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News from the Northeast
June 7, 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 Paulette Black
Area Director, WRJ Northeast District Join our WRJ Northeast District Journey. WRJ has been my heart and home for over 25 years. I found a community of women who share my passion for repairing our world, caring for one other, and bringing prayer, singing, dancing, tears, joy, and fun into each other’s lives. My Northeast District sisters are very special women who have become my friends, and we are on this journey together.
Here are the stories of that journey from three women on the Northeast District Executive Committee.
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Jenifer Rosenberg, WRJ Northeast Area Director
How did you come to be a WRJ leader? When I attended my first Fried Conference in 2017, I was amazed by all of the wonderful women I met, and the great things the WRJ was doing. I felt welcome right away, even though I didn't know anyone at the time. Afterwards, I made a point to go to as many WRJ events and district programs as possible, and made great friends along the way. I knew that this was where I wanted to be, and so I applied to be an area director.
What was one highlight for you? I loved the October 2019 Kallah, where we came together in sisterhood, song, and social action. The power went out in the whole Norwalk area on Saturday morning. It was remarkable to witness the poise, grace, and humor with which everyone handled the situation, such as finding flashlights so the Torah reading could happen. I realized that this amazing group of dedicated women could accomplish anything they put their minds to.
Any advice for future leaders? Take the leap! Don't let worry hold you back. This is a wonderfully supportive group of amazing women, and you won't regret it.
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Marsha Moller, WRJ Northeast District Treasurer
What is in it for you as a member of the Northeast Executive Committee? All the things you love about your own sisterhood are magnified ten times when you get involved in the district. You are not just on another board in a leadership position, you are part of a movement of Reform Jewish women. That is a special feeling.
What did you learn from your recent WRJ Board meeting? WRJ is moving away from just being an organization to becoming a movement. I think this captures why we are all involved – something bigger than ourselves, working toward a common goal.
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Carmen Holzman, WRJ Northeast First Vice President
How did you come to be a WRJ leader? My introduction to WRJ was on a mission trip to Israel in 2012. I immediately felt that I found a safe place, not only to be myself but also to explore countless opportunities. I was inspired and empowered by the friends and leaders I made on that trip. It was through their encouragement that I found my leadership path within WRJ.
What was one highlight for you? My first area event in Bethel, Connecticut, was a highlight. I represented my sisterhood as a vice president. On that weekend, I met Sharon Sobel (the current Northeast District president) and many other Northeast leaders who welcomed me with open arms. I was so impressed with everyone’s enthusiasm and heartfelt passion for the organization. I have been an active participant and supporter since then, and look forward to innovative programs, hugs, and inspiration at every WRJ event.
Any advice for future leaders? Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. We are all unique and bring different strengths to share with the organization. Together, these strengths create the beautiful bouquet that is Sisterhood at WRJ.
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As Jenifer said, take the leap and join our amazing journey. It is an opportunity for personal growth, new friendships, and a chance to make a difference in our communities.
You can find the application HERE. The application deadline is Friday, September 16, 2022. Please consider applying. We want you on our team! Paulette Black
Beth El Temple Center, Belmont, MA
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| Friday-Sunday, June 17‑19 WRJ Northeast District Presents:
Shabbat Shalom - Together again
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An in-person weekend (Friday afternoon to Sunday noon) with the WRJ Northeast District at the Albany Marriott. Details about the weekend, including the schedule and guest biographies, can be found in our special newsletter. Registration is still open. For information about hotel reservations or other inquiries please contact neconventionms@gmail.com.
Register here.
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| Upcoming Events ~ Please note that all events are virtual unless otherwise noted ~
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Thursday, June 14, 7:30 p.m.
Pride Month Webinar Join Keshet, WRJ, and the RAC to learn how current trends in anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion legislation and threats to bodily autonomy are interconnected. Advocating for LGBTQ+ rights is a mitzvah — join us to act upon and live our Jewish values fully this Pride Month.
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Wednesday, June 22, 12 noon
ANU - The Museum of the Jewish People We will virtually tour the museum with Israeli tour guide, Shari Robins, to understand how it can be seen through the lenses of different Jewish communities and topics. Since it is the largest Jewish museum in the world we will highlight a few of its displays.
ANU: The Museum of the Jewish People explores the history, identity, and culture of Jews living in Israel and around the world. Each element makes up and threads together one Jewish story.
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Monday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.
Giving Wisely: Understanding Ways to Give Did you know women drive charitable giving in their households and are more engaged in philanthropy than men? Women give in many ways - checkbook/credit card, donor-advised funds, family foundations, IRA-qualified minimum distributions, estate plans, giving circles, charitable gift annuities, and more. But what is the best way for you to give? Join philanthropists, gift experts, and the WRJ Philanthropy team for excellent advice on ways to give - whether as an individual, a couple, or a family - to make your charitable giving even more meaningful.
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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.
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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 include: president, first vice president, four vice presidents, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, membership secretary, and area directors.
You can find our job descriptions 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 District convention in March 2023.
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Northeast District Women Rally for Abortion Justice
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Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, D.C.
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Welcome Afghan Evacuees
On Sunday March 27, Temple B'rith Kodesh (Rochester, NY) hosted its annual WRJ/Sisterhood Interfaith Event. Over 130 women came to hear five Afghan women who have relocated to the Rochester area. The Afghan women told their stories of life in Afghanistan, their jobs with the U.S. government, and their transition to life in the United States.
These five women were helped to settle in the U.S., along with many other Afghan evacuees, by Keeping Our Promise, an organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive resettlement assistance to endangered wartime allies who served U.S. interests in conflict and war zones.
Below you will find two action items. Please consider using them and sharing them to allow more Afghan families to settle in the United States. The more people that advocate for this cause, the louder and more powerful our voices will be.
Thank you for your consideration of this most important matter.
Liza Robbins Theuman
Vice President of Programming, WRJ/TBK Sisterhood
Area Director, WRJ Northeast District
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Blogs from the Northeast District The Civil Rights Journey When our WRJ President, Sara Charney, asked us not just to attend but to co-chair the Civil Rights Journey, we were excited and trepidatious. As we planned, we realized that is how everyone is feeling – excited and trepidatious.
A Passover Message . . . since Russian forces have been pummeling Ukrainian cities, the citizens have been fleeing west. Some are fleeing to other parts of the country, others are leaving the country and now, some are returning to the cities they fled, hoping to rebuild their lives.
Is it OK to Hug You? What happens when someone you are only acquainted with, or someone you barely know, decides that, because of the community culture, they can greet you in an intimate way without consent? What happens when a person places their hand on your shoulder or lower back while walking with you into the sanctuary. When do community cultural behaviors cross the line?
Standing with Women of the Wall
The first time I celebrated Rosh Chodesh with Women of The Wall (WOW) at the Kotel was in 2013 during the WRJ Centennial Mission to Israel. I was fully prepared and expecting to be detained by police.
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WRJ Has a New Logo
Women of Reform Judaism is excited to reveal its new logo! Its vibrant colors represent WRJ’s powerful voice and forward thinking. The three lines that make up the “W” highlight our organization's three pillars – sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice.
The new logo was developed in partnership with Great Believer, a marketing consultancy company. Thank you to WRJ’s Marketing Consultancy Task Force: Jenn Daley (chair), Elisa Heisman (manager, WRJ Marketing & Communications), Susan Bass, Andrea Gingold, Lori Motis, Michelle Rosen, Rachel Roth, Jane Taves, and Nicole Villalpando, as well as Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, Sara Charney, and Karen Sim. We are especially grateful for the ongoing support by Joanne Fried that made this effort possible.
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WRJ's 2022-2023 Grantees
The WRJ is thrilled to announce our YES Fund 2022-2023 grantees! These grants help nurture Jewish engagement by supporting youth and family programs and post-college Jewish advocacy fellowships. Other grants provide rabbinic and graduate student scholarships globally. Grantees in Israel include those that are fostering pluralistic Jewish spaces. Other funding supports the Reform Movement's efforts to create an equitable workplace for all and increase visibility in communities, uplifting Jews from all backgrounds.
Read more about our grantees here, To see the list of grants from the YES Fund click here.
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WRJ'S Civil Rights Journey 2022
Travel with your WRJ sisters through the southeastern United States to learn more about the fight for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s and the modern-day continuation of this work. Visit the Rosa Parks Museum, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the 16th Street Baptist Church, and other historical and cultural sites. Check out the full itinerary and pricing.
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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 1: May 25 - June 29 (6 sessions) - Learn the aleph-bet and how to sound out Hebrew words. This class is a beginning introduction to Hebrew letters and their sounds.
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.
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Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign
If you have not already taken the first step in joining the Reform Movement’s efforts to protect, expand, and strengthen democracy, click here.
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Support Background Checks
Congress must act now to stop the suffering and loss of life due to gun violence. Urge Congress to pass HR.8 to require universal background checks on all gun sales.
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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.
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 June is LGBTQ Pride Month
June 5 Shavuot
June 14 Flag Day
June 17-19 WRJ NE District Shabbaton
June 19 Juneteenth (U.S.)
June 19 Father's Day
July 1 Canada Day
July 4 Independence Day (U.S.)
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? Shavuot is a Significant Holiday Although Shavuot receives very little attention in the U.S. compared to its sister holidays of Passover and Sukkot, it is a major Jewish holiday. Shavuot is a celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai - the moment when God and Israel sealed their covenant together.
Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals in Jewish tradition. These festivals—Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot—were originally agricultural celebrations that were later imbued with historical significance. Passover celebrates the redemption of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, Shavuot celebrates the subsequent receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and Sukkot recalls the forty years that the Israelites wandered through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. Together, these three festivals are a way that Jews reenact this historical narrative—from slavery to redemption and revelation—every year.
For more Shavuot traditions, food, and learning from the Jewish Agency for Israel, click here.
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The WRJ Northeast District Wishes You a Happy Holiday!
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The next eblast will be sent on Tuesday, July 5.
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