Kallah | Nominations | YES Fund Honor Roll | RJC | Tzedakah Collectives
Kallah | Nominations | YES Fund Honor Roll | RJC | Tzedakah Collectives
Share this:
News from the Northeast


October 2, 2019
This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
Please add this address to your Contacts so you won't miss our News.
If this email is "clipped," click "View entire message" at the end of the eblast.
Did you miss the September newsletter? You can read it here.

Message from Denise Levine
Past President
WRJ Northeast District

As I write this, it’s early September, the time for beginnings: the beginning of school, the beginning of the new sisterhood year, and the beginning of the fall with its gorgeous colors and change of season.
We get so used to the rhythms of our lives. I have to admit that since moving to Florida almost three years ago, I still miss the change of seasons – not the change to winter, but the changing leaves coinciding with the holidays and the new school year. It feels like the time for a new start, but here in Florida, our rhythm revolves around hurricane season. Yesterday, we opened up the shutters after Hurricane Dorian. Everything here has a different rhythm and I am still adjusting to that.
Hopefully, many of you will fit the Northeast District Kallah into the rhythm of your fall. The weekend promises to be wonderful – with workshops focusing on listening, and time to make and renew friendships with amazing women. Sandy Adland, a member of the WRJ Executive Committee, will be there to lead several workshops. Sandy is one of my favorite women in all of WRJ – she is smart, charming and the kindest woman that you will ever meet. Spend some time getting to know her.
For most of us, the real beginnings are the High Holidays. As you are reading this, it’s the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – the time when we should be looking inward, asking others to forgive us, and trying to forgive ourselves. I think many of us are too hard on ourselves, I know I am. We have these unreal expectations of ourselves and often spend time trying to be the perfect person. None of us are. I think at the heart of it, we just need to be the best version of ourselves, whatever that is. Go out there every day, be kind to yourself and be kind to others. Hopefully, the rest will fall into place.
Wishing each and every one of you a New Year filled with health, happiness, love, and kindness.
Denise
Congregation Kol Tikvah, Parkland, Florida

Northeast District Kallah 2019

October 25-27, 2019
LaKota Oaks (formerly Dolce), Norwalk, CT

The Art of Listening: WRJ and You

Join WRJ Northeast District women at this stunning center situated on 66 secluded acres of rolling hills, sweeping lawns, and scenic ponds. We will listen, learn, laugh, and pray together while enjoying the grounds, delicious meals, and endless snacks.

There is still time to register
REGISTER BY OCTOBER 8

In case you missed it, here’s a peek at what to expect...
And there will be joyful services, relaxation, terrific food, and fun in a beautiful setting.

Still have questions? Contact Robin Krieger by email or by phone: 617-964-0212 (home); 617-413-0817 (cell).

Opportunities to Get More Involved

Here are several opportunities to make a difference –
in your life, in Reform Judaism, and in the world

WRJ Board – Apply by October 4

The deadline for WRJ Board nominations has been EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 4. If you have an interest in serving, or know someone who would like to represent Reform women across North America, you are encouraged to apply. Term of service will begin service in April 2020. GET THE DETAILS.

JewV'Nation Fellowship – Apply by October 4

The JewV’Nation Fellowship is a nine-month program that will develop Jewish leaders, aged 18 to 118, through networking opportunities and intensive diversity, equity and inclusion training. The application deadline has been EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 4. GET THE DETAILS.

Opportunities for Teens

Many new leadership opportunities teenagers have been launched. Encourage a teen to get involved today. Application deadlines vary; GET THE DETAILS.

Commission on Social Action – Apply by October 25

Are you passionate about social justice? Do you want to learn more and do more aobut social action? Or perhaps you know someone who does?
The Commission on Social Action (CSA) of Reform Judaism is a joint commission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism and ts affiliates (WRJ, MRJ, NFTY, HUC-JIR, ARZA, etc.). The CSA engages in advocacy, education, and leadership development to strengthen the social justice work of the entire Reform Movement.
The CSA currently seeks new at-large members who will add their skills and experience, creativity, intelligence, and passion for social justice to its work. These new members will serve a two-year term beginning in January 2020.
Got questions about the CSA? Contact Barbara Weinstein by email or by phone, (202) 387-2800.

Congratulations to the women's groups and sisterhoods in the Northeast District that made the 2018-2019 YES Fund Honor Roll

Roll of Chai Honor
Temple B’nai Torah Sisterhood, Wantagh, NY
Temple Concord Sisterhood, Binghamton, NY
Women of AM Echad, Lynbrook, NY

Roll of Special Merit
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth Sisterhood, Rockville Centre, NY
Sisterhood of The Community Synagogue, Port Washington, NY
Temple Beth Am, Framingham, MA
Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood, Needham, MA

Roll of Honor
Beth El Temple Center Sisterhood, Belmont, MA
Cape Cod Synagogue Sisterhood, Hyannis, MA
Free Synagogue of Flushing, Flushing, NY
The Reform Temple of Forest Hills Sisterhood – Women’s Connection, Forest Hills, NY
Sisterhood of B’nai Israel, Southbury, CT
Temple B’rith Kodesh Sisterhood, Rochester, NY
Temple Emanuel Sisterhood, Andover, MA
Temple Israel of Northern Westchester Sisterhood, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Temple Israel Sisterhood, Staten Island, NY
Temple Tikvah Sisterhood, New Hyde Park, NY
Women of Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El, Scarsdale, NY
Women’s Auxiliary of Congregation Temple Emanu-El, New York, NY
WRJ of Rockland County, Nyack, NY
WRJ/Sisterhood of Community Synagogue of Rye, Rye, NY

See the full YES Fund Honor Roll

Reproductive Justice Campaign

You can make a difference to women's reproductive health. WRJ’s Reproductive Justice Toolkit is available to help you get started on the local, state/provincial, and federal levels. The toolkit is for everyone. 
If your sisterhood is ready to take your activism one step further, it can sign up for the Reproductive Justice Brit Olam Cohort, a network of communities that will convene via Zoom to strategize, engage in peer-to-peer learning, share case studies, and network with one another.
Have questiions? Contact Ally Karpel by email (rkapel@rac.org) or by phone (202-387-2800).

Read more about the Reproductive Justice Campaign

Sign up today for the Reproductive Justice Brit Olam Cohort

Want to make a difference... now?
Make a donation to the Reproductive Justice Appeal

Tzedakah Collectives

Is your sisterhood looking for a program that focuses on giving and learning together? WRJ’s newest program, Tzedakah Collectives, combines women’s philanthropy, Jewish learning, and sisterhood into an easy-to-facilitate program for any size group.
The Tzedakah Collectives Toolkit has been made possible by generous support from the Joanne B. Fried Social Justice Program and WRJ Northeast District.

More News from WRJ

Women's Empowerment Awards Dinner

WRJ invites you to the WRJ Women's Empowerment Awards Dinner honoring Jewish Women's Archive and outstanding women, The dinner will take place on December 14 during the 2019 URJ Biennial in Chicago. GET THE DETAILS.

Cultural Mission to Israel

Looking for a fun leadership trip to Israel? There will be spirituality, art galleries, delicious food, and wine on WRJ's Women's Journey to Israel, February 20-28, 2020. LEARN MORE.

YES Fund Awards

WRJ has awarded $309,300 in YES Fund grants to 17 programs that will strengthen Jewish life in North America, in Israel, and around the world. GET THE DETAILS.

Reform Pay Equity Initiative

"Justice, justice you shall pursue..." Is your group interested in being a leader in the fight for pay equity? Learn more about becoming a pilot congregation.

Other News

URJ Photo Contest

Picture yourself at the URJ Biennial! Got great photos from your congregation? Winning photos will earn prizes and be featured at the URJ Biennial in December. All entries must be received by November 26. GET THE DETAILS.

Alma’s Guide to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

THIS GUIDE makes it easy for anyone to learn the basics of the conflict and take a deeper dive into some of the thornier issues.

Doctors in Massachusetts Back the ROE Act

The Massachusetts section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has announced its support for the ROE Act, a Massachusetts bill (H3320, S1209) aimed at increasing access to abortion care. LEARN MORE.

Calendar and Other Resources

Deadlines

October 4 WRJ Board applications
October 4 JewV'Nation applications
October 8 Northeast District Kallah registration
October 25 CSA at-large applications

Calendar

October 9 Yom Kippur
October 14 First day of Sukkot
October 14 Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 21 Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
October 25-27 Northeast District Kallah

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.
VAWA PayFairness
Together we can make a difference

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK
...and please LIKE us

JOIN US ON YAMMER

Need access to Yammer?

Contact Heather Lorgeree at 212‑650‑4050 or email her at leadership@wrj.org.

Request a Speaker

Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker once every two years, without expense to your sisterhood.
In alternate years, you may REQUEST A WRJ SPEAKER.

Moment Magazine

Subscribe via this link, and one-half of the $18 subscription price will benefit WRJ initiatives.

Did You Know...

Here are some fun questions about Rosh Hashanah...
Rosh Hashanah was not always the Jewish New Year. Do you know the others?
What's the connection between Rosh Hashanah and telegrams?
What do Leonard Cohen and Mogwai (a Scottish post-rock trio) have in common?
(Hint: The connection is related to the holiday liturgy.)
FIND THE ANSWERS HERE, along with other interesting facts about Rosh Hashanah.

The Board of the Northeast District
of Women of Reform Judaism
Wishes You an Easy Fast
and a Joyous Sukkot and Simchat Torah

Visit our website Follow us on Twitter www.facebook.com/WRJNortheast wrjneblast@gmail.com
Share this newsletter by using one of the "Share this" icons at the top of the newsletter.
The next eblast will be sent on November 5, 2019.
Send program listings, photos, and articles to wrjneblast@gmail.com by October 29.
Women of Reform Judaism | 633 Third Avenue | New York, NY 10017-6778 US
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.