News from the Northeast

During Shabbat morning services at the WRJ Assembly / URJ Biennial in November, the entire congregation was asked to participate in aliyot that were appropriate to each individual. Sifrei Torah were located throughout the hall, and people gathered in community around each Torah as the aliyot were announced. The first aliyah was for individuals who had grown up in the Reform movement and who had been fully and happily engaged in the experiences that were offered. The second aliyah was for those who had grown up in the Reform movement, but who were disenchanted or non-participants in the experiences offered. The third aliyah was for people who had not grown up in the Reform movement, including those who grew up in other branches of Judaism, those who grew up in other faiths, and those who grew up without a faith-based religion. As each aliyah was announced, the number of individuals gathered around each Torah increased. During the third aliyah, I joined the women and men gathered around the WRJ Torah, recited the blessings, and silently recited a prayer of gratitude for sisterhood, WRJ, and the Reform / Progressive movement.

I had to walk my own path from disengaged to the doors of the Reform movement. It wasn’t until I was introduced and welcomed into sisterhood that I felt I had found a home. I found a place to bond with others who believed as I did, supported women’s equality and other issues effecting women and children, and worked in positive ways to bring light into the dark corners of the community and the world. I felt that I could fit in because I had been raised in a Jewish community. But what about women who had chosen Judaism as adults, or those who decided to raise Jewish children, but did not feel the need to convert themselves? How can we open our doors even wider to include women of different cultural and faith backgrounds? How do we include the stranger in our midst while engaged in the activities of sisterhood?

During the WRJ Assembly delegates voted and approved a Constitutional change allowing WRJ to open its doors to women who believe in what WRJ stands for, but are not able to join through a sisterhood. To read more about individual membership in WRJ, click here. Please join us at our next Northeast Area Event entitled “Interfaith Families: Expanding our Tents” on January 30, when we will hear from women who have chosen Judaism, support Jewish spouses and children, or live with supportive non-Jewish spouses or in-laws. For more information, and to register, please click here. The Northeast District is here to support and to welcome YOU!