Women of Reform Judaism

by Cantor Sarah Sager As I was gathering my thoughts about the Centennial celebration of the Women of Reform Judaism, the news that former Prime Minister of England, Margaret Thatcher, had passed away flashed across the news screen. Among the initial reports of her death, she was quoted as saying: “If you want something said, [...]

By Rabbi Jan Katzew At the 100th anniversary celebration held in Cincinnati, OH, WRJ leaders were hosted for dinner at the American Jewish Archives. As we each were asked to introduce ourselves, I said that I felt it appropriate to bring another person into the room, someone not physically present, but whose presence helped to [...]

During a Shabbat weekend at the end of January, something very special happened – the start of our Centennial, a celebration of 100 years of Reform Jewish women’s accomplishments. Nearly 250 North American women traveled from cities and suburbs; small congregations and super-sized ones; North, West, South, and East to Cincinnati, OH, birthplace of WRJ [...]

Editor’s Note: This is the the address that Barbara Saidel, URJ’s Chief Operating Officer, made at the 2013 WRJ Fried Leadership Conference. “I’m tired!” “I’m hungry!” “Are we there yet?” How many times have you heard these complaints? You recognize the sounds of the kids, nudgedick in the back seat, anxious to free themselves from [...]

Editor’s Note: The following post is Rabbi Marla J. Feldman’s address at the 2013 WRJ Fried Leadership Conference. It’s been just over one year since I began my tenure with Women of Reform Judaism. There could not have been a more exciting time to join this special community of women. Our Centennial year provides a [...]

by Pamela S. Ovshinsky Photo: L’Dor v’Dor Northern Michigan Jewish Women’s Rural Leadership Consortium, Oct. 13, 2012 in St. Ignace, MI. This past October, 15 women leaders from six small, lay-led congregations (four Reform) established in rural areas in the Lower Northern and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan sought to change a dynamic of isolation. With [...]

By Lindie Henderson We are taught that it is not up to an individual to complete a task but important to bear some responsibility. I am wondering, as sisterhood and district nominating committees are engaged in the task of securing new leaders or encouraging leaders to agree to serve in different positions, why it is [...]

During our visit, a new study was released in Israel by the Guttman Center, which showed that there are more Israelis who identify as Reform or Conservative Jews than those who identify as ultra-Orthodox. This is interesting and important news! It shows that our Movement is growing and that Israelis are learning ways to develop [...]

Sitting at Ben Gurion Airport, awaiting my return flight, I finally have a few quiet moments to reflect on our many visits, consider all that I learned, and once again bid farewell to our homeland, now filled with so many new friends. Among our final opportunities was participation in a national steering committee meeting of [...]