By Lymor Wasserman, WLCJ Consultant and Convention Chair 2029
After a whirlwind three-city business trip filled with airports, client meetings, inventory supervision in outdoor yards, deadlines, and the constant demands that come with my full-time job, I boarded one more early-morning flight into DCA. This time, however, I wasn’t traveling for work. I was traveling for my soul.
Walking into the convention, I felt the weight of the previous week begin to lift. Like schoolgirls returning after summer break, we embraced, complimented each other’s hair, celebrated weight loss, and simply reveled in seeing one another in person instead of in little boxes on Zoom.
As evening arrived, we gathered to welcome Shabbat. Hearing 80 women (and a few men) sing together sent chills down my arms and brought tears to my eyes. In that moment, the emails, spreadsheets, conference calls, and deadlines disappeared. I was exactly where I needed to be: in a safe place, surrounded by true friends.
That feeling continued on Monday morning as I watched 24 women lead Shacharit, receive aliyot, and read from the Torah. Many had never worn a tallit before, and although they were as nervous as 13-year-old girls, each one radiated confidence and reminded us firsthand that women are strong, capable, and meant to be celebrated.
I was equally moved as I stood alongside several women who had lost their husbands this year while they recited Kaddish. Simply standing with them, supporting them in their grief and offering silent support, reminded me that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer another person is simply our presence.
The lectures, classes, late-night conversations, Mah Jongg games, and celebrations of our new International President, our Jewels in the Crown recipients, and the incredible accomplishments of Torah Fund all made for an unforgettable Convention. But those weren’t what I carried home.
What I brought home was renewed energy, a full heart, and the comforting reminder that no matter how hectic life becomes, there is a place where I can set down the weight of the world, reconnect with my faith, laugh until midnight, eat lots of salmon, support others, and be supported in return.
That was the true gift of this Convention.
And now, the excitement begins again. As we look ahead to WLCJ Convention 2029, our planning committee is already beginning to take shape. While we don’t yet know the dates, location, or even the theme, we do know one thing: it will take the talents, creativity, and dedication of many wonderful women to make it an unforgettable experience.
If you have experience, or simply a willingness to help with planning, programming, logistics, hospitality, communications, fundraising, technology, creative design, or any other area, we’d love to have you join us. Every skill and every perspective helps create the magic that so many of us experienced last week.
I can’t wait to see what we create together. Here’s to WLCJ Convention 2029, my sisters!
Shabbat Shalom,
Lymor Wasserman
WLCJ Consultant and Convention Chair 2029
lwasserman@wlcj.org
