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News from the Northeast
June 5, 2018 | |
This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
Please add this address to your Contacts so you won't miss our News. If this eblast is "clipped," click "View entire message" at the end of the eblast.
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Message from Carmen Holzman
Vice President of Area Management
WRJ Northeast District
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Hello everyone! Warmer weather and sunny days are finally here. The change of seasons for the WRJ Northeast District brings planning meetings followed by a time to slow down and enjoy the summer months. I was recently talking to my millennial daughter about some exciting life decisions. We were discussing the job world and the importance of valuing your experiences, growth, and contributions. This made me think about my work with the District – What experiences do I treasure and how have I been able to contribute?
One experience that I value is getting the opportunity to visit a new synagogue and share Shabbat with a new community. Although I am in an unfamiliar place with new faces, I always feel a sense of warmth and connection through the familiarity of reading the same prayers in a sanctuary that is unique and beautiful. With each visit I take away something different. I am always impressed by the D’Var Torah and enjoy learning how individuals relate ancient stories to modern day society. Continuous learning and celebration of tradition are traits that enrich my life.
The District has also taught me the true meaning of prayer. I always look forward to reciting the Mi Shebeirach, the prayer for healing, specifically the melody written by Debbie Freidman z’l. Singing the beautiful prayer and English translation with my WRJ Northeast sisters is an experience that words cannot describe. Although each time is a little different, it is prayer that calms me down, erases my worries from the week, and prepares me for the day of rest.
Reflecting upon my contributions to WRJ, I realize that I am a team player. With every position I have held and committees I have been involved with, I help my team reach deadlines, keep conversations positive, and lend a hand to whomever asks. I will say that it comes with great ease to be a team player when you work with such strong, motivated, and intelligent women. I am always eager to work with new women on projects that benefit our local communities and the greater Reform Jewish movement.
May this summer bring you memorable experiences and contributions to your Jewish life. Best wishes for a relaxing summer.
Carmen Holzman
Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, Connecticut
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| News from the Religious Action Center
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The RAC is launching a nonpartisan campaign to mobilize to fulfill our sacred mandate of tikkun olam, world repair, and ensure that Reform Jewish voices are heard during the upcoming 2018 midterm elections.
In June, the RAC will be hosting three online events: one Virtual Town Hall to officially kick off this campaign, followed by a training on voter engagement and a training on candidate engagement.
June 5 at 8 pm - Virtual Town Hall Launch: Learn more about the Civic Engagement Campaign and hear from Movement leaders and outside speakers about the importance of civic engagement and how your congregation can get involved. REGISTER HERE
June 21 at 2 pm - Voter Engagement Training Webinar: Learn about how your Reform Jewish community can drive meaningful voter engagement (including supporting first time voters) with voter registration and turnout efforts. REGISTER HERE
June 28 at 2 pm - Candidate Engagement Training Webinar: Learn about how your Reform Jewish community can engage with candidates and incumbents pursing elected office by hosting a nonpartisan candidate forum. REGISTER HERE
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June is Pride Month!
During the month of June, we celebrate LGBTQ identities and reaffirm our commitment to advocating for justice and equal rights for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Check out our resources for sermon starters, prayers, and text studies to help make your Pride observance meaningful.
DOWNLOAD RESOURCES HERE
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Gun Violence Awareness Update
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Learn more about current actions being taking in bring awareness to the gun violence crisis. Our NFTY teens are stepping up and making sure that their voices are being heard. You can learn more in VOICES WE NEED TO HEAR.
You can also learn more about WRJ's involvement with gun violence prevention on the WRJ WEBPAGE, including advocacy alerts and resolutions.
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District Convention Sneak Peek!
The Brass Sisters Are Coming to Convention!
Our District Convention is fast approaching. It will held October 25 - 28, 2018 in Framingham, MA. Watch your Inbox for our Call to Convention that will contain information about registration, workshops, and more!
You won’t want to miss this: Cookbook authors, television producers and stars of the nationally-aired PBS series THE FOOD FLIRTS, Marilynn and Sheila Brass, will be delighting us at Convention with tales of their 132 years of combined baking and cooking experience.
To learn more about the James Beard Foundation award winning Brass Sisters, please visit their website www.thebrasssisters.com.
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Daughters of Abraham Book Club
Sisterhood of Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA Some members of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth Shalom have been participating in an interfaith book club. Daughters of Abraham, a national organization that was formed after 9/11 to bring together women of the three Abrahamic faiths, guides the group with its book selections. In monthly meetings, Jewish, Christian and Muslim women not only discuss books, but also learn about each other's religions, share life experiences, and build bridges between their communities. Discussions are heartfelt, provocative, and inspiring... and leading to some wonderful friendships. Members of the book club joined the sisterhood at its Women's Seder in March to share in the traditions of Passover.
To learn more about Daughters of Abraham, you can read HERE.
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Special Webinar for Sisterhood Presidents
Are you a current or incoming sisterhood president? If so, please join WRJ on Thursday, June 21 at 8 pm for a Sisterhood Presidents Webinar. Please REGISTER to attend.
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WRJ Northeast Comes to Yammer
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| Are you on Yammer? The WRJ has TONS of information on the message boards on Yammer. If you are a sisterhood president, you may already have an account. Well, now our District has its own group on Yammer where you can easily ask questions, find out how other sisterhoods are getting things done, or reconnect with friends around the district. If you already have a Yammer account, please join our group, WRJ Northeast District. If you are not on Yammer yet, please join us! You can do this by contacting Heather Lorgeree in the WRJ office at 212-650-4063 or emailing her at leadership@wrj.org.
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Calendar June is LGBTQ Pride Month June 5 - RAC: Virtual Town Hall Launch June 17 - Father's Day June 21 - Sisterhood Presidents Webinar June 21 - RAC: Voter Engagement Training June 28 - Candidate Engagement Training
July 2 - Canada Day (observed, Canada) July 4 - Independence Day (U.S.)
Convention 2018
It's Almost Time to Sign Up!
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WRJ Northeast District Convention
October 25-28, 2018
Framingham, MA Watch Your Inbox for
Registration and Information! Plus, check out the sneak peek ABOVE.
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| W E L C O M E New Sisterhood Presidents and Leaders - Email leadership@wrj.org or call 212.650.4050 to request Yammer invitations for your new leaders.
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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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| We Are On Twitter @WRJNortheast
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Get up-to-the-minute information on happenings around the Northeast District and of interest to Jewish women. Follow us, retweet us, interact with us, and share us!
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Did You Know... LGBTQ Pride Month
- WRJ is proud to have led the Reform Movement in supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) Jews—which it has done vocally since 1965 when they passed a resolution calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality.
- Since then, the URJ, CCAR, WRJ, CSA, and NFTY have passed resolutions dealing with issues specific to Reform Judaism, such as inclusion of gays and lesbians in the rabbinate and cantorate, as well as national issues, such as support for marriage equality, elimination of discrimination within the Armed Forces and the Boy Scouts, and support for comprehensive non-discrimination and civil rights legislation.
- Reform Judaism is guided by the basic belief that all human beings are created b'tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image, as it says in Genesis 1:27, "God created humans in God's image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them."
- As Jews, we are intimately acquainted with the effects of bigotry. Our ancestors knew both the continuing indignities of second-class citizenship and the constant fear of xenophobic violence; this history teaches us that discrimination against any members of a community threatens the security of the entire community.
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The WRJ Northeast District Board would like to thank those women who are completing their terms of service on their sisterhood boards and looks forward to welcoming incoming board members. Don't forget to submit your change of leadership form!
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Share this newsletter by using one of the "Share this" icons at the top of the newsletter. The next eblast will be sent on July 2, 2018.
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| | | Women of Reform Judaism | 633 Third Avenue | New York, NY 10017-6778 US
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