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WRJ Central District
Executive Committee
2018-2020
President
Alison Auerbach
Immediate Past President
Chair of Nominating and Finance Committees
Sheilah Abramson-Miles
Past President
Vice Chair of Nominating
Sandy Adland
1st Vice President
Lizabeth McOsker
VP Marketing & Communications
Pamela Feldman-Hill
VP Development & Special Projects
Jan Goldstein
Recording Secretary
Shawn Olds
Corresponding Secretary
Jackie Randall
Membership Secretary
Lisa Singer
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
Sandy Flaksman
Bulletin Editor
Marcia Persin
Parliamentarian
Hilda Glazer
Historian
Heinke Lillenstein
Area Directors
E. Michigan - Wendy Kohlenberg
W. Michigan - Cindy Bolokofsky
Southwest - Sue Voos
South - Sheilah Abramson-Miles
Central Ohio - Ellen Half
West - Beth Lande/Sharon Karp
N. Ohio - Marilyn Goldfein
N.E. Ohio - Robin Rosen-Sharp
Chairs
Affiliate Development - Karen Sim
Advocacy - Hillary Handwerger
World Union/YES Fund - Susan Kaplan (chair)
World Union/YES Fund - Carol Friedman
(co-chair)
Speakers Bureau - Rachel Silverland
Website Manager - Hillary Handwerger
Awards - Lisa Kalson
Convention Facilitator - Marci Delson
WRJ Board Members
Sheilah Abramson-Miles
Sandy Adland
Alison Auerbach
Stacey Beyer
Sally Blau
Cindy Bolokofsky
Pamela Feldman-Hill
Hillary Handwerger
Wendy Kohlenberg
Beth Lande
Lizabeth McOsker
Karen Sim
Lisa Singer
Susan Singer
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DON'T FORGET!
The Central District Speakers Bureau is here to serve YOUR sisterhood!
Installations
Shabbat Services
Training
Workshops
Leadership Development
Torah Study
Area Days
A district speaker can take your event to the next level!
Contact
Rachel Silverland
to find out more!
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What's in this issue of Isha L'Isha?
Scroll down to read about our upcoming Interim Meeting in September, WRJ's Social Justice Conference, Women's Work Weekend in May, our 2020 Convention, meet two of your Area Directors, find out about the new Chai Award opportunities, read about our 2018 award-winning Sisterhood programs, find out how you can be involved in Social Justice/Advocacy and much much more!
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Greetings from Our
President
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Alison Auerbach
WRJ Central District President
Dear WRJ Central District,
I hope you are all having a lovely spring! As we head into the summer and what is hiatus for many of our sisterhoods, I wanted to keep you apprised of some changes in the district board which will take place over the next couple of months.
First, Laurie Blinder has stepped down as WRJ Central District Treasurer. She offered to stay until we were able to find a replacement but that put us in a catch twenty-two as we couldn't announce we were looking for a replacement until we accepted her resignation. We thank Laurie for her long-time commitment to WRJ and Central District. We know she is looking forward to continuing her travels and spending time with her family. Lisa Singer, WRJ Treasurer and past district treasurer, will step in pro tem to close out the books for our fiscal year and get everything set up for our incoming treasurer.
If you are interested in the position of District Treasurer or know of someone who may be interested please contact our Nominating Chair, Sheilah Miles at
Sheilah@pipeline.com by June 15. Strong candidates will have had complimentary experience, either professionally or as a volunteer, and be familiar with Quick books or similar software. An updated job description is available
here.
In addition, as outlined in our policies and procedures, the board voted to create a new Area Director position, Special Outreach Area Director. This person would be under the 1st VP and work both to reach out to our sisterhoods whom we have not heard from in a while and be the primary contact for the individual members residing in our area. If you are interested in the position of Special Outreach Area Director or know of someone who may be interested please contact our Nominating Chair, Sheilah Miles at
Sheilah@pipeline.com by June 30 (note the later date). As this is a new position and the job description is still fluid, specific questions on the position may be directed to
info@wrjcentral.org where Liz McOsker, 1st VP will be happy to answer your inquiries.
In other news, on May 15 Liz represented the district at the District Presidents Council (DPC) meeting prior to WRJ's annual board meeting in Washington DC. I had planned to attend the meeting but was too ill to travel. I was able to join our WRJ Central District contingent for the board meeting and attend other breakout meetings for District Presidents and 1st VPs. Because districts are affiliates of WRJ, we learned that we need to make sure that our district by-laws, and policies and procedures which overlap WRJ's are consistent and in line with theirs. A review of our by-laws is already under way, with Central District Parliamentarian and past president Hilda Glazer at the helm.
We hope you will join us at our fall interim in Columbus, September 13-15. In addition to the fabulous programming Liz McOsker and her committee are planning, we will be conducting important business of the district including installing our new treasurer and area director as well as reviewing the first round of changes to our by-laws. Lots to do! Lots to learn! And, as always new friends to be found.
Alison Auerbach
WRJ Central District President
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Plan on attending our Fall Interim Meeting
September 13- 15, 2019
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Report from the Social Justice Conference
May 2019
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WRJ's Social Justice Conference in DC
Central District women had a wonderful, informative, challenging, and exciting weekend at the WRJ Social Justice Conference on May 17-19 in Washington, DC.
We had two choices for services on Friday night: a Mussar and Meditation chant service, or a Traditional Kabbalat Shabbat. There were six options for different ways to study Torah on Saturday morning: A Biblical Narrative using The Torah: A Woman's Commentary, led by a rabbinic student; America's Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today; Modern Midrash: Testament of Shelomith; Questions, Questions and More Questions; The Art of Hebrew Calligraphy, led by our own Pamela Feldman-Hill; and a Donor-only Torah Study with Rabbi David Saperstein.
The services were exceptional Saturday morning. Rabbi David Saperstein, Special Advisor for Policy and Strategy of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, gave the D'Var Torah. He discussed many women's issues. One point that stood out was the fact that there are more women who are illiterate than men. He spoke about the current administration and the many reversals in social justice initiatives.
During the conference there were three workshop blocks with 18 programs to choose from. Marilyn first attended "Making Equal Pay a Reality," with Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, WRJ Executive Director, who related that it is in Leviticus that there are sections written about the pay for women, and no matter the age, women always were paid less. Hillary attended "The October Term and Beyond: What to Expect from the Supreme Court.
" Presenters were Daniel Goldberg, Legal Director of the Alliance for Justice, and Debra Perlin, Director of Policy and Program for the American Constitution Society. The bottom line is that we have to be wary of this court. There was some disagreement about how Justice Roberts will vote as Chief Justice. Our two speakers were divided, with one hopeful and one more pessimistic, on this subject.
During the second block, Marilyn attended the workshop "WRJ Programs: Enabling You to Effect Change in Our World," which highlighted four award-winning programs. Hillary was the moderator for the workshop on "Reproductive Rights: The State of Choice." Our two speakers where Ally Karpel, RAC Legislative Assistant, who spoke on what was happening on the federal level, and Courtney Mills, Senior Counsel, Legislative Affairs of NARAL Pro-Choice America, who spoke on what is happening in the states. The slides from this presentation are now posted on our website.
On Saturday night we were treated to a "Together as One" concert with three Jewish musicians. Julie Silver, who also sang during our services, performed Saturday night, along with Stacy Beyer (a member of Central District) and Marci Geller.
On Sunday morning, we had one workshop block, and Marilyn attended "Current Immigration and Refugee Policies: How You Can Get Involved." Hillary attended "Building Relationships from the Ground Up: Getting Engaged at State and Local Levels,
" with speakers Julia Wackenheim, WRJ Board member and Social Action Chair for her temple, and Rabbi David Segal, RAC, Houston, Texas Organizer. Beyond providing good ideas for easy social justice programs, they helped us outline a schema for relational/transactional organizations, which is very much applicable to our sisterhoods.
(click here to see the schema)
The Social Justice Conference ended with a closing brunch, and the Jane Evans "Pursuit of Justice" Award Presentation. This year's awardee is Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador, American Jewish World Service. She opened our eyes to the social injustices around the world.
This was a well-planned conference! All attendees learned a lot about WRJ and its priorities, and are now better-educated and trained on social justice issues, having learned advocacy skills to utilize at home and on a larger scale.
WRJ has a long, proud history of advocacy and engagement on public policy issues. We are currently being very proactive on our 6 high priority social justice issues: violence against women, women's health and reproductive rights, pay equity, economic justice, gender equality and religious pluralism in Israel, and immigration and refugee reform.
At the end of the conference we also received some big news-- WRJ will be partnering with the Religious Action Center to support congregations who choose to organize on the topic of Reproductive Justice. Stay tuned for more information on this!
Marilyn Goldfein and Hillary Handwerger
Central District participants at the Social Justice Conference. Front row seated, left to right: Marilyn Goldfein, Sandy Adland, Liz McOsker, Alison Auerbach, Pamela Feldman-Hill, Sheilah Abramson-Miles. Back row standing, left to right: Susan Goldsmith, Hillary Handwerger, Lisa Singer, Natalie Morrison.
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Report from WRJ Board Meeting
May 15-17, 2019
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The WRJ Board of Directors gathered in Washington, DC on May 15 - 17 to discuss the past year's progress and future initiatives of WRJ and our Reform Movement. Our district was represented by Alison Auerbach, Central District President, and Liz McOsker, First Vice President and WRJ Executive Committee member. Also in attendance from Central District were WRJ Board members Sandy Adland, WRJ YES Fund Chair; Lisa Singer, WRJ Treasurer; Hillary Handwerger, WRJ Ner Tamid Co-Chair; Karen Sim; Susan Singer; Sheilah Abramson-Miles; and Pamela Feldman-Hill. As an out-going WRJ Board member, Hillary was also honored by the WRJ Board for her service and accomplishments, and will be continuing her work with WRJ as a member of the Chai Society and as a member of the YES Fund Allocations committee.
New Board members were installed, and reports from our North American Board committees illustrated the wide range of projects undertaken by this industrious group of women. Some of the past year's accomplishments include a movement-wide campaign for Pay Equity, participation in the 30th anniversary of Women of the Wall, advocacy on a wide range of social justice issues, and partnerships with NFTY, the RAC, URJ, and our movement camps and seminaries.
Our very robust budget was reviewed and approved, along with continued exploration of our new strategic plan. WRJ's three pillars of Sisterhood, Spirituality and Social Good were emphasized and explored.
There are two major initiatives forthcoming from WRJ for our sisterhoods to act upon. The first is a call to action, in partnership with ARZA, for registration on voting in the World Zionist Congress elections, which will be held January 21 - March 11, 2020. This is the best way for North American Jewry to insure that our Reform Jewish values are supported in Israel. Information on how to register to vote will be sent out to sisterhoods soon.
It was also announced at this Board meeting that WRJ will be partnering with the Religious Action Center to support Reproductive Justice. Our sisterhoods, women's groups, and individual members will be in the forefront of our movement's efforts in this arena. Keep your eyes open for details on this exciting partnership.
As the women "in the trenches," we are getting ready to mobilize on these issues and more! Stronger Together!
Pamela Feldman-Hill
Central District VP of Marketing and Communication
Central District members in attendance at the WRJ Board meeting (l to r): Hillary Handwerger, Alison Auerbach,
Sandy Adland, Liz McOsker, Karen Sim, Lisa Singer, Susan Singer, Sheilah Abramson-Miles, Pamela Feldman-Hill.
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Women's Work Weekend at GUCI
May 17-19, 2019
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Women's Work Weekend 2019
Eighteen women gathered at Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) for the 4th Annual Women's Work weekend. WRJ Central District sisterhood members, GUCI alumnae (some Mom/Daughter combos) along with camp staff came together for work, fellowship and fun.
Various projects to prepare and welcome the incoming campers were completed. This included roto-tilling and planting the vegetable garden, weeding and mulching throughout the entrance and planting flowers throughout the grounds to beautify the Chadar Ochel (dining hall), Tarbut (Klotz Performing Arts Center) and Beit T'fillah. Some enjoyed using gardening tools or front loaders. Others enjoyed using hammers and nail guns to assist in finishing the siding and roof for the newly built Bar-B-Que shelter and still others worked in the office to prep and organize intake files for campers.
Of course there was plenty of time devoted to socializing while working, socializing while eating and socializing while finding spirituality in this beautiful place. Fun activities included s'mores by the campfire, tie-dying shirts and a macramé lesson. Spirituality at camp is abundant as we enjoyed Friday night Shabbat service in the outdoor Beit T'fillah, meditative yoga Shabbat morning and Havdalah with singing and beautiful music led by Lauren Cantor and Leslie Gubitz.
As we prayed on Shabbat: "Dear God, help me to be a friend. Let me be able to give of myself, to offer my hand to others."
Thank you to all who participated for all or part of this special weekend. Our contributions make a valuable impact and are truly appreciated by the GUCI camp staff. We hope to see many of you next year!
Jackie Randall
WRJ Central District
Corresponding Secretary
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Social Justice and Advocacy Initiative:
WRJ Reproductive Justice Campaign
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WRJ Reproductive Justice Campaign: #WRJWomenAct
Organized women inspired by faith can change the world! Social justice has been a key priority for Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) throughout its 100+ years. One of the cornerstones of WRJ's mission is to strengthen the voice of women so they may "advocate for and promote progressive Jewish values." WRJ educates and mobilizes its members to pursue the crucial work of tikkun olam: repairing our world. Our voice has never been more important than it is now, at this moment in history.
As part of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Brit Olam program, and made possible through WRJ's Social Justice Fund, the WRJ Reproductive Justice Campaign (RJC) will provide the organizing structure for Reform congregations, including affiliated sisterhoods and women's groups, as well as individual activists to take collective action under the umbrella of the Reform Jewish Movement. Together we will engage in the fight to secure and maintain our reproductive rights. We will push back against state and federal efforts to restrict or nullify access to abortion and advocate for policies that restore health and dignity to women as moral agents of their own medical and health care needs. Through this work we will engage Reform Jewish activists around critical Reproductive Justice issues and train them to be strategic and effective advocates.
Hillary Handwerger, Advocacy Chair and Website Manager, has posted all of the information related to this initiative on our Central District website.
Click here to see all the details from the Social Justice Conference. Be sure to check this site often to get updated information as more activities and advocacy initiatives are shared.
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Meet your Area Directors:
Southwest Area and South Area
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We started a new series to acquaint our Sisterhoods and members with the Area Directors across the District. In each issue, we will feature one or two of your Area Directors. This issue, please meet our Southwest Area Director, Sue Voos and our South Area Director, Sheilah Abramson-Miles.
Sue Voos, from Cincinnati, Ohio, is the current WRJ Central District Southwest Area Director and previously served as Membership Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. She has served on the board of her local sisterhood, Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati, Ohio for the past 10 years in various
positions, including Treasurer and President. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Temple and is currently Board Secretary.
Sue taught mathematics in the Cincinnati Public Schools for 30 years, spending her entire career at the same school. She loves cooking and sharing her favorite recipes with friends and family. Sue
also
enjoys Judaic studies and studying with her Chavurah. She is passionate about her work with WRJ and cherishes the lifelong friendships she has made through WRJ.
Sheilah Abramson-Miles is the South Area Director.
Sheilah was born and reared in Louisville, studied at Indiana University and earned her Bachelors Degree in Special Education from the University of Cincinnati and her Master's Degree from the University of Louisville. She taught in the Cincinnati Public Schools and the Adath Jeshurun Preschool. Sheilah served as Director of the Keneseth Israel Preschool. Her main career focus was the 27 years she served as an Administrator in the Early Childhood programs offered by the Jefferson County Public Schools.
Volunteerism is a passion in Sheilah's life. She has served on the Boards for the Jewish Family and Career Service, Temple Shalom and Louisville Beit Sefer Yachad, her community religious school. She was President of Women of Temple Shalom and is on both the Central District and North American Boards of the Women of Reform Judaism. In November 2016, Sheilah became President of WRJ Central District.
For over ten years one of Sheilah's consuming passions has been Paws with Purpose, a local non-profit dedicated to providing assistance dogs as partners to children and adults with physical disabilities and other special needs. Sheilah works with inmate trainers at the Kentucky Corrections Institution for Women (KCIW), where the dogs live during the week.
Sheilah has been married to Rabbi Stanley Miles for 48 years. They have two children, who brought two wonderful spouses into their family and have given them five fantastic grandchildren.
To acquaint all our Sisterhoods with the full resources of the Central District we have compiled a Resource Document for your reference.
Click here to access the full list on our Central District website.
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2018 Central District
President's Award-Winning Sisterhoods
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2018 President's Award Winners
The Central District President's Award theme is determined by the Central District President, and is awarded in the categories of small, medium and large sisterhoods. The 2018 President's Award theme of "Tikun Olam" was chosen by President Sheilah Abramson-Miles, and recognized sisterhoods that worked above and beyond to help make their community healthier, happier and safer.
The Sisterhood of Temple Kol Ami of West Bloomfield, Michigan was recognized for their year long "Green for Good" programming.
Their social action theme for the year was the environment, and sisterhood members
enlightened both their congregation and community by
planning programs, hosting guest speakers, organizing projects, raising money, and sharing their ideas with people inside and outside the congregation.
Also recognized for a President's Award was
the Greenhouse Par-Tea program, organized by Temple Israel Sisterhood of West Bloomfield, Michigan, and previously highlighted as our Chai award winner.
An Honorable Mention for the President's Award was given to Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood of Carmel, Indiana for its "Coburn Place Halloween Celebration."
Additional details on these wonderful programs can be found on the WRJ Central District website at: https://wrjcentral.org/awards/2018-applications.
Temple Kol Ami Sisterhood, West Bloomfield, MI Temple Israel Sisterhood, West Bloomfield, MI
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2020 WRJ Or Ami Award
Applications Due
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Applications for the 2020 Or Ami Awards are Due July 10, 2019
WRJ 2020 Or Ami Award applications are now open!
Has your sisterhood or district led an incredible program or project that deserves to be recognized?
WRJ Or Ami "Light of My People" Awards
recognize exemplary social justice, community service, and educational programming that serve as a model for other WRJ Districts and sisterhoods.
Applications for the 2020 Or Ami Awards are open now through July 10, 2019.
Apply today!
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Eligible programs/projects must have occurred between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019 and cannot have previously been submitted for an Or Ami Award or have received a WRJ Incubator Grant or WRJ-NCEJ Outreach Grant.
For more information about the WRJ Or Ami Awards, please contact WRJ Program Associate Micaela Sheinhait at
msheinhait@wrj.org
or 212.650.4060.
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Central District Book Club
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Hello Bookgroupies
The next book group virtual meeting will be on
June 30th at 7:30.
We are reading and discussing
Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America."
More participants are welcome.
The "group" meets every 3 months, on a date that is convenient to the group. We meet over Zoom, where we can see and talk to each other, no matter where we are. Zoom meetings are fun because they are face to face over the internet, but you can also join by just using your phone. We have plenty of room for more members, so if you want to join the "Club" contact Hillary Handwerger at
hillaryh@ix.netcom.com and
we will be sure you get notified of future meetings.
Following the reading of "The Plot Against America", we decided that our next book will be
"The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel"
by
Marie Benedict.
We are announcing this early so we can have good participation. We are hoping to hold the discussion at the Interim District Meeting in mid-September.
She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both?
Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.
But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she knew a few secrets about the enemy. She had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis...if anyone would listen to her.
A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication, "The Only Woman in the Room" is a masterpiece.
Hillary Handwerger
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What's Coming Up and What's New
in our Sisterhoods and Areas?
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We would love to list all your upcoming events in Isha L' Isha, post them on Facebook and on our WRJCentral.org website. All we need is for you to let us know.
Email Hillary at
hhandwerger@yahoo.com
or
ishawrjcentral@gmail.com
Coming up in August:
Monday August 19, 5:30 pm, Mahj Jongg Tournament, Temple Israel Sisterhood, West Bloomfield, MI
Temple Israel Sisterhood in West Bloomfield, MI shared that they were recently honored by the Metropolitan Detroit Jewish Federation's Jewish Senior Life for Program of the Year. In the fall of 2018 Temple Israel Sisterhood moved its monthly nursing home bingo games to the Fleischman residence in partnership with Friends of Jewish Senior Life. It was an instant success and a match made in heaven. As a result, the Sisterhood was invited to bring additional programs to the residents including a sing-along, latke making cooking demonstration and baking hamentashen with the residents for Purim. This was a great honor for the Sisterhood, and a total surprise.
Michigan Area Gathering: June 4, 2019 at Temple Kol Ami, West Bloomfield, MI
Thirty women gathered together at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, MI for a joint Michigan Areas Evening Gathering, led by Area Directors Wendy Kohlenberg and Cindy Bolokofsky. The group schmoozed over wine and light appetizers (fruit, cheese, crackers and veggies and of course, brownies), and then participated in a lively discussion of local and WRJ resources and brainstormed about programming and reaching members where they are. The group then heard a report from Sue Goldsmith, who attended the Social Justice Conference and the Religious Action Committee (RAC) Consultation on Conscience. Sue was a first-timer at the Social Justice Conference, and shared her feelings of being welcomed and of learning so much. She encouraged the group to consider attending these conferences in the future. Following Sue's presentation, the women shared happenings at their Sisterhoods, and discussed how they could encourage cross attendance of events between Sisterhoods. It was a congenial and meaningful discussion. New friends were made and old acquaintances were renewed. Here are a few pictures.
We also want to welcome new Sisterhood Presidents and Leaders to WRJ and WRJ Central District. If you have not already done so, please fill out this
form with your sisterhood's most up-to-date leadership and their contact information so that WRJ and your WRJ District can keep you informed with news, events, leadership tips, and more.
You may submit the contact information of up to seven leaders per form or you may upload your full Board list at the end of the form.
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Looking Ahead
Join Us in 2020 in Cincinnati
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Highlight your sisterhood on our Central District Website,
Facebook or in Isha L'Isha
As we start yet another new year, this is a reminder that you have the opportunity to shine a light on your sisterhood and its programs. You can send flyers about your programs to Hillary at
hhandwerger@yahoo.com
and they will be posted on Facebook. You can also share your successful programs on Isha L'Isha with articles and pictures.
If it's an Area Day, we will promote it on our website. Don't forget to include WRJ Central in your advertising. Have a great 2019!
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Please submit articles for the next issue of Isha L'Isha
on or before July 25, 2019
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