Ziegler Students Add to Sukkot Celebration

One of the most meaningful perks of membership in the Pacific Southwest (PSW) region of Women’s League was the opportunity to interact with Ziegler rabbinic students. As our region office was located on the campus of American Jewish University (AJU), we engaged with the students on a regular basis. As they rushed about within their full schedules, they rarely hesitated to stop in, say hello and thank you to the Torah Fund ladies. We shared in their penultimate ceremony, as they became ordained rabbis, and swelled with pride and joy as if they were our own family—and they were. 

As region executive officers, we grew to know them as individuals at the gatherings of the Ziegler staff. As region board members, we learned with and from them via the D’var Torah they gave at our board meetings. At our open board meetings and programs as we studied Torah together, our sisterhood affiliates’ members experienced the fruit of their Torah Fund investment. 

My favorite event was our annual “lunch and learn” in the Women’s League Frances Kuris z’’l Sukkah. PSW branch president (1966–1968) and member of numerous national committees, Frances conceived of and chaired the Sukkah Project, designated a gift to the University of Judaism now known as AJU. Individual and sisterhood members in PSW raised the funds to make it a reality. Finally, in October 1995, the Women’s League Sukkah was dedicated and gifted to the University. (Please go to PWSR History for a fascinating story) 

For seven days every year until 2023, the sukkah brought together the rabbis, students, administrators, guests, and our women to decorate, mingle, break bread, study and reflect. Our annual Sukkah event was always open to our entire region membership and featured lunch, a guest speaker and a heartfelt thank you for the work of Women’s League (especially Torah Fund) from our university president and Ziegler deans. This was especially important for the non-board members who had few opportunities to personally meet everyone. Of course, tzedakah boxes and pledge cards were on every table. 

The Ziegler students were not present because their lunch break was short and they could not afford the cost of the event. In 2013, we decided to tweak our schedule and host them, asking individual members to “sponsor a student.” This began a lovely tradition of studying Torah with the students as part of the day for the next ten years. 

It’s hard to capture in words, the experience of discussing current events through the perspective of a rabbinic student. It is hard to capture in words the excitement in her voice, the light shining from her eyes as she engages in conversation with zest and joy. 

It’s hard to capture in words, the delight in your own heart and the tremendous hope in your own soul as you glimpse the awe-inspiring future of Judaism.