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News from the Northeast
February 5, 2019 | |
This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
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Message from Betty Weiner Vice President of Area Management and Advocacy
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Have you heard the story of "Honi and the Carob Tree"? It is one of my favorite stories. The story goes like this... One day, Honi, the Circle Maker, was walking on the road and saw a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked the man, “How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?” The man replied, “Seventy years.” Honi then asked the man, “And do you think you will live another seventy years and eat the fruit of this tree?” The man answered, “Perhaps not. However, when I was born into this world, I found many carob trees planted by my father and grandfather. Just as they planted trees for me, I am planting trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees.”
Like Honi’s father and grandfather, the founding women of WRJ planted seeds for us. And like Honi, we must do the same for future generations. From the very first days of WRJ, our foremothers were deeply involved in the issues of their day. It is our responsibility to carry on their advocacy work. We may not finish the task, but doing nothing is not an option. To be effective, we need to prioritize, focus our energy, and mobilize our members. Where do we begin? There are two upcoming conferences where you can become better-educated and better-trained on social justice issues, as well as learn foundational advocacy skills. The first conference is WRJ’s Social Justice Conference, May 18-19, in Washington, DC. It will help you get better prepared to address important current issues. Here’s what to expect: - Learn about advocacy through a Jewish woman’s lens
- Attend sessions on today’s social justice hot topics
- Share in Shabbat worship
- Hear singer-songwriters Julie Silver, Peri Smilow, and Stacy Beyer in concert
REGISTER HERE for the Social Justice Conference. The early bird discount ends February 27. Extend your stay in Washington by attending the RAC’s Consultation on Conscience, May 19-21. It will be an amazing conference! Without sounding to dramatic, it was a life-changing experience for me. Here are some highlights: - Meet with social justice leaders across the Reform Movement
- Network with other communities facing similar social justice challenges
- Build tangible organizing and advocacy skills
I hope you will join me for both conferences in Washington, DC, this May. L’shalom,
Betty Weiner
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA
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| WRJ Incubator Grants Are Available Only Three More Days Grants of $500-$2,500 are available to WRJ sisterhoods and women’s groups to fund unique and creative programs that promote one or more of the WRJ 3 S's: Sisterhood, Spirituality, and Social Good. Applications are due February 8, 2019. APPLY TODAY
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WRJ Social Justice Conference
May 18-19, 2019, Washington, DC
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The WRJ Social Justice Conference is a powerful opportunity to become better-educated and trained on social justice issues, and to learn advocacy skills. This is the first time that WRJ is offering such an event! Early bird discount ends February 27, 2019.
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| | Saturday March 30, 2019
Stamford, Connecticut The Amazing Life of Doña Gracia Nasi: A Jewish Woman Leader in Renaissance Europe Featuring Guest Speaker Andrée Aelion Brooks 10:30 am – Morning Services
Noon-3:30 pm – Lunch & Program Temple Sinai, 458 Lakeside Drive, Stamford, CT
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URJ Camp Events
Mother-Daughter Weekend #1: March 15-17, 2019 For moms and girls currently in grades 6, 7 and 8. Mother-Daughter Weekend #2: April 5-7, 2019 For grandmas, aunts, moms and girls currently in grades K-5. Boston Area Meeting. On Thursday, January 17, Boston area members of our board met with ladies from the URJ camps In the Northeast District. It was a night of mutual appreciation – for what WRJ and WRJ Northeast District does to support the URJ camps, and for what the camps do to further the connection of our youth with their Judaism. Some of the ladies representing our district included President Trina Novak, Vice Presidents Sharon Sobel, Betty Weiner, and Robin Krieger, as well as other board members including Marsha B, Cheryl G., Nancy B., Paulette B., and Arline A. Camp representatives were Kadie Black, Director of Development, URJ Northeast Camps, and Debby Shriber, Director of Crane Lake.
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Consultation on Conscience
May 19-21, 2019, Washington, DC
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The Consultation on Conscience is an opportunity to build tangible organizing and advocacy skills, and deepen connections within the Reform Movement and with other communities. Social justice leaders from across the Reform Jewish Movement meet with us to chart the path forward, with the goal of making a mark on state and federal landscapes.
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HUC-JIR Scholars Each year, WRJ sponsors two scholarships at each of the three HUC-JIR campuses. This year, the two "WRJ scholars" on the New York campus are Rebecca Jaye, a second-year rabbinic student from Brooklyn, NY, and Jessica Kerman, a fifth-year rabbinic student from Brampton, Ontario – shown below, at the January 26 New York Scholarship Dinner, with Shoshanah Dweck (on the incoming WRJ Board slate), WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla Feldman, and Carol Chaykin (WRJ Board member and Northeast District vice president). WRJ is proud to be the single largest cumulative donor to HUC-JIR since its establishment in 1913.
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Resources for Contacting Elected Officials
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The RAC has compiled resources to help you contact your elected officials and educate them on issues about which you and your sisterhood feel passionate. It can serve as a guide for WRJ women, congregations, and youth who are engaging in advocacy work. Information for contacting your congressperson, how to schedule in-district meetings, tips for a successful legislative visit, and postcard templates for contacting elected officials are provided. Together we can make a difference!
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Remembering Betty Golomb We mourn the passing of Betty Golomb, leader and philanthropist of the Reform Movement and Progressive Judaism worldwide. Betty served as president of NFTS District 3, was a member of the NFTS/WRJ Board, and also had leadership roles in WUPJ, RAC, URJ, and ARZA. She helped plan NFTS's 50th anniversary celebration in 1963, and led the Reform Movement’s Soviet Jewry efforts for many years in the '70s and '80s. She was a generous sisterhood donor for many years, as well as a WRJ Chai Society member. Betty was a member of Central Synagogue of New York City, and a charter member of the Community Synagogue of Port Washington, where she served as trustee and sisterhood president. May her memory be for a blessing.
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| Calendar February 8 Application deadline for WRJ Incubator Grants February 18 Presidents' Day February 26 Jewish Disability Advocacy Day February 27 Early bird registration deadline for WRJ SJC
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| Save the Date March 7-9 Women of the Wall 30th Anniversary March 15-17 Mother-Daughter Camp Weekend March 30 Connecticut Area Event April 5-7 Mother-Daughter Camp Weekend May 18-19 WRJ Social Justice Conference May 19-21 RAC Consultation on Conscience
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| New from WRJ Wonder Woman Capes
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| Moment Magazine Discount Moment Magazine subscriptions are available to WRJ members for $18/year.
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| CCAR Press Discounts Substantial discounts are available to gift shops from CCAR Press on small-quantity bulk orders.
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| Northeast District Photos
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| Two RAC Alerts Urge Congress to take action...
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Together we can make a difference!
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Your sisterhood is entitled to a District Speaker once every two years, without expense to your sisterhood.
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| Two WRJ Webinars You can replay these recent webinars:
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| W E L C O M E New Sisterhood Presidents and Leaders Submit a LEADERSHIP CHANGE FORM so that WRJ and Northeast District can update their records and provide Yammer access.
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| Did You Know...
February is Disability Awareness Month
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Since 2009, North American Jewish Communities celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) in February. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to removing barriers, celebrating diversity and connecting with our Jewish values. Making Jewish Life accessible for all is one of most important community responsibilities. Facts about JDAIM: - The logo was designed to signify how inclusion is woven into every aspect of Jewish life and community.
- In Leviticus, we are taught, “You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind” (Leviticus 19:14).
- According to the US Census, 1 in 5 people has some kind of learning, cognitive, physical and/or developmental disability.
Jewish tradition is explicit about the importance of creating a world that is accessible for all people. Join us in this sacred work to ensure that all members of society are treated with dignity and able to fully participate in all aspects of religious and public life.
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