WRJ Mid-Atlantic Candle
February 2021
Greetings!
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Hello Sisters!
As I am writing this I cannot help but think of my home state of Texas. As we all have seen on the news, the state is experiencing a cold snap like no other. Wishing our Southern Sisters warmth and safety.
So much is happening around the district this month. Mark your calendars for the District schmooze on February 25th at 7:30 pm
Wear your favorite Tiara and let’s celebrate Purim together.
So many have mentioned hitting the “Covid wall.” With that in mind, please join us on March 4th. Jaime Racer, LCSW, will lead us in a discussion: “Self-Care in the time of Covid.”
If you have not had the opportunity to attend a Fried Women’s conference, this is your chance. FWC is for all women interested in WRJ and the Reform Jewish Movement, including new WRJ members, sisterhood leaders, WRJ Board members, and Board alumnae. There is something for everyone at FWC! It is the perfect opportunity to enhance your personal growth, broaden your Jewish knowledge and spiritual horizons, learn about WRJ, connect (or reconnect) with Reform Jewish women and the organization, and gain or fine-tune skills that strengthen sisterhoods.
March 10th – 14th.
The registration link is below.
Mid-Atlantic District is excited to announce that we have $25.00 registration stipends available to first-time attendees (Limit 2 per women’s group).
The next 3 months will be extremely busy; there are so many great programs planned. Watch your emails and check Yammer for more information/dates.
Stay safe and warm.
Marilyn Morrison
President
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Fried Women’s Conference 2021
Join WRJ for what is sure to be an unforgettable series of events and learning opportunities!
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FWC Stipends Available to First Timers
Mid-Atlantic District is committed to leadership development. If you are interested in attending FWC, March 12th-14th, and have not attended a previous FWC, Mid-Atlantic wants to provide you a $25.00 registration stipend.
Guidelines
1. Available to no more than 2 per women's group.
2. Women must not have attended previous Fried Women's Conferences.
3. Conference Registration is required, expense forms to be submitted with proof
of registration.
4. Submission deadline, March 1, 2021.
registering, if there are more than 20 interested, a drawing will be held.
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Want to know what is happening in the District?
Just wanna hang out with some friends?
Join us on February 25th at 7:30 pm for the Monthly Mid-Atlantic Schmooze!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Self-Care in the Time of Covid
Jaime Racer, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
The Women's Center https://thewomenscenter.org/
Thursday, March 4, 7:30 PM
As we move through the pandemic, our threshold of tolerance and ways of coping with stress can feel overwhelming. We may not always have the resources or the tools to manage the stress in our lives. Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. Your self-care plan should be customized to your needs.
This presentation will explore the meaning of self-care, identify the 5 facets of the self-care model, and offer ways to incorporate and customize self-care strategies into your life.
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Highlighting Area 2
Area Director - Bernice Porrazzo
Temple Emanuel, Kensington, MD
Michele Heffner and Annie Greenblum, Co-Presidents
Meet Temple Emanuel WRJ in Kensington Maryland. First established in 1952, today we are 115 members strong. Like many sisterhoods, we have been busy with our virtual offerings, with one exception of a socially distanced, masked hike in the Fall. We have virtual activities every month including a monthly Rosh Chodesh service and discussion and a quarterly reader’s salon where we read and discuss various articles on Jewish topics. We are offering cooking demonstrations, art tours, Jewish museum tours, have had a virtually held retreat and 2 brunch programs. We started a book club as well as a movie club which have been very popular. We also have led two WRJ Shabbat services. Upcoming events include an estate planning program, our annual Women’s Passover Seder, and a spring WRJ led Shabbat Service. TE WRJ continues to support Stepping Stones Shelter, the NIH Children’s Inn, I Support the Girls, and MANNA in addition to supporting Temple Emanuel and the Temple community at large.
Temple Solel, Bowie, MD
Lisa Gottman, President
Women of Temple Solel has been in existence since 1965. We are 87 members and continuing to grow. We are Women known for our diversity; we attract young and old alike! Our Women's Seders are the best as grandmothers, mothers and daughters gather to celebrate and engage in tikkun olam as we prepare for Passover. Our Chanukah celebrations are popular and include potluck hors devours, desserts, drinks and of course latkes as well as a white elephant gift exchange!! Congregants look forward to our Yard Sales and BINGO Games as well as shopping in our Judaica shop. Students love the goodies we provide to help the Religious School celebrate the holidays! Members enjoy our annual paid member events and any opportunity to come together whether in person or via zoom!!
Temple Sinai, Washington, DC
Nancy Lieberman and Lisa Tucker, Co-Presidents
Bet Aviv, Columbia, MD
Linda Feldmesser and Judy Silver Weisberg, Co-Presidents
Temple Beth Ami, Rockville, MD
Rachel Maryn, District Representative
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Women of Temple Rodef Shalom
Falls Church, VA
Building Community in a Virtual World
The Women of Temple Rodef Shalom of Falls Church, VA, strive to build community through their Ladies Night Out programs. The interactive programs are a welcoming front door for newcomers and a warm gathering occasion for friends. The pandemic created opportunities to innovate such as “Ladies Night In” interactions on-line. Co-chairs, Julie Krachman and Judy Douglas, approached the challenge with a spirit of experimentation and collaboration. Programs give a variety of content, offered at varying times and dates, and allow a chance for small group interactions.
The September Virtual Cocktail Party kicked off the season with a demonstration of a celebratory Rosh Hashanah by a “resident” mixologist. November offered much-appreciated guidance from a nutritionist/coach on Wellness During COVID. On a December Sunday, family and friends enjoyed a competitive Chanukah Bingo Night. For the first program of 2021, a professional artist will guide participants in an Art Program to make beautiful designs inspired by the Pomegranate, meaningful in Jewish culture. Other programs ahead include A Musical Journey: a TRS member’s path to rediscovering and deepening her connection to Jewish music and community; and exploration of the City of Haifa, known as the City of Co-Existence, led by a professional Israeli-based guide and educator. This program is jointly offered with the Cultural and Israeli Committees.
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WoTRS Cultural Outings
On February 7, 43 individuals traveled to Northern Spain to learn about Paleolithic Art. Charles Schwalbe, our Spanish tour guide, taught us about Paleolithic art created by inhabitants of the region including Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens. He presented the archeological history of the region, the animals depicted in their drawings, their cultures, time frames and current dating techniques. An enlightening journey was had by all!
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We always enjoy reading about the wonderful activities that the Women of Temple Rodef Shalom share with us. Read below how you can share your sisterhood's activities. |
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Is your women's group hosting events that you would like to share?
Have a great speaker or virtual tour?
Mid-Atlantic District would love to help you celebrate these events.
Send information regarding any future programs to WRJ Mid-Atlantic Engagement Chair: Jaime Racer, at [email protected], so she can add it to the District Calendar!
The deadline for the "Mark Your Calendars" edition of The Candle publicizing future events is the 1st of the month. Items that are not sent in time for the first edition will not be included in the second edition.
The deadline for submitting articles to The Candle about past events is the 10th of the month for publication on the 15th. Please send pictures and a brief write-up to [email protected]
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Does your sisterhood need Yammer training? Ask your president to get the PowerPoint presentation that gives you all you need to know. The slide deck has been made available to every Area Director. |
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Good and Welfare
With great sadness, we announce the passing of
Laia Katz, Past District President from 2007 - 2009.
May her memory be a blessing.
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Check out what's happening in all
of our
WRJ Districts.
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You Don't Want To Miss These WRJ Programs!
Click on the links to register
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Purim Schmooze
February 26 | 12-1 pm (ET) or 3-4 pm (PT)
Join WRJ for a Purim Schmooze where the only thing on the menu is Hamantaschen! We will be holding both an East and West Coast schmooze so feel free to join for one or both. During our East Coast schmooze, we invited special guest Gail Feldman to do a cooking demo. Everyone who registers will get the recipe and for those who can't attend we will be posting the recording on Yammer afterward.
This program was made possible by a grant from the NCEJ.
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2 For Seder Presents: Fight Anti-Semitism with Love and Matzah - Virtually!
March 1 | 7:30 pm
Anti-Semitism is not taking a break during COVID, but you can make a difference. Make your virtual Seder extra-special by making it a virtual 2 for Seder.
Invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to their FIRST Seder. This special and positive Jewish experience will be a counterweight to negative stereotypes, tropes, and jokes against Jews, even while we are apart with COVID. Together, we'll make this special Seder engaging and fun for all your guests.
You can fight anti-Semitism while building bridges with your neighbor - we'll show you how with this short class.
This program is made possible by a grant from the NCEJ.
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WRJ: Our Platform for Action
March 2 | 7:30 pm
First-time WRJ FWC attendees (and those who would like a refresher) are encouraged to register to attend this special webinar! Learn more about Women of Reform Judaism, who we are, what we do, and the resources available to you as a member. It’s the perfect opportunity to hear more about WRJ and prepare yourself to gain even more out of your experience at the Fried Women’s Conference.
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Infertility in the Ancient World
March 9 | 6 pm ET
Through biblical and ancient texts and archaeological finds, explore the reality of infertility as experienced in antiquity by many women and the ways in which they faced this difficult hurdle. While the methods employed to undo infertility might be surprising to the contemporary audience, the pain and struggles faced by ancient women still find resonance today.
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Register for this live webinar Back and Fourth: Israel's Fourth Round of Elections in Two Years
Tuesday, February 23, 3 PM
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It's not too late to order your
Treasured, Tried and True Digital Cookbook
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Show your MAD spirit with this beautiful
3-ply Mask. Limited quantities
are still available.
Mensch - Mask $15.00
Women of Valor- Cookbook $18.00
Superwoman- Cookbook and Mask-$30.00
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Keeping You Informed
You now have additional ways to stay on top of what is happening in the Mid-Atlantic District. Along with The Candle and the website, follow us on Twitter @MidWrj. Do you have a Facebook account? Follow us on the WRJ Mid-Atlantic District page.
Join our district Yammer group. If you are already on Yammer, you can look for it using the search bar or you can search for it in groups. Once you click on the group, you can read the messages and then click the button on the upper right side that says "join group". If you are not yet on Yammer, you can send an email to [email protected]
to request an invitation.
In addition to information pertaining to our district, you can join groups that include information on Judaica shops, membership, Israel, and many other interests.
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WRJ Mid-Atlantic District
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