I have a new burst of energy. I think turning 65 in October has something to do with it. I started to re-evaluate parts of my life. How do I want to allocate my time and treasures? How am I living a Jewish life, based on Reform values, that can serve as a model for my family?

Recently, I was chatting with my husband about women I know whose lives are so full and about others whose worlds are more narrowly focused. My WRJ sisters live in an expansive world. These are the women I most want to be with and who I want to become. The women of WRJ, the Northeast District, and my own sisterhood inspire me to reflect on how I lead my life. They stimulate me to look beyond my home and family and motivate me to get involved. I admire these women who shake me out of my routines and cause me to think about how I can make a difference in the world.

The next time you meet with your sisters, inquire about how someone spends their time and you will discover many interesting things that women are doing. Some attend lectures and take classes. Others support and follow social justice organizations and get involved in letter writing, participate in rallies and lobby elected officials. Some women are very politically active, vetting and then supporting candidates. Others volunteer at food pantries, elderly housing, hospitals, schools and prisons. Leadership roles in our temples, sisterhoods and Jewish and non-religious organizations are ways that Reform Jewish women make a difference in our communities. Of course, we women are philanthropists, allocating our financial treasure to causes that we value..

By talking with women about how we spend our time and treasure, you might be the catalyst to enrich someone’s life. In addition, you might find new ways to deepen your own engagement with our Reform Jewish values.  

I am excited about a new project. I will be part of a three-person team that mentors a prisoner enrolled in a college program. We will visit the prison monthly until the person graduates. Is it a coincidence that we are all sisterhood women? I think not.

Marsha Moller
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA

Join the Women's Rabbinic Network (WRN) for the continuation of its "Journey to 50" virtual speaker series, funded by WRJ's YES Fund, in celebratiion of the 50th anniversary of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand's ordination and five decades of women rabbis.

Register here.

Join The Braid and HUC-JIR for this play about 18 pioneering women rabbis and their journeys. This event is available in-person and via livestream. In-person guests can also enjoy a pre-performance viewing of the exhibition "Holy Sparks: Celebrating 50 Years of Women in the Rabbinate" from 6:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. at our Dr. Bernard Heller Museum at HUC-JIR.

Register here.

“The First Four” Women Rabbis in Conversation: Rabbis Sally Priesand '72, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso '74, Amy Eilberg '85, and Rabba Sara Hurwitz '09; moderated by Rabbi Andrea Weiss, Ph.D., '93 Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost. Reflections by Rabbi Amy Perlin '82 and President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D. Performance by The Braid of an excerpt from the play “Stories from the Fringe," about 18 pioneering women rabbis revealing their journeys.

Register here.

Evening is described by Publisher's Weekly as a "smart, darkly funny novel" and Lilith called the novel “deeply Jewish and (wait for it) deeply Canadian,” adding that Evening is "a beautifully written, masterfully crafted exploration of sisterhood, families, lovers, and love. As author Daphne Merkin says, it 'adroitly touches on everything we’ve ever wanted to know about the inner lives of women.'”

Register here.

This three-day, virtual gathering will empower you to mobilize and create change in your community. Hear from inspiring speakers, network with like-minded leaders, and dive into deeper learning in workshops focused on congregational leadership, social justice, Israel, and the URJ North American Board. Click here for more information.

Register here by April 30.

This special event will honor women who strengthen the voices of others, focus on empowering women, and promote progressive Jewish values. Please note the new date for this event. Rabbi Marla Feldman will be honored for 20 years of service to the Reform Movement. The keynote address will be delivered by Dana Bash, Chief Political Correspondent for CNN. For a list of all the honorees, click here.

For details and regiatration information, click here.

Join the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El of Waterford, CT, as Victoria Riskin discusses her memoir about her parents, Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir.
To register, send an RSVP to Barbara Senges with your name, and the name of your book club (if applicable).