District Convention, Social Action, Online Events
District Convention, Social Action, Online Events
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News from the Northeast

October 6, 2020
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 Michelle Rosen
Northeast District Speakers Bureau Chair

As a WRJ Northeast Board member, I attend a lot of events in our district. As I talk and schmooze with sisterhood and synagogue members, I sometimes hear frustration and confusion about what a sisterhood is and does, and then I’m often asked "Why do we need to have a sisterhood?”
At an event last February, an attendee asked me, "What does a sisterhood do?" She continued, “Some men in our congregation think all sisterhoods do is play cards, bake cookies, and knit.” I paused before responding, “Sisterhoods can choose what they do based on their members needs and desires.” I then asked her "What is your vision of what your sisterhood should be? What is important to you and your members?” She said she wanted her sisterhood to have a purpose beyond hospitality. I explained that through WRJ, sisterhoods can promote and strengthen the voice of women both locally and worldwide through acts of philanthropy, social justice, and spiritual growth.
I shared with her that WRJ built the first dormitory for Hebrew Union College at a time when women were not even permitted to become rabbis. WRJ supports URJ Jewish summer camps as well as the WRJ Mother/Daughter Bat Mitzvah program. WRJ provides funds to rabbinical and cantorial students through the YES Fund. The YES Fund also provides grants for innovative programs created by sisterhoods to promote Jewish values. We support women’s voices, women’s equality, and women’s reproductive rights.
I explained that dues paid to WRJ help WRJ support the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, URJ Summer Camps, Women of the Wall, the Israel Religious Action Center, Hebrew Union College, the Women’s Rabbinic Network, and many other organizations. WRJ enables Reform Jewish women to work together to promote social and economic justice throughout the world.
She then asked how we could help communicate that message to her sisterhood. That was easy to answer. WRJ and the Northeast District each have a Speakers Bureau that provides speakers to sisterhoods, usually at no cost to you. Speakers can visit your sisterhood either in person or via Zoom. Our speakers are trained in various topics, and our Speakers Bureau chair will help provide the best speaker possible for your event.
I’m going to fast-forward to today to answer the question, ”What does a sisterhood do?” We provide connections, compassion, love, and friendship to our members, with the bonus of being part of WRJ, an organization that supports and empowers women all over the world with our philanthropic and social justice efforts. Request a speaker today to learn how your sisterhood is connected not only to your local community but to the broader Jewish community worldwide.
Michelle Rosen
B’nai Israel, Southbury, Connecticut

Northeast District Virtual Convention

November 6-7, 2020

The Women of Reform Judaism Northeast District invites you, your friends, and your family to "Celebrating Our Stories" at our first virtual convention on November 6 and 7. We will present a full schedule of events, including guest speakers, workshops, Shabbat services, Torah study, Havdalah, and the installation of our new Executive Committee. Because of the generosity of our sponsors and donors, we are able to offer this exciting weekend of programming at no cost to our attendees.
REGISTER HERE for the 2020 Virtual WRJ Northeast District Convention
For information about the many donation and sponsorship opportunities, CLICK HERE
Contact Marilyn Shebshaievitz at NEconventionMS@gmail.com
if you have questions about registration
Feel free to forward these links to sisterhood and women's group members, and to all those who would like to be part of our involved, active, and joyous community for this special weekend.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Social Action Project

As is our custom, we have chosen a social action project for our convention. In keeping with our convention theme, "Celebrating Our Stories," we plan to share the joy of storytelling by starting a children's library with the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, a not-for-profit, interfaith, culturally-competent organization that assists homeless families.
Learn about our social action project and how you can help.

Selected Online Events

October 8, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Lunch in the Sukkah

Bring your lunch and schmooze with your WRJ sisters in the virtual sukkah. We'll shake the lulav, learn a little about Sukkot, and enjoy this joyful holiday of hospitality together. REGISTER HERE

Sunday, October 18, 2:00 p.m.
Cooking Class with the Kosher Baker

Cook along or listen and learn as The Sisterhood of Temple Shalom joins expert chef Paula Shoyer of The Kosher Baker as she demonstrates how to make chicken schnitzel and string beans with basil two ways (one for every day and one for company), and black and white cookies. Get the details and register

Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.
Film Discussion: Ushpizin

The Israel Education Committee and the Film, Fiction and Fine Wine Group invite you to another evening of discussion and friendship. Ushpizin, which translates roughly as "holy guests," is a revelatory and humorous look at the daily lives of ultra-Orthodox Jews in modern-day Israel. REGISTER HERE

Wise Aging Program
Four Wednesdays 9/2, 10/7, 11/4, and 12/2 at 7:30 p.m.

Linda Levin is offering a exclusive program for WRJ members. The cost is $80; Linda has agreed to donate $18 to WRJ for each WRJ member sho signs up. Four Wednesdays - September 2, October 7, November 4, and December 2 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. REGISTER HERE

October Calendar on Yammer

You can find out about new events as they are added by checking out the WRJ Calendar via Yammer. Please note that Yammer is required to access this calendar. View it here

News from WRJ

October 7, 7:30 p.m.
WRJ and Social Justice: Raising Our Voices Today for a Better Tomorrow

For more than 100 years WRJ has worked tirelessly toward a variety of social justice initiatives. From advancing women’s leadership and equality in Jewish life and in society at large to championing numerous critical social justice issues, WRJ has been at the forefront of major efforts in the work of tikkun olam,repairing the world.To some of us, getting involved with advocacy seems daunting or out of our comfort zone. Perhaps you would be surprised that becoming involved can be quite simple. This workshop will take you through some basic steps and share with you current campaigns including Reproductive Health and Rights, gender pay equity and the Reform Movement’s civic engagement campaign to get out the vote. CLICK HERE to register

October 8, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Lunch in the Sukkah

Bring your lunch and schmooze with your WRJ sisters in the virtual sukkah. We'll shake the lulav, learn a little about Sukkot, and enjoy this joyful holiday of hospitality together. CLICK HERE to register

October 28, 8:00 p.m.
Welcome to WRJ Today

First-time district convention attendees and those who would like a refresher are encouraged to register for this special webinar. Learn more about Women of Reform Judaism, who we are, what we do, and the resources available to you as a member. Hear more about WRJ and prepare yourself to gain even more out of your experience at our virtual district convention in November. CLICK HERE to register

Other News

Wednesday, October 7, 6:00 p.m.
Special "No on 115" Event

RAC Civic Engagement Campaign: Every Voice, Every Vote: Every Week

Join WRJ and the RAC for a virtual phone-and-text bank to oppose Proposition 115, an intentionally confusing ballot measure in Colorado to ban abortion later in pregnancy, with no exceptions for health or individual circumstances. Learn more about the “No on 115” Campaign at https://voteno115.com/.
Sponsored by the Reform Movement’s Civic Engagement Campaign and the WRJ-RAC Reproductive Health and Rights Campaign
Can't make it on October 7? There are additional opportunities, Monday through Friday, to say "No on 115." Get the details here.

Vote 2020

With just a few weeks until Election Day,
there is still time to make an impact.
Find out how you can help
Most states have early in-person voting available this month.
Need more voting information? Check vote.org.
Click the graphic
for absentee ballot deadlines

Online District Speakers

We are pleased to announce that speakers from the Northeast District may be arranged for online Zoom meetings.
There is no cost to your sisterhood or women’s group for a district speaker.

Online Resource Roundup

WRJ has created a new ONLINE PROGRAMMING GROUP on Yammer. Look there for online events, and post your sisterhood’s online events there.
Looking for a chronological list of online events? Check UPCOMING WEBINARS on the Northeast District website.
Did you miss a Zoom session? Check RECENT WEBINARS on the Northeast District website.
Looking for other programs? Check ONGOING RESOURCES on the Northeast District website.

WRJ Northeast is Back on Twitter

Follow us at @WRJNortheast 

Calendar and Other Resources

Calendar

October 7 WRJ and Social Justice
October 8 Lunch in the Virtual Sukkah
October 10 Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
October 20 Ushpizin Dicussion
October 28 Welcome to WRJ Today

Save the Date

November 6-7 Northeast District Convention
March 11-14, 2021 WRJ Fried Women's Conference, New Orleans

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.
VAWA PayFairness
Together we can make a difference

Moment Magazine

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

Did you Know...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

One in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women has a BRCA gene mutation. Mutations in BRCA genes raise a person's risk for getting breast cancer at a young age, and also for getting ovarian and other cancers. That is why Ashkenazi Jewish women are at higher risk for breast cancer at a young age, and why cancer screenings are so important.

The Board of the Northeast District of Women of Reform Judaism
Looks Forward to Seeing You Online
for Our November Convention!

Visit our website Follow us on Twitter www.facebook.com/WRJNortheast wrjneblast@gmail.com
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The next eblast will be sent on November 3, 2020
Send program listings, photos, and articles to wrjneblast@gmail.com by October 27, 2020
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