Kallah | FLC Grants | Title IX | Marcia Falk | Movie Discussion | Calendars
Kallah | FLC Grants | Title IX | Marcia Falk | Movie Discussion | Calendars
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News from the Northeast

October 3, 2017

Message from Paulette Black
Vice President, WRJ Northeast District

In the month of Tishri, we observe and celebrate two Jewish festivals. The first is Sukkot (Hebrew for “booths” or “huts”), when we give thanks for the fall harvest and commemorate the 40 years of Jewish wandering in the desert after the giving of the Torah atop Mount Sinai. Immediately following Sukkot, we celebrate Sh'mini Atzeret (Hebrew for “eighth-day convocation,” and the name given to the eighth day of Sukkot), and Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah) for completing reading of the Torah, and to affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives. How do these festivals connect to Women of Reform Judaism?
Like our ancestors, we gather in our sisterhood’s sukkah to plan our year, nurture each other with delicious foods and inspiring ideas, and commit to another year of building a better world through WRJ. The emphasis of Sukkot is on being part of a strong, vibrant community. In our sisterhoods, we gather together to welcome new and longtime members into our Sukkah of Sisterhood.
On the WRJ Northeast District level, the board works closely with sisterhood leaders to build close, nurturing relationships. This year we will attend our Kallah on October 27-29 (it’s not too late to register) to recharge ourselves and our connection through inspiring worship, workshops on the theme of B’tzelem Elohim (Created in God’s Image), and the joy of being together.
On the WRJ level, we bring into our sukkah many tools (Yammer, Chai Mitzvah, advocacy tools, weekly Torah study, and Voices of WRJ) and amazing support from our WRJ leaders and staff. We will come together in our larger sukkah March 1-4 at the Fried Leadership Conference in Nashville.
And where does the celebration of Simchat Torah fit into our life as Women of Reform Judaism? It is through the study and celebration of Torah that we bring our hearts, souls, and minds to our lives as energized, just, loving, joyful, wise, committed WRJ.
Let us all find the joy, energy, and commitment in 5778 to make this a most wonderful year together, and continue to build and strengthen our sisterhoods, our district, and our worldwide communities.
L’Shalom,
Paulette Black
Beth El Temple Center Sisterhood, Belmont, MA

Kallah Begins on October 27
Don't Miss It!

An inspiring weekend for WRJ Northeast District board members, sisterhood presidents, and rising leaders!
October 27-29, 2017
At Dolce in Norwalk, CT

$325 includes accommodations, all meals, and full program.
Space is limited.

REGISTER NOW!

Grants for Fried Leadership Conference

Your sisterhood may be eligible to apply for a WRJ grant for the Fried Leadership Conference in Nashville.
SEE IF YOUR SISTERHOOD IS ELIGIBLE.
Each grant covers programming, materials, and meals. GET THE DETAILS. For addional information, contact WRJ Program Associate Micaela Sheinhait at MSheinhait@wrj.org or 212‑650‑4060.
APPLY NOW! Applications are due by November 10, 2017.

Sisterhood Events

All are welcome to these sisterhood events.

Friday, October 6, 8:00 p.m.
Book Talk: "The Velvet Hours"

Temple Tikvah Sisterhood, 3315 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY
Author Alyson Richman will discuss the why and the how of the informaiton she uncovered while writing her book, "The Velvet Hours." The presentation will be given as part of the erev Shabbat service. SEE THE FLYER FOR DETAILS.
Tuesday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.
"WRJ & IRAC – Promoting Civil Rights in Israel"

Temple Avodah Sisterhood, 3050 Oceanside Road, Oceanside, NY
Vivian Blumstein, president, WRJ Northeast District, will be the guest speaker for this important presentation. READ MORE.
RSVP to sisterhood@avodah.org.
Open to the Community... Bring a friend!
Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 p.m.
"Wine, Women and WRJ Advocacy"

The Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 West 68 Street, New York, NY
Rabbi Marla Feldman, executive director of WRJ, will be the guest speaker.
All are invited, and admission is free, but please RSVP to response@swfs.org or 212-877-4050, Ext. 280. Questions? Email wo@swfs.org.

Sign On to WRJ's Title IX Guidance Letter by October 9

On October 9, WRJ will send a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos expressing concern about her recent decision to change the 2011 "Dear Colleague Letter" guidance put in place by the Obama administration.

An Evening with Marcia Falk – October 19

Thursday, October 19, 6:00 p.m.
HUC-JIR, One West Fourth Street, New York, NY

The Book of Blessings: Turnings and Returnings
20th Anniversary Edition Book Launch

RSVP via Facebook or by email to info@ccarpress.org.

Related CCAR Webinar

October 19, 2017 1:00 p.m.
A conversation with critically acclaimed author Marcia Falk and Rabbi Hara Person, publisher of CCAR Press, about using the language of our ancestors to reflect the experience of our people today. Participants will receive a discount code for purchasing "The Book of Blessings."
All are welcome! REGISTER HERE!

Movie Discussion, October 22
"The Wedding Plan"

Join WRJ on Sunday, October 22 at 1 PM for an interactive movie discussion about "The Wedding Plan," Israel’s award winning hit – Best Film, Best Actress (Noa Koler), Best Screenplay and Best Director (Rama Burshtein).
How can you resist this plot? A 30-something, Ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman is jilted by her fiancé just 22 days before they take their vows. But instead of canceling the reception venue booked for the eighth day of Hanukkah, she trusts that fate in the form of the Almighty will provide a willing replacement and that the ceremony, like Celine Dion’s heart, will go on.
– Susan Wloszczyna at rogerebert.com

HIAS Holiday Calendar

HIAS has issued a lovely holiday calendar that is available online as a PDF. The second page of the PDF contains seasonal facts about the global refugee crisis.
HIAS (founded and originally known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and freedom. They rescue people whose lives are in danger for being who they are.

Need a printable monthly calendar?

DISPLAY WRJ'S PRINTABLE MONTHLY CALENDAR.
It has all the Jewish holidays for 2017‑2018.

Calendar

October 4-12: Sukkot & Simchat Torah
October 9: Columbus Day celebrated (U.S.), Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
October 27-29: Northeast District Kallah at Dolce, Norwalk, CT
November 9: Deadline for FLC Grant Applications

Save the Date

December 6-10, 2017
URJ Biennial
Boston, MA

March 1-4, 2018
Fried Leadership Conference
Nashville, TN

Save the Date for Convention

October 25-28, 2018
It’s not too early to start planning!

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Your sisterhood is entitled to a District Speaker once every two years, without expense to your sisterhood.
Please submit your requests with 6‑8 weeks' lead time.
In alternate years, you may REQUEST A WRJ SPEAKER.

WRJ Outreach Grants

WRJ will provide outreach grants of up to $1,000 to WRJ sisterhoods and women’s groups for programs that reach out to interfaith families and non-Jews. These grants, made possible by a grant from the National Center to Encourage Judaism, are designed to encourage and enhance learning about Judaism and to engage participants in Jewish life. The emphasis will be on programs that can be replicated.
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W E L C O M E
New Sisterhood Presidents and Leaders

Now that you have elected and installed your new leaders...

The Reform Jewish Corner

Join WRJ in Boston at the URJ Biennial. REGISTER HERE.

Support Israeli Staff
at URJ Camps

The Trump Administration is considering ending the J-1 Visa program that allows international staff – including Israelis – to work at Reform Movement camps for the summer.
Take action!
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
Let them know that you support the J‑1 visa program.
Birthright Israel registration is now open. All 18- to 26-year-olds are eligible for a free trip to Israel. SIGN UP NOW for priority choice in the winter.
NFTY alums can use the new NFTY Alumni Directory to reconnect online.
SIGN UP HERE.

Did You Know...?

National Mammography Day is October 20.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer affects people – not just women! – from all walks of life in startling numbers. But for women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer other than skin cancer, and breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer besides lung cancer. Our best chance at combating the problem is prevention. That is why WRJ has put together a complimentary shower card explaining how to perform breast self-examinations. ORDER FREE SHOWER CARDS.
Also read how one sisterhood turned "Sangira in the Sukkah" into a breast cancer awareness event.

The Executive Board of the Northeast District of Women of Reform Judaism wishes a Happy Columbus Day to our U.S. sisters, and a Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian sisters!

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The next eblast will be sent on November 7, 2017.
Send program listings, photos, and articles to wrjneblast@gmail.com by October 31.
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