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News from the Northeast
July 5, 2022
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This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
Please add this address to your Contacts so you won't miss our news.
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In This Issue (These links may not work on all devices)
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Message from Sharon Sobel
President, WRJ Northeast District
The Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 18”)
The great odes to summer form a chorus to sunny mornings, afternoons at the beach, and evening barbecues. School’s out, vacations are planned, and idyllic weeks stretch ahead to a distant horizon sometime in September.
But if this summer agenda could ever be true, even in Shakespeare’s time, it’s not the reality of our busy lives. The idyll is shattered every time we hear the news, respond to the abridgment of human rights, social injustice, antisemitism, upheaval in the social fabric. Through all our history, the Women of Reform Judaism neither paused to bask in the sunshine, nor escaped for the length of a season, ignoring everything demanding our attention and concern.
As you read through this newsletter and the many updates from WRJ, our district, and our sisterhoods, please consider where you might add the strength of your support, or what might be incorporated into your sisterhood’s busy calendar. Programming ideas may turn into opportunities, and, through the Speakers Bureau, you can request a guest at a meeting or event. Summertime, oh summertime, pattern of life indelible, the fade-proof lake, the woods unshatterable… summer without end. (E.B. White, “Once More to the Lake”)
E.B. White defined the essence of summer, as he returned to the old haunts of his childhood, while reckoning with life’s fragility. We now know all too well that our experiences aren’t indelible, and our plans are too-easily shatterable. We started 2020 full of optimism, with places to go and people to see. Now, we are attempting to once again open doors, literally and metaphorically.
A few weeks ago, we returned to one of our old haunts, for a Shabbaton of joy and renewal, of prayer, music and dance. In Albany, we remembered what it was to be stronger together, and what our future might hold.
With that same sense of optimism, we are planning our next Northeast District Convention, March 23-26, 2023, in Danbury, Connecticut. We invite you to join us for this long-awaited reunion.
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. (George and Ira Gershwin, “Summertime”)
We have work to do, and some of it isn’t easy. As we come together, address persistent concerns, and find confidence to move forward, we are confronted by challenges that require energy, resources, and creativity. Whether wearing teal to voice protest, or schlepping groceries to the food pantry, we’re engaged and busy. We ourselves are the warmth and the sunshine of summer. Together we will gather strength to face the next seasons together.
Sharon Rebecca Sobel
Temple B’nai Chaim, Georgetown, Connecticut
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| Upcoming Events ~ Please note that all events are virtual unless otherwise noted ~
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Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m.
Havdalah and Conversation Join WRJ for a Havdalah ritual and an open conversation about the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade, stripping abortion access from millions across the country. Come for a community gathering to sing, worship, share, and connect with others as we process this news.
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Monday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.
Spring Virtual Lilith Salon
Join us as Peggy Martin facilitates our discussion on the following two articles from the spring issue of Lilith Magazine: Portraits of Power: "Celebrating 50 years of Women in the Rabbinate" and "How to Visit."
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Monday, July 18, 6:00 p.m.
Torah Yoga with Diane Bloomfield
Join us in person at Temple Beth-El in Providence, RI, for a 2 hour Torah yoga experience with Diane Bloomfield who currently lives in Jerusalem, Israel. Please dress comfortably and bring your own yoga mat. No experience required.
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Wednesday, July 27, 3:30 p.m.
Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (REDI) Working Group Training Series
Please join us for the start of the Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (REDI) Working Group Training Series. This weekly series will provide attendees with the ability to create a REDI Working Group focused on utilizing the URJ Congregational (or Camp) Assessment, so that they can identify both short-term and long-term goals. The series will equip participants with the tools to establish action plans focused on creating an inclusive community. Our co-facilitators for this series will be URJ REDI Program Manager Rachel Hall (she/her), and URJ lay leaders Jill Housen (she/her), and Michael Davis (he/him).
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Thursday, July 28, 7:30 p.m.
Growing Fundraising: Increasing Collaboration & Engagement
Fundraising campaigns reach ambitious goals when board leadership, volunteers, and staff work together. The efforts of many produce the most powerful results. Join us for a conversation - with practical tips - on growing collaborative fundraising. Learn how you can partner with WRJ staff to engage board members, volunteers, and others in your community, and become a greater advocate for WRJ.
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Northeast District Fund
Looking for a way to support the work of the Northeast District? You can do that by donating to the Northeast District Fund (NDF). The NDF enables the Northeast District to support our sisterhoods, women’s groups and individual members. Consider making a gift to recognize, honor, or remember special people in your life.
Click on one of the “DONATE” links below or go to the Northeast District Fund webpage to make your donation. We welcome your support.
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Save the Date:
Tuesday, August 30 Holiday Bake Sale to Benefit the YES Fund . . .
and just in time for Rosh Hashanah!
Starting August 30, you can order sweets for your holiday table.
The Northeast District is teaming up with Sweet Seidner’s Bake Shop to offer deliciously moist honey cakes, apple cakes and other items.
A portion of all sales will go to the YES Fund.
Sweet Seidner’s specializes in homemade treats that are
♥ made from wholesome ingredients
♥ baked from scratch
♥ certified kosher
♥ shipped to you within 24 hours of coming out of the oven
Orders will be sent priority mail to the U.S. and Canada.
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Executive Committee Nominations
for WRJ Northeast District Are you looking for an exciting new challenge? Do you want to become more involved with WRJ at the district level? Want an opportunity to take your leadership skills to the next level? Then consider becoming a part of the WRJ Northeast District Executive Committee!
Positions and job descriptions can be found HERE. Each term of office is for three years. The incoming president will assign vice president portfolios to women elected to those positions. If this is your first time applying, you must apply for an area director position. In order to serve as an officer, you must have been a member of the Executive Committee for at least one term.
If you are currently serving in an elected board position and wish to continue in your current or apply for a new position, you will also need to submit an application.
The application can be found HERE. The deadline is Friday, September 16, 2022. The slate will be announced in late 2022, and voted on during the Northeast Distriction convention in March 2023.
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Blogs from the Northeast District The Path Forward On Abortion Resource Guide
A regularly-updated resource guide from the WRJ Blog. Contains information on actions you can take to support abortion access.
Histories Collide: A Reflection on the Creation of the Asian-Jewish Passover Experience
Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, LUNAR: The Jewish-Asian Film Project was able to produce a multifaceted Asian Jewish Passover, free of charge, for our community. The Passover included an Asian-Jewish Haggadah, a Passover video with an Asian-Jewish Rabbi, and three in-person Passover seders spanning the country. All of this could not have been done without the ongoing support of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) and its YES Fund.
The Facts About Abortion
Now that abortion is no longer deemed to be a "right" and is subject to state rule, the majority rule of voters and legislators will dictate which faith traditions will and will not be permitted in their state.
WRJ: A Catalyst of Innovation and Progress
There is no sugar coating what is happening now in the United States regarding abortion rights and access, as well as in other areas of bodily integrity and rights. Even where rights are “safe,” in many cases, we are one or two election cycles away from the potential for harmful legislative changes – and that includes Canada, too.
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| Northeast District Shabbaton June 17-19, 2022
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|  | We enjoyed a wonderful weekend together in Albany
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Reproductive Health and Rights
In Judaism, life is sacred. Banning potentially lifesaving medical procedures and interfering with a doctor’s decision-making runs contrary to the Jewish commandment to protect life. WRJ is a leading advocate for reproductive rights and health and continues to oppose state and federal restrictions that limit access to birth control and safe abortion services. Read more here.
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A New Advocacy Initiative: WRJ Says STOP
Do you belong to a "Hug and Kiss" congregation? In some communities, the culture is to greet each other with big hugs, often accompanied by a kiss. These actions are fine if the two people engaging with one another are in consensual agreement. What happens when someone you are only acquainted with or someone you barely know decides that because of the community culture, they may greet you in an intimate way without consent? What happens when community cultural behaviors cross the line?
The first of four webinars on this topic will take place on September 20. Stay tuned for more details.
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Hebrew Crash Course
These one-hour zoom classes are offered FREE and are in partnership with WRJ, Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus, Ohio, and the National Jewish Outreach Project. Past students are encouraged to join again for a refresher, registration required. Register here. Hebrew 2: July 13 - August 10 (5 sessions) - Already know the Hebrew aleph-bet? Enhance your reading skills while learning basic Hebrew prayer vocabulary, grammar, and phrases as we study familiar Hebrew prayers like the Shabbat blessings and V’ahvata.
Hebrew 3: Oct. 26 - Nov. 16 (4 sessions) - Continue practicing Hebrew reading skills and learn about the order of our prayer service, taking a deep dive into common prayer sections including the Amidah and Torah service.
RAC – MA
RAC–MA held its kickoff meeting on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Temple Shalom, Newton, MA. WRJ Northeast District’s own Abby Fisher, Beth El Temple Center, Belmont, MA, and Rabbi Liz Hirsch of Temple Anshe Amunim, Pittsfield, MA, are co-chairs of the lay and clergy committee that spearheaded this effort. Several speakers, including Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, highlighted the RAC-MA’s vision and mission. Participants broke into groups to discuss issues that affect Massachusetts that need to be tackled over the next several years. RAC–MA’s first project will be supporting "Get Out the Vote" efforts as we head toward the 2022 mid-term elections. RAC-MA is the ninth Religious Action Center state affiliate, and will mobilize the power of 39 Reform congregations across the state. Over half of these congregations have made solid commitments to support RAC-MA, which will also work in coalition with other Massachusetts social justice groups.
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Urge Your State Representatives to Protect Abortion Rights
Last week, the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned nearly five decades of judicial precedent - established by Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey - that affirmed a person’s right to bodily autonomy and the right to decide whether they want to continue a pregnancy—and the fundamental rights to live with autonomy, dignity, and equality. This decision, which stripped Americans of a fundamental right, will cause irreparable harm and leaves abortion access up to the states.
Overturning Roe means 26 states are likely to ban or severely restrict abortion, including 13 states with laws that have already gone into effect, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Your state legislature has the power to protect abortion access through legislation, ballot initiatives, and more. Urge your Governor and State legislators to protect and expand abortion rights.
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A Selection of U.S. Federal Initiatives It is easy to make your voice heard. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) has created a series of forms that you can use to contact your legislators in the U.S. Congress. Please support these important initiatives to safeguard voting rights, ending pay discrimination, and protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
You can display each RAC form by clicking its image below.
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Support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
| |  | Support Refugee Resettlement
| |  | Protect LGBTQ+ People From Discrimination
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| Calendar and Other Resources
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| Calendar July is Disability Pride Month
August 7 Tishah B'Av
August 30 District Bake Sale Begins
Save the Date October 10-23 WRJ's Civil Rights Journey
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| If this email is clipped, click "View Entire Message" at the end of the eblast to ensure that you have not missed any important updates and information.
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| | Request an Online Speaker
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Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker without expense to your sisterhood
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| New sisterhood presidents and women's group leaders! Please complete the LEADERSHIP INFORMATION FORM so that we can update our records and keep you informed with news, events, advocacy alerts, and more
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| Tools & Resources Northeast Resources
WRJ Resources
WRJ Programs
Other Resources
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| Did You Know? How to Make Limonana
Now that the hot, hot days of summer are upon us, we've been looking for something cool and refreshing to beat the heat. Limonana is an Israeli mint lemonade that is sure to do the trick.
What you'll need:
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup water
2 cups of ice
Add ingredients to a blender and blend until the ice becomes a fine slush. Pour in a glass and garnish with lemon slices and mint. You can add a shot of your favorite spirit to make a cool, refreshing cocktail if you like.
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The next eblast will be sent on Tuesday, August 2.
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