Share this:
|
|
News from the Northeast
December 5, 2017 | |
Please note: The eblast will now be sent out from northeast@wrj.org.
Please add this address to your address book so you don't miss out on our News.
| |
Message from Vivian Blumstein, President, WRJ Northeast District
| |
|
As I am writing this, it is a beautiful fall day on Long Island. It is sunny, cool and crisp – a perfect day to take a walk later (instead of getting aggravated at the Black Friday sales). In looking back at the first year of my term, I am amazed at all we have accomplished together.
After our District Convention in November 2016, we hit the ground running. Those of us who attended really enjoyed the Fried Leadership Conference (FLC) in Charleston. I had never been there, and I had a amazing time going to workshops, worshipping, and playing with new and old friends. The next FLC will be held in Nashville, March 1-4. If you haven’t registered yet, here is the link. Don’t forget – early bird registration ends on January 10, 2018! I’d love to see you there.
We held a wonderful area event in April for our New York City area sisters. Nolan Altman presented a very interesting program titled “Jewish Genealogy: Trace Our Connections.” The next day we held a WRJ Northeast District Executive Committee meeting. In September, another area event took place in Buffalo, NY, for our Northern Area Sisters. I spoke about WRJ 101 – Global Connections. These events were well attended and helped bring women together. By holding these in different areas, we hope to attract as many women as possible, many of whom may not be able to attend other district events.
Our Kallah in October was outstanding. We choose the theme “B’tzelim Elohim” (we are created in the image of God). A record number of women came and enjoyed learning and schmoozing together. This was a “deeper” topic, and everyone who came was open to learning and sharing. A WRJ Northeast District Board meeting followed on Sunday.
Our next area event will be in the Boston area in January. Boston Channel 7 News reporter Kimberly Bookman will speak about “The TRUTH About News.” We will meet at Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, MA. Please see the flyer in this eblast for details and to register.
Each of these events takes a lot of thought and planning. Thank you to all who helped put these events together and also, to all who attended.
I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year – and I hope to see many of you in Nashville.
Warmly,
Vivian Blumstein
| |
Not Attending URJ Biennial?
| |
WRJ Northeast District Area Event
in Massachusetts
The TRUTH About News
Join your Boston area sisters on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA. Come for the day for services, lunch and sharing and to hear Boston 7 News Reporter Kimberly Bookman.
Please RSVP by January 5, 2018.
| |
 PurimPalooza at FLC 2018
WRJ's Fried Leadership Conference (FLC) committee is looking for fun 'n festive talented women to perform at our PurimPalooza Show on the evening of Saturday, March 3, 2018, during FLC. Do you sing, dance, act, play an instrument, juggle, lip-sync? WRJ wants to showcase your talent! If you have a two- to five-minute piece that you’d like to perform, please “audition” by submitting your details and video here. Applications must be fully received (including video submission) by January 10, 2018. Although there are a limited number of performance spots available at PurimPalooza, ALL are encouraged to audition! You must be registered for the 2018 Fried Leadership Conference in order to submit/perform, and must be available for rehearsals/run-throughs during FLC, on Friday, March 2 (during late-night programming time) and on Saturday, March 3 (during one afternoon workshop block).
| |
|
News From Our Sisterhoods
Temple Beth-El, Providence, RI
On Saturday, December 2, the sisterhood of Temple Beth-El in Providence hosted Lesley Sachs, executive director of Women of the Wall and Vivian Gealer, WOW supporter for a day of learning, prayer and sharing.
| |
|  |  | Rabbi Sarah Mack, Elaine Sandy, Cheryl Greenfield | |  | Vivian Gealer, Elaine Sandy (Sisterhood President), Lesley Sachs, Barbara Horovitz Brown, Cheryl Greenfield | |
| | |
Does your sisterhood have something to share? Perhaps a recent event or an event in the making? We would love to know and include it in our next eblast.
| |
HIAS has issued a lovely holiday calendar that is available online as a PDF. The second page of the PDF contains seasonal facts about the global refugee crisis.
| |
It has all the Jewish holidays for 2017‑2018.
| |
|
CalendarDecember 12: Chanukah, first candle December 6-10: URJ Biennial January 10: FLC early bird registration deadline January 13: Massachusetts Area Event Save the Date March 1-4, 2018
Fried Leadership Conference
Nashville, TN
| |
| Save the Date for Convention 2018
| |
WRJ Northeast District Convention October 25-28, 2018 Framingham, MA It's not too early to start planning!
| |
| Your sisterhood is entitled to a District Speaker once every two years, without expense to your sisterhood. Please submit your requests with 6‑8 weeks' lead time.
| |
WRJ will provide outreach grants of up to $1,000 to WRJ sisterhoods and women’s groups for programs that reach out to interfaith families and non-Jews. The emphasis will be on programs that can be replicated.
| |
|
| W E L C O M E
New Sisterhood Presidents and Leaders Now that you have elected and installed your new leaders...
| |
| Reform Judaism CornerSupport Israeli Staff
at URJ Camps The Trump Administration is considering ending the J-1 Visa program that allows international staff – including Israelis – to work at Reform Movement camps for the summer.
| |
 Birthright Israel registration is now open. All 18- to 26-year-olds are eligible for a free trip to Israel. SIGN UP NOW for priority choice in the winter. | |
| | |
 NFTY alums can use the new NFTY Alumni Directory to reconnect online.
SIGN UP HERE. | |
| | |
Drag this message to your Primary inbox to prevent missing our eblasts. Is this newsletter clipped or truncated?
If so, scroll down to the bottom and click View Entire Message.
| |
|
| How is Judaica represented on stamps around the world? Canada just released its first Chanukah stamp. The stamp depicts a stylized Chanukah menorah in different shades of blue, with a shamash candle at its center. The golden Star of David at the top of the shamash represents the lit flame. Read more about it here. Many countries besides Israel have issued stamps depicting Judaica, not just for holidays, but also to commerate events and synnagogues.
| |
The Board of the Northeast District of Women of Reform Judaism wishes everyone a happy Chanukah and a happy and healthy 2018.
| |
| Share this newsletter by using one of the "Share this" icons at the top of the newsletter. The next eblast will be sent on January 2, 2018.
| |
|
| | | Women of Reform Judaism | 633 Third Avenue | New York, NY 10017-6778 US
| |
