This eblast is sent from northeast@wrj.org.
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Did you miss the October newsletter? You can read it here.
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Message from Robin Krieger
What Can We Do to Help Israel?
Take Away Tips:
Get More Involved with District Events
Registration Open for December Leadership Weekend
Upcoming Events
News from WRJ
Calendar and Other Resources
Did You Know? Jewish Women Who Made History
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| Message from Robin Krieger
Northeast District Area Director
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I had originally written and submitted an article about finding new relatives for this month’s Eblast. Then October 7th happened.
In retrospect, I realized how trite my article sounded and publishing it this month would have been a huge mistake. Alissa was editing my original piece and sounded relieved when I said it was time to scrap it and write about Israel.
I have definite opinions about Israel and her government as I have about that of the United States. I might not agree with everything they do, but I love both countries. I have been vocal about my views, and luckily most of my friends and family are on the same page. Since October 7th, I have found tremendous support from my WRJ community, family, and friends. Whether it was from Yammer (now called Viva Engage), Facebook, texts, or personal emails, I knew we shared the same horror and disbelief watching what was happening in Israel and Gaza. I tried responding to every post showing I too supported Israel and joined WRJ/URJ programs that discussed the war. It felt good and safe to be among friends until warnings and possible threats close to home became a reality.
Security was beefed up at area temples and my daughter was questioning whether she should send Remy to her temple nursery school. I did not let on that I too was afraid for my granddaughter. Friends were going to a pro-Israel rally in Boston and I came up with a lame excuse - I was planning on attending a Shabbat service for my aunt’s Yahrzeit and decided to watch it online instead.
What was happening to me? For the first time, was I afraid to be Jewish in my own community? Boston, especially Newton, has a large Jewish population. There are at least 10 synagogues within a 5-mile radius of my home. I never feared being Jewish until now, and I needed to stop feeling this way.
First steps to being brave.
My Temple will be giving out signs that read, “We Support Israel” and I am picking mine up on Monday. My mezuzah is proudly staying on my front door, and I am attending Shabbat services this Friday. I am bringing Remy to her temple nursery school next week and no excuses for not attending the next rally in Boston.
When I think of what is happening in Israel and the U.S, I cannot believe I was letting the bad guys win. Those days are over and my voice will not be silenced any more.
Robin
Newton, MA
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What Can We Do to Help Israel? |
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We stand with the people of Israel during these difficult and challenging days and pray for the safety and immediate release of all of the hostages.
Read what actions you can take, helpful information, recent interviews, webinars, and statements made by Reform Jewish organizations.
Learn more here
You may be wondering what to do and how to respond to the proliferation of antisemitic/anti-Israel posts that you see online. There is also much being shared that could be misinformation or disinformation. The RAC has put together a guide with some suggestions for how to respond.
Responding to online posts
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WRJ has made a $20,000 emergency allocation to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. This includes $10,000 designated for IMPJ’s Keren b’Kavod humanitarian fund to support resettlement of those living near warzone borders and $10,000 to support progressive clergy who are high demand as lifecycle resources and to establish women’s empowerment circles for those Reform Jewish women in Israel.
If you want to make a donation to help Israel, the Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) Operation: Swords of Iron is working with the WRJ and our partners to support victims of terror, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by these horrific attacks. You can give through your local federation or online directly.
Donate to Swords of Iron
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Take-Away Tips for Your Sisterhood
Get More Involved with District Events
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When it comes to making a calendar and planning events for your local sisterhood, you do not have to do everything on your own. As part of the WRJ Northeast District, you are welcome to attend any of the various events around the district. Coming up in the next month, we have two events we are hosting that we would love to have you and your members join in.
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On November 19, we are hosting a district-wide watch party on the history of women's underwear. This promises to be a fun event. You can choose to either attend as a Zoom participant or join us in person at one of the area watch parties. If you can attend in person, you will have an opportunity to meet other women in your local area as well as some members of our executive committee. The women on the executive committee are always happy to chat with you about your sisterhood and ways that the district can help you.
The weekend of December 2 and 3, we are having a leadership weekend in Albany, NY, where we will be strategizing and planning for what we would like the future of WRJ to be. We would love to welcome any current and potential future leaders to this event.
More information and registration for both of these events can be found later in this eblast. Remember that the district is here to help you, so you do not have to feel like you are alone in trying to plan activities for your sisterhood. Your first point of contact is your area director, but any of our board members are happy to help you with planning. You are not alone.
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December Leadership Weekend |
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| Northeast District Leadership Weekend Event
Please join us in Albany, NY, on December 2 and 3 for a special event where we will work on leadership training, ethics, and visioning for our sisterhoods and our district.
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News from Our Sisterhoods |
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BETC Community Celebrates Sukkot with Havdalah and Sushi
On September 30, WRJ@BETC sponsored a festive evening including a beautiful Havdalah service led by Cantor Jeri Robins followed by delicious sushi, wine, and dessert. It was wonderful to have a chance to catch up and connect with old friends and new friends. Special thanks to Cantor Jeri Robins for leading a beautiful service and all her help with the evening. The evening was planned to be in the sukkah but the weather did not cooperate. Paulette Black and Myrna Robinson Weiner had a wonderful time organizing this special community event.
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| November 14 at 8:00 pm
on Zoom
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| Beyond Welcoming: Addressing Racism, Homophobia, Ableism, & More in our Communities (REDI 101)
Brought to you by the Union for Reform Judaism’s Racial Equity Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) team.
Start building stronger communities and transform the ways in which you can create meaningful Jewish experiences for people of all backgrounds. This workshop is open to all. Note: This will be a level-setting REDI session, which will provide information and resources to learn more about REDI practices that you can incorporate into your communities. Our co-facilitators for this session will be Yolanda Savage-Narva (she/her) and Rachel Hall (she/her).
Register Here
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November 19 at 4:00 pm
on Zoom or In Person
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| Speaking of Unmentionables: The Rise and Fall of Women's Underwear.
Join us for a fun, informative, and occasionally naughty program dedicated to the history, design, and function of women's undergarments. We'll explore everything from corsets to water bras in this exciting presentation.
Join one of our regional in-person watch parties with other women from your area or tune in from home. In-person events have a social action component. Registration is $10 per person.
As part of our commitment to Tikkun Olam, we will be collecting new women's underwear and socks to donate to nearby shelters or women's charities at our in-person events.
Register Here
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November 30 at 12:00 pm
in Person
Stephen Wise Temple
Manhattan, NY
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'Golda's Balcony' Lunchtime Screening and Talk Back with Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz
Join the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise as they watch "Golda's Balcony" and enjoy lunch together!
In a one-woman show with archival films in the background, an almost unrecognizable Valerie Harper plays a dozen characters who cross paths with former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. The focus is on the 1973 Yom Kippur War and how Meir succeeded in getting the armaments she needed from U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
The film screening will be followed by a discussion of Golda Meir's inspiring legacy with Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz.
Lunch will be catered for a small fee of $10 per person. Please RSVP by November 22.
Register here.
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December 4 at 8:00 pm
on Zoom
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| WRJ Says STOP Webinar: Educating and Empowering People about Sexual Assault
Join Women of Reform Judaism for the latest offering from the WRJ says STOP Initiative. In this webinar, you will have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Alissa R. Ackerman and Dr. Guila Benchimol, developers of the URJ’s 'Building a Very Narrow Bridge' Restorative Justice Project. This program will focus on listening and responding within the gender-based assault context. You will be provided with foundational information about the importance of proper language, having proactive conversations, and normalizing the discussion around gender-based harm. Come away with tools on how to handle disclosures of harm and survivor agency.
Register here.
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WRJ Microgrant Applications Are Now Open
WRJ Incubator Grants have been reborn as Microgrants. Two types of grants are available in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500 for accepted projects.
1) Apply for addressing timely social justice issues or advocating for change. This includes work tied to WRJ resolutions or high-priority concerns.
2) Apply if you're focused on fostering sisterhood, building community, nurturing spirituality, or personal growth.
This is your chance to make a positive impact and bring your innovative ideas to life.
Click here to get more information or to apply.
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November is National Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes Awareness, Lung Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer Month
November 7
Election Day (U.S)
November 11
Veterans Day (U.S) Remembrance Day (Canada)
November 23
Thanksgiving Day (U.S)
December 2-3
Northeast District Leadership Weekend
Albany, NY
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Save the Date
Jan. 11 at 7:30 pm
Northeast District presents civil rights activist Joanne Bland
Jan. 28 at 9:30 am
Boston/MA Area Day
Visit to Mayyim Hayyim
Feb. 5 at 7:30 pm
District Zoom Schmooze
February TBD
District Book Club
March 28
"Biblical Women Speak" with Rabbi Marla Feldman
May 30-June 2
Fried Women's Conference
in New Orleans
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Need Access to Viva Engage?
(formerly known as Yammer)
Contact WRJ at
212-650-4050
or send a note to leadership@wrj.org
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| Request a District Speaker
Your sisterhood is entitled to a district speaker at no cost to your sisterhood. Learn more here.
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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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Report Leadership Changes!
Does your sisterhood have a new president? Make sure that it is reported to us so that we can connect with her and help her lead your group. Tell us here.
And while we have your attention, make sure new members are subscribed to the eblast. Share this link with them to subscribe: Subscribe!
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Did You Know?
Jewish Women Who Made History
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Here are some Jewish women who have made history.
Rosalie Silberman Abella was Canada’s first Jewish woman judge and the country’s youngest ever. She was also the first woman chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the first woman in the British Commonwealth to become the head of a Law Reform Commission. As if that’s not enough, she was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004, becoming the first Jewish woman to sit on the Canadian Supreme Court bench.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first Jewish woman to become a Supreme Court justice (and only the second woman ever after Sandra Day O’Connor).
Helen Goldmark Adler, along with her husband, helped establish the first model tenements at Cherry Street in New York as well as the first free kindergarten in America, called the Working Man’s School. Later she founded the Ethical Culture School at Fieldston in the Bronx.
Gloria Steinem became the first woman to speak at the National Press Club in 1972. She also attended the first women-only Passover seder held in Esther M. Broner’s New York City apartment in 1976.
Golda Meir was Israel’s first elected Prime Minister from 1969 until 1974.
Regina Jonas was ordained privately and became the world’s first ordained female rabbi in Germany in 1935.
Barbra Streisand is recognized as holding the record for the most Top 10 albums of any female recording artist (not to mention Jewish female recording artist): a total of 34 since 1963.
Source: Kveller.com
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The WRJ Northeast District Thanks Those Who Gave Their Lives to Protect Our Countries
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Happy Thanksgiving to Our Sisters in the U.S.
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Share this newsletter by using one of the social media icons above.
The next eblast will be sent on Tuesday, December 5.
Send event listings, photos, and articles to wrjneblast@gmail.com by November 20.
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