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News from the Northeast
May 3, 2022
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This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
Please add this address to your Contacts so you won't miss our news.
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In This Issue (These links may not work on all devices)
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Message from Robin Krieger
Area Director, WRJ Northeast District Making lemonade out of lemons. I have always tried to be a lemonade out of lemons kind of person. The pandemic made it difficult to be positive about anything . . . until I finally realized that some wonderful things happened because of the pandemic. I would like to share two of my lemons to lemonade stories.
We were planning a May 2020 wedding in the Catskills for our daughter. Gown ordered, food tasted, and invitations sent. After two venue cancellations, Carrie and Mike decided to have a wedding with immediate family in our backyard. Ernie and I had fun scouring the woods behind our house to build the chuppah, and the 70-degree September day was glorious. Those who couldn't attend in person saw the nuptials on Zoom.
Carrie and Mike were perfectly content living in Brooklyn. But during the first pandemic winter they left their tiny apartment and spent two months working remotely from Mike's grandparents' Massachusetts summer cottage. They loved being close to family and decided to move back home. Mike was offered a terrific opportunity in Boston and Carrie was able to relocate her work here. The unused wedding funds helped the newlyweds purchase a beautiful home 12 miles away from us.
Another lemonade out of lemons story involves my bridge group. Since we couldn't play in person, we needed to figure out how to play online and Zoom at the same time. We began meeting virtually three to four times a week and, after the first month of the pandemic, the conversation inevitably shifted to our hair. Should we, or shouldn't we. Then someone's vacuum cleaner broke down and what did everyone recommend? Politics was a huge topic and we even named our group the Blue (State) Sisters. Sadly, one member's husband died and two women lost their moms. During the past two-plus years, our Zoom gatherings have been filled with laughter, sorrow, great advice, warm thoughts, and a bit of bridge. The fact my game has slightly improved is irrelevant, since I now count these seven women as dear friends.
The pandemic has changed us forever, and not all of it has been negative, We have gained new communication skills that will continue long after the pandemic. We have successfully worked, volunteered, and socialized while remaining safely at home. Could this be part of your lemons to lemonade story as well?
By the way, is anyone in the market for a beautiful never-worn wedding gown?
Robin Krieger
Temple Shalom, Newton, MA
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| Upcoming Events ~ Please note that all events are virtual unless otherwise noted ~
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Thursdays, May 5, 12, and 19, 8 p.m.
Jewish Women's Quarantine(ish) Book Talks - May 5: Riva Lehrer, author of Golem Girl: A Memoir, will talk about being an artist born with disabilities and her search for freedom and connection in a society afraid of strange bodies.
- May 12: Julie Klam, author of The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters, will discuss her journey into her family's past, the truths she brings to light, and what she learns about herself along the way.
- May 19: Cindy Rizzo, author of The Papercutter (The Split, #1), will talk about her book that focuses on a deeply polarized and ungovernable United States that has separated into the God Fearing States and the United Progressive Regions.
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Sunday, May 8, 4:00 p.m.
Mothers of Exile - Emma Lazarus and Lady Liberty Join a tribute to the twin "mothers of exile" - the poet Emma Lazarus and the Statue of Liberty.
Instructions and links will be sent to all registrants on May 6 and again on the morning of the program.
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Tuesday, May 10, 12:30 p.m.
Lunch and Learn: Remembering the Holocaust During these times - and as their numbers dwindle - it's more important than ever that Holocaust survivors' voices continue to be heard. Hungarian Holocaust survivor Martiza Shelley will provide her account of how she, her mother, and her sisters survived.
Sponsored by the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue of New York, NY. Arranged in partnership with the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
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Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
WRN's Journey to 50 Virtual
Speakers Series Join the Women's Rabbinic Network for the fourth in their five-part Virtual Speaker's Series entitled "Paving the Path Ahead: Creativity and Innovation." A recording and discussion guide will be available following the program.
This series is generously supported by the Women of Reform Judaism's YES Fund.
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Friday, May 13, 2:00 p.m.
WRJ Women's Empowerment Awards Event This special event will honor women who strengthen the voices of others, focus on empowering women, and promote progressive Jewish values. Rabbi Marla Feldman will be honored for 20 years of service to the Reform Movement. The keynote address will be delivered by Dana Bash, Chief Political Correspondent for CNN. For a list of all the honorees, click here.
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Sunday, May 15, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Art Sale and Fundraiser (in-person event)
The Sisterhood of East End Temple invites you to participate in their art sale and fundraiser. The temple is located at 245 East 17 Street, New York, NY.
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Sunday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.
Saving Italy - The Rescue of Nazi-Looted Art
This program features the screening of the movie Stealing Italy followed by a discussion with World War II art-looting and recovery experts.
$18 tax-deductible donation.
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Tuesday, May 17, 8:00 p.m.
Film, Fiction, and Fine Wine: Cooking alla Giudia: A Celebration of Jewish Food in Italy Join a discussion about what is described as "the ultimate tribute to the wonderfully rich, yet still largely unknown, culinary heritage of the Jews of Italy."
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Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: An Evening with Victoria Riskin Join the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El of Waterford, CT, as Victoria Riskin discusses her memoir about her parents, Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir.
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Wednesday, May 18, 8:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: The Personal Librarian
Join the Women of Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El of Scarsdale, NY, for a discussion about The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. The book is about Bella De Costa Greene's work that led to the creation of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City.
The link to the discussion will be sent to you in advance of the program. Register here.
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Thursday, June 2, 7:30 p.m.
Women of Holy Blossom Celebrates
100 Years(in-person and virtual)
Join the Women of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Canada, as they review their past, celebrate their present, and launch their future. Annarnie Paul, former Green Party of Canada leader, and Rabbi Yael Splansky will share their thoughts on Jewish women's leadership.
Limited in-person tickets are available now for members of the Women of Holy Blossom. On May 6, tickets will be offered to the wider community.
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Sunday, May 22, 11:30 a.m.
WRJ Northeast District
Boston Area In-Person Event
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Thursday, May 26, 7:00 p.m.
WRJ Northeast District
Long Island Area Virtual Event
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| June 17‑19, 2022 An In-Person Weekend
with the WRJ Northeast District
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For additional information about the Shabbat Shalom - Together Again program and hotel accommodations, click here. Registration must be completed by May 22.
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Executive Committee Nominations
for WRJ Northeast District Are you looking for an exciting new challenge? Do you want to become more involved with WRJ at the district level? Want an opportunity to take your leadership skills to the next level? Then consider becoming a part of the WRJ Northeast District Executive Committee!
The Northeast Nominating Committee is currently seeking women for a three-year term that begins in March 2023. This is an excellent opportunity for sisterhood leaders, former sisterhood presidents, and women who are simply passionate about WRJ.
Applications for WRJ Northeast District elected offices or positions for the term beginning in March 2023 and ending in spring 2026 are open. We hope you will consider joining our leadership team!
If you are currently serving in an elected board position and wish to continue in your current or apply for a new position, you will also need to submit an application.
If this is your first time applying, you must apply for an area director position. In order to serve as an officer, you must have been a member of the Executive Committee for at least one term.
Elected offices and positions for which applicated will be accepted include: president, first vice president, four vice presidents, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, membership secretary, and area directors.
You can find our job descriptions HERE. Each term of office is for three years. The incoming president will assign vice president portfolios to women elected to those positions. The application can be found HERE. The deadline is Friday, September 16, 2022. The slate will be announced in November/December 2022. It will be presented to the delegates for voting at the Northeast District convention on March 23-26, 2023. The term of office will begin after the convention and end in spring 2026.
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A New Advocacy Initiative: WRJ Says STOP
Do you belong to a "Hug and Kiss" congregation? In some communities, the culture is to greet each other with big hugs, often accompanied by a kiss. These actions are fine if the two people engaging with one another are in consensual agreement. What happens when someone you are only acquainted with or someone you barely know decides that because of the community culture, they may greet you in an intimate way without consent? What happens when community cultural behaviors cross the line?
The first of four webinars on this topic will take place on September 20. Stay tuned for more details.
Civil Rights Journey: October 19-23
WRJ will hold an in-person Civil Rights Journey. Travel with WRJ to Atlanta, GA, and Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, AL. Registration opens in May.
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Other News Holy Sparks Exhibit: Celebrating 50 Years of Women in the Rabbinate There is still time to see this exhibit about the creativity, commitment, and vision of 24 women who were first in their time. Their challenges, contributions, struggles, and successes represent the achievement of all the women rabbis who have transformed Jewish tradition, worship, spirituality, scholarship, education, and pastoral care.
The exhibit will be at the Dr. Bernard Heller Musem HUC-JIR until May 8. The address of the museum is One West Fourth Street in New York, NY. The exhibit will be shown in Cincinnati from May 19 to September 4.
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Beginning Wednesday, May 25, 6:15 p.m.
Hebrew Crash Course
These 1-hour zoom classes are offered FREE and are in partnership with WRJ, Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus, Ohio, and NJOP (the National Jewish Outreach Project). Past students are encouraged to join us again for a refresher! Registration required. Register here. Hebrew 1: May 25 - June 29 (6 sessions) - Learn the Aleph-Bet and how to sound out Hebrew words. This class is a beginning introduction to Hebrew letters and their sounds.
Hebrew 2: July 13 - August 10 (5 sessions) - Already know the Hebrew aleph-bet? Enhance your reading skills while learning basic Hebrew prayer vocabulary, grammar, and phrases as we study familiar Hebrew prayers like the Shabbat blessings and V’ahvata.
Hebrew 3: Oct. 26 - Nov. 16 (4 sessions) - Continue practicing Hebrew reading skills and learn about the order of our prayer service, taking a deep dive into common prayer sections including the Amidah and Torah service.
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Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign In the 2020 election, you were the engine that powered the greatest turnout of voters in the history of our country. Together, we commit to ensuring even greater voter turnout in the upcoming elections. Read about the 2022 campaign. A virtual event will take place on May 17 at 8:00 pm to launch this new campaign.
Register here.
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A Selection of U.S. Federal Initiatives It is easy to make your voice heard. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) has created a series of forms that you can use to contact your legislators in the U.S. Congress. Please support these important initiatives to safeguard voting rights, ending pay discrimination, and protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
You can display each RAC form by clicking its image below.
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Support the Right to Vote and John Lewis Acts
| |  | Urge Congress to End Pay Discrimination
| |  | Protect LGBTQ+ People From Discrimination
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| Calendar and Other Resources
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| Calendar May is Jewish Heritage Month
May 5 Yom HaAtzmaut
May 8 Mother's Day
May 13 WRJ Women's Empowerment Awards Event
May 19 Lag B'Omer
May 22 WRJ NE Boston Area Event
May 23 Victoria Day (Canada)
May 26 WRJ NE Long Island Area Event
May 29 Jerusalem Day and Remembrance Day for Ethiopian Jews
May 30 Memorial Day Observed (U.S.)
June 5 Shavuot
June 17-19 WRJ NE District Shabbaton
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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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| | Request an Online Speaker
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Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker without expense to your sisterhood
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| 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
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| Tools & Resources Northeast Resources
WRJ Resources
WRJ Programs
Other Resources
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| Did You Know? The Kevuda Society What is the Kevuda Society, you may ask? The Kevuda Society is our Northeast District's alumnae group. Past members of either District 1, District 2, or the Northeast District are invited to join Kevuda. This includes elected and appointed members of the board, district past presidents, past WRJ Board members, and past local sisterhood/women's group presidents.
The Kevuda Society was created to help keep board alumnae connected to the Northeast District. To that end, they have met via Zoom several times during the past year. Their next event will be held on May 4 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the Kevuda Society and how to become a member, click here.
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| WRJ Northeast District wishes you a
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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 Tuesday, June 7.
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