Women of Reform Judaism

by Rabbi Michele Lenke Among the many gifts we find in this week’s Torah portion, B’haalot’cha, is the prayer for healing that Moses and Aaron offer to the Holy One on behalf of their sister Miriam. Her brothers pray “El Na R’fa Na La,” O God, please heal her! (Numbers 12:13). These five words are [...]

by Marcy R. Frost When is the last time you saw Hamlet? After more than 400 years, it remains popular and poignant. I never cease to be amazed by how much of Hamlet has found its way into our modern language. Of course, there is the obvious, “To be or not to be” line. Ever [...]

“Mothers love and mothers hold Mothers shape the world we know, mama, ima, mama Mothers worry mothers feel Mothers know too well what’s real, mama, ima, mama And these are the things our mothers teach us…” -“Limdu Heiteiv” by Beth Schafer (WRJ’s Centennial Anthem) So begins the beautiful WRJ Centennial Anthem, written by an amazingly [...]

by Lindie Henderson The combined readings of Parashot B’har and B’chukotai at the end of the Book of Leviticus provide rules for responsibilities and observances in specific time frames with reminders about blessings and curses. We can relate to “jubilee” celebrations during this WRJ Centennial year and consider how we will fulfill our obligations.

Last month I was incredibly fortunate to be part of the WRJ Centennial Trip to Israel and Berlin. What an amazing experience! I still haven’t finished processing all that we saw and did as we went to so many interesting places and learned so much about how WRJ supports the work of Progressive/Reform Judaism in [...]

by Cherie Half At the core of Parashat Acharei Mot is the question of change. This week’s Torah parashah discusses the foundation for laws affecting sexual relations and the separation of women, which is termed the “holiness” code of Leviticus.

by Judith O. Rosenkranz The parashah for this week (Tazria-M’tzora, Lev. 12:1-15:33) opens with these words are, “Adonai spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the Israelite people thus.” This phrase keeps coming back to me for it empowers Moses to relay to the entire Israelite people what he has been told. This empowering of leadership, [...]

by Ellen A. Pollack This week’s parashah (Sh’mini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47) describes the ritual on the day after Aaron’s ordination ceremony, the story of the fire from God that kills Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s oldest sons, and concludes with dietary laws.

Editors’ Note: This d’var Torah is part of a series that was written by WRJ executive committee member Cynthia Roosth Wolf for adaptation and use by sisterhoods/women’s groups during the 2013 WRJ Centennial year. The following d’var Torah from an earlier parashah, B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16), is also relevant for Passover as it shares the story [...]

This week’s parashah (Tzav, Lev. 6:1–8:36) is one that is a bit difficult for us in these modern times to relate to as it refers to the many kinds of sacrificial offerings made by the Israelites to God.