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News from the Northeast
December 6, 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 some devices)
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Notes from the
WRJ Civil Rights Journey
From October 19 to October 23, one hundred members of WRJ North America traveled to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham on the WRJ Civil Rights Journey. Attendees from the Northeast District were asked to reflect on their experiences.
Susan Birenbaum – My mother, who died in 2003, was an activist in the Black community in Waterbury. She started in 1965 with LBJ’s Head Start pilot program and worked in it for 20 years. I would have liked to tell her about all that we saw and experienced.
Sara Charney – The names engraved in steel at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and those we learned about from survivors of the traumas and from our guide, Scott, are seared in my mind and weigh upon my heart.
Shoshana Dweck – We were on sacred ground. I felt and heard the ground cry out in pain, sorrow, and suffering – and also with determination, pride, and a demand that we act. JoAnne Bland embodies all of that. She has never stopped fighting for equity and equality for herself and her community. While resting her head on her sister’s lap on Bloody Sunday at Pettus Bridge, she mistook the wetness on her cheek for her sister’s tears; it was blood seeping from her sister’s wounds. She asked each of us to pick up a small stone from that sacred ground. Now it is our turn to move the mountain and bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. She did it with her sister, and we do it both with her and together as WRJ.
Amanda Feldman – Moving and eye-opening.
Marla Feldman – The trip had it all: Sisterhood, Spirituality, and Social Justice. Such a blessing to be together and share such a powerful WRJ experience. WRJ women rock!
Joyce Grossman – I felt honored to hear from courageous individuals who participated in Bloody Sunday and in other events in the ongoing march toward equality, justice, and equal opportunity. The experience made the civil rights movement of the 1960s tangible in a way that news stories on TV and in print cannot.
Robin Krieger – I was taken by many speakers’ devotion to their religious beliefs in spite of the hardships they and their ancestors have endured.
Sabrina Miller – An amazing experience. We learned as much about each other as we learned about history. The multi-sensory programming and first person sources have inspired me to bring all that I learned back to my community.
Trina Novak – As a child and teen living in Massachusetts with liberal parents, I was aware of the civil rights movement of the1950s and 1960s. We watched folks fighting for their rights get hit with powerful water hoses, attacked by dogs, and thrown in jail on the nightly news. Yet we were unaware of how many times this happened, and of the continuous terror Black people lived with. We were unaware of the complicity of the northern colonies and states in driving the slave trade, in allowing laws to be passed that repressed Black and Native American rights, and in turning a blind eye to the number of men, women, and children murdered by lynching. Listening to survivors of the civil rights movement was eye-opening. One of them said to me, “You have to acknowledge the past, but keep moving forward.” Change may be slow, but I intend to support actions that will push our culture to create a more humane society.
Liza Robbins-Theuman – Eye-opening.
Shari Schulner – The Journey brought us to places where unthinkable history happened. The stories we heard, the monuments we saw, and the footsteps we walked in will have a lasting impact – and highlight why the work we do together is so important.
Alice Stephens – Informative and explanatory of moments in history that I lived through. Wonderful innovative museums, meeting some lovely people. For me, the most profound event was the preacher’s sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. It resonated with me, and I continue to think about it.
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| Introducing...the New District Logo
The Northeast District has a new logo!
Our new district logo uses the same stylized “W” as the logo for WRJ North America. It is bold and eye-catching, with clean lines and brilliant colors. We are delighted to use the new Northeast District logo in our newsletter for the first time this month. Keep an eye out for our new logo as we continue to roll it out on other media.
In the meantime you can download the new Northeast District logo here.
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| About the District Dues Waiver
and
The Northeast District Fund You may have noticed that the Northeast District has not been asking your sisterhood for district dues. This is because district dues for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 fiscal years have been underwritten by a generous anonymous grant to WRJ. As a result, all sisterhoods in the Northeast District that are in good standing with WRJ are automatically in good standing with the Northeast District.
We still encourage your sisterhood to make a voluntary contribution to the Northeast District Fund (NDF). Our suggestion is $20 per sisterhood, as in the past – although some sisterhoods choose to contribute more, especially since district dues are now waived. Please accompany your check with the Annual Commitment Form for 2022-2023 that was sent to your sisterhood last month – or you may mail your check with a printed copy of this online form. The mailing address and instructions are on the form.
Thank you for your continued support!
The NDF supports our sisterhoods, honors our past, and ensures our leadership development and membership growth in our future. It honors three women who helped lead the District and WRJ: Jane Evans, the first full-time executive director of WRJ (then known as NFTS); Sally Kubie Glauber, first president of District 3; and Helen Levinsohn, first president of District 1. The fund supports programming and the Speakers Bureau, and awards scholarships to promote participation by sisterhoods and individual members at district events.
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| Upcoming Events ~ All events are virtual unless otherwise noted ~
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Tuesday, December 6, 12:00 p.m.
Sacred Feminism
Women of the Wall (WOW) will share their new curriculum, "Sacred Feminism" which was made possible by a WRJ Yes Fund grant. Join Alieza Salzberg, as we explore the evolution of the role of Jewish women in the synagogue and Jewish leadership. She takes a close look at the painful ways women were historically excluded from sacred spaces, the surprising ways women have made their voices heard throughout history, and the sacred work that lies ahead. Presented by Women of the Wall, WRJ, and Women's League for Conservative Judaism.
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Thursday, December 15, 8:00 p.m.
Film, Fiction, & Fine Wine: Author Talk with Elyssa Friedland Join Elyssa Friedland in a discussion about her new novel, The Most Likely Club, in which a group of friends' high school reunion makes them second-guess everything.
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Thursday, December 15, 8:00 p.m.
JWA Book Talk
Join the Jewish Women's Archive for its winter series of virtual conversations with leading authors to explore Biblical reimaginings, resilience, caregiving, and the dynamics of abuse.
In When Rabbis Abuse, based on 84 interviews with victims/survivors, experts, and thinkers around the Jewish world, Elana Sztokman offers a groundbreaking analysis of the dynamics of sexual abuse in Jewish culture, and what the community can do about it.
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Saturday, December 17
7:15 p.m. Havdalah; 8:15 p.m. Concert
Joe Buchanon - Artist in Residence Concert
(In Person Event) Join Congregation Kol Haverim in Glastonbury, CT, for a special Saturday night concert featuring Joe Buchanan.
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Seeking Tribute Tree Sponsorships
Submit Yours by December 22, 2022 It has been a Northeast District tradition to have a Tribute Tree on display at our conventions. Leaves are added to the tree at each convention to mark contributions honoring various attendees. There have been several trees over the years, and we have a new one for our next convention.
The new Tribute Tree was created by two of our members, Diane Heiman and Kathy Francos, in the form of a gorgeous quilt – with a tree at its center and the names of sponsoring sisterhoods and individuals on its borders. You may have seen a preview of our new Tribute Tree at our last in-person convention, but it will sprout leaves for the first time at our 2023 convention in March.
There is still room on the quilt for a few additional sponsor names. Your name or your sisterhood’s name can be added to our new Tribute Tree as a sponsor for a donation of $360. This is a wonderful way to show your support of the Northeast District and your pride in being a part of this special organization.
Checks should be made payable to the WRJ Northeast District and mailed to Marsha Moller, 160 Dawson Drive, Needham, MA 02492.
Sponsorships must be received by Thursday, December 22, 2022.
The Northeast District would like to thank the sisterhoods and individuals who have already become sponsors of our new Tribute Tree.
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Call to Action:
Reform Movement Initiatives
for the U.S. Congress
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Expand the Child Tax Credit
Nearly three years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic sent the United States into public health, social, and economic crises, but government action successfully blunted the worst economic effects. In the American Rescue Plan of 2021, Congress temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which lifted 5.3 million people (including upwards of 3 million children) out of poverty and helped families meet their basic needs. However, the expansion expired in December 2021, and child poverty dramatically increased. As inflation rises and families continue to struggle to make ends meet, Congress must urgently expand the Child Tax Credit in year-end tax legislation.
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Protect Pregnant Workers Each year, thousands of pregnant workers in the United States are denied minor accommodations—such as more frequent bathroom breaks or being allowed to carry a water bottle—that would enable them to continue working during pregnancy. Pregnant workers who do not have the protection of pregnancy accommodations face unpaid leave, lost benefits, or even termination, forcing them to make the agonizing choice between protecting the health of their pregnancy and continuing to work to support themselves and their families. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (S. 1486), which passed the House of Representatives in May 2021 but has not passed the Senate, would require employers to provide reasonable, temporary accommodations to pregnant workers so they can remain in the workforce throughout their pregnancies. Tell the Senate to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act before the end of the year!
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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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Reproductive Health and Rights
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.
WRJ has compiled some resources that you can use to promote reproductive rights and ensure the health of all women.
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| | | WRJ Goes to Israel
May 7-15, 2023 Join tour leader Shari Robins for a week-long journey to Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Masada, and more. Participants will immerse themselves in ancient Jewish history and modern-day Arab/Jewish coexistence.
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CCAR Press Sale
Through December 12, 2022 Give the gift of a great book. CCAR Press is offering a 25% discount on all its titles, including WRJ's The Torah: A Women's Commentary. Shop now at chanukah.ccarpress.org and use promo code BOOKS25 at checkout.
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Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards for 2023
Apply by December 22, 2022 Each year the Helen Diller Family Foundation awards $36,000 to each of fifteen Jewish U.S. teens for leadership and engagement in initiatives making the world a better place.
Do you know an exceptional teen leader in your community?
Applications must be submitted by December 22, 2022.
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Healthy Living and Survivorship Whether you were diagnosed 10 weeks ago, 10 months ago, 10 years ago, Sharsheret offers resources and support to help you navigate your entire survivorship journey. Learn more about survivorship with a free customized survivorship kit and nutrition, wellness, exercise, and healthy living resources. From Sharsheret, the Jewish organization serving the breast cancer and ovarian cancer community.
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Exhibit: How Jews Became Citizens
Through Febrary 28, 2023
The exhibition tells the story of the Jewish people’s path toward citizenship in Europe. The exhibit will showcase rare books and historical documents, taking a geographical approach to discussions around European Jewish emancipation—the process through which Jews obtained rights – from the 17th to 19th centuries.
The Center for Jewish History is located at 15 West 16 Street, New York, NY.
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| Calendar and Other Resources
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| Calendar December is National Human Rights Month
December 18 Hanukkah First Candle
December 22 Tribute Tree Sponsorship Deadline
January 1 New Year's Day
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| Request a District Speaker Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker at no cost to your sisterhood.
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| Useful Links District Resources
WRJ Resources
Other Resources
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| Donate to the District Make a gift to WRJ Northeast District Fund (NDF) to say thank you, happy birthday, mazel tov, or to send get well wishes or condolences to your family members and friends. An acknowledgment will be emailed to each person whose email address is provided.
The NDF enables the Northeast District to support our sisterhoods, women’s groups, and individual members.
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| Did You Know? Hanukkah made its first appearance at the White House in 1951....
This year, the U.S. president and first lady will host an annual Hanukkah party for hundreds of American Jewish politicians, organization heads, and school and yeshiva deans. But that wasn’t always the case.
- Hanukkah made its first appearance at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 1951, when Prime Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion gave Harry Truman a menorah as a gift.
- In 1979, Jimmy Carter became the first American president to recognize the holiday publicly by speaking at a candle-lighting event hosted by Chabad Lubavitch.
- Ronald Reagan often spoke about the holiday and George H.W. Bush attended a Hanukkah party for staff in the Executive Office Building, in 1991.
- Two years later, Bill Clinton hosted a candle-lighting ceremony in the White House with his staff.
- The first official White House Hanukkah party was held on December 10, 2001. President George W. Bush borrowed a 100-year-old hanukkiyah from the Jewish Museum in New York for the event. Since then, the White House Hanukkah party has been a coveted get-together.
- President Barack Obama not only continued the tradition but added a new one: the Obamas host Passover Seders in the White House as well. But that’s another holiday story.
Source: Israel21c.org
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The Board of the Northeast District
of Women of Reform JudiasmWishes our Sisters a Very Happy Hanukkah
and a Wonderful New Year!
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Share this newsletter by using one of the "Share this" icons at the top of the newsletter.
The next eblast will be sent on Tuesday, January 3.
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