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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

REQUEST A DISTRICT SPEAKER