The Board of the Women of Reform Judaism Midwest District, wishes you and your loved ones a Happy Secular New Year!
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MIDWEST
DISTRICT M'KESHER
מְקֶשֶׁר
January 2020 | Tevet 5780
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A Message from Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District First Vice President
Greetings!
Sometimes we just need a new perspective, a walk outside our comfort zone, to renew our energy for
tikkun olam.
For many years now, I have often found such renewal through travel experiences outside North America. This past fall, I traveled to New Zealand with my husband, Peter. We lived and worked in Wellington, New Zealand, for a year in the early 90’s. We have been back a few times since then, for short visits, but this time Peter went to work for 2 months and I joined him for the last 5 weeks. New Zealand, its geography, and the spirit of its people continue to amaze me. I would like to share some thoughts inspired by this trip and past experiences.
Although New Zealand is a very small player on the Global Stage, they have raised their voice and acted boldly to protect the beauty of their land as a Nuclear-Free Nation since 1987.
After thirty years, I am still in awe of this nation that continues to identify itself as anti-nuclear. Their Disarmament and Arms Control Act of 1982 bans nuclear weapons and propulsion from its land, sea, and airspace out to the country’s 12-mile territorial limits.
The thoughtfulness and energy that New Zealanders have put into saving many of their native birds from near-extinction provides a model of success for human intervention in reversing ecological disasters caused by human action
.
When I lived in Wellington, nearly 30 years ago, we had to go to a bird sanctuary off the coast of the North Island to see and hear native birds. This special place could only be visited by reservation and wading up to your knees to the boat that would take you there at a specified time. The native birds had been brought to near-extinction on the two main islands by invasive predators introduced by colonists, both Polynesian and European: Norway Rats, Feral Cats, Stoats, and Possum. Today, many of those same bird species can be heard throughout the North and South Islands thanks to an extensive program of predator trapping and extermination. The government has announced a goal of becoming “predator free” by 2050, and a growing movement of citizen activism supports this program. Wherever we hiked on our visit, whether on city trails, forests, or national parks, the poison traps are present. The payoff is the beautiful birdsong that greeted us every morning.
Despite their small numbers and the country’s isolation as an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the Jewish population of New Zealand maintains its community and stays connected to Israel and the Diaspora.
There are fewer than 7,000 self-defined Jews among New Zealand’s 4,800,000+ inhabitants. Yet, there are seven synagogues, two in Wellington – one Orthodox, one Progressive. My husband attended services twice at the Progressive synagogue, Temple Sinai. On one of those evenings, the guest speaker was Rabbi Miri Gold, retired rabbi of
Kibbutz
Gezer
and the first Reform rabbi in Israel to receive government support. She spoke of her experiences as a Reform rabbi in Israel. Then, on November 10, we attended the
Kristallnacht
Unity Concert at Beth El Synagogue, the Orthodox synagogue and Jewish Cultural Center. The tradition of Kristallnacht concerts began in 2008 with the premiere of Israeli Boris Pigovat’s Holocaust Requiem. On this year’s amazing evening of remembrance, we witnessed music composed by Europeans (some who died in the camps and others who survived to emigrate to Russia and the US) and New Zealand composers and performed by students and faculty of the New Zealand School of Music - Victoria University of Wellington. The event was sponsored by The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand and the New Zealand School of Music - Victoria University of Wellington. I was most struck by a piece by the New Zealand composer Gareth Farr, who combined Western and non-Western percussion with a more traditional song of goodbye. That night, I felt connected to Jews around the world, remembering the violence and injustice of the progroms of November 9-10, 1938. I also felt heartened by the cross-cultural recognition of a wrong inflicted in a country on the other side of the world and more than 80 years later.
New Zealanders give me hope for the potential for humans to repair some of our broken world. I am inspired by New Zealanders for their courage to stand by their desire for world peace; for their willingness to do what it takes to make right their ancestral mistakes; and for creating at atmosphere of tolerance that allows .14% of their population the freedom to express their religion and remember historical injustice through the power of music. During this time with so much negative reporting from around the world, I urge us all to look for more examples of progressive human action.
L'Shalom,
Zabe
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Critical Issues – Racial Justice: Jews of Color
by: Marilyn Glazer, WRJ Midwest District Advocacy Chair
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Marra Gad grew up in the Chicago area. She is an LA-based award-winning independent film and television producer. A Jewish woman of color, she is the author of the recently published book
The Color of Love: A Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl
. Marra attended the URJ 2019 Biennial in Chicago last month, where she was a featured presenter. Here is Marra’s account of her experience at Biennial:
“When I went to pick up my credentials, I was told that the “REAL” Marra Gad needed to pick up her badge. And when I replied that I was the real Marra Gad, I did not receive an apology. Instead, the person behind the desk said, “Really!?”
“When I was eventually given my very bright orange badge that clearly said PRESENTER across the bottom…. I was assumed to be hotel staff. Twice. While wearing my bright orange badge. And told that I needed to do more to get room service orders out more quickly.
“I was aggressively asked repeatedly WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? And when I would reply that I was a featured speaker on Shabbat afternoon, I was then asked what I could possibly have to speak about.
“I ended up in an elevator filled with attendees who elected to whisper about me. What I was doing there. And, again, what I could possibly be presenting about. LIKE I WASN’T THERE.
“Stared at. Confronted. Whispered about. And assumed to work for the hotel… It all grew so uncomfortable for me to be out with the general population that I had to be escorted from place to place by URJ staff (to whom I remain profoundly grateful), who saw for themselves the looks that I received simply being in the hallways. When others were at Shabbat services… or dinner… or song session… I was in my hotel room alone. Crying. Because I did not feel comfortable and safe being out with my own people.”
Marra continued: “I will live with the memory of what took place for the rest of my life, as will my family. I hope that everyone who was there will do the same. With my whole heart, I hope that we will NOT try to put this behind us. I hope that we will continue to talk about it and to use this moment for good. I am here to continue to talk about it and hope that you will all continue to reach out. I simply ask that you consider what I've shared here as you consider what you're going to say.”
After being with Marra and hearing her pain first hand, I contacted Rabbi Jonah Pesner, who moderated Marra’s session at URJ, and he wrote back the following: “Thank you so much for writing! What an intense, and somewhat painful session. Thank God Marra is full of love. We have SO much work to do. Many congregations are participating in the racial justice cohort, learning to confront their own racism. It’s hard work, but I am proud.
Please encourage your WRJ folks to push their congregations to do this work! “
https://rac.org/brit-olam-racial-justice-cohort
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WRJ Reproductive Health & Rights Cohort
by: Michelle Scheinkopf
WRJ Midwest District President
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Resolutions can be short lived. Just check out the overcrowded health clubs this week and follow up a month from now. By February, those committed to exercise will regain their floor space and machines after the resolution makers have tired of their short-lived efforts. Resolutions for many don’t stick. Goals on the other hand, especially those that are well thought out with a relevant and achievable action plan, definitely have staying power. Now that 2020 is finally here, have you thought about setting goals that have something to do with your sisterhood/women’s group, the WRJ Midwest District, and WRJ North America?
One of my WRJ-related goals is to continue my personal growth in the social justice arena. My action plan begins with my clergy and women’s group, Women of North Shore Congregation Israel, and what I can do as a member of the WRJ Reproductive Health & Rights Cohort. Being a part of this cohort has given me an amazing opportunity to hear and learn from others with similar interests and passions about the various ways to bring the message of Reproductive Health & Rights to my immediate community, WRJ Midwest, and across our Reform Jewish Movement. With the support and mentoring of WRJ and the Religious Action Center (RAC) staff and lay leaders, the plan to accomplish my desire to raise awareness regarding Reproductive Health & Rights has become more achievable.
Do you have an interest in social action/advocacy/justice and need assistance with an action plan to get you started making a difference for others? There are comfortable ways for you to dip your toes into worthwhile social action causes that you feel are worthwhile.
If Reproductive Health & Rights are an area in which you and/or your sisterhood/women’s group have an interest, consider joining the following webinar on January 21 to learn about an upcoming Supreme Court case that would severely restrict abortion access in Louisiana.
- Tuesday, January 21, at 2:00 pm CST, a webinar, sponsored by the WRJ-RAC Reproductive Health & Rights Campaign. Registration is live at wrj.org/junemedical
Or is your congregation/sisterhood/women's group already a Brit Olam community? If so, sign up for the RAC virtual trainings on community organizing and civic engagement work.
- The RAC is excited to launch a new series of monthly virtual trainings for Brit Olam communities focused on community organizing and civic engagement work. January’s training, the first in a series of three, will focus on running an effective organizing campaign. Trainings will build off each other, but participation in prior trainings is not required, and recordings of all trainings will be shared in the URJ Tent. Register today for the first training on Thursday, January 23 at 7:00 pm CST.
Here’s to 2020 being your year for making resolutions into achievable goals!
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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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Fried Women’s Conference
Early Bird Registration on or before February 26, 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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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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Sisterhood/Women's Group News
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WRJ Midwest Women at the URJ Biennial in Chicago
December 11-15, 2019
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WRJ North America had a wonderful presence at the URJ Biennial in Chicago this past December. From meaningful and beautiful morning services on Friday co-led by WRJ Midwest District Immediate Past President Janet Buckstein, the inspiring WRJ Women’s Empowerment Awards Dinner, and the impactful Sunday morning workshop co-sponsored by WRJ on Gender and Justice in the Jewish Community, those of us from the Midwest had an amazing time reconnecting, singing, praying, learning, and celebrating with many of our WRJ and URJ friends from across the country and world.
Eleven Midwest women also lingered a little longer after the Biennial ended to spend quality time with WRJ President Susan Bass and WRJ 1st Vice President Sara Charney for a meet and greet. Those of us in attendance had the chance to talk with Susan and Sara about various happenings, including the WRJ Fried Women’s Conference and WRJ’s involvement in the social justice and advocacy arena, and to share successes and challenges for our sisterhoods and women’s groups.
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Cheryl Stern, Karen Schwartz, Sandi Firsel, and Linn Ullenbrauck at Biennial Central
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OSRUI staffer Joe Winner, OSRUI Director Solly Kane, WRJ Midwest District
President Michelle Scheinkopf, OSRUI Associate Director Beth Rodin, and OSRUI Assistant Director
Dylan Singer
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WRJ North American Board and WRJ Midwest District women at the WRJ Women's Empowerment Awards Dinner at the URJ Biennial
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Makom Solel Lakeside from HIghland Park, IL, at the Biennial
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Temple Chai from Long Grove, IL, at the Biennial
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Temple Beth El Women from Madison, WI, at the Biennial
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WRJ President Susan Bass speaking at the Meet and Greet with Midwest Women
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WRJ Midwest Immediate Past President Janet Buckstein leading WRJ Friday morning services at the Biennial
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Baby Shower Sisterhood Event
Temple Beth-El, Munster, IN
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Temple Beth-El Sisterhood hosted a Baby Shower on November 16 to benefit needy moms and newborns from Methodist Hospital. Our member, Terri Hendrickson, has been a NICU RN at their Gary campus for over 30 years and frequently encounters new moms who literally have nothing for their newborns to wear to go home. Our event featured a catered luncheon, cake, raffle baskets, games — everything you would expect at a baby shower — at no cost to attendees. Two large tables of newborn items were donated plus over $1700 in cash and gift cards.
Doris Kennedy, Sisterhood President
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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 Mount Zion Temple, St Paul, MN:
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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
January:
February:
Happy Belated January Birthday to:
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Condolences to former WRJ Midwest District Board and Alumnae Association Member Marlen Frost and WRJ Midwest District Past President, Bylaws Revision Chair and Kallah Co-Chair Marcy Frost, on the passing of their sister/aunt, Allee Willis. Notes of condolence may be sent to
Condolences to Judith Golden, Liaison Co-Chair at Makom Women, on the passing of her father, David Unger. Notes of condolence may be sent to Judith at 311 Barberry Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035 or
jaugolden@gmail.com
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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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