Sisterhood

Torah Fund 80th Anniversary

Donate to Torah Fund here. 
Be sure to note Sisterhood of Congregation Habonim where appropriate on the form! Future Conservative/Masorti Jewish educators appreciate our support.

Torah Fund 80th Anniversary D'var Torah

by WLCJ Past International President Carol Simon

We have reached a most notable milestone, 80 years of supporting Torah Fund!
 
As our matriarchs gathered to create an entity that would assist our future clergy, the world was on the brink of war.  1942 was the year that the United States entered World War II, joining with Canada who had entered the war in 1939.  It was a time that saw women creating a variety of auxiliaries to make a difference in the world that we lived in.  
 
The Women’s Coast Guard Auxiliary was established, as well as the Women’s Army Auxiliary commonly known as the WAAC.  Over 150,000 American women joined this special group during the war.  General Douglas MacArthur said the women in his command were “My best soldiers. They worked harder, complained less and were better disciplined than the men.”1
 
At the same time, the members of National Women’s League realized that they also needed to mobilize to ensure that our students had proper places to live and study, and to provide tuition assistance.  They founded Torah Fund. At a time when a gallon of gas cost 15 cents, the average new car cost $920 and the average home cost $3,770, the first donation to Torah Fund was $6.11.  In gematria, the numerical value of Hebrew letters, “Torah” is 611. Our “sisters” rose to the occasion, giving “Torah” for future clergy.
 
The number 80 is represented by the letter “Pey”, the 17th letter in the Hebrew alphabet.  “The symbol represents the divine spark of God within the soul.”2  80 years ago, our matriarchs knew that this undertaking of Torah Fund was essential.  I am sure that there was much praying, as they led our membership through unchartered waters.  Yet it was a time of activism. It was a time when the women throughout North America knew that they needed to step up, that our soldiers needed their mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, and friends, to provide comfort during a very trying time.  I am sure that they never imagined that WE would be doing the same thing, 80 years later!  Our donations to Torah Fund still help provide comfort to our students worldwide – scholarships, programming, and a place to live and study. 
 
May the next 80 years be as successful as our first 80!

Helping Habonim carry on tradition while re-energizing Habonim women!

Download your Sisterhood Application and join us now!

Our Sisterhood is affiliated with Women's League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ), which is the umbrella organization for Conservative synagogue women's groups worldwide. Through our association with WLCJ, Habonim Sisterhood members have access to educational, cultural and leadership development programs here at Habonim at 103 West End Avenue, and also beyond the walls of Habonim. 

There is always something new and interesting for us to participate in along with our "sisters" from all over the Metropolitan Area and beyond. For further information, contact Sisterhood Board at sisterhood@habonim.net. 

Unless otherwise noted, all events are open to all. While the building is closed, events take place on Zoom.