By Sue Taffet
WLCJ Vice President and Past Region President
When I undertook the responsibilities of the position of Region President, I compared it to a journey that we in the region were all taking together, for the good of all the women in our various local sisterhoods and communities. That we would travel together with a common purpose and motivation, with joy and laughter and support for one another. That we would uphold the goals and ideals of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism as we all grew together. We traveled together, studied and shared Shabbat prayers together. We shared meals and celebrations together and joined with sisters from all over the country to celebrate our leadership and learn from each other.
As I took on the responsibilities as an International Vice President for Women’s League, I found that I could continue my personal journey at a new level. Working with women from all over the country helping to grow our membership and share the importance of Women’s League and its values to all of our sisters. We celebrated 100 years together, and we have now moved into a new century. We will still journey together and learn and share and support each other. We will continue to further ideals and goals of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.
There is a story by Robert Fay that was shared with me that puts it all into words, especially as I travel by train to New York for WLCJ meetings when I can.
“Life is like a train…
Life is like a journey on a train…with its stations…changes of routes…and accidents!
At birth, we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believed they will always travel by our side.
However, at some station, our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on the journey alone…but not quite.
As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant, i.e. our siblings, friends, children and even the love of our life.
Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Some will move into another car for a while and come back. Others will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize they left their seats!
This train ride is full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hurts, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all our passengers…requiring that we give the best of ourselves because we are all on this ride together. The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way – love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are, including our seat if necessary. It’s important because, when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty—we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life without us. I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life. Reap success, give lots of love, and be happy. More important, be thankful for the journey.”
As we enter the start of another new year in Women’s League, celebrating the past 100 years and moving to the next, enjoy your journey. Share the love, and even your seat, with all you meet, and I thank you and Women’s League for being a passenger on my train, making part of my life’s journey so meaningful.
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