MIDWEST DISTRICT M'KESHER מְקֶשֶׁר
May 2021 | Iyar 5781
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A Message from Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
Greetings!
What a fabulous weekend of shared spirituality, WRJ programming and global connections we had at our Kehilah Kedoshah Weekend in April! If you missed any of it, you can find the recordings on Yammer in the Midwest District Leadership group. I also enjoyed four virtual day trips to Israel this last week with WRJ tour guide Shari Robins who educated us about the 1948-51 influx of immigration to Israel from the countries of North Africa. Of course, she also gave us a few new Israeli recipes (with lots of spices!) with roots in these immigrant cultures. This month, the WRJ virtual world continues with her Israel Immigrant Tour, part 2, May 24-27 from noon to 1:30pm ET. You don't need to have been on Part 1 to be enlightened by Shari's latest multimedia presentations, so I hope I will see many of you on the virtual tour bus at the end of this month (see flyer below). Once you register, you will get info about a Midwest District Schmooze planned for Friday, May 28, the day after the tour.
In the coming month, there are many more opportunities to Zoom onto both Midwest District and WRJ North America programming and spend some time with your Midwest sisters. See all the suggestions listed by the Midwest District Kesher Committee and in the WRJ Calendar (below). If you missed the RAC roll out of its latest advocacy project, the Reform Movement's Racial Justice Campaign, Judy Wexler posted a link where you can catch up and be a part of this effort to promote progressive change.
For me, the month of May brings the return of birdsongs in the early morning and memories of my mother and all the women who have touched my heart. This year, we can share in the stories of WRJ women in the WRJ blog. WRJ's Mother's Day Campaign L'dor V'dor: From Generation to Generation is showcasing stories about WRJ's impact on individual women's Jewish journeys written by our members. Read the blog (see link below), get inspired, think about your own story. This is a great opportunity to donate in honor of the women we love and show your support for all WRJ does for us.
L'Shalom,
Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
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Thank you for joining us for
Kehilah Kedoshah: Our Sacred WRJ Midwest
Virtual Community Weekend.
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We were proud to host this international event with friends from our District, across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Our planning team included Rozan Anderson, Linn Ullenbrauck, Andrea Blain, Zabe Williams, Laura Cooper, Barbara Rosenberg, Sally Frank, Judy Lohr-Safcik, and Joanne Lowey.
Sally wrote beautiful services with Dale Kaufman and Cantor Alex Kurland joining us in song. Presentations by Rabbi Marla Feldman, Karen Dillon, Sheila Rosenfeld, Joanne Merritt, Ruth Garner, Marilyn Oskin, Gayle Weil, Donelle Macey, Judy Wexler, and Sandra VIlla were wonderful and very informative.
Can't say enough about the work our friends from Australia did! It was an amazing experience learning about their history, Synagogues, and Community.
Thank you to all who participated. We loved your emails and great reviews on the Survey.
Shalom,
Carol Berger and Gayle Weil
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Joanne Loewy of Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne, AU |
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Hebrew Congregation 1889
Oldest Synagogue in Australia (Hobart)
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Joanne Merritt and Sheila Rosenfeld of Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, IL present fundraising ideas. |
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Cantor Alexandra Kurland of
Congregation BJBE
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The Updated WRJ Midwest Directory is now located in the Midwest Leadership group on Yammer. |
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Pins are now available to order. Each pin is $10, plus shipping (for 3 or more). All profits from the sale of our district pin go to the WRJ Midwest District Gloria Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund. Click the link below to order your new pin. |
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Posted by Judy Wexler, WRJ Midwest District VP Social Justice, in the Midwest District Leadership group on April 29, 2021. Link connects to RAC's website about this important new Advocacy Campaign:
In case you weren't among the 1500 people who participated in the RAC's launch of its Racial Justice Campaign last night--I wanted to make sure you all have this information.
Last night, 1,500 people (including many of you!) joined the launch of the Reform Movement’s Racial Justice Campaign to hear about how we, as a Reform Jewish community, are combatting voter suppression and fighting for racial justice nationwide, statewide, and in Canada. Here's how to continue learning about the Racial Justice Campaign, and how to take action:
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Click links for more information: |
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This spring, WRJ is excited to announce our Mother’s Day campaign, “L’dor V’dor: From Generation to Generation,” celebrating our women by sharing their family stories. Our women embody tikkun olam, from being inspired at a young age by their mothers, to encouraging their children to forge their own Jewish identities, to having the opportunity to share their experiences with grandchildren.
Your dedication to WRJ goes beyond your family and touches women, youth and people world-wide. Join us in honoring women and their families as they pass down these sacred Jewish values from generation to generation. Support this ever-growing community with a contribution in honor of the women who have shaped your Jewish journey. You have the power to ensure that WRJ continues to inspire women for generations to come.
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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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WRJ Webinars and Programs |
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(Yammer access required)
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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Upcoming WRJ Virtual Events |
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CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE
*to access the above information on Yammer, you will need to be registered for an account. Sign up at leadership@wrj.org. |
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Upcoming Midwest District Events |
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May 4, 6:30 pm
The Streicker Center Program with Letty & Abigail Pogrebin
Letty will join her daughter Abigail for a candid conversation about feminism’s past triumphs and missteps and where we go from here.
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May 11, 7:00 pm
WRJ Film, Fiction & Fine Wine: Featuring author R.L. Maizes
You will be able to choose which small group discussion of her books -Other People’s Pets and We Love Anderson Cooper you would like to join.
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May 12, 11:00 am
WRJ Shavuot Bake-Along with Harry Rubenstein
Shavuot is coming up and no better way to celebrate then with a unique dairy bake-along with American Israeli Pastry Chef Harry Rubenstein.
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May 27, 5:00 pm & June 15, 12:00 pm
HUC A Jewish Grand Tour
Judaism & History: Travel across time and space -- from medieval times through the present day – and discover how Jewish sites, history, and memory inform our heritage and identity.
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May 28, 12:00 pm
Midwest District Schmooze for Virtual Israel Trip
We are tentatively planning a Participants Schmooze. If you sign up for the WRJ May 24-27 trip, we’ll contact you with more details.
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June 2, 7:00 pm
Kesher Connections June Book Discussion
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
“The Four Winds is a reminder, when we so urgently need it, of the resiliency not only of the human spirit, but of this country as well. Hannah's latest reads like a classic.” –Erin Kodicek, Amazon Book Review.
Join our District-wide discussion of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Our discussion will be co-facilitated by Jane Page and Rozan Anderson. This book is recently released and already well-received, so find your copy soon!
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Jun. 8, 7:00 pm
WRJ Film, Fiction & Fine Wine presents The Word Mavens: Joyce Eisenberg & Ellen Scolnic
Authors of “The Whole Spiel” and the “Dictionary of Jewish Words,” they are two ladies who know the difference between kvelling and kvetching.
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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 25th of the month.
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WRJ Midwest is on Instagram and Facebook! Check us out!!
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Sisterhood and women’s group presidents, it’s that time of year again! Many of you have held your new board installations and there have been changes in your leadership. Please fill out the WRJ Sisterhood Leadership Information Form (for Midwest District sisterhood/women's groups to update WRJ with their new leadership) as soon as possible. By completing this form, you will be invited to join Yammer (if you aren't already on Yammer). Presidents will be invited to join the Sisterhood President's group. You will also be able to join the Midwest District Leadership group. WRJ will then forward your information to the Midwest District. You will then be kept up to date on the latest news taking place in the district and WRJ.
Be sure to check all your email folders. Contact Barbara Rosenberg, Data Management/Directory chair, at brosenbergwrj@aol.com with any questions.
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Did you know you can request a District or WRJ speaker for a virtual program? We are pleased to announce that speakers from the Midwest District may be arranged for online Zoom meetings. Speakers Bureau engagements are scheduled based on availability and all requests must be submitted at least three months in advance of your requested date. Requests must be submitted via the WRJ or WRJ Midwest District Speakers Bureau.
There is no cost to your sisterhood/women’s group for an online speaker.
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Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel
Judaica Gift Shop
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Looking for Judaica items for your home or to give as gifts? Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, IL, has transformed their Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop to make merchandise available for you. Linn Ullenbrauck, Judaica Shop Chair, has created a catalog showing a variety of items that may be purchased. Linn will provide curbside transactions with a smile. Out of state, no worries! Linn will ship items to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Linn with any questions at linneupooh@att.net.
To see the catalog on Temple Beth Israel’s website, click on
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Women of North Shore Congregation Israel
Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop Update
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Think of the Women of North Shore Congregation Israel Gift Shop for your holiday needs! Though we are closed right now, we can still assist you with your shopping. We have a great selection of Rosh Hashanah tableware, hostess gifts, and books and toys for children. For updated information about the shop, please go to WNSCI Gift Shop - North Shore Congregation Israel.
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Midwest District Gift Giving |
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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
May
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As you are putting together your newsletters & e-blasts, please use these forms: |
(This is WRJ's Leadership form)
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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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