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News from the Northeast
March 7, 2023
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This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
Please add this address to your Contacts so you won't miss our news.
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In This Issue (These links may not work on some devices)
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Message from Sharon Sobel
Outgoing President WRJ Northeast District “We have contributed an extraordinary amount of time and energy, financial support, creative and technical input, and enthusiasm, as we continue our work and tell the story of Women of Reform Judaism Northeast. Our convention has emerged through such darkness and uncertainty, we might call it our genesis of a brave new world, filled with great events and programs to come…”
Reflecting on those words, spoken two and a half years ago at our first – and, I hope, only – virtual convention and installation, I recall composing my speech with caution and concern that I was unrealistically optimistic. Surely, anyone listening in that muted, invisible Zoom audience would have been sensible to doubt my enthusiasm for what was still an uncertain future. We would not receive our vaccines for several months, businesses and schools remained closed, and the president of the United States was adamant that his election had not been lost. We all sat apart, in our homes, perhaps in yoga pants, wondering if we should use a scheduled break to risk our well-being by going out for a walk on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It was indeed a brave new world, but not one we welcomed with any degree of optimism.
If optimism was missing, determination most certainly was not. The limitations we faced didn’t hold us back, but motivated us to move forward, to deal with every drawback as a challenge. Our board, from the officers to every committee chair and sisterhood president, were elected or appointed to positions, and the responsibilities that accompanied those titles were embraced, reconfigured, recreated for the unanticipated circumstances in which we found ourselves.
And here is where we found our strength. While it may not be an attribute unique to our Northeast District, it certainly is relatively rare in my experience. That is, deterred by a global pandemic, others stepped back from former obligations and volunteer service to the community. We stepped forward. Online meetings became a lifeline to the friends and sisters we would not see for over two years, but they also were a crucible for crafting new ideas and programs, integrating technology into every aspect of our programming, and working collaboratively with people in distant locations. Together, and with enthusiasm that might otherwise have been doubted, we created a lifeline to the future.
The archives of the Northeast District will record a transition from the board of 2020-2023 to the board of 2023-2026 this month, with no particular mention of the circumstances in which we found ourselves. That is surely because we band of sisters are blessed with continuity that reveals an enduring commitment as we hand responsibility from one generation of leaders to the next and go from strength to strength. We build on the past as we look to the future, for we already have ample evidence of what experience has taught us: we are, indeed, stronger together.
Mazel tov to our incoming president, Yvette Bergman, and her new board, full of promise and purpose. And thank you to our remarkably talented and committed current Executive Committee, who have carried the torch with grace and style: Marilyn Shebshaievitz, Carol Chaykin, Michelle Rosen, Betty Weiner, Marsha Moller, Ruthe Schipper, Marsha Byrnes, Karen Schorfheide-Ray, Trina Novak, Yvette Bergman, Natalie Berhumoglu, Paulette Black, Lani Dunthorn, Suzy Gelman, Marian Klein, Cathy Sacks, Robin Kreiger, Gail Lustig, Louise Ponticello, Jenifer Rosenberg, Liza Robbins Theuman, and Alissa Woska.
It has been a privilege to serve with all of you, and a great joy to be the president of the Northeast District.
Sharon Rebecca Sobel
Temple B'nai Chaim, Georgetown, CT
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Northeast District Convention
March 23 - 26, 2023
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Attending the Northeast District Convention?
Please Bring Art Supplies
Please bring art supplies to benefit the children at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury. Seeking new, non-toxic basic art supplies such as colored pencils, crayons, paint, paper and markers.
Tribute Tree
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Donate to Our Online Auction
Last day to donate is March 7 - To make this event a success, we need YOUR donations! Proceeds will benefit WRJ’s YES Fund. Please contribute an item or experience to be bid on during this virtual event. If you knit, you can donate your handmade item(s) plus share a Zoom call. Please consider contributing personalized items, theatre tickets, Judaica, or gift cards etc.
Got questions about donations? Email wrjneauction@gmail.com.
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Saturday Evening March 25, 2023
Havdalah ~ Dinner ~ Concert
5:30 p.m. Havdalah and installation
6:45 p.m. Kosher-style dinner
8:30 p.m. Cabaret concert starring Rabbi Deborah Zecher
Registration for these events is included in registration for the Northeast District Convention. Separate registration for Saturday evening is available for guests and/or those who wish to join us only on Saturday evening.
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We have a new district pin! Each convention participant will receive our new pin.
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Sunday, March 19, 2 - 4 p.m.
Vashti's Tea and Fashion Show
Congregation Sha'aray Shalom, Hingham, MA Join Sisterhood Sha'aray Shalom of Hingham, 1112 Main Street, Hingham, MA, for their in-person Vashti's Tea and Fashion Show. Pay homage to Vashti, a strong woman who chose to maintain fashion sense and not to bare it all for the king. An array of savory sweet Middle Eastern treats and teas will be served during the show. Reserve via email sisterhoodcss@gmail.com
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Call to Action:
Reform Movement Initiatives
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Urge Your Elected Officials to Restore Asylum The U.S. immigration system is broken, and it is past time for Congress to take meaningful action. Until then, it is essential that the Biden administration work to strengthen immigration policies. Unfortunately, the administration is continuing to restrict the rights of asylum seekers, including through the expansion of Title 42—a policy that uses the guise of public health to prevent people from legally seeking asylum in the U.S. Join us as we call on Congress and the Biden administration to restore asylum.
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Tell Congress to Ban Assault Weapons and Protect Our Communities Two month into 2023, and the United States has already experienced over 50 mass shootings that have killed nearly 100 people.
The Assault Weapons Ban was reintroduced in the Senate in January. This bill would prohibit semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices. Tell Congress to end senseless and preventable violence by supporting the Assault Weapons Ban.
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Reform Movement 2023 Justice Campaign:
Day of Action in Washington, DC
Wednesday and Thursday, May 10 and 11
The Day of Action will serve as a peak moment in our movement-wide campaign. We will gather in Washington, deepen relationships, build community, and advocate for vital policy change through lobby meetings on Capitol Hill.
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| If this email is clipped, click "View Entire Message" at the end of the eblast to ensure that you have not missed any important updates and information.
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Celebration of the Retirement of Rabbi Marla J. Feldman
After more than ten years of service as WRJ's executive director, Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is retiring this June. We hope you will join us on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Sheraton Suites in Chicago, Illinois, to celebrate her numerous accomplishments and overall impact on the Reform Movement.
All proceeds from this event will benefit WRJ's Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Fund.
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Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch Appointed
Incoming WRJ Executive Director
Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) announced today that Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch has been selected to be the next Executive Director beginning July 5, 2023. Rabbi Hirsch will begin this new role following the retirement of the current Executive Director, Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, who served the organization for over eleven years.
“It is an honor to welcome Rabbi Hirsch as WRJ’s seventh Executive Director, since 1913,” said WRJ President Sara Charney. “Rabbi Hirsch is a creative and dynamic leader and will take our beloved WRJ to new heights. We look forward to many years of tremendous growth and opportunity under Rabbi Hirsch’s leadership.”
Hirsch currently serves as rabbi of Temple Anshe Amunim, a Reform synagogue in Pittsfield, MA. She is the founding co-chair of RAC Massachusetts, a statewide synagogue-based community organizing project of Reform Judaism, and she serves on the National Council of Jewish Women’s Rabbinic Advisory Council. She was a key leader in the 2020 campaign to pass the ROE Act, safeguarding reproductive rights in Massachusetts.
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New Social Justice Anthem
I n October 2022, WRJ announced our new social justice anthem, "Another Thing Coming", written by singer-songwriter Kyra Goldman. When asked about her inspiration for this song, she said, "I wanted to create an anthem where you could actually feel the energy of an army of women marching together in power. While writing, I thought of my mom and imagined her strength behind me."
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Save The Date
Fried Women's Conference
May 30 - June 2, 2024
The WRJ Fried Women's Conference (FWC) is made possible in part by a generous endowment from WRJ Board member Joanne B. Fried.
During this event, attendees will participate in various workshops and connect with other Reform women, experience meaningful Shabbat worship and music, learn from experts and each other, and enjoy time with WRJ leaders and friends. FWC attendees will leave feeling rejuvenated and, with the support of their WRJ sisters, better prepared to guide their sisterhoods and serve as leaders in both Jewish and secular communities.
For more information about the WRJ Fried Women's Conference, please contact WRJ Director of Events and Leadership Amanda Feldman.
Stay tuned for more details about our 2024 conference!
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Four Tips for In-Person District Conventions
Marsha Moller, Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, Massachusetts, WRJ Northeast District Treasurer and incoming WRJ Northeast Districe First Vice President .
To read Marsha Mollers's blog, click here.
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Book Launch - Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimaging Haftarah
Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 pm Join us for a live Zoom event to celebrate the release of Prophetic Voices. Free and open to all with registration.
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40th WUPJ International Convention
May 3-6, 2023
The World Union for Progressive Judaism invites you back to Jerusalem to join together for our first international in-person gathering since 2017. Join us at our newly refurbished headquarters, Beit Shmuel, in Jerusalem. Reunite with progressive Jews from around the world, renew our commitment to building and sustaining vibrant Jewish life wherever Jews choose to live, and rejoice in song, prayer, learning, and deep connection.
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HUC-JIR in the Berkshires
July 27-31, 2023
You're invited to a series of events in the Berkshires this summer, around and on Shabbat, with local synagogues and community partners. Join us for these dynamic gatherings where we will discuss the big questions facing our Jewish community.
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| Calendar and Other Resources
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| Calendar March is Women's History Month
March 7 Purim
March 7 Auction item donation deadline
March 20-26 Online auction for Northeast District Convention
March 23-26 Northeast District Convention
April 1 Auction item shipment deadline
April 5 First Night of Passover
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| Request a District Speaker Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker at no cost to your sisterhood.
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| Useful Links District Resources
WRJ Resources
Other Resources
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| Donate to the District Make a gift to WRJ Northeast District Fund (NDF) to say thank you, happy birthday, mazel tov, or to send get well wishes or condolences to your family members and friends. An acknowledgment will be emailed to each person whose email address is provided.
The NDF enables the Northeast District to support our sisterhoods, women’s groups, and individual members.
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| Did You Know? The first U.S. Bat Mitzvah took place on March 18, 1922...
Judith Kaplan, the eldest daughter of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, became the first American girl to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony on March 18, 1922 in New York, N.Y.
The actual details may be somewhat surprising to today's congregations. Unlike girls today, Judith Kaplan didn't actually read from the Torah. She was summoned to the bimah only after her father had read the weekly portion. She also didn't get on the bimah, but rather stood at the bottom and read from a separate book.
Over time, girls pushed for more equality in rituals and roles in Jewish life. By end of the 1950s, Rabbi Carole Balin says that half of Conservative temples and one third of Reform congregations reported holding some sort of Bat Mitzvah. As the ceremony spread, girls wanted it to be more than just symbolic.
With more Bat Mitzvahs taking place in the 1960s and with the help of second wave feminism, girls argued that they should read from the Torah and be counted in a minyan, the quorum of adults required for community prayer. Their mothers began joining temple boards or seeking out bat mitzvahs of their own that weren't available when they were younger.
Over the past 100 years, the Bat Mitzvah has gone from radical innovation to mainstream expectation. Now congregations are expanding the ritual to be more inclusive, adapting it for trans and nonbinary people and for people with disabilities.
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The Board of the Northeast District
of Women of Reform Judiasm
Wishes our Sisters a Happy Purim!
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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 Tuesday, April 4.
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