MIDWEST
DISTRICT M'KESHER
מְקֶשֶׁר
March 2020 | Adar 5780
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A Message from Michelle Scheinkopf
WRJ Midwest District President
Greetings!
At this time of year, we start to consider the topic of change. Changes in the weather, changes in our wardrobe, maybe even changes to our diets—more fruits and veggies, rather than soups and comfort foods. Change also comes to mind at this time when we think about leadership. No, I am not referring to political leaders, but to our own WRJ Midwest District leaders. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to rush the calendar, but truth be told, our convention and installation service will be here soon enough, and for that reason, I am writing to inform you that our WRJ Midwest District Nominating Committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Janet Buckstein is waiting to hear from you! In this issue of the M’Kesher, please open the district job description link to learn about the various positions available on the WRJ Midwest District Executive Committee and committee chair roles. After you have had a chance to read about these jobs, consider opening the application link and filling it out to join this special community of women.
Those of you who have participated in any district event such as an Area Day, Kallah, or Interim Leadership weekend, are familiar with the “ruach" or profound spirit we feel when we are together. Ever since my first district position as OSRUI co-chair, I have felt a “sistership” with this joyful group of women in which I have made lifelong friends. I invite you to reflect upon how getting involved on the WRJ Midwest District Board can elevate your ruach even higher. It will give you opportunities for empowerment and accomplishments you never thought possible - where you will feel like you have indeed made a difference not only for others but for yourself.
Kallah, a 24- hour gift to yourself, is coming up in late April. What a perfect time to experience the spirit that comes from spending time with other Reform Jewish Midwest women. This event is a direct result of our Kallah co- chairs, Marcy Frost and Marci Kops, working with other district women to plan excellent workshops, meaningful services, and making sure there is ample time for fun, mah jongg and canasta! Getting the chance to organize and plan an event like Kallah is just one of the many reasons why you may want to be on the WRJ Midwest District Board.
Please don’t hesitate to contact
Janet Buckstein
or
me
if you have any questions about the WRJ Midwest District Board or Kallah.
L'Shalom,
Michelle Scheinkopf
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JOIN THE 2020-2023
WRJ MIDWEST DISTRICT BOARD!
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Dear Midwest
District Board members, sisterhood/women’s group leaders, and WRJ members,
The 2020-2023 WRJ Midwest District Nominating Committee invites you to apply for the WRJ Midwest District Board. Our Board works very hard to support WRJ’s mission to heal the world and sustain the future of Reform Judaism by nurturing our movement throughout the Midwest.
Midwest District is the key link between WRJ members and the WRJ experience. We do that by providing training and support to local sisterhoods/women’s groups, opportunities for their leaders to share ideas and discuss common issues, and ways for WRJ members to meet, bond, and grow through local programs and events. This takes commitment and effort from a strong leadership team, and we hope you will consider applying for a position on the district board to help us in our efforts.
You probably know the intangible benefits that come with WRJ leadership positions… meeting new friends, and bonding with sisters as we work together to accomplish shared goals. It is an exciting growth experience! Whether you would like to continue on the board or join in a new position, it is now time to submit your application.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone who is a member in good standing of WRJ (Individual or sisterhood/women’s group member) is eligible.
Term of Office
The slate of officers will be announced this summer and presented to the delegates at the
WRJ Midwest District Convention in South Bend, Indiana, October 15-18, 2020
, for a vote. Installation will be on Saturday, October 17. The 2 ½-year term of office will begin following Convention and conclude at the Convention in March 2023.
What You Should Do
You can read the job descriptions below. Then fill out the application linked below. You will be able to submit your application directly on the form.
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Deadline
Applications are due May 11, 2020. While submitting an application does not
guarantee
a board position, not submitting an application guarantees you won't get one!
Don't be left out!
We look forward to seeing many applications soon. Please email me or any member of the Nominating Committee for further information. Contact information is shown below.
Thanks to everyone for what you do for WRJ now AND what you will do to help us support our district’s sisterhoods, women’s groups, and members in the future!
Janet Buckstein, Nominating Committee Chair
WRJ Midwest District Immediate Past President
2020 – 2023 WRJ Midwest District Nominating Committee
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Critical Issues – Reform Judaism's Stand on
Anti-Semitism
by: Marilyn Glazer, WRJ Midwest District Advocacy Chair
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As we look at the subject of antisemitism, it can become overwhelming. Whole books have been written on the subject, Rabbis and community leaders are speaking out, Facebook is full of opinion pieces, and we only have limited space, so let me start by sharing the following:
Jonathan Greenblatt's Testimony Before the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism on Confronting the Rise in Anti-Semitic Domestic Terrorism
Remarks by Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO, ADL
January 15, 2020
Chairman Rose, Ranking Member Walker, Chairman Thompson, and all the distinguished Members of the Subcommittee: On behalf of ADL, thank you for the opportunity to testify here today and share our perspective.
For more than a century, ADL has been battling antisemitism and fighting to secure justice and fair treatment to all. We stand on the front lines of fighting hate in any form.
And it’s fair to say that the past few years have been the most challenging that we have seen in recent memory. We have already mentioned some of the spots: from Pittsburgh to Poway…Jersey City to Monsey… El Paso to Orlando … Charleston to Christchurch…the list goes on and on.
But it’s not just the high-profile and lethal incidents that I want to talk about today. It’s also the kids who snap a heil Hitler salute for a gag, the swastikas scrawled on a garage door, the college campuses where Jewish students are ostracized for supporting Israel. This moment is about women wearing wigs harassed as they ride the subway or men wearing black hats assaulted as they cross the street. It’s the idea that a person isn’t safe in their supermarket, in their synagogue, or in their home just because they are Jewish.
In fact, ADL’s most recent
Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents
recorded more than 1,800 acts in 2018, the third highest that total we’ve seen in 40 years. These results came on the heels of our 2017 Audit, which documented a 57 percent surge over the prior year, the largest on record. And in New York City alone, the NYPD reported more anti-Jewish incidents in 2019 than all other hate crimes put together.
Now what may surprise you is that this increase in incidents is happening against a backdrop of steady, relatively low levels of antisemitic attitudes among the general population. That is, our fellow Americans aren’t hating more, but there is a growing group of people who are acting out on hate.
So why is that?
First, we have leading voices in our nation – from both sides of the political spectrum, in academic institutions, in the media, in other stations of public life – who are normalizing antisemitism. They are using antisemitic myths and tropes about “globalists” controlling government, Jewish money destroying our borders, dual loyalty to Jewish citizens, or attacking the Jewish state with the same dangerous myths and tropes used throughout history to demonize the Jewish people. And all of this destigmatizes antisemitism and renders it routine.
That’s why it is so important that we all call out antisemitism whenever it happens, especially if it’s uttered by our allies and friends. We need leaders to stop politicizing antisemitism and weaponizing it for partisan gain, no matter what their political affiliation. We need citizens to step up and demand more of people in public life. That they should insist on a zero tolerance for intolerance. Full stop.
And on that score, Mr. Chairman, you’ve shown real courage in speaking out, and I applaud you for it.
Now a second reason is that we have online platforms that tolerate antisemitism and hate. And I’m not talking about just adults, but children can find horrific hate online with a click or a swipe, 24/7, 365 days a year. Now, as someone who has managed engineers and built software products in Silicon Valley, I know the culture there, and I know full well that tech can do good, but it is impossible to ignore the fact that it’s become an amplifier, an organizer, and a catalyst for the some of the worst types of hate in our society.
So it is long overdue for social media companies to step up and shut down the neo-Nazis on their platforms. Companies like Twitter and Facebook need to apply the same energy to protecting vulnerable users that they apply to protect their profits. That will take putting more pressure on these companies, and possibly new regulations.
But, today, I want to follow up with what the chairman said. This is not the time for thoughts and prayers, this is the time for action. So I want to leave you with what I think you can do across party lines right now.
- Pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to ensure law enforcement agencies deal with violent extremists on the home front;
- Pass the NO HATE Act to ensure local law enforcement is resourced and trained up in how to deal with hate crimes;
- Pass legislation to hold perpetrators of online hate accountable, along the lines of the Online Safety Modernization Act;
- Pass the Never Again Holocaust Education Act so children are educated about the evils of prejudice unbound;
- Fund fully the non-profit security grants to shore up at-risk institutions and meet the needs of all faith groups, synagogues, their schools, and community centers, and do that today.
Lastly, I want to encourage the State Department to examine whether violent white supremacist organizations overseas, those frequently connecting with and inspiring equally violent hate groups in our country, meet the criteria to be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). If these groups are a threat to our homeland and if Americans are supporting them, we can bring the full force of the law and society against them.
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WRJ Fried Women's Conference (FWC) 2020
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The
WRJ Fried Women’s Conference (FWC)
2020 will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Hotel, which will host both programming and nightly accommodations. FWC begins on Thursday, April 30, at 5:30 pm and runs through Sunday, May 3, at 12:00 pm.
Please note that some special programs begin earlier or later.
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Reproductive Health & Rights Campaign
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You can make a difference in the lives of all women locally, statewide, and nationally by opening the links below and becoming more aware and empowered to further the cause of WRJ's Reproductive Justice Campaign:
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World Zionist Congress Elections
January 21-March 11, 2020
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The World Zionist Congress is a representative body of the world’s Jewish people that meets in Jerusalem every five years. It exerts ideological influence on Israeli society and the global Jewish agenda and allocates financial and other resources to various organizations – including the Reform Movement. You can help mobilize voters in your community.
READ MORE to find out how
.
WRJ has created a
YouTube video
to help us be ambassadors to get out the vote for ARZA and the Progressive Movement at the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections.
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The WRJ Incubator Grants initiative was launched in 2015 as a way to inspire and enable “outside the box” programs and provide new ideas for all
WRJ sisterhoods
.
Applications are now open for the 2019-2020 Incubator Grants
.
WRJ is allocating Incubator grants of $500-$2,500 to WRJ sisterhoods/women’s groups to fund unique and creative programs that promote one or more of the WRJ 3 Ss: Sisterhood, Spirituality, and Social Good. WRJ is looking specifically for programs that encourage Tikkun Olam, promote Reform Jewish values, create caring communities, and/or cultivate spiritual or personal growth in its participants. Sisterhoods/women's groups must be in good standing with both WRJ and with their districts. For more information, please read the
2019-2020 Incubator Grant FAQs
.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2020, or until funds are depleted.
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Click the link to watch this webinar on Youtube!
(Yammer access required)
(Yammer access required)
Click the link to watch these webinars on Yammer!
Click the link to watch this webinar on YouTube!
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Kaye Cultural Center is Complete!
By: Kathy Madura, Camp Chair
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Heichal HaTarbut Kaye (the Kaye Cultural Center) is now complete! This amazing addition to OSRUI allows all campers to meet in the same space at the same time for worship, special events, and song sessions. It is also used year round by groups meeting at camp.
WRJ Midwest District has made a pledge of $10,000 to support the completion of the Kaye Center. Each year we need to make a payment towards this pledge. We can’t do this without your help – please increase your donation above the recommended $1.00 per member. This project is worth the extra effort!
We also support Goldman Union Camp Institute located in Zionsville, IN. Be sure to designate where you would like your donation to go when you send it in.
Thank you to the wonderful sisterhoods and women’s groups who have already sent in their contributions. And a very special
todah rabah
to those who have stretched their donations above and beyond the minimum amount!
Please send in your donation to Kathy Madura, Camp Chair, at 1016 S. Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. Thank you so much for everything you do each and every day!
L’shalom,
Kathy Madura, Camp Chair
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WRJ Midwest is on Instagram and Facebook! Check us out!!
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Sisterhood/Women's Group News
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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.
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Did your sisterhood/women's group have a recent event that you would like to share with other women from our district? If so, please send pictures with a sentence or two about the event to Michelle Scheinkopf
mscheinkopf@gmail.com,
and it will appear in the next M'Kesher.
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Women of North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, IL - Pictures from the Lore Kirchheimer Women’s Retreat in Lake Geneva, WI
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Packing new children’s swimsuits, goggles, and towels for the Evanston, IL, YWCA’s flying fish program which teaches kids to swim.
The “swimming packages” will be given as part of a scholarship program to low-income families
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Art Project: We decorated beautiful tambourines and learned that "we need to be creative, and God needs our creativity".
The Torah portion was B'shalach (Exodus 13:17- 17:16), and we explored the theme of courage, water, and Miriam.
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Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee, WI
Each year, the Women of Shalom partner with the Congregation Shalom Social Action committee and
clergy to provide the congregation with a Shabbat that focuses on social justice. Our clergy have developed a special service which includes songs and prayers appropriate for our service. Members of both groups participate in the service. This year, the Women of Shalom presented a community activist who helps to settle and welcome refugees to Wisconsin. Our congregation is provided with opportunities to volunteer and continues to make a difference in Milwaukee.
(Pictured L-R) Rabbi Noah Chertkoff, WRJ Midwest District Wisconsin Area Director Sandi Firsel, Women of Shalom Co-President Sarah Acker, and WRJ Midwest District President Michelle Scheinkopf
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This year’s Kallah is all about everyday miracles. Rabbi Jenn Mangold will lead us through 24 hours of "ah ha" moments, reflections, inspiration, and relaxation.
Treat yourself to 24 hours of little miracles along with new and old friends:
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click ads for more information
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Click the WRJ Midwest District Convention 2020 logo to the left
to view the full convention Save the Date flyer
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A gift to the Midwest District is a wonderful way to recognize, remember, or honor the special people in your life: your sisterhood/women's group board, your president, your district leaders, your mother, daughter, sister, friends, and other family members. You can even honor your clergy! Make a gift to WRJ Midwest District to say “thank you,” “happy birthday,” or congratulations,” or to send get well wishes or condolences. An acknowledgement will be emailed to each person whose email address
is provided.
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Yom Huledet Sameach
(Happy Birthday!)
to our Midwest District Board Members and Alumnae
March:
April:
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Mazel Tov to Marilyn Weisberg on the occasion of her grandson, Shai Weisberg (from
Israel), becoming a Bar Mitzvah.
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As you are putting together your newsletters & e-blasts, please use these forms:
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(Thi
s is WRJ's Leadership form)
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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 let us 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. We look forward to your requests and wonderful ideas from each and every one of you.
Thanks!
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Contact: Ashley Burbul, M'Kesher Editor
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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.
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