Financial literacy, July events, and more
Financial literacy, July events, and more
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News from the Northeast

July 6, 2021
This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
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Did you miss the  June newsletter? You can read it here.

Message from Marsha Moller

Treasurer, WRJ Northeast District

Financial literacy is an important skill for women.    You may already be responsible for managing your own finances or those of loved ones. At some point, you may be appointed to the board of your sisterhood, temple, or the WRJ Northeast District. As such, your role may include examining financial statements in order to review the organization’s finances.
Accounting and finance, like many other fields, has its own language, which at first can be confusing. Additionally, some terms are used interchangeably, causing additional confusion.
Here are some basic accounting definitions and ways to view the budget.
Revenues and Expenses. Most sisterhoods and WRJ districts keep their books on cash basis for a fiscal year that ends on June 30. What does this mean? We tally up the cash inflows (“revenues”) and outflows (“expenses”) starting on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the next calendar year.
Typically, revenue for nonprofit organizations consists of donations, fees, and dues (annual commitment). Expenses are the costs to run programs, pay salaries, rent space, pay utilities, buy health insurance, etc.
Change in Net Assets. The difference between the revenues and expenses is the change in net assets. You may also hear this referred to as surplus and deficit, or profit and loss.
Statement of Activities. This report (sometimes called an Income Statement) shows the total revenues, expenses, and changes in net assets. You may see a separate entry on the Statement of Activities for restricted revenue and expenses. This is for donations with restrictions on how the funds can be spent; they are listed separately from unrestricted funds.
Statement of Financial Position. This report (which may also be called a Balance Sheet) shows the balances of assets (including cash) and liabilities as of a specific date. The term net assets refers to assets minus liabilities.
Budget. The budget is a guide, a best estimate of revenues and expenses for the fiscal year. A column on the Statement of Activities may compare budgeted amounts to actual amounts – using dollars or percentages. When the percentage is close to 100%, the actuals are close to the budgeted amount.
I hope you will feel empowered to ask questions during your next treasurer’s report or budget discussion. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, as I would be thrilled to help you.
Marsha Moller (mbmoller@comcast.net)
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, Massachusetts

July Events

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Wednesday, July 7, 7 p.m.
Meet Up for Justice with RJ On the Go

Gather online with other like-minded individuals from around the country interested in answering the Jewish call to justice. Learn rituals to support your personal and communal justice work as we return to in-person gatherings. Led by Tzedek Box founder, Dr. Andrew Mandel, a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in New York.
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Thursday, July 8, 5 p.m.
The History of American Jewish Summer Camps

Join the Museum of Jewish Heritage for a program exploring the fascinating history of Jewish summer camps with Dr. Gary Zola, executive director of The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives and editor of the 2006 anthology A Place of Our Own: The Rise of Reform Jewish Camping; and Dr. Jenna Weissman Joselit, the Charles E. Smith Professor of Judaic Studies & Professor of History at George Washington University and curator of the 1994 exhibition "A Worthy Use of Summer: Jewish Summer Camping in America." Part of HUC Connect.

Monday, July 12, 7 p.m.
Book and Music Discussion: The Secret Chord & Hallelujah

Join the Sisterhood of B'nai Israel (Southbury, CT) for a discussion of The Secret Chord by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks – a reconsideration of the story of King David through the eyes of those who loved and feared him. Rozan Anderson, first vice president of the WRJ Midwest District, will moderate the discussion. Get the Zoom link by emailing bnaisisters@gmail.com.
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Wednesday, July 14, 12 p.m.
Women of the 24th Knesset

Of the thirteen parties elected, all but three have women members – for a total of 30 women in the 120-member Knesset. The women members span a variety of political, religious, and social profiles. Understanding the Israeli political system can be confusing, but WRJ's favorite tour guide, the incomparable Shari Robins, will help us make sense of it through facts, humor, and even some Hebrew slang.

Tuesday, July 20, 8 p.m.
Film Discussion - "Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story"

Did you know that Hedy Lamarr, the iconic Holywood actress, was also . . . an inventor? Watch the 2017 documentary beforehand – it can be streamed on Amazon or YouTube or your local PBS channel. Then join us for a discussion of the woman and film. Sponsored by the WRJ Film, Fiction, and Fine Wine Program.

News from WRJ

WRJ Board of Directors Applications

The WRJ Board helps articulate and promote the organization’s vision, develop and implement major initiatives and policies, inspire women leaders, and consult on project strategy essential to the organization’s success. The application goes live on July 7. Click here for more information

Sisterhood Leadership
Information Form 2021/22

Is your sisterhood leadership changing soon?  Be sure to tell WRJ about the changes by submitting a Sisterhood Leadership Information form.

Changes to the WRJ Shop

The WRJ Shop will soon be updating its structure, and will soon no longer be selling notes, cards, gifts, and other products. Remaining supplies of items are limited, but they can be purchased if they are still in stock. You can find out more information here.

Call to Action:
Racial Justice Campaign

On April 28, 1500 people, including many of you, joined the Zoom launch of the Reform Movement’s Racial Justice Campaign to hear about how we, as a Reform Jewish community, are combating voter suppression and fighting for racial justice nationwide, statewide, and in Canada.
Below are some ways that you can take action and continue learning about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the Racial Justice Campaign of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Support Legislation

In the U.S. Urge Congress to support the following legisation:
In Canada.

Join a Training Session

Take Action

Reform Jews as well as partners and allies from across the United States will meet virtually with their U.S. Senators July 26-August 6, as part of the Reform Movement's Racial Justice Campaign advocacy efforts in support of Freedom to Vote. During the meetings we will be advocating in support of the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Please fill out this form to indicate your interest in participating in lobby meetings with your Senators and let us know how you would like to take part.
For more information and background from a WRJ perspective,
visit Understanding the 2021 Racial Justice Campaign on the WRJ website.

Other News

How to Help Surfside Condo Collapse Victims

Efforts are still underway to help the families affected by the recent condo collapse in Surfside, FL. A nonprofit organization has been formed to help streamline the efforts. 

Calendar and Other Resources

Holiday Calendar

July 18  Tisha B'Av
July 23 Summer Olympics Begin
July 30 International Day of Friendship
                        Save the Date:
November 5-7 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.

Keep in Touch
with WRJ Northeast

Twitter Facebook Instagram
NEwebsite yammer

Need access to Yammer?

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

Request an Online Speaker

Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker without expense to your sisterhood.
In alternate years, you may REQUEST A WRJ SPEAKER.
The RAC has established a series of call‑to‑action petitions:

Did you know. . .

Ice Cream's Jewish History

July is National Ice Cream Month in the United States, but were you aware that some of the biggest brands of the delectable frozen treat were created by Jews? You probably know Ben & Jerry's was created by Jewish Vermonters Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. Haagen-Dazs, given a Danish-sounding name as a nod to the Danish effort to help save Jews in WWII, was created by a Jewish immigrant from Poland named Reuben Mattus. Likewise, Baskin-Robbins was created by Irv Robbins, a Canadian Jew living in California, and his brother-in-law Bert Baskin.  Any way you scoop it, ice cream is a fun, cool treat that became more popular thanks to these innovative creators.
icecream

The Board of the Northeast District of Women of Reform Judaism Wishes You a

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