Women's League

Throughout WWII, Jewish women served pivotal roles throughout the Air Forces, over half of a million Jews served in uniform during the war, of these 10,000 were women. Between 5 and 6,000 Jewish women served with British Forces during WWII, plus another 4,000 living in Palestine who supported British Troops in the Middle East. In Canada 280 women served during the war.

SELMA CRONAN after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, The US Air Force began to mobilize the pilots. With dire shortage of pilots, a solution was proposed; form a women auxiliary air force to provide extra manpower during the war .In 1943, the Women Air force Service Pilots Force was formed, providing female pilots to test and deliver planes. In some cases they flew military missions directly, tracking search lights and also instructed male trainee pilots. After the war Selma continued her flying career, becoming a professional competitive pilot and flying at air shows all over the world. 

MURIEL BYCK born and educated in London, when Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, Muriel volunteered to help. She joined the Royal Air Force Women Auxiliary and rose through the ranks. With the fate of Europe’s Jews hanging in the balance she longed to do more to battle Hitler. Muriel was approached by a top secret officer who was in charge of planning surveillance and sabotage throughout Nazi occupied Europe. After extensive training in the military maneuvers and radio operation, Muriel parachuted in France on April 8 1944. She was the only women of a group of four to set up radio communication with Britain and other countries. The work was incredibility risky: every time she broadcast on her radio, the waves could be picked up by the Nazi forces and her location revealed. For two months she worked, never staying in the same place for long. Few months after being in France she died from an illness and is buried in the Pomic War Cemetery.

Welcome Women Leaguers and Friends,

As this year’s President of Women’s League, I am looking forward to launching the coming year with many celebrations and working with all of you on novel projects to benefit our congregation, communities locally, throughout the US, in Israel and Worldwide.

We would like to thank our outgoing President, Becky Kobrowski-Cohen who has done so much to enhance our Women’s League status within our congregation and the community. No doubt she will continue to support our endeavors and be an integral part of the Women’s League. As you are aware, Becky has taken on the duties of the Presidency of our Congregation. We wish her much success.

It will be our pleasure to continue our beautiful heritage as the Women’s League has always been, from the start, the foundation which nurtures and supports our beloved Cuban Hebrew Congregation. We will continue to move forward this incredible legacy in the year ahead.

Join us in delivering exceptional cultural, educational, social and spiritual events in support of all women and our beautiful congregation. 

Many blessings to all, 

Rachel Dubelman

2023 President of Women’s League

I would like to bring to your attention THE STAR OF DAVID. As you know it is a symbol of divine  guidance and protection. It shines and stands out. As important, it is a symbol of a Jew. This symbol is recognized throughout the world and affects our lives in many ways.

Here at the Cuban Hebrew Congregation we have our own star that shines and stands out. This star is a very special person, not only in our community but in the Jewish community at large. We would like to honor her hard work, dedication and outstanding contributions.  

There is no role in life more essential than that of motherhood. This person amplifies the role in her own family as she does to anyone in need. We should all recognize the strong presence of starts in our lives and take the time to say thank you.  

The Women’s League honors NANCY BROOK as the star of our community and to say thank you. 

                                                        “Those who slander us shall

                                                          Have no hope, and all their

                                                            evil ways be gone (lost)

                                                                     immediately”

We are looking forward to many more wonderful years here at Temple Beth Shmuel- Cuban Hebrew Congregation. Contrary to what you have heard as awful continuing gossip we will ALWAYS be Temple Beth Shmuel – Cuban Hebrew Congregation of Miami Inc. You have heard we would close many years ago but we remain functioning and we will continue to keep our doors OPEN to the community. I thank you for your support and look forward to 2021, in which we will share and participate in many cultural, educational and social events in our beautiful sanctuary and newly renovated starlight Olemberg Ballroom.

Stay safe, distance and always wear your mask.

Happy Holidays

Becky Kobrowski, President and the WL Board

Now is the time to find the spiritual connection inside, not inside a physical structure, but inside ourselves. The community will connect with the help of technology. But we must also find the way to create our own spiritual connection. Perhaps we can make the environment in our personal home help ignite the spirit. For some candles, artwork and religious symbols could help decorate the environment, and feel like a personal sanctuary. For some it might be the presence of family or friends in the same room, or even over a computer screen. Many will want to take a quiet time before or after the recorded services, contemplating the previous year and the next year, meditating on the hopes, dreams, expectations and potential surprises the world offers. We take time to remember the blessings and the challenges, while trying to feel blessed by both especially this year. We are truly challenged to make our home our sanctuary. Let us see Hashem before our eyes, in our home and in our hearts. Starting from such holy hearts, holy homes and holy minds, together we will make it a very sweet New Year.

L’shalom, 

Becky Kobrowski