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MIDWEST DISTRICT M'KESHER מְקֶשֶׁר
January 2021 | Tevet 5781
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A Message from Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
Greetings!
I hope you all had a refreshing holiday season. So many opportunities to light Hanukkah Candles with Reform Jewish Communities on Zoom! This was an unexpected benefit of the fight against COVID spread. As the secular year 2020 is recorded, with all its challenges, heartaches and need for social distance, I find myself looking forward with hope for the day we can all safely join together praying, singing, and dancing with joy. Thanks to the promise of vaccines already being distributed, that day is coming in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, our WRJ calendar for January 2021 is filling up with lots of virtual options to stay connected with friends from WRJ North America, Midwest District, and local Sisterhoods.
Before we go too far into the future, I want to mention a couple of Midwest District achievements that occurred in December after our last M’Kesher had been mailed. Mazel Tov to Sandi Firsel, Past Midwest District President and current Midwest District WRJ Special Projects Chair, on her nomination to the WRJ North America Board. Sandi brings both passion and experience to the board and will be installed for a three-year term during the Virtual Fried Women’s Conference in March. In the first week of December, Midwest District Board members (including Sisterhood/Women’s Group Presidents and Liaisons) should have received the updated Midwest District Directory. Barb Rosenberg, Midwest District Directory/Data Base Chair, has worked diligently to make sure we have accurate listings on District services, projects, and leadership contact information. Todah Rabah, Barb.
In January, our District Sisterhoods/Women’s Groups are encouraged to become part of a 6-month long, district-wide “Feeding the Hungry” initiative developed by our new Social Action Chair, Sandra Villa. You can read about possible ways for your women to participate in this social action project in her article below and click on the link to get more information about the importance of our involvement in this often-overlooked issue. Later in the month, we have a fascinating YES Fund Event planned by Sheri Frisque, Midwest District YES Fund Chair: a unique backstage look at “Wicked, the Musical!” on Saturday, January 23, 2021. This is our District’s very Post-Convention opportunity to donate and/or pledge to the YES Fund while celebrating the completed Lifelines by Midwest women over the last two years. See the flyer below for more information about the program and a link for registration and payment of $18, which goes to the YES Fund. The evening begins with Havdalah at 6:30 pm and the program is at 7:00 pm. We are trying out the use of our Donor Box to collect registration and payment, so if you hit a snag in the process, please contact Sheri Frisque, sherifrisque@yahoo.com for help.
WRJ North America has really filled January with some great Online Programs. Starting on January 10, we can spend an evening together listening to “Music of Progressive Israeli Jewish Communities with Cantor David Berger.” Yes, David is the son of our Midwest District Special Events Co-Chair, Carol Berger. If that event has you thinking of past (or future) travels to Israel, the next day you can hop onto the third WRJ Virtual Bus Tour of Israel, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, Monday, January 11 to Thursday, January 14 at a total cost of a $36 donation for the YES Fund. Each day offers an hour of visuals, commentary, and insights from WRJ Israeli Tour Guide, Shari Robins, followed by an optional half-hour chat with other WRJ women about the day’s experience. I have never been to Israel, but I have learned a lot from Shari on the first two virtual tours, so I have already signed up! On January 19, at 8:00 pm, the WRJ Film, Fiction, and Fine Wine series will be holding a book discussion of Geraldine Brooks’ novel “The Secret Chord” based on the life of King David and inspired by a line from a Leonard Cohen song. Our own District 1st VP, Rozan Anderson, will be co-hosting the discussion and Cheryl Stern, Midwest District Recording Secretary, is one of the Chairs for the series. See information below for registration instructions for each of these unique opportunities. If you are looking for even more virtual events, check out the listings in the Online Programming group on Yammer.
I hope to see you at some of these virtual gatherings, soon. May we all stay safe, healthy, and connected throughout 2021.
L'Shalom,
Zabe Williams
WRJ Midwest District President
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YES FUND EVENT: The Creation of Wicked
Sat. January 23, 2021
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So Much Happened Before Dorothy Dropped In...
Join WRJ Midwest District for an eye-opening,
unique presentation about one of the most beloved
musicals of all time - Wicked, The Musical!
Charles Troy, an expert in behind-the-scenes stories
about legendary Broadway shows, brings
“The Creation of Wicked” to a special Zoom program,
Saturday, January 23, 2021
to benefit the YES Fund (Youth, Education and Special Projects).
6:30 pm: Havdalah led by Diane Kaplan
7:00 pm: Wicked Program
Registration is required by January 20, 2021. We are asking for a donation of $18, which goes to the YES Fund. (Donations of over $18 are welcome!) Anyone with financial need, please talk to Yes Fund Chair, Sheri Frisque.
To register and pay by credit card click HERE
To register and pay by check: make check out to WRJ Midwest District, memo: YES FUND, and mail to Sheri Frisque, 2163 Edgebrook Ave., St. Paul, MN 55119.
Highlights of the evening include honoring those who have completed their lifelines since the last convention in 2018:
Lisa Taran-Maddy – Mount Zion Temple, St, Paul, MN
Sherilyn Frisque – Mount Zion Temple, St. Paul, MN
Carol Fefferman – Shir Tikvah, Homewood, IL
Debbie Robins – Women of Temple Chai, Long Grove, IL
Rebecca Shaffer – Temple B’nai Jeshurun Sisterhood, Des Moines, IA
The Youth, Education, and Special Projects (YES) Fund represents the collective financial efforts of individual donors and WRJ-affiliated sisterhoods to grow Reform institutions, fund clergy education, and inspire our youth. Upon completion of a YES Fund Lifeline level, the recipient is honored with a handmade sterling silver or 14K gold pin.
For more information about YES Fund click HERE
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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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WRJ Midwest District Announces New
Six Month Project to Ease Hunger in Local Communities!
‘Feeding the Hungry’
WRJ Midwest District Social Justice Department is excited to announce a new district-wide Social Action Initiative – “Feeding the Hungry,” which will be a six-month program designed to ease hunger in these days of great need.
Chaired by Sandy Villa, WRJ Midwest District Social Action Chair, the initiative seeks sisterhoods and women’s group in the Midwest District to either initiate a new program dedicated to feeding the hungry or to enhance an existing program to further reach those experiencing food insecurity.
”Feeding the Hungry” may be announced at a board meeting and then a volunteer may be chosen to act as a liaison between their membership and Sandy, who is available as a resource for seeking out appropriate organizations to support. When a liaison is chosen please ask her to contact Sandy about specific details of their own initiative: sandraville724@gmail.com.
At the end of the program, each sisterhood and women’s group would then document their project and send to Sandy who will share with the district and WRJ.
We can make a difference in “Feeding the Hungry” as we are all Stronger Together!
For more information about hunger read …more
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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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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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Sponsored by the Women of Mount Zion Temple
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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
January
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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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