The things we carry… The outstanding success of last month’s inaugural WRJ Social Justice Conference can be measured in myriad ways: intriguing workshops, elegant Shabbat services, networking with friends, YES fundraising, and engaging plenaries. Appropriately, and in keeping with the theme of tikkun olam, attendees were not given program books at registration, but were asked to upload all conference materials to an app. Throughout SJC and continuing through the Religious Action Center’s Consultation on Conscience, we received reminders about places to go and people to see, and up-to-the-minute changes in the exhaustive schedule.

But this is not to suggest we “traveled light.” The purpose of our engagement was to focus on repairing our damaged, unjust, imperfect world. With little respite, it was possible to move from a discussion on the catastrophic effects of climate change, to race and gender inequity, to immigration, to mass incarceration, to the increasing restrictions on women’s reproductive choice. Everyone who has asked me about my week has been treated to an earful of concerns regarding society’s problems and the devastating effects of current public policy. It probably would be easier to respond in the great tradition of our ancestors: “Don’t ask.”

And yet, we are instructed to ask, to question, to doubt authority. At both the SJC and Consultation on Conscience, we were given the tools by which we can frame those questions and – even more important – advocate for social change and justice in our world. While we may not have been given a tote bag full of conference materials, the things we now carry are heavy indeed. And will stay with us until we can repair the damage... undoubtedly for many years to come.

At SJC, WRJ announced a new initiative with the RAC, one in which we committed to devote financial and professional resources to the increasingly infringed-upon rights of reproductive choice and women’s health. This is only one of many endeavors in which we are actively engaged, but – as state legislatures were demolishing the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling even as we sat in workshops in Washington – it is one that has urgency.

The SJC gave us history, statistics, case studies, resolutions. But knowledge, indignation, and a keen sense of social justice urge us to move forward, no matter the weight of the things we carry. As you plan sisterhood events for the year ahead, or for your own individual course of action, please know that WRJ has the resources you need to make your voice heard. As a group, we can lighten the weight of the things we all carry, for we are stronger together.

Sharon Sobel
Temple B’nai Chaim, Georgetown, Connecticut

Congratulations to Women of Am Echad, Lynbrook, NY, on their program "Personal Violence Partners" and to Sisterhood of Temple Israel, Staten Island, NY, on their program "Chanukah Chesed, Sharing the Light." These programs were recipients of Incubator Grants. GET ALL THE DETAILS.

Has your sisterhood had an incredible program? WRJ’s Or Ami “Light of My People” Awards recognize exemplary social justice, community service, and educational programming that serve as a model for WRJ districts and sisterhoods.

Programs must take place between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019. Get all the details.

It’s everywhere – social media, websites, television, and newspapers. There is no avoiding the issues that face our nation, our world, our friends and family. How can we put them into perspective, to prioritize and decide where we want to focus our energy? It is easy to be overwhelmed by all that we face, but we have to try to bring about change.

Attending the Social Justice Conference left me feeling empowered – with tools that I can use to educate my community, engage others, and inspire them to take action on legislation that is pending now. We learned of programs that allow us to strengthen friendships and connections within our congregations and larger communities, while imbuing them with a culture of social justice, volunteerism, and philanthropy.

There was a large range of ages represented at the conference. It gave me hope to hear from the high school and college students about what motivates them and what actions they are taking. They were so well-spoken and committed to changing the world we are leaving to them.

Our Jewish texts reflect the values that are rooted in our souls. We take care of the homeless, welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, and more. As it is written in the Talmud,

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. [Pirkei Avot]

As I was preparing this article, I read these words: “You’re never too young to help others, and you’re never too old to stop.”* If you have not yet become involved, now is your time. Together, we can make a difference!

L’shalom,
Betty Weiner
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA
Vice President of Area Management and Advocacy, WRJ Northeast District

* Boston Globe 5/25/2019, Thomas P. Costin Jr., Postmaster, Lynn (MA) District, 1961-1992 (appointed by JFK).

The WRJ Social Justice Conference was fantastic. We were educated on social justice issues, learned advocacy skills and how to address timely topics in a welcoming and encouraging Jewish environment.

The workshop “Suffragists to Social Justice Warriors” was very informative. We learned about the proud legacy of WRJ as advocates for social justice, WRJ’s top issues today, and how to partner with like-minded coalitions. Jane Taves, Ally Karpel and Nicole Villalpando were great workshop leaders.

We learned how to build personal relationships from the ground up, how to use those relationships to meet with elected officials at all levels of government, and how to have a successful legislative visit. We also learned useful tips such as starting in our local community, moving to our county, then our state, and finally the federal government.

Shabbat morning services were magical. Hearing so many women’s voices praying together was very special.

Saturday’s concert, “Together as One,” was inspiring! Julie Silver, Stacy Beyer, and Marci Geller are fantastic individually, but together they can move mountains! They had us laughing, crying, and singing together. We all lifted our voices for justice! This was the highlight of the conference for me.

Renewing and strengthening friendships, making new friends, learning and praying together is what WRJ is all about.

We are a force that has been changing the world for more than 100 years and will continue to do so for many more years.

Beth Quinn
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El, Scarsdale, NY

The Social Justice Conference was a wonderful opportunity to study, worship, eat, and dance with WRJ sisters from thirty states and provinces.

I started Saturday morning with the most amazing Torah study, “America's Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today.” It was taught by Pamela Nadell, who provided a glimpse into her new book and shared the history of American Jewish women, from some I was not aware of to those we follow in today’s newspapers, like my idol RBG. Then we all worshiped together. District Vice President Carmen Holzman was honored with the first aliyah for past District President Denise Levine’s chanting. We also heard an amazing dvar from Rabbi David Saperstein.

After services, we enjoyed a beautiful YES Fund luncheon where we learned that those of us working on our first Lifeline now have a pin to wear to recognize our commitment to the YES Fund.

Workshops covered coalitions, food/housing insecurity, #MeToo, pay equity, the Supreme Court, and WRJ advocacy – just to name those offered in the first workshop block! I attended a workshop on reproductive rights, which was the very first issue I was involved in when I joined WRJ thirty years ago. The workshop enlightened me to the laws that are being attempted at both the federal and state level to curtail access – even in my own New York State, which I thought was free from all of this. We must all be ever vigilant.

My head is full and my heart is heavy knowing that we have much work ahead of us as women. We are once again going to be fighting for our reproductive rights, and for the dignity and safety of those seeking health care and also those providing it.

There is so much more to share. Please feel free to talk to one of the many sisters who attended SJC and to those of us who were able to stay on for the Consultation on Conscience and even protest outside the Supreme Court for “Stop the Bans.”

Liza Robbins Theuman
Temple B'rith Kodesh, Rochester, New York