Dear Women of Achievement Honorees, L’Dor V’Dor Awards Recipients, Incoming BQLI Board Members and Gala Guests,

 

What a wonderful evening to celebrate! I am thrilled that we have so many dedicated and accomplished women being honored from our Region as well as celebrating our three L’Dor v’Dor Recipients. I am so proud to be celebrating together with all of you as I am installed as BQLI Region President along with the equally accomplished women of the incoming 2026-2029 BQLI Region Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Special “Thank You” to the WOA Chairs Ellen and Elaina, the WOA Planning Committee, Journal Committee and all who have worked so hard for so many months to make tonight a success. Your hard work has made tonight go smoothly and you make it look effortless!

 

Being together with all of you tonight here at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn has great significance to me. I grew up here, celebrated my Bat Mitzvah on this Bimah and had my wedding 38 years ago in this very Sanctuary. I feel the presence of my mother, Lisa Geffen Schlesinger, past North Shore Branch President, and my father, James Schlesinger, Past President of both the Men’s Club here and of Temple Beth Sholom. They were role models to me and demonstrated the importance of involvement in both the local and the wider Jewish world. I know that all our honorees tonight embody that same passion and dedication. 

 

Each woman here brings her own individual strengths and talents to our Sisterhood Affiliates, Region and to Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you as we continue this journey together and to watching our future leaders come out of those being honored here.

 

May you all continue to go Mi Chayil l’Chayil– From Strength to Strength

 

B’Shalom

Debra Weil