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News from the Northeast
February 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 Marsha Moller
Treasurer, WRJ Northeast District Just as the Israelites struggled with their post-slavery life after leaving Egypt, so do we find ourselves facing uncertainty as we navigate our post-pandemic freedom. Which parts of our Zoom world do we want to keep? Which parts do we want to cast away? What skills have we honed and which habits should we cast aside?
Here are four things to consider as we gather together in Danbury for the Northeast District Convention in March, and at upcoming sisterhood events.
Physical distancing. For some individuals, hugging, kissing, and close contact puts them at risk or makes them feel uncomfortable. Be sure to ask before approaching someone that you have not seen in a while. Everyone has a different risk tolerance and we all need to be respectful of individual health choices.
Active listening. On Zoom, there were many opportunities to turn off our camera, sit back in our chairs, and cast our eyes away from the speaker. In our face-to-face encounters, how we react to what someone is saying will be on full view. Let’s try to bring back active listening to all of our encounters. Those smile lines or wrinkles of concern around the eyes convey to the speaker that we understand what they are saying. We show active listening with our body. When we lean in closer to the other person, we demonstrate active listening.
Mute on/off. For those like me who love to talk, the mute button was good because it ensured that those less talkative had space to make their voice heard. This was a “positive” about Zoom meetings and gatherings; taking a bit of this into our face-to-face world might be a good thing. I am going to try to have an internal mute switch to continue to manage my “air time,” since we are no longer automatically muted at in-person meetings and events.
Turn off distractions. Limit distractions, such as the beeps and pings from our electronic devices, during face-to-face gatherings. Use your judgment to decide when to look at your phone. Perhaps even put the phone away for a few hours on Shabbat, at a convention, or at a sisterhood gathering, unless an emergency is brewing in your life. Be present and let others know that you value the time together.
I look forward to seeing you March 23-26 in Danbury for the Northeast District Convention. I plan to practice active listening, but if I seem a bit rusty, give me a gentle nudge :))
Marsha Moller
Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, Massachusetts
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Northeast District Convention
March 23 - 26, 2023 Convention Registration
We are very excited about the programming and activities we have planned, which include not only engaging worship, a concert, and learning opportunities, but also a hands-on mosaic art project, a chocolate tasting, and an optional mixology workshop.
February 10 is the Early Bird Deadline
The final date to register is March 5
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Need a Roommate? When you register, you will have an opportunity to indicate whom you plan to room with. If you are looking for a roommate to share the cost of the hotel room, you may find posting a note on Yammer helpful.
Click here to request a roommate on Yammer.
Convention Scholarships
Scholarship assistance will be available in the following categories:
- Canadian residents, due to differences in exchange rate
- "First-timers" who have not attended a previous in-person convention, Kallah, or Shabbaton
- Registrants who must travel over 800 miles round-trip
- Financial difficulties
Applications and specific qualifications for scholarships may be requested by emailing neconventionms@gmail.com. All scholarship requests will be kept confidential.
Convention Sponsorships
Consider sponsoring a portion of our convention and congratulate or recognize board members or sisterhoods. This is a wonderful way to show your support for outgoing and incoming WRJ Northeast District Board members and/or promote your sisterhood. There are several sponsorship categories, ranging from $72 to $1800.
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Donate to Our Online Auction
Did you know that we will be holding our first online auction? The proceeds will benefit WRJ’s YES Fund. We are still looking for additional donations. If you have a skill to share via video call, baked and handmade goods, tickets, or gift cards (just some suggestions, other items are welcome), please consider contributing.
Tribute Tree
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We have a new district pin! Each convention participant will receive our new pin.
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| Upcoming Events ~ All events are virtual unless otherwise noted ~
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Tuesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m.
WRJ Says STOP: Educating and Empowering People about Sexual Harassment Join us for the second installment of the "WRJ says STOP" series. In this webinar, we will be joined by our partner, Keshet, who will share an overview of definitions and language pertaining to bullying and sexual harassment. In addition, you will have the opportunity to complete upstander training.
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Thursday, February 9, 8:00 p.m.
JWA Film Discussion: Dirty Dancing Dirty Dancing (1987) tells the story of a Jewish girl's summer romance at a Catskills summer resort in the 1960s. The discussion will be moderated by Irin Carmon, a senior correspondent at New York magazine and a New York Times bestsellingauthor.
The film can be rented on Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, and Youtube.
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Sunday, February 12, 4:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: In the Garden of the Righteous The discussion will be about Richard Hurowitz‘s new book, In the Garden of the Righteous. It chronicles the heroes and heroines who not only rescued Jews from the Holocaust but also, as Golda Meir once said, “saved hope and faith in the human spirit.”
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Thursday, February 16, 1:00 p.m.
Blackness in Motion: The Centrality of Black Thought for Afro-Asian Jewry in Israel This talk will explore how and why Afro-Asian (Mizrahi) Jews in Israel became associated and engaged with Global Black thought throughout the 20th century. Professor Roby will conclude with a reflection on present-day Black cultural production in Israel to illustrate the shifting notions of Blackness and Jewishness amongst Mizrahi and Ethiopian Israelis.
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Thursday, February 16, 8:00 p.m.
JWA Film Discussion: Kissing Jessica Stein
Released in 2002, the film is an indie romcom that follows a Jewish woman as she stumbles through navigating her sexuality, identity, and sense of self. Drew Burnett Gregory, a writer, filmmaker, and theatremaker based in LA, will discuss this film.
The film can be viewed via Hulu (free with a subscription) or for rent on Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, and YouTube.
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Saturday, February 18, 7:00 p.m.
Repro Havdalah Join with Jewish communal organizations across the country as we end Repro Shabbat together with a special Repro Havdalah. Repro Shabbat takes place annually when we read Parshat Mishpatim containing the verses often used as a source for Judaism’s approach to reproductive justice. We will close our Repro Shabbat and celebrate our commitment to religious freedom and abortion access.
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Wednesday, February 22, 8:00 p.m.
FFFW Film Discussion: The Lost Child Join us as we discuss the Hallmark film, The Lost Child. Based on the true story of Yvette Melanson and her book titled Looking for Lost Bird, The film depicts a woman who goes in search of her biological parents but discovers much more about herself, her family, and herself.
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Monday, February 27, 1:00 p.m.
Summer Camp and Jewish Culture in Postwar America Join us as we discuss the decades directly following the Holocaust when American Jewish leaders debated how to preserve and produce Jewish culture. Many communal educators and rabbis pinned their hopes on residential summer camps for Jewish youth.
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Tuesday, February 28, 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate the New Moon with Chai Mitzvah We will welcome the month of Adar with facts about the month according to the ancient mystical book Sefer Yetzirah, the Book of Creation, texts to spark meaningful conversations, and a new look at the biography of Esther, the Woman of the Month.
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Welcome to the Reform Temple of Putnam Valley Sisterhood in Putnam, NY
In December 2022, the Reform Temple of Putnam Valley became the Northeast District's newest affiliate. The temple, founded in 1967, is a progressive congregation serving Putnam and Northern Westchester.
On January 6, 2023, the sisterhood held a special Shabbat service in-person and via Zoom. The service was led by sisterhood members and included Marilyn Shebshaievitz, Northeast District interim first vice president. The service was followed by a scrumptious Oneg Shabbat.
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Congregants attending the January sisterhood-led Shabbat service
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Marilyn Shebshaievitz addresing congregants during the service
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Temple Etz Chaim Sisterhood in Franklin, MA We held a “Bunco on the Porch” get-together in August that was spontaneous (only 2-3 weeks' notice) and a success. This Bunco evening was held on a sisterhood member’s large front porch. We had tables and chairs and the needed Bunco game pieces – several dice, score cards, and pencils. After a brief instruction, we were laughing and cheering for each other to roll the needed numbers.
In the spirit of getting to know others in your group, Bunco is a winner.
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Temple Isaiah Sisterhood in Lexington, MA
On January 14-15, we had our first in-person Women’s Weekend Away since 2020. Members were given the option of commuting or staying overnight at the hotel and coming for one day or two.
The theme of the weekend was “Friendship in Our Lives Today." On Saturday, we had a Shabbat service and Torah study on the theme of friendship. Later in the day, attendees had a choice of participating in a sound bath experience, an art project, singing friendship songs, a Lilith Salon, games, and Reiki energy healing. Our Sunday morning program was about gratitude, mindfulness, and knowing your strengths.
About 45 women attended. We were all glad to be back together again.
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We took a photo with the banner with our new sisterhood logo
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Vassar Temple Sisterhood in Poughkeepsie, NY
We recently had a fundraiser to purchase new banquet chairs for our social hall after one of our members donated money to purchase new tables. We called it "Have a Seat at the Table," and we asked for $40 per chair at different levels (one, two, four, or eight chairs).
We received donations to cover the cost of 120 chairs. Unfortunately, the price went up between the advertising and the order, so our sisterhood covered the last $500. Everything cost about $9500 including a dolly for the tables and for the chairs. We are delighted with the result of the fundraiser, and our social hall looks great.
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Call to Action:
Reform Movement Initiatives
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Resources for the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Repro Shabbat, and Beyond WRJ and the RAC have compiled the following resources for you to include in your services and guide your lessons and advocacy.
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Tell Congress to Ban Assault Weapons and Protect Our Communities One 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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Jewish Disability Advocacy Day (JDAD)
Wednesday, February 15, at 12 p.m.
The Religious Action Center is excited to continue our partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America as hosts of the annual Jewish Disability Advocacy Day (JDAD).
We are switching things up this year! This year’s JDAD will be a virtual day of action via Zoom! Jews with disabilities and their allies will come together to celebrate our wins in 2022, learn from members of Congress and disability advocates, and kick off our advocacy in the 118th Congress and in our communities. We hope you will join us for this virtual event!
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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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Northeast Women Nominated to the WRJ Board
Nominated to serve a new three-year term from 2023 to 2026:
Judith Landis, New York, NY
Granted three-year extensions of their current board terms from 2023 to 2026:
Jane Karlin, New York, NY
Michelle Rosen, Southbury, CT
Mazel tov, Judith, Jane, and Michelle!
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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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Opening for WRJ Executive Director
WRJ seeks a highly innovative, collaborative, and visionary individual to serve as the next executive director, representing the organization and increasing awareness of WRJ across the United States, Canada, Israel, and the world. The executive director will work closely with a variety of stakeholder groups including the regional WRJ districts and their leadership.
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Statement on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
On December 22, 2022, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was passed. We applaud the bipartisan passage of these protections for pregnant workers. We also celebrate the passage of the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. Both help to create a safer, more equitable working environment for pregnant workers and nursing parents.
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Reproductive Health and Rights
WRJ is a leading advocate for reproductive rights and health and continues to oppose state and federal restrictions that limit access to birth control and safe abortion services.
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Cultivating the Next Generation of Jewish Social Justice Leaders: How RAC Legislative Assistance Can Impact the Future Rabbi Marla Feldman, executive director of WRJ North America, writes about her time as an intern at the RAC. She was a rabbinical student in New York, and had been working as the advisor to CRaFTY ("City Region, a Federation of Temple Youth"). In that role, she helped staff the first NFTY Convention. That is where she first learned about the opportunity to intern at the RAC and immediately decided to apply.
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Parashat Vayechi
Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman is a member of the North American Board of WRJ and co-chair of WRJ’s Israel Education Committee. She writes that all of us have the power to improve–to do better.
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Repro Shabbat Event
February 17-18, 2023 Mark your calendar for Repro Shabbat (Parshah Mishpatim) when the Reform Jewish Movement will join with the wider Jewish community to recommit to reproductive freedom and the fight for a more just future where abortion is accessible to all.
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Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship
Apply by February 21, 2023 The Legislative Assistant Program is a year-long fellowship for recent college graduates or individuals with equivalent academic and professional experience, who are interested in Judaism, social justice, and policy.
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Exhibit: When the World Turned Its Back on Stateless Jewish Refugees
Through February 23, 2023 On display at the United Nation headquarters in New York City, the exhibit is intended to illuminate “how the impact of the Holocaust continued to be felt after the Second World War ended and the courage and resilience of those that survived in their efforts to rebuild their lives despite having lost everything."
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Exhibit: How Jews Became Citizens
Through February 28, 2023
The exhibition tells the story of the Jewish people’s path toward citizenship in Europe. The exhibit will showcase rare books and historical documents, taking a geographical approach to discussions around European Jewish emancipation—the process through which Jews obtained rights from the 17th to 19th centuries.
The Center for Jewish History is located at 15 West 16 Street, New York, NY.
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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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Exhibits: Heller Museum Docent Tours
Through August 23, 2023
The Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College is offering sisterhood groups tours during museum hours, Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- ONE NATION, January 19-August 23: A provocative view of America, past, present and future, as interpreted by 40 contemporary artists.
- TZEDEK BOXES: JUSTICE SHALL YOU PURSUE, January 19-May 18. Artists’ ingenious versions of the Tzedek box, a ceremonial object for a new Jewish ritual, the recording of good deeds.
The museum is located in Greenwich Village at 1 East 4th Street between Broadway and Mercer Street. Admission is free; proof of vaccination is required.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Docent Director Eleanor Berman at eberman@huc.edu.
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New Haftarah Commentary from CCAR Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah is now available for pre-order. Edited by Rabbi Barbara AB Symons and featuring a diverse array of authors, the book offers commentaries on each haftarah, demonstrating their profound relevance to the present. Alternative haftarah readings (ranging from the Talmud to Ruth Bader Ginsburg) are included, along with new readings for holidays such as Juneteenth and Pride Month.
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| Calendar and Other Resources
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| Calendar February is Black History Month
February 10 Early bird registration ends for the Northeast District Convention
February 14 Valentine's Day
February 15 National Flag Day (Canada)
February 20 Family Day (Canada); Presidents' Day (U.S.)
February 24 Heritage Day (Canada); Convention sponsorship forms due
March 7 Purim
Upcoming Convention Dates in March and April
March 5 Registration ends
March 7 Auction item donation deadline
March 20-26 Online auction
MARCH 23-26 CONVENTION
April 1 Auction item shipment deadline
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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? In a number of places, bagels are considered a “Jewish thing.” Why is that?
The bagel arrived in the United States with Jewish immigrants from Poland in the late 19th century. It was sold on the streets of New York City’s Lower East Side stacked up on poles or hung from strings — that’s why they have a hole — for people to buy and enjoy on the street. It was simple, comforting peasant food.
The Yiddish word for bagel is actually beigel. It is believed by some that the bagel is a descendant of the German pretzel, which is another yeasted dough bread that is boiled and then baked. The boiling and baking process actually means that bagels stay fresher longer, which for poor Jews, was really important.
As Jews immigrated from Europe to North America, many settled in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, which created their own style of bagels distinct from the New York style. Meanwhile, in New York City, there were so many bagel makers that Local 338, a bagel makers trade union, was created in 1915.
We can thank the invention of cream cheese in the 1930s, Lender’s Bagels, and 1950s housewives for combining the bagel with cream cheese and lox, which was first suggested to serve as an appetizer at cocktail parties in the Family Circle Magazine.
Today bagels tell an immigrant story through one simple food that is enjoyed by many people throughout the world.
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The next eblast will be sent on Tuesday, March 7.
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