By Debbie Zimmerman, WLCJ Leadership Institute Logistics Chair & International Board Member
I look forward to my weekend as Shabbat approaches. Shabbat is special. It is a time to reflect on my past week and acknowledge all that is great in my life. I take the time to slow down, appreciate my family, friends, and surroundings. Attending shul for services always gives me the opportunity to not only learn about the teachings of the Torah, but to retrieve the warm feeling I get when surrounded by prayer, traditions, learning, and friendships.
I received that same feeling when I attended the Leadership Institute hosted by WLCJ a few years ago. It is again being offered on January 25–27, 2026, at Temple Sinai in Hollywood, Florida. I encourage everyone to attend. This is a fabulous opportunity to meet women from other Regions. You will learn techniques to enhance your leadership skills, goal setting, time management, and conflict resolution while at the same time deepen your knowledge as a Jewish woman. You will leave with a sense of accomplishment and new friends who become very close over the couple days.
Please join us and be inspired by our wonderful WLCJ consultants, Debbie Lempert and Margie Miller, who will astound you with their knowledge, humor, and warm professionalism as they teach us skills that can be used personally and professionally. I am the Logistic Chair and can answer any questions you may have. Email me at dzimmerman@wlcj.org. I look forward to meeting you! You can see all the details at here: https://www.wlcj.org/events/wl-leadership-institute-in-florida/
Please read this wonderful testimonial we received from Angela Brunelle, President of Heska Amuna Women’s League in Knoxville, Tennessee, who recently attended Leadership Institute in New Jersey this past summer.
Women’s League Leadership Institute – An Unexpected Delight!
When I was asked to attend Women’s League Leadership Institute at Oheb Shalom Synagogue in South Orange, NJ, I was all in. I knew I’d only be 10 days post-op after foot surgery, but I often don’t think things through in these kinds of cases, because when I set my mind to do something, logic goes out the window.
I had delays in flights on the way, but made it late the night before registration to fall into bed with a very swollen foot and a lot of regret. All I could think of was being in pain for the next couple days with women I’ve never met before. This is NOT within my comfort zone. Feeling 100% and doing it, yes, but this kind of discomfort, nah. Why no Tylenol or pain meds? I couldn’t take them if I wanted to keep food down.
Now that I’ve set the scene, I’ll tell you that I was beyond delighted to meet my first friend in NJ, Elise Norwitz, whose kindness was overflowing. She schlepped us from hotel to synagogue and back each day, not to mention taking us on an amazing tour of the area. Now I know why they call it The Garden State – the homes and gardens were breathtaking! I also had the pleasure of becoming ride share buddies with Sharon from LA and Mona from Florida. Our little group of 4 developed a sweet bond, which was such a nice feeling as we’d ride around together chatting about all sorts of subjects, many of which made us laugh. I noticed that there’s more to laughing together than one might think.
The moment I walked (hobbled with a walker) up to the registration desk and saw (International President) Julia Loeb’s smiling face, along with the lovely smiles from all the organizers and speakers, it was like being welcomed home from a long trip. I even got a hug from (Past International President) Margie Miller the moment she saw me, and I had never met her before. Simply put, it was warm and inviting. I knew right then that they would make this experience amazing and that’s exactly what they did.
We enjoyed interactive exercises that will help me to continue to develop leadership skills. From goal setting, time management, team building (we even flew paper airplanes!), and so much more; I can’t put my finger on one particular thing I learned and explain it.
I came away with an overall sense of exactly what was intended: engagement, enrichment and especially for me, empowerment. The icing on the cake is that I spent that time with Jewish women from all over the United States, who are now sisters that I love. We will have a reunion zoom meeting and we’ve got our contact info to keep in touch.
In my opinion, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism has more to offer than my Sisterhood is aware. One of my goals as President of Heska Amuna Women’s League is to encourage and create the kind of camaraderie and true connection amongst Jewish women in Knoxville which was created in just 2 ½ days in NJ. This isn’t something to be expected without time and effort.
When I was in the Navy, Basic Training was all about breaking us down individually and then building us back up into one cohesive group. I’m thankful that’s not the case with Women’s League Leadership Institute. I don’t need any more breaking down, thanks!
With these women, I’ve never felt less judged, more appreciated for my opinions, or more supported by any training experience I’ve ever had. I would truly love to bring this kind of training to our Sisterhood, as I know it would be to them what Leadership Institute was to me…truly an unexpected delight.
Oh, and did I mention the food?? There aren’t enough words!
Listen to me, listen to Angela, or listen to your gut. Give yourself the gift of joining us at Leadership Institute!
Shabbat Shalom,
Debbie Zimmerman
WLCJ Leadership Institute Logistics Chair
WLCJ International Board Member
dzimmerman@wlcj.org
