MIDWEST DISTRICT M'KESHER  מְקֶשֶׁר     
March | Adar 5778
A Message from Janet Buckstein
Midwest District President 

Greetings!

Those of us who attended the WRJ Fried Leadership Conference in Nashville last week had ample opportunity to be inspired… by the programming, dynamic leadership, beautiful services and commitment to social justice. However, even before the programming began, the 35+ members attending from Midwest District met and shared our personal feelings on this topic.  

When we think about WRJ, many of us are thinking about sisterhood, or social good, or spirituality, or most likely a combination of the above! Here is what your Midwest sisters said inspires them:

  • Global reach/impact on global community
  • Spreading Reform ideas and values
  • Impact of local women’s outreach
  • Women’s empowerment
  • Leadership training/development for women
  • Women’s voice for our daughters
  • Jewish voices
  • Women advocating for women
  • “Stronger together”
  • History of accomplishments through WRJ
  • Connections/friendships
  • Access to resources/support for local women’s groups
  • Women committed to making a difference
  • Social advocacy
  • Support of Reform Judaism in Israel
  • Partnerships
  • Spiritual growth
  • Creating a legacy
  • Depth and variety of programming
  • Diversity (geographic, congregation size, multi-generational) and inclusiveness of women and their interests coming together
  • Passion, compassion, commitment and intelligence of the women on all levels of WRJ
  • Being part of something bigger than yourself

Do you see yourself in these words? If not, there is an easy solution… attend our 2018 Midwest District Kallah! You will have the opportunity to share the warmth of Midwest District’s welcoming and spiritual embrace. And make good friends as well. Chairs Karen Schwartz and Donelle Macey are planning a wonderful day/weekend {your choice). The theme this year is “Sharing our uniqueness” Write your own words, sing your own song” and it will be held from April 27 to 29 at OSRUI.

And what inspires me? You! I am continually inspired by all of my WRJ sisters. Those I work with on the North American level, those who are committed to serving the women’s groups in Midwest District, those who lead our women’s groups, and every member I meet in my travels throughout our region. I realized this when I said goodbye to some incredible women who I have been serving with on the WRJ North America board. While I know that they will be with us at many of Midwest District’s events, they have been the core of a strong team, dedicated to representing us on the board and supporting our shared values. Rozan Anderson, Carol Berger, Sherri Feuer, Sandi Firsel, Marcy Frost, Marla Goldberg, Diane Kaplan, Susan Pittelman, Lynne Turry and Zabe Williams , we have been colleagues and good friends. All of us thank you for your service. You will be missed!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Kallah next month!
L 'Shalom  
Janet Buckstein 
President, WRJ Midwest District
Creating Our WRJ Community…
Are You Stepping UP? 
by Janet Buckstein
There is no better way to feel the power of WRJ community than to join hundreds of like-minded sisters on a fun, spiritual and inspirational journey. Here is just a taste of what we experienced. Click here to see more photos . Click collage below to hear Abby Brafman's Sunday morning speech:
I know that many of you are doing wonderful things to create our WRJ community. Let me know and I’ll let everyone else know!
- Nominating Survey Reminder -
We would like to remind all Midwest District Board members and Sisterhood/Women’s Group Presidents to complete the following survey.   If you haven't completed the nominating survey, click here now .   We are hoping for 100% response from everyone.  If you have completed the survey, we thank you for your participation.    By answering this survey you are in no way accepting a task or job.  Please respond by Friday, March 16, 2018 .
  Articles & Information

In this session we will be discussing the modern-day slavery that happens all around us- human trafficking. Hear from experts Edee Franklin, founder of Sanctum House- a trafficking survivor's shelter, and Rebecca Chemberleng, counsel in California focusing on human trafficking advocates.
Mar 22, 2018 2:00PM Eastern

April 10 is Equal Pay Day, meaning that it takes until this day in the calendar year for women to make as much as men did in the previous year. At 1 p.m. ET on this day hear from experts Rabbi Mary Zamore, Michael Gan, and Rabbi Marla Feldman on ways to combat the gender wage gap and learn about the Reform Pay Equity Initiative and how it is working to end this gap within the Reform Movement. 
April 10, 2018 1:00PM Eastern

  TEMPLE ISRAEL KOL ISHA EVENT 2018
Temple Israel Sisterhood (Minneapolis) women gathered for Kol Isha 2018 from Friday night January 19 th  to Sunday morning January 21 st . The weekend was filled with fun, spirituality and new insights: from a “Sisters Human Havdalah Candle” to creative Shabbat services, to Trivial Pursuit- Sisterhood style, to a magic program which produced laughs until we cried, to profound discussions including a thoughtful conversation about “patriarch” and “patriarchy” in society, and Torah study on Parashat Bo. We learned about strong Jewish women who have led the way in the past and women who are leading the way today. We collected donations for women at the Sojourner project. We came away energized with inspiration, new friends, and renewed connections while looking forward to the next Kol Isha.
Critical Issues – Marilyn D. Glazer

WRJ Board Statement- Jewish Values and Gun Violence Prevention

March 2018
In response to the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Rabbi Marla Feldman, Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism, and Blair Marks, President of Women of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
“Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” (Leviticus 19:16)
In the wake of the recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, one of the ten deadliest mass shootings in United States history, Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) once again is compelled to speak out on the issue of gun violence in America.

We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims and our prayers for healing for those who are wounded. To our WRJ sisters and the families of Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland, Florida, we mourn with you and hope the loving embrace of family, friends, and your sisters from afar will bring some sense of comfort during this difficult time.

WRJ has been advocating for gun safety laws since as early as 1967. In 1991, 1993, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016, WRJ repeatedly has decried the epidemic of gun violence and the proliferation of mass shootings in America and argued for gun violence prevention measures. Yet the number of mass shootings in America continues to climb. Three of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history have occurred in the last five months. And seemingly there is no end in sight. Nevertheless, WRJ pledges to continue its efforts to advocate against gun violence and for stronger gun laws in America. 

Dr. Martin Luther King said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” There is no better time than now, for America and our elected officials to finally do what is right and to enact common-sense legislation to protect our children, families, friends, and neighbors from gun violence.

Resources:
 
Jewish Tradition 
Jewish tradition emphasizes the sanctity and primary value of human life. The Bible commands us, "Thou shalt not murder" (Exodus 20:13). The Talmud teaches us that "he who takes one life it is as though he has destroyed the universe and he who saves one life it is as though he has saved the universe" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). In an increasingly impersonal and alienating society, the dehumanizing of the human being and the carelessness with which human life is taken stand in direct violation of these affirmations of our tradition.

Scripture encourages peaceful pursuit of our mutual welfare. Isaiah exhorts the people of the earth "beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks." (Isaiah 2:4) We are commanded to turn weapons of destruction into tools for the greater good of society. The following text from the Bereshit Rabbah (21:13) further idealizes the land free of weapons, "The Rabbis, commenting on the words: 'He placed at the East of the Garden of Eden the Cherubim and the flaming sword' say: 'At the East of the Garden of Eden at the very spot where stood the Cherubim with the flaming sword - there was Gehenna created.'

The Reform Movement and Gun Violence Prevention
The URJ has long recognized the need for legislation "that would limit and control the sale and use of firearms" and has called on the United States government to "eliminate the manufacture, importation, advertising, sale, transfer and possession of handguns except for limited instances." (URJ 1975). Over the years, the URJ has spoken out on gun violence prevention with particular passion, insisting that gun regulation is "a vital necessity."

The Reform Movement makes gun violence prevention a top priority. In 1999, URJ President Rabbi Eric Yoffie made it the primary social action topic of his Biennial sermon and called for a nationwide campaign to end gun violence. The Biennial passed a resolution urging congregations to initiate projects and speak out publicly on the issue that we continue to abide by in our legislative advocacy.

The North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) has also taken an active stance with gun violence prevention and passed a strongly worded resolution calling for stricter gun laws.

Resolutions: 
CCAR
 
URJ
 
WRJ
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES CHICAGO
On March 24th thousands will be marching for gun reform. Want to join them? Here ( www.marchforourliveschicago.com ) is a link to a website where you can find local marches. On Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/events/418245641921459/ ) there are for details for the Chicago March.
  Sisterhood / Women's Group Events in the District
Need help publicizing your next event?

Please send a pdf flyer to your  area director and we will try to include it.  Materials must be received by the 15th of the month.


Click on Banners for Full Flyers
  Good & Welfare
Yom Huledet Sameach 
(Happy Birthday!) 
to our Midwest Board Members and Alumnae

March:
10 Karen Schwartz -- Kschwartz62@att.net
13 Marsha Cooper -- mgc0313@comcast.net
14 Judith Wexler -- wexlerj@comcast.net
21 Marilyn Oskin -- Fioskin@aol.com
23 Marilyn Weisberg -- mweisberg0@gmail.com
25 Heather Levine -- buttrfly8@hotmail.com
25 Roberta Kravitz -- bubbieroberta@gmail.com
26 Dale Cone -- dconetbi@yahoo.com
29 Sherri Feuer -- feuerslf@aol.com
30 Andrea Blain -- ablain51@gmail.com

April:
3 Harriet Krasnoff -- hrkras@comcast.net
4 Michelle Dloogoff -- m_dloogoff@sbcglobal.net
11 Peggy Kipp -- pegk56@comcast.net
21 Sheila Rosenfeld -- srosenfeldtbi@gmail.com
22 Esther Schak -- ers@schak.com
27 Judy Katz -- katzinmn@gmail.com
28 Joanne Merritt -- joannem@wicresoft.com
28 Lynn Mesirow -- lmesirow@gmail.com
29 Sheila Schuman -- sschuman@frontiernet.net
30 Lisa Taran-Maddy -- lisatm@comcast.net
Mazel Tov!

Congratulations to  Marcy Frost , Past District President and Bylaws Revision Chair and  Marlen Frost , Corresponding Secretary on the recent marriage of Marcy's son, Joe Kreisman to Allison Wolf. 
Condolences

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Rabbi Marc Berkson of Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun in River Hills, WI, and the entire Carter Berkson family on the recent death of their wife, mother and grandmother, Deborah Carter Berkson z"l.  Messages of condolences may be sent to Rabbi Berkson at 9340 N. Spruce Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217
 
Adrianne Daskal z"l.   WRJ Midwest District Past District President. Messages of condolences may be sent to her her family at Wendi Bowers a 391 Indian Hill Drive,   Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 .
Save the Date!


Write your own words, sing your own song!

Click here for the flyer.

Join us for 24 hours (or stay until Sunday) for learning, praying, laughing and games with your Midwest Sisters! More details to come......
 Donelle Macy and Karen Schwartz , Kallah Co-chairs
Note New Date: 
September 14-18, 2018
OSRUI, Oconomowac, WI
As you are putting together your newsletters & e-blasts, please use these updated forms: 
Having a WRJ speaker available for Sisterhood Services, installations or to just help facilitate or conduct workshops is really easy to do. Just fill out this form and return it to me to let me know what you are looking for. Do you know someone who has an area of expertise she might be willing to share? We are looking to expand our Speaker's Bureau and we can only do that with the help of each of you. I am looking forward to your requests and wonderful ideas from each and every one of you. Thanks!

Gloria Kaiz, Midwest District Speaker Bureau’s Chair gloria@kaizs.com
Contact: Ashley Burbul, M'Kesher Editor
WRJ strengthens the voice of women worldwide and empowers them to create caring communities, nurture congregations, cultivate personal and spiritual growth, and advocate for and promote progressive Jewish values.