Happy Passover from WRJ Central District!
|
|
|
|
Dear District Sisters,
I hope this newsletter finds you safe and well. March has been very disrupted for many of us, and even changes we know we should make can be difficult; ask anyone who’s been told they need to make a lifestyle change for their health! It's not easy even when you know it’s the right thing to do, even more so when the change/benefit isn’t readily apparent. But we can do this!
|
|
|
During this time, WRJ and WRJ Central District are working to support you and your sisterhood/women’s group. First, if you are not signed up for Yammer yet, please do so!! (email your name & sisterhood position to
leadership@wrj.org
to get an invite). So many resources and help to be found there – from groups for Sisterhood Presidents to advocacy to tool kits for budgets. While you're there, be sure to join the Central District group too. If you’re unfamiliar with Yammer or have been on and haven’t been able to ‘see’ what’s going on, almost all the discussion takes place in the groups so I encourage you to join any/all that interest you.
Second, WRJ Central has a Zoom webinar account that our Sisterhoods and Women’s groups can use for meetings. Meetings will be set up first come, first serve—if necessary, we will limit time slots to two hours. You can
reach out to me
,
Liz McOsker
or
Hillary Handwerger
to schedule, or email
info@wrjcentral.org
. Please give us at least 72 hours to schedule your meeting and please be flexible!
Speaking of change, have you noticed the new look of our newsletter? We’re hoping the layout will make it easier for you to find what you want and get the information you need. Many thanks to Chris Zimmer for her expertise!
And in the same vein (change) – it’s the time of year many sisterhoods have leadership changes. Be sure to keep your Area Director in the loop and fill out the
WRJ Leadership
Change Form
if your board/president has changed. Convention is roughly six months away and we need to be able to reach our leaders about upcoming proposed changes to our by-laws. You have a voice and we want to be sure you’re informed and aware of what is coming down the pike.
(And now I’ve got the Shrek version of Changes stuck in my head. So much going on!)
Let’s hope for a positive change in the COVID-19 situation in the upcoming weeks; that we and our families and loved ones remain safe and healthy, and that we are able to come through this with resiliency and strength.
Yours in Sisterhood,
Alison Auerbach
WRJ Central District President
|
|
Save the Date: Nov. 6-8 in Cincinnati
|
The next District Convention will be held November 6 - 8, 2020, in Cincinnati, jointly sponsored by the four Cincinnati sisterhoods (Women of Rockdale Temple, Temple Sholom Sisterhood, Valley Temple Sisterhood and Wise Temple Sisterhood), and headquartered at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Blue Ash, OH.
Committees are in formation. If you are interested in helping with the planning of the convention, please contact Liz McOsker at
lizmco@me.com.
We are looking for fresh new ideas for workshops, worship and the YES fundraiser, as well as the convention ad journal.
What can you expect:
- Learn from Susan Bass, WRJ President, who will be teaching and learning with us all weekend.
- Share your successes with other sisterhoods across our district.
- Meaningful worship with other sisterhood leaders.
- Great workshops on member engagement, communication skills and leadership skills.
Come early or stay late to visit some important sites: Plum Street Temple, The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, the Skirball Museum at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Most importantly, you will meet and get to know wonderful women from around our district.
|
|
Nominations for Deborah Honors Now Open
|
Calling all Central District Sisterhood presidents! It is time to nominate a member of your sisterhood to receive the WRJ Central District Deborah Honor, which will be presented during our District convention in Cincinnati, November 6-8, 2020.
Your honoree may be well-known for her wise counsel – like our prophet Deborah –
or have labored quietly with patience and humility.
Each honoree chosen will be a winner! Give your honoree as much notice as you can, so that she can make plans to attend the convention to receive her award in person. This is a terrific opportunity to recognize one of your special sisterhood members!
If you need to use U.S. mail, contact Lisa Kalson for her mailing address.
|
|
Next WRJ Central District Zoom Book Club: May 31 at 7:30 pm
|
By Hillary Handwerger
The WRJ Central District Book Club meets regularly via Zoom video conference to discuss our latest selection. We're excited to announce our next selection:
An Unorthodox Match, a powerful and moving novel of faith, love, and acceptance, from author Naomi Ragen, the international bestselling author of The Devil in Jerusalem.
California girl Lola has her life all set up: business degree, handsome fiancé, fast track career, when suddenly, without warning, everything tragically implodes.
|
|
|
After years fruitlessly searching for love, marriage, and children, she decides to take the radical step of seeking spirituality and meaning far outside the parameters of modern life in the insular, ultraorthodox enclave of Boro Park, Brooklyn. There, fate brings her to the dysfunctional home of newly-widowed Jacob, a devout Torah scholar, whose life is also in turmoil, and whose small children are aching for the kindness of a womanly touch.
While her mother direly predicts she is ruining her life, enslaving herself to a community that is a misogynistic religious cult, Lola’s heart tells her something far more complicated. But it is the shocking and unexpected messages of her new community itself which will finally force her into a deeper understanding of the real choices she now faces and which will ultimately decide her fate.
The Book Club reads books of Jewish content or by a Jewish author. However, there have been exceptions: the first book we read was A Pearl in the Storm by Tori Murden McClure. Another great book we read and discussed was Gentleman from Moscow. So we are not always strict with our selections.
So far we have read and discussed
A Pearl in the Storm,
Sapphires and Garlic,
The Plot Against America,
Drawing in the Dust,
A Gentleman in Moscow,
The Weight of Ink,
The Lost
Girls of Paris, and
All the Rivers. A real variety of genres and readings!
Contact Hillary Handwerger at
hillaryh@ix.netcom.com, if you want to be added to the group for our discussion Zoom calls. This means seeing all our faces and expressions and having a real discussion. In this time of isolation, something to look forward to!
|
|
WRJ Shifts to Online Virtual 2020 Fried Women's Conference Due to COVID-19
|
|
With great sadness, WRJ President Susan C. Bass and WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla J. Feldman sent word that WRJ is unable to hold the 2020 WRJ Board Meeting and Fried Women’s Conference (FWC) in Phoenix due to COVID-19. "The health and well-being of our attendees and staff are our highest priority, and the circumstances presented by the virus have forced us to make this difficult decision. Like you, we are greatly disappointed that we will not be able to convene in-person," they said in an email to registrants.
Bass and Feldman went on to say that "We recognize the excitement our registrants had about seeing one another for several days of learning and sharing, as well as the tremendous amount of work that our FWC co-chairs, committee, and staff have put in over many months to plan this year’s conference. We would like to thank each of you for the support and understanding you have shown as we have tracked the progress of this unprecedented virus and the impact it has had on our plans."
Attend Online at No Charge!
The Covid-19 Pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for WRJ to take advantage of available technology and reimagine the 2020 Fried Women's Conference. You are invited to join hundreds of worldwide attendees on
Friday, May 1, 2020 to hone your leadership skills and deepen connections with other women, receive tools for intergenerational programming, and learn more about WRJ's advocacy work.
Because of these extraordinary circumstances, WRJ is proud to open online registration to any woman who would like to attend, free of charge. Attendees will participate in workshops and learning sessions, create connections and network with other Reform women, experience meaningful Shabbat worship and music, learn from experts and from each other, and enjoy time together with WRJ leaders and friends.
Please note that the WRJ office continues to be closed due to COVID-19 and staff is working remotely, so response time may be delayed as they work as quickly as possible to respond to your questions and requests.
Bass and Feldman closed by saying "We thank you in advance for your continued support, understanding, and patience during this time, and look forward to convening with you virtually. We pray for the health and safety of our WRJ members and all those in our communities and those whom we love. We are, as always, stronger together."
|
|
GUCI Women's Work Weekend Cancelled
|
It is with a heavy heart that we share that the 2020 Women's Work Weekend has been cancelled. The Union for Reform Judaism has cancelled all events between now and May 31, 2020.
The planning committee will be in talks in the coming weeks about a way to virtually gather and celebrate Shabbat or Havdalah together.
|
|
|
WRJ Online Auction Donations Sought
WRJ is seeking donations for an online auction in order to help raise funds in lieu of in-person fundraisers.
The auction will take place in May, and items with a minimum value of $50 are needed. This can be original creations (knitted items, art, baked goods that can be shipped), items of significant value, time at vacation homes, etc.
To donate, please send item details (item name, up to 50 word description, estimated value, and a photo) by April 30 to
WRJAuction@gmail.com.
|
|
WZC Election Update
Because of your efforts, ARZA was able to garner 31,500 votes, an increase of nearly 50% from the 2015 election - plurality of the total votes cast!
Reform Judaism is in the position to lead a powerful progressive block, and will continue to work in the name of our Reform values: pluralism, equality, and freedom. See the ARZA website for more information.
|
|
|
Join us on Yammer!
Looking for Advocacy Alerts? Programming Ideas? Governance Guidelines? They are all on Yammer. It is an invaluable tool for anyone connected to a sisterhood and WRJ.
Send your name and email to:
Leadership@wrj.org
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. Send your information and attachments to
ishawrjcentral@gmail.com
.
Finally, encourage all your sisterhood members to sign up to receive Isha L'Isha directly. There is a link to be added to the mailing list on our website:
|
|
We have compiled a Resource Document for your reference.
Click here
to access the full list of resources. Here are just a few ways that Central District can help your organization grow and thrive!
Programming Grants
Affiliated Central District sisterhoods and women's groups in good standing from Central District are encouraged to
apply for a grant
for up to $500. These grants are meant to support programs which otherwise would not have the financial resources to take place.
Speaker’s Bureau
Provides knowledgeable speakers for your events. Sisterhoods are eligible for a WRJ speaker every other year and a Central District speaker in the off years.
Click here.
Advocacy/Jewish Family Concerns
Our District Chair is extremely knowledgeable about
Reform Movement initiatives
and can help you add social action into your programming.
YES Fund
Our YES Co-Chairs can provide ideas for sisterhoods to support and educate their members about WRJ’s primary philanthropic effort.
|
|
May 1, 2020
Virtual Fried Women's Conference
FWC is intended 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!
July 31, 2020
Deborah Honor Nominations Due
Attention all Central District Sisterhood Presidents! We urge you to nominate an exceptional woman from your Sisterhood for the Central District Deborah Honor! Please
download the nomination form here.
Nov. 6 - 8, 2020
Central District Convention
Embassy Suites Hotel
Blue Ash, Ohio
Reform women throughout Central District will learn from WRJ President Susan Bass. Sisterhood leaders can share success stories with other sisterhoods across our district and glean inspiration from the success of others. Attendees will participate in workshops on member engagement, communication skills and leadership skills.
|
|
|
|
The Youth, Education & Special Projects (YES) Fund
|
Participating in the Youth, Education and Special Program (YES) Fund broadens and deepens the impact of your investments in Reform Judiaism.
YES Fund grants provide Reform Jewish institutions and individuals worldwide with tools for religious, social, and educational growth andpromote and enhance Jewish life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
