MIDWEST DISTRICT M'KESHER מְקֶשֶׁר
February 2021 | Shevat 5781
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A Message from Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
Greetings!
We certainly have had a dramatic start to this new year. Despite the attack on Congress in Washington, DC, and the record-breaking snowfall that has blanketed much of the Midwest and Northeast, I am filled with hope by the promise of the vaccine rollout, the peaceful inauguration and its historic diversity, and the inspiration of the Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda S.C. Gorman. I am also looking forward to zooming in on the exciting variety of online programming coming to us from WRJ, our District, and many of our sisterhoods (see flyers and registration information below). To top it all off, REGISTRATION FOR THE WRJ 2021 VIRTUAL FRIED WOMEN’S CONFERENCE IS OPEN and waiting for YOU to sign up! Mark your calendar for March 10, 12-14, 18, and 23. (Registration ends March 9).
If you have attended a Fried Conference in the past, you understand my excitement. If you have yet to take advantage of this opportunity, let me mention a few highlights:
- Friday Kabbalat Shabbat and Saturday Havdalah with WRJ sisters from across North America and beyond.
- Saturday installation of new WRJ officers and board members followed by a song session.
- Panel discussions and workshops led by acclaimed experts on:
- COVID-19
- Race and racism
- Other topics of importance to Reform Jewish Women
- Legislative Body meeting to vote on WRJ constitutional changes and proposed resolutions (see discussion in the article below by Judy Wexler, co-chair of the WRJ Resolutions Committee and our Midwest District VP of Social Justice).
- Fundraising opportunity to create your own piece of art designed in conjunction with artist Gary Rosenthal.
Attending a Fried Women’s Conference provides you with a first-hand experience of WRJ empowering women through prayer, study, philanthropy, and leadership training. It’s well worth your time and the minimal registration cost. I hope to see many of you in the “Hallway.” Check out more specifics and the schedule at WRJ.org under Events.
My optimism for the future grows as I read of the projects many of you have already created in response to our Social Justice department’s call to “Feed the Hungry” in our district. Once you identify a sisterhood/woman’s group liaison for this effort, be sure to keep Sandy Villa informed (sandravilla724@gmail.com) and maintain a record of your response to this often-ignored need, even in our own neighborhoods.
As we go forward to face the challenges of 2021, let us continue to reach out safely and connect with our district sisters and friends in WRJ through online programming, or just a phone call to say: “I’m missing you.” I pray for the time we can safely come together in person. In the meantime, see you on Zoom!
L'Shalom,
Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
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YES Fund Wicked Event Recap
by: Sheri Frisque, YES Fund Chair
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WHAT A FABULOUS EVENING!
A special YES Fund virtual event was held January 23, 2020 with Havdalah first led by Diane Kaplan followed by an amazing program, “The Creation of Wicked” with Charles Troy. An amazing 120 people registered and enjoyed the back story of this beloved musical. A highlight of the evening was the honoring of those women who completed their Lifelines since the 2018 WRJ Midwest District Convention.
I am pleased to share that this event raised $2800 for the YES Fund with two women committing to completing their Lifeline!
As stated on the WRJ Yes Fund Information page:
The Youth, Education, and Special Projects (YES) Fund represents the collective financial efforts of individual donors and WRJ-affiliated sisterhoods to grow our Reform institutions, fund clergy education, and inspire our youth.
With the support of individuals and sisterhoods, WRJ can continue our important work. Your gift today to the WRJ General Fund, YES Fund or other WRJ Funds builds on our 100-year legacy and keeps Reform Judaism vibrant.
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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. |
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As Co-Chair of the 2021 WRJ Resolutions Committee, I am excited to bring our two new proposed WRJ Resolutions to the WRJ Midwest District women. The WRJ Legislative Body will vote on these proposed Resolutions at the virtual WRJ Legislative Body Meeting, which will take place on March 18th at 6:00 pm Central time. Once the Resolutions are approved, WRJ will issue Advocacy Guides with advice on how we can all take action on these important issues.
The two proposed Resolutions are:
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Labor Issues Impacting Women in the 21st Century https://wrj.org/sites/default/files/labor_issues_impacting_women_resolution.pdf
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Addressing a Legacy of Reproductive and Gender-Based Violence Against Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color in North America https://wrj.org/sites/default/files/addressing_a_legacy_of_gender_and_race-based_violence_resolution.pdf
We hope that all sisterhoods, women’s groups, and individual members will educate themselves about these proposed Resolutions. Please bring them to your sisterhood/women’s group boards for discussion. We have prepared a brief video explaining the proposed Resolutions and the resolutions process. This may be useful for viewing at your sisterhood/women’s group board meetings: https://vimeo.com/499398890/ca14b9ea47
On February 22nd at 6:30 pm Central time, WRJ will be holding an informal, informational Zoom session on the proposed Resolutions--please attend and bring any questions! Also, at the upcoming virtual WRJ Fried Women’s Conference in March, there will be a workshop with a panel of experts who will address the critical issues in these proposed Resolutions.
All concerns and comments can be addressed to me (judithmwexler@gmail.com) and/or my co-chair, Karen Goldberg (kgoldgm@gmail.com). Purely editorial/grammatical comments should be sent by February 19th. Please bring other, more substantive comments to the February 22nd informational Zoom session, or provide them in advance of the March 18th Legislative Body Meeting. Due to the virtual format for this year’s WRJ Legislative Body Meeting, the discussion at that time will be limited.
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Click ads for more information |
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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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WRJ Webinars and Programs |
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(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!
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Upcoming WRJ Virtual Events |
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CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE
*to access the above information on Yammer, you will need to be registered for an account. Sign up at leadership@wrj.org. |
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Do you or someone in your sisterhood need Yammer assistance? Remaining "Yammer Office Hours" are Thursday, February 4th and 18th, 2:00pm Eastern. Here is the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 845 7606 4375
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Upcoming Midwest District Events |
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Sisterhood/Women's Group News |
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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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History of Motown by Gary Wenstrup
$10 - February 9th, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Sponsored by the Women of Mount Zion Temple - St. Paul MN
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Click ad for more information |
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WRJ Midwest is on Instagram and Facebook! Check us out!!
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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.
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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.
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Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel
Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop
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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
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Women of North Shore Congregation Israel
Sisterhood Judaica Gift Shop Update
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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.
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Midwest District Gift Giving |
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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
February
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As you are putting together your newsletters & e-blasts, please use these forms: |
(This is WRJ's Leadership form)
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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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