Women of Reform Judaism

By Dolores Wilkenfeld The dictionary defines the word, “journey” as “travel or passage from one place to another.” Yet, journey is used increasingly these days to refer to a series of events and experiences in our lives which influence us in a particularly meaningful direction. I would suggest that both descriptions can apply to the [...]

by Karen Maes (in the middle of the photo) “Just call him and tell him you changed your mind,” my mom said as she tore up the piece of paper I had just handed her to which I replied, “Mom, that is not how it works.” Just a month later, on a sunny morning in [...]

By Marilyn Lake Neumann Women of Reform Judaism enriches each of us in many different ways. Timed to coincide with Mother’s Day, my perspective is multi-generational, based on a longstanding family involvement with NFTS/WRJ. About the time that the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS) was founded, the president of Congregation Gates of Prayer Sisterhood, [...]

By Rabbi Rick Jacobs For too much of Jewish history Jewish women did not count. Consider the opening of the Book of Exodus: “Eleh sh’mot b’nai Yisrael – These are the names of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 1:1) The text then goes on to name only the male children of Israel: Reuben, Simeon and Judah… but [...]

By Blu Greenberg In every generation, Jews have understood the significance of the Revelation of Torah in their lives. We have studied and written and taught about the meaning of Torah and its relevance to contemporary circumstances. With the publication of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary in 2008, the teachings of women scholars and Jewish professionals [...]

By Rabbi David Ellenson The history of the rapport between the Women of Reform Judaism and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion starts with the founding of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods in 1913 when NFTS established a National Committee on Hebrew Union Scholarships. Through Harvest Balls, dances, raffles, card parties, rummage sales, bazaars, the [...]

As I write this a cool wind is blowing across the Negev and the sun is shining over the beautiful ‘crater’ at Mitzpe Ramon. I now know that the ‘crater’ is not really a crater, but rather a unique and breath-taking geological formation. Having visited David and Paula Ben Gurion’s graves near their home at [...]

From WRJ to the Rabbinate by Rabbi Jill Berkson Zimmerman If it weren’t for the Women of Reform Judaism, I wouldn’t be writing this piece today as a rabbi. Growing up in a Chicago suburb in the 60′s, every house on our block was Jewish, as was 70% of our high school. Schools were closed [...]

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 [...]

By Lynn Magid Lazar I have a little scroll of fabric that I keep with me all the time. When you untie the maroon band and unroll it, you see the following words… Every journey brings blessings The journey of my life thus far has been quite an exciting adventure! While the road has often [...]