely entertained by his humor and approach to God and “What on earth am I here for?” In his next life I am sure he will be a stand up comic. One of the most emotional sessions was called Shalom and Salaam. This was an in-depth discussion about Jews and Muslims living in peace in the Israel of the 21st century. The two women heading this discussion were Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, founder of The Israel Project, which is devoted to educating the press and public about Israel while promoting security, freedom and peace. The other was Nonie Darwish, born in Cairo and raised in the Gaza Strip. She is the daughter of the first Arab “martyr.” She believes that the culture of hatred and jihad caused her father’s death and ever since, she has questioned and has spoken out against the society in which she was raised. This is a very brave woman with a hard road to travel and a lot of educating to do.

Tuesday night brought the big banquet honoring the new Officers and Board of Directors, the Installation ceremony and then the gala PARTY. All I can say is WOW!! It was amazing. The new International President of Women’s League, Cory Schneider, gave an inspirational and heartfelt speech that has us looking forward to wonderful things. She is terrific, extremely capable and I have never felt more hopeful about the future state of Conservative Judaism. You will definitely hear more from her soon. I too had an amazing opportunity and so much fun that evening when I was asked to join the small group of women called the “Ruach Revelers” and sing my little heart out for the installation. As a “first timer” I felt very included and part of the whole. The best part of the evening was yet again a wonderful moment for us from B’nai Shalom. Not only is she our woman of valor, but Susan Lefelstein was installed as Vice President on the International Board! This is very rare for someone from Northern California and a grand honor. Make sure when you see her you give her all of the kudos she rightly deserves. Ask any of us about our time in Philadelphia and we will be happy to tell you all about it.

Consider that B’nai Shalom, in the grand scheme of things is really quite small but, we were very well represented in many important moments of this convention. I feel this is a testament to the commitment of our women and their involvement in important issues. We truly do have a wonderful Region in Northern California and a very special, active Sisterhood here at home at our little shul. I am again honored to be part of it and I know this convention brought us all closer to one another. We are so very lucky to have each other as women and as I have said before, we are a community of women, joined together to do more than each could do alone.

B’shalom,

Tina Eisenman