MIDWEST DISTRICT M'KESHER מְקֶשֶׁר    
December 2020 | Kislev 5781
A Message from Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President 

Greetings!
I am so excited! Have you seen the nominees slated for the 2021-2014 WRJ Executive Committee? Check it out on Yammer. After the WRJ Board election in March 2021, the Midwest District will be represented on the WRJ North America Executive Committee by three of our strong women leaders: Jane Taves and Judy Wexler are slated as officers (vice presidents), and Michelle Scheinkopf will be an at-large member of the Executive Committee. Mazel Tov to Jane, Judy, and Michelle! We are so proud of you and anticipate great things to come.

After this last weekend of thinking about all the things I am grateful for in my life, I am reminded that today is “Giving Tuesday” (an email request to give appears in my inbox several times an hour). Despite the overwhelming requests, I think that this day of giving is a great reminder for us all to identify who we want to support with our charitable donations, especially during this most unusual year. Although the day of giving will be past by the time you read this, please consider giving what you can this year to the YES Fund at WRJ. Last year, we were able to support Youth, Education, and Special Projects through your past generosity with grants totaling $260,000. YES Fund events at District Conventions as well as at Fried Women’s Conferences have generated much of the needed funds for our philanthropic efforts through both Lifeline pledges and annual donations.

Since these events were virtual this year (and probably next spring, as well), we have had to rethink the process. We decided not to hold a YES Fund event during our Midwest Convention weekend. We wanted to provide a District program free of charge as a gift to our members during these stressful and uncertain times. But, there is a light on the horizon as we usher in Hanukkah with news of potential vaccines in the next year and a promise of change in leadership in Washington. I must admit that 8 months of not going to restaurants and finding entertainment mainly on Zoom or cable, as well as a convention year with no travel or accommodation expenses, will allow me to be more generous than usual. I hope you will join me in putting WRJ and district philanthropy on your list.

Sheri Frisque, our YES Fund Chair, has put together a wonderful program for us on Zoom for Saturday evening, January 23, 2021 (see flyer below). Save the date and help us continue our culture of giving.

L'Shalom,
Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
YES FUND EVENT SAVE THE DATE
Sat. January 23, 2021
Registration For This Event Coming Soon
New WRJ Midwest Pin!
Be one of the first to get your new district pin -- or gift them to special people in your lives! Pins are now available to order. Each pin is $10, plus shipping (for 3 or more). All profits from the sale of our district pin go to the WRJ Midwest District Gloria Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund. Click the link below to order your new pin.
 Advocacy
My name is Diane Zidman and I am proud to be the new Education and Advocacy Chair under the WRJ Midwest District Department of Social Justice. The pandemic has been a difficult time for many of us, and as we enter the winter months, we should concentrate on positivity. My vision is for our Social Justice Department to be a source of ideas and inspiration for our district sisterhoods and women’s groups, as we all plan critical issues education and advocacy programming. 

I am very involved in RAC-IL (the Illinois affiliate of the Religious Action Center, http://www.rac.org), and currently RAC-IL is working on a Criminal Justice Campaign to End Money Bond. Right now, money becomes the deciding factor in determining whether someone remains in jail before the outcome of their case. Our right to a fair trial is woven in our Constitution, but the current system tends to disproportionately impact people of color. One way to support this effort is to contact your Illinois state legislators and call on them to pass the Pretrial Fairness Act. 

The RAC has been focused on its Civic Engagement Campaign in recent months, and we can all still work to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted in Georgia’s upcoming senate runoff elections. Of course, the RAC is also very involved in immigration, health care, racial injustice, and many other urgent issues. We have the freedom to advocate and educate on a myriad of topics, and I will continue to provide opportunities for our sisterhoods and women’s groups to educate and advocate in the coming year. 

I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone and their families a joyous Hanukkah and Happy New Year. 
“At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.” 

May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind.

L’Shalom,
Diane Zidman 
Board Member and Co-Chair Tikkun Olam, Makom Solel Lakeside, Highland Park, IL.
WRJ North America Events
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 WRJ North America News
Reproductive Health & Rights Campaign
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:
WRJ Webinars
WRJ Webinars and Programs


WRJ is a proud partner in the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s (RAC’s) Every Voice, Every Vote: the Reform Movement's 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign We encourage you to get involved in this project and launch this campaign in your communities and commit to participate in Every Voice, Every Vote.

We Don't Have a President Workshop! Can be found on Yammer. Date of program was June 16, 2020.

Let's Talk Money Workshop: Sisterhood /Women's Group Finance Workshop can be found on Yammer. Date of program was June 23, 2020
(Yammer access required)

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!
Upcoming WRJ Virtual Events
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*to access the above information on Yammer, you will need to be registered for an account. Sign up at leadership@wrj.org.
Upcoming Midwest District Events
*You will have plenty of time to make a Zoom change if you plan to attend WRJ's Film, Fiction & Fine Wine Event at 7PM central.
Sisterhood/Women's Group News
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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Social Media
WRJ Midwest is on Instagram and Facebook! Check us out!!



Leadership Change Form
Sisterhood and women’s group presidents, it’s that time of year again! Many of you have held your new board installations and there have been changes in your leadership. Please fill out the WRJ Sisterhood Leadership Information Form (for Midwest District sisterhood/women's groups to update WRJ with their new leadership) as soon as possible. By completing this form, you will be invited to join Yammer (if you aren't already on Yammer). Presidents will be invited to join the Sisterhood President's group. You will also be able to join the Midwest District Leadership group. WRJ will then forward your information to the Midwest District. You will then be kept up to date on the latest news taking place in the district and WRJ.
Be sure to check all your email folders. Contact Barbara Rosenberg, Data Management/Directory chair, at brosenbergwrj@aol.com with any questions.
Speakers Bureau Updates
Did you know you can request a District or WRJ speaker for a virtual program? We are pleased to announce that speakers from the Midwest District may be arranged for online Zoom meetings. Speakers Bureau engagements are scheduled based on availability and all requests must be submitted at least three months in advance of your requested date. Requests must be submitted via the WRJ or WRJ Midwest District Speakers Bureau.

There is no cost to your sisterhood/women’s group for an online speaker.

Request a District speaker for a virtual event.

Request a WRJ speaker for a virtual event.
Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel
Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop
Looking for Judaica items for your home or to give as gifts? Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel in Skokie, IL, has transformed their Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop to make merchandise available for you. Linn Ullenbrauck, Judaica Shop Chair, has created a catalog showing a variety of items that may be purchased. Linn will provide curbside transactions with a smile. Out of state, no worries! Linn will ship items to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Linn with any questions at linneupooh@att.net.  
 
To see the catalog on Temple Beth Israel’s website, click on
Women of North Shore Congregation Israel
Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop Update
Think of the Women of North Shore Congregation Israel Gift Shop for your holiday needs! Though we are closed right now, we can still assist you with your shopping. We have a great selection of Rosh Hashanah tableware, hostess gifts, and books and toys for children. For updated information about the shop, please go to WNSCI Gift Shop - North Shore Congregation Israel.
Midwest District Gift Giving
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.

By clicking on the Donate Button in the M'Kesher or on the WRJ Midwest District website, you are able to do just that. WRJ Midwest welcomes your support!
 Good & Welfare
Yom Huledet Sameach 
(Happy Birthday!) 
to our Midwest District Board Members and Alumnae

December
As you are putting together your newsletters & e-blasts, please use these forms: 
Contact: Ashley Burbul, M'Kesher Editor
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.