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This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
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In This Issue (These links may not work on some devices)
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Sara Charney
President, Women of Reform Judaism
How exciting to be on the threshold of a new secular year! With the promise of 365 days ahead of us, we can dream and plan our way through 2023. Knowing my Northeast sisters as I do, I realize that you do not sit idly by. Rather, you lead with determination and, through your leadership, bring many along with you. You share your dreams, and work together with others to empower women and communities through sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice.
What are WRJ’s dreams and plans for 2023? As you can see from WRJ’s January calendar (Yammer access required), we want to create ample opportunities for women to share ideas, learn from each other, strengthen friendships, enjoy Jewish culture, and deepen their connection to Judaism.
If you are looking to achieve all the above and more in person, you must plan to attend the Northeast District Convention, March 23-26 in Danbury, Connecticut; watch for the registration link, which will go live on Tuesday, January 10. If you are comfortable venturing forth, I promise that this gathering will change your life. That is not hyperbole! I am blessed with many beautiful friendships that I have made since attending my first district event over 20 years ago. These bonds of friendships, of deep connections, last a lifetime. This is the core of sisterhood. And what a gift to celebrate Shabbat together! There is truly nothing more spiritually uplifting and enriching than celebrating Shabbat in person and in sisterhood. Finally, with our new or rekindled friendships, and feeling spiritually renewed, it is now our time to lead with the principle of tikkun olam on a variety of causes, to create a more just and compassionate world for all people, of all backgrounds and identities.
What will 2023 bring to you and to your communities? How will you choose to cultivate sisterhood, inspire spiritual growth, or mobilize collective action? I invite you to share your talents, wisdom, and energy with your Northeast sisters to dream big and plan.
Sending you my warmest wishes for a brilliant 2023 full of wonderful potential and much camaraderie,
Sara Charney,
Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Upcoming Events ~ All events are virtual unless otherwise noted ~
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Saturday, January 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Jews of Canada Join us as we visit the Jewish Communities of Canada, home of WRJ President Sara Charney. Our Zoom program will include speakers on the history of Jews in Canada, tikkun olam projects, the Canadian connection to Israel, and the rituals and music of Canada. We will conclude the evening with Havdalah. presented by WRJ Midwest and Central districts. See the flyer here.
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Monday, January 23, 8 p.m.
Virtual Lilith Salon
Join us as we discuss Lilith Magazine's Fall 2022 issue, "Secrets and Revelations."
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Tuesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Philanthropy Workshop: Becoming an Engaging Interviewer
Learning to moderate a panel discussion or interview adds a unique set of skills to your personal toolkit! Join this discussion with WRJ Past President Blair Marks about how we can create a comfortable space for dialogue--making the most of our opportunities to engage with the speakers/presenters we invite into these conversations. The best part is these skills are transferable to other elements of our lives!
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Thursday, February 2, 7:00 p.m.
FFFW Presents: The Lost Child
Join us to watch the Hallmark film, The Lost Child, based on the true story of Yvette Melanson and her book titled Looking for Lost Bird. The film depicts a woman who goes in search of her biological parents but discovers much more about herself, her family, and her heritage. Save the date for the discussion of the film on Febraury 22.Sponsored by WRJ's Film, Fiction, and Fine Wine group.
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Tuesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m.
WRJ Says STOP: Educating and Empowering People About Sexual Harassment Join us for the second installment of the WRJ says STOP series. In this webinar, we will be joined by our partner, Keshet, who will share an overview of definitions and language pertaining to bullying and sexual harassment. In addition, you will have the opportunity to complete upstander training.
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Northeast District Convention
March 23 - 26, 2023
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Registration for our upcoming Northeast District Convention will begin on January 10, 2023. We are very excited about the programming and activities we have planned, which include not only engaging worship, a concert, and learning opportunities, but also a hands-on mosaic art project, a chocolate tasting, and an optional mixology workshop.
We will also be holding our district's first-ever online auction to benefit the WRJ YES Fund, from March 20 to March 28, to coincide with our convention. We are requesting donations for the auction. If you have a skill to share via video call, baked and handmade goods, tickets or gift cards that you would like to contribute, please fill out the item donation form HERE.
You can click on the flyers below to view a full-size version.
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Or Ami Award Winners
This year is a special year, marking the 50th anniversary of the Or Ami Awards! These awards were established in 1973 to recognize exemplary social justice, community service, and educational programs submitted by sisterhoods, women’s groups, and WRJ Districts. This year, our awardees ran fantastic programming spanning education, remembrance, interfaith, climate change, to reproductive health. Learn more about this year's winning programs. Kudos to the two Northeast District sisterhoods that won an award. The awards will be presented to our district winners at our district convention in March. You can read more about the Or Ami awards and this year's winners here.
Bronze Award:
Talking about End-of-Life Care and Our Legacies
Women's Organization of The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
New York, NY
Honorable Mention:
The Rebranding of Women of Holy Blossom
Women of Holy Blossom
Toronto, ON
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Bringing Light and Hope to the Kyiv Jewish Community for Hanukkah
Beth El Temple Center of Belmont, MA In December, WRJ@BETC (BETC’s sisterhood) and members of the WRJ Northeast District raised over $900 to provide solar lamps and heating packs for the Kyiv Jewish community in order to help them survive a cold, dark winter without power, heat, and sometimes water.
Rabbi Reuven Stamov, who serves the Jewish community in Kyiv, and Helen Chervitz, who is Paulette Black’s friend and the Forward's reporter living in Kyiv, are so grateful for the support of the BETC community.
If you would like to help support the Kyiv Jewish community with additional supplies, please contact Paulette at pauletteblack0@gmail.com.
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Hanukkah Party: Fire Pit, S’mores, Cocoa, and More
Temple Etz Chaim Sisterhood, Franklin, MA
Last year, we held our Sisterhood Hanukkah party in my backyard with a fire pit, s’mores, cocoa, cheese and crackers, BYOB and more. The seasonal gathering was on a Sunday, 3-5 pm, in Dec 2021. The response was very positive and people were excited to get together - especially outside - considering the continuing concern of Covid exposure. The s’mores and cocoa were perfect winter accents to the fire pit and so yummy. The socializing was easy as we gathered around the fire pit mingling and catching up. We did some formal introductions and hellos at one point. We welcomed and highlighted new members to be sure others heard their names. Chairs were available, yet I found people liked the freedom to move and mix so they could chat easily with others.
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Call to Action:
Reform Movement Initiatives
for the U.S. Congress
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RAC-NY Climate Covenant Assembly
Wednesday, January 11
RAC-NY invites you to help pick a campaign focus for the upcoming year. Please join the assembly of RAC-NY congregations on Wednesday, January 11, from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom.
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Safety for Places of Worship
Across the United States, houses of worship and other religious institutions face an alarming level of violence. As we continue to mourn the lives lost in mass shootings at the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Chabad of Poway, and others, we know these incidents are part of a broad pattern of religious bigotry targeting multiple faith traditions. Religious institutions must be able to access the necessary resources to ensure their institutions remain safe and welcoming to all.
On April 5, 2022, the Senate passed the Pray Safe Act. We now urge the House of Representatives to introduce and support the bipartisan Pray Safe Act as well, to establish a federal clearinghouse through which faith-based organizations and houses of worship can access safety resources.
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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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Opening for WRJ Executive Director
WRJ seeks a highly innovative, collaborative, and visionary individual to serve as the next Executive Director, representing the organization and increasing awareness of WRJ across the United States, Canada, Israel, and the world. The executive director will work closely with a variety of stakeholder groups including the regional WRJ districts and their leadership. Click here for details.
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Statement on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
On December 22, 2022 the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was passed. We applaud the bipartisan passage of these protections for pregnant workers. We also celebrate the passage of the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. Both of these help to create a safer, more equitable working environment for pregnant workers and nursing parents. Click here to read the statement from Rabbi Marla Feldman, Executive Director of WRJ.
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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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40th WUPJ International Convention
May 3-6, 2023
The World Union for Progressive Judaism invites you back to Jerusalem to join together for our first international in-person gathering since 2017! Join us at our newly refurbished headquarters, Beit Shmuel, in Jerusalem. Reunite with progressive Jews from around the world, renew our commitment to building and sustaining vibrant Jewish life wherever Jews choose to live, and rejoice in song, prayer, learning and deep connection.
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Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship
Apply by February 21, 2023
The Legislative Assistant Program is a year-long fellowship for recent college graduates or individuals with equivalent academic and professional experience, who are interested in Judaism, social justice, and policy.
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Exhibit: How Jews Became Citizens
Through February 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 January is Mental Wellness Month
January 10 Convention Registration Opens
January 16 Marting Luther King, Jr. Day
February 10 Earlybird Registration for Convention Ends
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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? The Northeast District Wants to Hear From You!Has your sisterhood or women's organization had an event or gathering that you would like to share? Whether you had a new program, a special speaker, or a fun event you've held many times before, your event could inspire other sisterhoods. Send us a photo or two of your event, along with a description (event name, what was happening, etc.) that we can share on our district social media. We may also include it in our Sisterhood News section in News from the Northeast. You can send information to us at wrjneblast@gmail.com.
Pictured below: Members of our district toured the Avery soda factory in New Britain, CT, to create custom soda for our upcoming district convention.
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The next eblast will be sent on Tuesday, February 7.
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