Women of Reform Judaism

by Amanda Wachstein, NFTY-PAR Advisor (pictured with Rosanne Selfon, her mom, also known as Bubbio, and Mila) The best gifts in the world are the people in our lives and the moments we share together, especially when those people are our mothers, the women who have made us strong, resilient and loving. These women come [...]

Throughout its history, Women of Reform Judaism has supported the next generation of the Reform Movement. In celebration of WRJ’s Centennial and the significant role that WRJ has played in the life of NFTY, the current National Board members and a staff member of the North American Federation of Temple Youth share their reflections on [...]

I have discovered the fountain of youth… attend NFTY Convention! Our kids are AMAZING!  They come in all shapes and sizes, wear crazy clothes, and cling to each other like window stickers. They love being Jewish! They celebrate Shabbat with joy and exuberance. They pray and worship with reverence and intent. They sing and dance [...]

By Elizabeth Levi Women of Reform Judaism established this essay contest in honor of its Centennial celebration. Teens were asked to write about the influence of women’s leadership in Reform congregations. The following essay was selected as the winner and the author was honored at the NFTY Convention this past weekend: I cried when I [...]

NFTY-Chicago Area Region Alumni Sari Lipsett and Ari Lorge have taken on the issue of Gender Violence as the founders of Reyut: A Jewish Campaign for Healthy Relationships, which aims to “educate, raise awareness, and foster action.” This post was initially written on November 25, 2012, which was the start date of the international campaign, [...]

This letter was written last week in response to a letter that WRJ-North America sent WRJ-Israel reminding them that “stronger together” is more than a tagline on WRJ’s website, but a pledge to help each other during times of need like now—the escalating violence in Israel. by Alex Cicelsky While we on Kibbutz Lotan are [...]

WRJ made this statement today: For the past few weeks we have all been affected, either physically or emotionally, by the devastating destruction of Hurricane Sandy. The Reform Movement immediately mobilized its resources to address the needs of our congregations and others affected by the storm. As part of these efforts, NFTY has launched a [...]

By Rabbi Jack P. Paskoff In 2003, Amy Sales and Leonard Saxe, well known sociologists studying Jewish life in America, published a book called: “How Goodly Are Thy Tents”: Summer Camps as Jewish Socializing Experiences. While the book is important on many levels, the authors would readily admit that they borrowed the title. In fact, [...]

By Ellen Wagner Imagine you are a twenty-something newlywed with a full time job, busy making a life in a new city. A local Reform synagogue approaches you and your spouse with a plea for help. “Please help! The Temple youth group is in desperate need of adult supervision. We’ve heard you’ve got some experience [...]

Erev Shabbat Memorial Day weekend found me seated in the 115-year-old sanctuary of my home synagogue Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster, PA, for our confirmation service. Unlike other Reform confirmations, ours marks a conclusion of our students’ religious education from pre-school through twelfth grade. Several years ago, our rabbi, Jack Paskoff, proposed changing Confirmation from [...]