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News from the Northeast
May 4, 2021
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This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
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Message from Betty Weiner Vice President of Development and Area Management, WRJ Northeast District
It’s May – a time for rebirth, a new beginning. The days are longer, flowers are starting to appear, and leaves are on the trees. COVID vaccines are available, and many of us have received our shots. Hope is in the air. It's time for a fresh start.
This month we observe Shavuot, which commemorates the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and we read the the Book of Ruth. The holiday and the book both take place during the spring harvest, and both celebrate the choice to participate in Jewish life.
Ruth is a Moabite woman, who, after her husband dies, pledges her loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, with the words “whither you go, I will go, wherever you lodge, I will lodge, your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth follows Naomi to Bethlehem to live her life as a Jew. By choosing to stay with Naomi, Ruth gave up her family, culture, people, and home – her whole life.
But Ruth is grateful for what she has with Naomi. Even though Ruth and Naomi were poor, Ruth takes comfort in her faith and the richness it adds to her life. Her faith and her loyalty to Naomi are a source of inspiration. Ruth is also an example of humility. Ruth did not take anyone or anything for granted, and she expresses gratitude and respect for everyone she meets.
The Book of Ruth is also about kindness and courage. It illustrates how Ruth cultivates these virtues and how her actions bring about personal growth. It shows us that by giving thanks and recognizing our blessings, we can increase our joy and reduce our stress, especially during trying times.
Just as Ruth started a new life in a new land as a Jew, so too can we begin a new life at this time of renewal. We can use what we learned during the past year, and turn our energy back to things that matter and give meaning to our lives, such as our friends and loved ones.
May we find inspiration from Ruth’s story; may we strive to have faith and courage, and to be humble and loyal like Ruth.
Betty Weiner
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, Massachusetts
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A Special Northeast District Event
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Tuesday, May 25, 7:30 p.m.
Memoir Writing with Merrill Sussman Facing a Blank Page: Getting Started on Memoir Writing Learn how to tell your story
What is a memoir? Why write one? Ways to make a memoir compelling. Pitfalls to avoid. Prompts to inspire you.
Save the Date June 17 – Upstate New York Area Event: Antiracism as a Jewish Value
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Thursday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
Be Your Best Self Learn the secrets of looking well and feeling well from Esther Blum, an integrative dietician and high performance coach who is a best-selling author (Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous; Cavewomen Don't Get Fat). Sponsored by the Women's Leadership Council of Temple Israel (New York, NY).
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Tuesday, May 11, 12 p.m.
JTS Rare Book Room Tour Professor David Kraemer will show us around and discuss the extraordinary collection of works in the Jewish Theological Seminary Library’s world-renowned Special Collections. Sponsored by the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (New York, NY).
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Tuesday, May 11, 8 p.m.
RL Maizes: A Conversation Join WRJ's Film, Fiction and Fine Wine cohort to hear R.L. Maizes, author of Other People’s Pets and We Love Anderson Cooper. There will also be small group discussions of each book. When you register, pick the book you'd like to talk about.
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Wednesday, May 12, 12 p.m.
Shavuot Bake-Along
With Pastry Chef Harry Rubenstein Shavuot is coming up and there is no better way to celebrate than with a unique dairy bake-along with American-Israeli pastry chef Harry Rubenstein. Sponsored by WRJ.
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Sunday, May 16, 1 p.m.
Helene Spring Library Event: Author Talk with Dani Shapiro Please join us virtually to hear noted author Dani Shapiro discuss her award winning memoir, Inheritance: A Memoir of Geneology, Paternity, and Love. Sponsored by the Sisterhood of East End Temple (New York, NY).
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Sunday, May 23, 1:30 p.m.
Shakshuka and Shimmy Join Luisa Narins and her husband, Seth, for belly dancing and shakshuka. Sponsored by the WRJ Israeli Education Committee.
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May 24-27, 12-1:30 p.m.
WRJ Virtual Tour of Israel This virtual tour with WRJ tour guide Shari Robins will focus on immigration to Israel from India, the Balkans, Ethiopia, and Argentina – and its influence in the fields of music, film, and food. Participation includes a $36 donation to the YES Fund.
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A Mother's Day Blog
L'dor V'dor: From Generation to Generation Just in time for Mother's Day, and the importance of generations coming together, a special blog from Ally Karpel about her relationship with her mom. Read Ally Karpel's blog here.Mother's Day Match A generous anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $5,000 to WRJ's Spring Campaign. Please consider making a gift so that WRJ can continue to build community and pass Jewish values to the next generation. YES Fund and DEI Grants WRJ has awarded a total of $210,400 in grants to 15 programs through its YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects). Three of the grants were awarded under a new pilot program to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) projects and initiatives committed to promoting DEI in the Jewish community. Get the details here.
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Call to Action:
Racial Justice Campaign
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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.
Here 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 voting legisation:
In Canada. Canadian Federal Bill C-22 would repeal mandatory minimum penalties for some firearm offences and drug crimes and, for those who do not pose a threat to the community, make greater use of conditional sentences, counseling, and treatment.
Take Direct Action
Join a Training Session
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CCAR Press Sale Just in time for Shavuot study sessions. Save 30% on select CCAR Press titles, including WRJ's award-winning The Torah: A Women's Commentary. Use promo code SHAVUOT30 at checkout for the discount.
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Sisterhood Art Night Thirty members of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA) gathered last month via Zoom for an art night. With a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or favorite beverage, the women learned about decoupage in a creative evening led by a sisterhood member. Armed with an 11-inch bowl, Mod Podge, brushes, and a variety of coordinated pretty papers, each participant designed a bowl of beauty. Helpful suggestions and many compliments were shared. It was a multi-generational evening with three mother-daughter duos and a grandmother-mother-daughter trio. It was a fun evening creating beautiful bowls while spending time together online.
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| Calendar and Other Resources
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| Holiday Calendar May is Jewish American Heritage Month
May 9 Mother's Day
May 10 Yom Yerushalayim
May 17 Shavuot
May 24 Victoria Day (Canada)
May 31 Memorial Day (U.S.)
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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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| | Keep in Touch
with WRJ Northeast
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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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| Northeast District Photos
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| Tools & Resources Northeast Resources
WRJ Resources
WRJ Programs
Other Resources
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| The RAC has established a series of call‑to‑action petitions:
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| Something to Consider. . . Black Lives Matter Black Lives Matter began as a response to the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Alicia Garza, upon hearing the Zimmerman verdict, wrote “a love letter to black people” on Facebook, an expression of her grief. Among her impassioned words, three stood out: Our Lives Matter. Her friend and fellow organizer Patrice Cullors altered the phrase and added a hashtag: #BlackLivesMatter.
Black Lives Matter practices grassroots-style organizing: founders Garza, Cullors, and Opal Tometi work toward democratic inclusion within the movement. In interviews, Garza takes pains to note that Black Lives Matter was founded by “two queer women and the daughter of Nigerian immigrants.” She and her cofounders have emphasized that while Black Lives Matter was founded to address the killing of young black men, it is also committed to achieving gender equality and inclusivity.
For Garza, the personal is political: raised by her African-American mother and Jewish stepfather, she grew up as Alicia Schwartz and identifies as Jewish. She also identifies as queer and is married to fellow organizer Malachi Garza, a trans male. Intersectionality, an issue that is clearly close to home for Garza, is a priority within the movement.
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| The Board of the Northeast District of Women of Reform Judaism 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 June 1, 2021.
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