News from the Northeast
News from the Northeast
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News from the Northeast

April 7, 2020
This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
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Did you miss the March newsletter? You can read it here.

Message from Robin Krieger

Vice President of Area Management

WRJ Northeast District

For over twenty years my family went to our Orthodox aunt and uncle’s home for the first night of Passover. It was always a very long and laborious evening with my two brilliant cousins showing off their perfect Hebrew. Our chain-smoking, mustached uncle would delight in his children’s superiority and would then turn into Archie Bunker, yelling at my sweet aunt, the perfect Edith, to leave the kitchen and join us at the table. It was the same scenario every Passover. Years later, when I brought my future husband, Ernie, I knew if he survived the evening, he was a keeper.
Ernie, a knowledgeable oenophile, volunteered to bring the wine, but my uncle said they were all set. I am sure he felt it wasn’t going to be kosher enough since Ernie grew up “reformed.” My family, on the other hand, were not drinkers and were thrilled with Ernie’s expertise. As the first glass of wine was poured from the carafe used every year, Ernie grew suspicious. It had nothing to do with the fact that the wine was Manischewitz, but it was a color nowhere near red and filled with particles past the sediment stage. When Ernie politely inquired about the wine, my uncle couldn’t remember when he first opened the bottle. “Maybe three years ago?”, he said. We all switched to grape juice as my embarrassed uncle poured the wine down the drain. Needless to say, Ernie was asked to bring the wine the following year.
We laugh about this story now and realize that the rigid Seders we experienced as children are not necessarily the norm. Since then, we have been invited to ultra-orthodox Seders with relatives who laugh, ask questions, sing until 2 or 3 a.m., and drink lots and lots of delicious kosher wine.
With my parents, aunt, and uncle all gone, so too is that Seder. Our family has changed over the years and now includes members who never experienced Passover, its history and traditions. We searched for ways to make everyone feel welcome and part of the Seder, adding readings outside the Haggadah that explain why we celebrate this ancient holiday. It takes time and thought, but in the end, everyone has fun, the matzah balls are delicious, and the wine superb.
Robin Krieger
Temple Shalom, Newton, MA

Fried Women's Conference
Now Going Digital

May 1, 2020
Rather than cancel our in-person conference in Phoenix, the WRJ is reimagining it, creating a one-day Virtual Fried Women’s Conference on Friday, May 1, 2020. It will be free and open to everyone.
We will offer a selection of nine learning sessions as well as a plenary panel offering thought leadership on single-gender programming. The day will culminate with a moving Shabbat worship experience with Chava Mirel, our musician-in-residence.

An Invitation for First-Timers

April 21, 8 p.m.

WRJ 101: The What, Why, and Who of Women of Reform Judaism

Join us for the kick-off to our Virtual Fried Women's Conference to learn more about Women of Reform Judaism, who we are, what we do, and the resources available to you as a member. Register to attend WRJ 101

Leaders Wanted:

Join the WRJ Northeast District Executive Board

Are you passionate about WRJ? Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Are you looking for an exciting new challenge? Then consider becoming a part of the WRJ Northeast District Executive Committee.
The Northeast District Nominating Committee is seeking women who represent the broadest range of experience, background, and geographic location to join our team for the term that begins at our district convention in Tarrytown, NY, in November 2020. Please note that this term will be approximately 2½ years in length. For more information and to apply, go to the WRJ Northeast District website.

WRJ Online Schmooze Sessions

Join WRJ members from all over North America as we gather virtually via Zoom for online social schmooze sessions in April on Monday afternoons and Thursday evenings!
Get the details and Zoom link on Yammer. Please share the link with your sisterhood/women's group members. You can also contact leadership@wrj.org for information on how to connect to the sessions.

A Message for Healing

"Heal Us Now," by Leon Sher, sung by the HaZamir Alumni, conducted by Matthew Lazar, March 2018

Sisterhood News & Events

All WRJ members are welcome at these events

April 7, 7 p.m.
Film Discussion via Zoom
B'nai Israel Sisterhood

Join the B'nai Israel Sisterhood (Southbury, CT) in discussing the film Loving Leah. The film is about an ancient Jewish ritual taking place in modern times.

April 20, 7 p.m.
Virtual Happy Hour via Zoom
Free Synagogue of Flushing Sisterhood

Join the FSF Sisterhood to unwind and connect with a virtual happy hour! We will be meeting via Zoom, and having fun conversation and a beverage of choice (alcohol not required) while we visit. Contact sisterhood@freesynagogueflushing.org to register.

April 22, 2 p.m.
Book Discussion via Zoom - Sinners and the Sea
B'nai Israel Sisterhood

The Sisterhood of B'nai Israel (Southbury, CT) will host a virtual book group on April 22 at 2:00 p.m. with author Rebecca Kanner to discuss Sinners and the Sea: The Untold Story of Noah's Wife. The book may be ordered online, and is available on Audible or on Kindle. Open to all; email Michelle Rosen at msr2511@yahoo.com for the Zoom link.

News from WRJ

WRJ Online Auction

The WRJ is seeking donations for an online auction, to help raise funds in lieu of in-person fundraisers. The auction will take place in May, and items with a minimum value of $50 are needed. This can be original creations (knitted items, art, baked goods that can be shipped), items of significant value, time at vacation homes, etc. To donate, please send item details (item name, up to 50 word description, estimated value, and a photo) to WRJAuction@gmail.com by April 30.

Women of the Wall

April 13, 1 a.m. EDT – Women of the Wall invites you to participate in a Passover prayer service from Jerusalem featuring musical Hallel and Birkat HaKohanim (HaKohanot). Hebrew Union College rabbinical student Samantha Thal will lead the songs with guitar accompaniment. For a Zoom link and password, please contact development@womenofthewall.org.il

2 for Seder

WRJ and 2 for seder hosted a Zoom webinar on how to plan an inclusive virtual Seder. You can view the recorded webinar here.

Women's Journey to Israel

Rabbi Marla Feldman shared a blog wth highlights from the first half of WRJ”s Women’s Journey to Israel... Follow the group to Beit Daniel, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, Carmel Mountain...
You can also find the Facebook gallery of our trip here.

The Leo Baeck School

In March, WRJ received an urgent request from the Leo Baeck Educational Center in Haifa, Israel. The headmaster/managing director asked for an emergency grant to provide computers and other needs to facilitate online learning for their most vulnerable students during the COVID-19 epidemic. WRJ’s Executive Committee moved swiftly and voted to approve funding from the YES Fund. WRJ is proud to continue its partnership with the Leo Baeck Educational Center during this time of uncertainty.

Other News

Resources During Social Distancing

The URJ has compiled a list of COVID-19 resources for congregations. This includes valuable information on how to stay connected, tools for education, and tips for observing Passover at home.

WZC Election Update

Because of all of your efforts, ARZA was able to garner 31,500 votes, an increase of nearly 50% from the 2015 election – a plurality of the total votes cast. Reform Judaism is in the position to lead a powerful progressive block, and will continue to work in the name of our Reform values: pluralism, equality, and freedom. See the ARZA website for more information.

WRJ Northeast is on Instagram

Follow us at instagram.org/wrjnortheast/

Incubator Grants

WRJ is offering Incubator Grants of $500-$2,500 to WRJ sisterhoods and women’s groups for creative programs that promote one or more of WRJ’s three S’s: sisterhood, spirituality, or social good. WRJ is looking specifically for programs that encourage tikkun olam, promote Reform Jewish values, create caring communities, and/or cultivate spiritual or personal growth in its participants. Get the details here.
Apply for a 2019-2020 WRJ Incubator Grant HERE.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2020, or until funds are depleted.
Want more information? Read the FAQ. Have questions? Contact WRJ Engagement Associate Jenny Levy at jelevy@wrj.org or (212) 650-4060.

Incubator Grants in Action!

Congratulations to Temple B'nai Chaim Sisterhood of Georgetown, CT, for receiving an Incubator Grant for its Laundry Love program in Danbury, CT. The program enables people who are struggling financially to clean their clothes and linen free of charge on a regular basis. The program provides detergent, bleach, and prepaid card “swipes” to operate washers and dryers at a neighborhood laundromat.

Calendar and Other Resources

Calendar

April 8 First Seder
April 21 Yom Hashoah
April 21 WRJ 101 Webinar
April 28 Yom Hazikaron
April 29 Yom Ha'atzmaut
April 30 WRJ Auction Donation Deadline
May 1 Fried Women's Conference - Online
May 6 Deadline for Northeast District Executive Committee applications

Save the Date

November 5-8 Northeast District Convention

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.

Keep in Touch
with WRJ Northeast

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NEwebsite yammer

Need access to Yammer?

Contact Heather Lorgeree at 212‑650‑4050 or email her at leadership@wrj.org.

Request a Speaker

Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker once every two years, without expense to your sisterhood.
In alternate years, you may REQUEST A WRJ SPEAKER.

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Did You Know...

What makes kosher wine kosher? Well, a wine is considered kosher if it is made under rabbinic supervision, from kosher ingredients (since some standard refining agents aren't pareve), and in equipment that has been certified kosher. But beyond that basic definition, there is more! To be considered kosher, a wine must be produced only by observant Jews. Some kosher wines (called Mevushel wine) are flash-pasteurized so that they can still be served even if a non-Jewish person is serving them.
While kiddush wine is usually a sweet, syrupy kosher wine (think Manischewitz), there are many kosher wines that are just as amazing as high quality non-kosher varieties. While not everyone in Reform Judaism seeks out specifically kosher wine, it is often (though not always, since some use egg white to refine it) a vegan option as well.

The Board of the Northeast District
of Women of Reform Judaism
Wishes You a Happy Passover

Visit our website Follow us on Twitter www.facebook.com/WRJNortheast wrjneblast@gmail.com
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The next eblast will be sent on May 5, 2020
Send program listings, photos, and articles to wrjneblast@gmail.com by April 28, 2020
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