MIDWEST
DISTRICT M'KESHER
מְקֶשֶׁר
August 2019 | Sivan 5779
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A Message from Michelle Scheinkopf
Midwest District President
Greetings!
It’s Sunday afternoon, August 4, approximately 24 hours after the El Paso, TX, shootings and 12 hours after the Dayton, OH, shootings. My husband and I have just driven up to Door County, WI, to begin a week’s vacation at a place we look forward to visiting every summer. I am sitting, looking out the window at a perfect view, when I start to hear in the background Wolf Blitzer and others talking about the unthinkable common chaos that has once again permeated the airwaves. These words were never intended to be part of my opening letter to you. I had planned to begin this August M’Kesher sharing my take on the carefree dog days of summer, savoring these last weeks of this season before the hectic fall months begin. But with respect to what has happened, it is rather difficult to go on with that narrative. I can’t imagine we are not all feeling the same types of emotions when we hear of these horrific acts. I can imagine that many of us feel helpless, maybe even hopeless, as to what impact we can have in trying to get laws, attitudes, and beliefs changed.
Many of you may have received the Advocacy Update from WRJ on Monday. It is reprinted below for your convenience with resources for you to use. Most importantly, there is a link provided for each of us to urge Congress to take immediate action to stop this gun violence. I hope you will join me and take the time to write to your senators and representatives to let them know, as the voice of the people, they have the responsibility and the obligation to finally get this done.
L'Shalom
,
Michelle Scheinkopf
President, WRJ Midwest District
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In the wake of this past weekend’s horrific massacres in El Paso, TX, and Dayton, OH, WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla J. Feldman released the following statement:
“Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” (Leviticus 19:16)
Women of Reform Judaism is devastated by the news of two mass shootings that occurred this weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Our stance remains unchanged: WRJ calls for significant policy change to keep guns out of the hands of murderers.
WRJ has been advocating for gun safety laws since as early as 1967, and seemingly there is no end in sight to these mass shootings in the United States. Nevertheless, WRJ pledges to continue its efforts to advocate for stronger gun laws in America, with special attention to banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, which would curb the epidemic of gun violence.
In the wake of the most recent spate of mass shootings, we can no longer ignore the climate of divisiveness and hatred of the ‘other’ in American society that has sparked atrocities inspired by anti-Semitism, racism, or anti-immigrant animus. Our leaders must take steps not only to prosecute hate crimes when they occur, but also to address the conspiracy theories, the hate networks, and ugly rhetoric of public leaders that incite them.
While we pray for the dead in El Paso and Dayton, for healing of the injured, and for the comfort of their friends and families, we call on our elected officials to take immediate action to end gun violence and take effective action against hate crimes so that Americans can go about their daily lives, to a Walmart or nightlife district, without fear of a mass shooting.
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Sisterhood/Women's Groups Leadership Change Forms
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Sisterhood and Women’s Group Presidents: Many of you have held your new Board installations and there have been changes in your leadership. If you have not done so already, please fill out the
Leadership Change Form
as soon as possible. WRJ will then forward the information to the District. You will then be kept up to date on the latest news taking place in the District and WRJ.
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WRJ Reproductive Justice Campaign
Jane Taves, WRJ VP for Advocacy,
Marketing, and Communications
Rabbi Marla Feldman
WRJ Executive Director
**Note, Jane's and Rabbi Feldman's articles appeared in the July M'Kesher**
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As WRJ VP for Advocacy, Marketing, and Communications, I’m proud to be involved with the emerging Reproductive Justice Campaign (RJC). Reproductive Justice is an issue that has been important to WRJ women for decades, and there has never been a more urgent time for us to act. This campaign gives WRJ an opportunity to work in partnership with the Religious Action Center (RAC) in a new and exciting way. We will be supporting Reproductive Justice advocacy for the entire Reform Movement: our sisterhoods, our congregations, and our individuals.We have the passion, we have the energy, and we hope you will join with us to create a campaign of impact and engagement. - Jane
Our reproductive rights are under attack - and WRJ is fighting back! In recent days we have seen a slew of state laws that would restrict access to abortion and in some cases send women or doctors to prison for acting on their constitutional rights. Many of you have reached out to WRJ to share your concerns about the politicization of women’s health and seeking information about what can be done. We heard you! WRJ is taking on this challenge and stepping up its efforts to secure women’s rights and assure that women remain in control of their own health care decisions.
In partnership with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), WRJ is launching the Reproductive Justice Campaign to provide training, education, and resources to mobilize the Reform community. Attached is an overview of this new initiative. We will work at the federal, state, and provincial levels to assure access to safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion services. You will be hearing more about our work in the coming weeks.
In order to accomplish these goals, WRJ is launching a fundraising appeal to support these efforts. Please join us in supporting this critical work by making a donation today to the Reproductive Justice Campaign Appeal:
https://donorbox.org/wrjrepro
.
For sponsorship opportunities or multi-year pledges, please contact Shari Schulner at 212-650-4072 or sschulner@wrj.org.
WRJ President Susan Bass offered an inspiring message about this effort during the recent RAC Consultation on Conscience, proclaiming: “As we look around at what is broken in our world, we know that this moment demands our presence and our voices in the work of ensuring reproductive justice for all.” View her message here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAh58znAUcU
.
If we work together, we can do this. Let’s make sure that no woman – not us, not our sisters, daughters, granddaughters, nieces, or any woman – ever again finds herself in a back alley, desperate and alone. Please help WRJ spread the word about this effort to others who share our progressive Jewish values. We are proud to be your partner in this fight for reproductive rights and justice.
Rabbi Marla J. Feldman
WRJ Executive Director
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Critical Issues –
Abortion Rights
WRJ Midwest District Advocacy Chair
Marilyn Glazer
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Abortion Rights
Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton are very much in danger because of the laws passed in a number of states.
Abortion rights vary greatly by state. The website, to which I have given you a link, has a copyright, therefore, I’m not duplicating the two charts here, but giving you the link to the website.
Information on the following is provided:
- Physician and Hospital Requirements
- Gestational Limit
- “Partial-Birth” Abortion
- Public Funding
- Coverage by Private Insurance
- Refusal
- State-Mandated Counseling
- Waiting Periods
- Parental Involvement
Illinois just passed a bill that establishes the “fundamental right” of a women to have an abortion and states that a “fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights.” It repeals the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, doing away with provisions for spousal consent, waiting periods, criminal penalties for physicians who perform abortions, and other restrictions on facilities where abortions are performed. Editor’s note: This protects women, in Illinois, even if Roe v. Wade, etc., is overturned.
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URJ Biennial Comes to the Midwest…
Join Us and Other Midwest Women There!
Janet Buckstein, WRJ Midwest District Immediate Past President
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If it’s not on your calendar yet, mark December 11-15, 2019, as a time to join thousands of Jews from across North America and around the world to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, hear from inspiring speakers and leaders of our Movement, and make decisions about Reform Movement policies.
The 2019 Biennial will include four distinct learning intensives: Social Justice Leadership, Leadership Development, Membership Engagement, and Early Childhood and Youth Education. There will be over 125 sessions with content including resources and tools that you will be able to bring home to your congregations. And while there will not be a separate “women’s track,” there will be programming that addresses the interests and needs of women. In fact, WRJ is sponsoring programs including a Friday morning service created and led by women, the Saturday dinner “Women Empowering Women,” and a Sunday program on “Gender and Justice in the Jewish Community.”
But attending a URJ Biennial is so much more than attending programs… it is a truly powerful experience. Here’s what moved us:
Gayle Weil
,
URJ North American Board Member and Midwest District Past Executive Committee Member; Shir Tikvah, Homewood, IL
Attending the URJ Biennial is an amazing experience. I have attended Biennials since 2003 in Minneapolis when I was Temple president. I have participated in Torah study, studied with faculty from HUC-JIR, and attended services. Services at Biennial are not like anything I had ever experienced. Where else could you celebrate with 5000 other Jews from across North America? The music is amazing!
My first Biennial experience is something that has stayed with me. In 2003, we had regional dinners, and I had the opportunity to meet Debbie Friedman of blessed memory. She had attended OSRUI with my Rabbi, and they spent most of dinner talking about how camp shaped who they were to become.
I look forward to this Biennial in our own backyard. I cannot wait to attend services with Women of Reform Judaism and listen to the URJ choir as we welcome Shabbat.
Jane Taves
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URJ North American Board Member, WRJ North America Vice President of Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; Temple Beth El, Madison, WI
URJ Biennial is an experience that just fills me up. My first Biennial was in 2001 in Boston, and I’ve been at every one since. The first time I attended, I was not a leader in my sisterhood, in my congregation, or on the WRJ or URJ board. I just decided to go. If you are thinking that Biennial is only for those in leadership, I am living proof that is not the case. There is something to engage and inspire everyone and you will return having grown in ways you can only imagine.
One Biennial moment that sticks with me: I was at a learning session on a Shabbat afternoon. Already that day, I had been part of Torah study, Shabbat morning service, Shabbat lunch, and now I was in this session, and the facilitator spoke about the writing in the Torah. And he said to focus not on the black of the words but on the white of the spaces between the words. He asked us to close our eyes and feel what fills those spaces. And I did. And in that silence, with my eyes closed, during a Shabbat of such impact, I felt a fullness in those white spaces beyond anything I have experienced before or after. And that, my sisters, is the power of URJ Biennial.
Wendy Rhodes
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URJ North American Board, Central District Chair and Oversight Committee Member; Makom Solel Lakeside, Highland Park, IL
Every Biennial of the five I have attended has been magical to me. Yet, perhaps the most magical and memorable have been the last three when I have sung in the Biennial choir for Shabbat. The Shabbat experience, in and of itself, is profound at Biennial--worshiping with 5,000+ of your new nearest and dearest friends is truly amazing. Singing and helping lead the service through song enriched that Shabbat experience in indescribable ways. The Biennial choir community has always been loving and supportive, and the music we make is truly astounding. I highly recommend it!
Janet Buckstein
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URJ North American Board Member, Immediate Past President WRJ Midwest District; Makom Solel Lakeside, Highland Park, IL
It seems that at every Biennial I have attended (I started when I was a congregation president in 2005), there has been one thing that left its mark on me. I am going to narrow it down to just two! At the Houston Biennial in 2005, I joined approximately 5,000 at Saturday morning Shabbat services. How does one engage 5,000? Yes, there were jumbotrons, and about ten locations with Torah readers, and an incredible choir, but my heart sang when representatives of congregations whose temples were damaged by hurricane Katrina led the Torah procession, partnered with a member of a congregation that was gifting them a Torah, which was then handed to them.
Then there was our last Biennial in Boston. It was the first Biennial, at least in recent history, where WRJ did not have a separate programming track and I was initially a bit concerned. It ended up as a wonderful opportunity to ”celebrate women” with both women and men from around the world. The highlight for me was the Friday women’s service. Led by female clergy and lay leadership, it was uplifting to hear the voices of women, in song and prayers. The standing-room only crowd was moved by the service and a D’var Torah by Anat Hoffman, founding member of Women of the Wall. Sharing what I love as a Women of Reform Judaism with others who have not had this opportunity was thrilling.
Michelle Scheinkopf,
WRJ North American Board Member, WRJ Midwest District President; North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, IL
The first biennial I attended was in 1973 in New York City. I was a member of the Chicago City Wide Youth Choir led by Debbie Friedman of blessed memory. I will never forget what it was like to be singing on Friday night with my friends on that huge stage. It was electric to say the least. Fast forward to 2005, the next biennial I attended and now I am an adult and a leader in my sisterhood. That same electricity was in the room as I prayed with 5000 other Jews at Shabbat services and later sang and danced in the aisles as again Debbie and other song leaders led us in joyous singing. I have been very fortunate to attend 5 more biennials since Houston in 2005, each one having been an amazing spiritual and jubilant experience with so many opportunities for personal and religious growth.
We would love to share the Biennial experience with all of you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of us.
Biennial registration is now open. For more information, including instructions for registering, go to
www.urjbiennial.org
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WRJ Women's Empowerment Awards Dinner
Chicago, IL - Saturday, December 14
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WRJ invites you to join us at the URJ Biennial 2019 honoring Jewish Women's Archive and outstanding women at the WRJ Women's Empowerment Awards Dinner.
You have the opportunity to nominate a woman who lifts up the voices of other women and leaves a lasting impact on lives locally, regionally, or worldwide.
Whether this woman has facilitated a congregational initiative to help those less fortunate or has started a nonprofit organization to touch the lives of girls and women in need - we want to celebrate women making a change in our world.
Nominations for the WRJ Women's Empowerment Award must be sent to WRJ by
September 16
.
Please open the link below to find out about nominations and the awards dinner:
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From WRJ Nominations Chair Laurel Fisher:
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It is my pleasure to announce the opening of applications for WRJ Board Members to be elected for a 3-year term, beginning in April, 2020. The instructions for the application process, along with the link to apply is:
Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 5:00 PM ET. If you have any specific questions, please contact me or the WRJ office at
info@wrj.org
. We look forward to welcoming a new group of talented women to the WRJ Board of Directors!
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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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Click above banner for more info on Israel trips
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WRJ Midwest District News
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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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Over the next few months we will introduce you to members of
the WRJ Midwest District Executive Committee.
This months guest writer is Rozan Anderson,
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
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Hi, everyone! I am the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the WRJ Midwest District. In this role, I help organize our efforts to keep everyone informed about what’s happening across multiple levels within our WRJ world: from our District’s sisterhoods and women’s groups, to Midwest District, and to WRJ at the national and international levels.
Within the portfolio of the Marketing and Communications, I work with chairs who are responsible for:
Pictured: Rozan, Michelle, and Cheryl
in Door County, WI
- All online communications (primarily the monthly M’Kesher newsletter you’re reading, as well as social media, such as FaceBook)
- Our District database/directory (chock full of contact information for all WRJ Midwest Board members, including sisterhood/women’s group presidents, and clergy, as well as other pertinent information about the operations of our District)
- The WRJ Midwest District website (www.wrj.org/Midwest)
- WRJ Midwest District history (archives, including photos)
- Technological innovation (new resources, such as Zoom video meetings, recently available to us)
I have had many roles within my synagogue and WRJ over the past couple of decades. In the mid-2000s, I was the executive director of my congregation (Temple Beth El in Madison, WI). Four years later, I found myself volunteering to serve as the president of our sisterhood. For me it was an outstanding opportunity to lead a vital organization within our congregation. As a longtime member I knew the value of sisterhood and our work on behalf of the congregation and greater community. I was also excited to represent sisterhood on our congregational board and executive committee. What a wonderful way to make sure our voices were heard!
As I started attending Midwest District conventions and WRJ leadership conferences, I became more and more enamored with all that we seek to accomplish at so many levels! Before I knew it, I was asked to apply to serve on the WRJ Board, which also put me on the Midwest District Executive Committee. I’ve attended pretty much every District kallah, convention, etc., since, as well as numerous WRJ events.
I co-chaired the WRJ 2013 Fried Leadership Conference, which was the kickoff for WRJ’s Centennial celebration - and I've traveled to Israel and Germany with WRJ. There’s nothing like seeing with one’s own eyes the beneficiaries of so much of our work: where our YES Fund dollars go, for example, and meeting with our partners in North America and overseas. (You can join me on my fourth WRJ trip to Israel in February!) I have also served on the WRJ Executive Committee and chaired or sat on numerous other committees, such as Budget, Audit, Incubator Grants, and Officer/EC Nominating, as well as Online Marketing and Communications!
I’ve also been an area director (Iowa/Nebraska), and I’ve presented numerous workshops at District, WRJ, and URJ Biennial conventions.
It’s all been incredibly inspiring to learn from and work alongside so many committed, talented, involved women (and men)! I have gotten to know and love women all over the world through my work and travels with the Midwest District and WRJ!
Through all this, I’ve also been heavily involved in my congregation’s leadership. Since my sisterhood presidency ended in 2012, I’ve been 2nd VP, 1st VP, and president, co-chairing a couple of cantor searches along the way! I’m now a couple of months into my term as immediate past president. I’m so thrilled that I’ve been able to help make a difference in our world through our sisterhoods, Midwest District, WRJ, and URJ. I do believe that we are most certainly stronger together! I’m glad you’re on this ride with me!
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WRJ Midwest District Logo Design Project
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Do you have a flair for design? WRJ Midwest District is looking for our next logo - a design that represents our District and speaks to who we are and what we do. Our new logo will be used on all District communications and materials - and will also serve as our new pin!
Our
announcement sheet
provides more information and specs, as well as how you can submit your design. An
ideas page
shares some insight from a brainstorming session at Kallah 2019 on what WRJ Midwest District means to us, as well as the logos/pins from the seven other WRJ Districts.
So, turn up your creativity, or inspire someone else with design instincts and experience! This is a rare opportunity to help shape our future! Please don't hesitate to contact VP of Marketing & Communications Rozan Anderson at
rozan@chorus.net
with any questions. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
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Mother & Daughter Kallah
Camp Chair Kathy Madura
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OSRUI is looking for a dynamic WRJ Midwest District member to help with Mother & Daughter Kallah weekend to be held November 15-17, 2019. This program is for mothers, grandmothers, and aunts and the girls they love age 5 and up.If you are interested or have questions about getting involved with recruitment and/or attending this weekend, please contact WRJ Midwest District Camp Chair
Kathy Madura
.
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Kaye Cultural Center
Camp Chair Kathy Madura
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The new Heichal HaTarbut Kaye (Kaye Cultural Center) was officially dedicated on July 21!
I can't tell you how amazing this building is - from the beautiful design to the creative plans for its use, the Heichal HaTarbut Kaye is a work of art! It has been used by this summer's campers since opening day and has been in high demand by every unit. There are still a few things that need to be finished, but those will be taken care of soon.
Thank you for the support your sisterhoods/women's groups have shown OSRUI through your generous contributions through WRJ Midwest District. I hope you will have a chance to see this glorious building in person soon!
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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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April 30 - May 3, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ
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Celebrate with Mt. Zion Congregation: 100 Years Strong 1919-2019
Mt. Zion Congregation, Sioux Falls, SD
Please join us September 13-15 for a weekend full of activities as we celebrate 100 years as a congregation
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Yom Huledet Sameach
(Happy Birthday!)
to our Midwest District Board Members and Alumnae
August:
Happy Belated August Birthday to:
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Midwest District gratefully acknowledges Gloria Kaiz for her many years of service to the District. Gloria is stepping down as Speakers Bureau chair. Notes of appreciation for all that Gloria has done for the District may be sent to her
at
gloria@kaiz.com
We welcome to the District Board Blythe Trilling, our new Speakers Bureau Chair. Blythe's email
is
btrilling@comcast.net
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Barbara Crane z"l, mother-in-law of WRJ Midwest District Area Director Vice President, Laura Cooper, passed away. Condolences can be sent to Laura and her husband Bruce Crane, 9123 Kildare Avenue, Skokie, IL, 60076 or
cooper4449@gmail.com
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Crane/Cooper family.
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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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