WRJ's 46th assembly was held in San Diego, California from December 12th to the 16th.
The 592 attendees, from four countries (South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada) represented 197 sisterhoods from 38 states. Registrants had opportunities for study, conversation, entertainment, and bonding and found that the WRJ tag line is very apt. WRJ women are truly “stronger together”.

"I continue to be amazed by the leadership you provide, not only for WRJ but for the whole reform movement," praised Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism
speaking at the opening plenary. The program, which included the presentation of awards for the establishment of four new endowment funds, was highlighted by the keynote address by Rabbi Jonah D. Pesner, director of Just Congregations, a URJ initiative dedicated to congregation-based community organizing. A tireless advocate of social justice, Rabbi Pesner echoed WRJ's own mission by asserting,"The fundamental principle of community organizing is being Stronger Together."


Wednesday night, following district dinners, registrants had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on demonstration with world-renowned artist, Gary Rosenthal, who uses fused glass to create Judaica. Women had the opportunity to create glass to be used in personal pieces or for pieces to be sold to benefit the YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects). The women who attended bonded over the pieces of glass that formed together to make the Judaica just as they, themselves, together form WRJ. The event also included the presentation of the YES Fund awards for sisterhood attaining honor levels for YES Fund purchases and donations.

The second plenary, held on Thursday, included the presentation of the Dr. Jane Evans Pursuit of Justice Award, given to “a women of strength and action”, this assembly, Senator Barbara Boxer for her devotion to children and women’s issues as well as for being a national leader on environmental protection.  Although Senator Boxer could not be there in person, she accepted her award by video, reminding delegates that “The Jewish community has always drawn its strength from its women leaders.”

The award was presented by Mark Pelavin, associate director of the Religious Action Center. In an ardent speech about the current political climate he said “I come to speak to women of passion...women who have the power, the ability, and yes, the passion, to really make a difference.” 

Throughout the assembly, awards were also presented to sisterhoods who dramatically increased their memberships, sisterhoods who are celebrating their centennial and, through the Or Ami: Light of My People Awards, sisterhoods who created exceptional social action programming. This year, WRJ presented seven Or Ami Winners awards, eight honorable mentions, ten commendations, two awards in support of military troops and thirty-six awards of recognition. Winning programs ranged from a project to develop a kibbutz-like program in a South African community to ensure that orphans would be able to attend school rather than having to care for younger siblings, to an awareness compaign about energy conservation and a sale of compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Following the Endower and Lifeline Dinner was the the debut of the long-awaited, groundbreaking publication, The Torah: A Women’s Commentary. The collective efforts of some of world’s leading Jewish female Bible scholars, rabbis, historians, philosophers, and archaeologists have resulted in this first comprehensive commentary, authored only by women, on the Five Books of Moses, including individual Torah portions as well as the Hebrew and English translation. In celebration of the publication of the commentary, delegates were treated to a dessert reception and a concert by Danny Maseng. WRJ women jubilantly danced around the ballroom knowing that this historic volume was accomplished by their efforts.

Speakers included Rabbi David Ellenson, president of Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion and Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center. Managing Editor Rabbi Hara Person of the URJ Press praised WRJ for undertaking this important work. “My commitment to WRJ and my sense of the importance of the work that WRJ does has only grown and grown." Rabbi Saperstein, addressing the delegates, described the Torah Commentary as, “a book that challenges us all to hear voices we haven’t heard before.”

The third plenary of the assembly, held on Friday included a message from the World Union for Progressive Judaism’s Nani Beutel and a report from Shelley Lindauer, WRJ executive director who addressed registrants by praising them, “You’re committed, you’re curious, you’re agents of change.” In her report, Shelley urged sisterhoods to take stock of their membership’s demographics and needs, and reminded them, “It is your job as leaders to empower all of our women and enrich their lives through sisterhood.”

To demonstrate one of WRJ’s most popular new programs, a mock WRJ/Lilith salon was held with editors and writers from Lilith magazine participating in discussions about relevant articles from the publication. The salons bring sisterhood groups together in conversation to discuss articles from recent issues of Lilith magazine. WRJ provides discussion “triggers” to assist and stimulate conversation. Currently, approximately 70 sisterhoods are participating in the program which brings women of all ages and backgrounds together.

Much of WRJ's work occurs through the YES Fund. From the fund, WRJ is able to provide financial assistance to our rabbinical and cantorial students, our youth, and organizations throughout the Reform/Progressive Jewish Movement. The fund is supported by the donations of individuals through the Circle of Service and Lifeline programs as well as donations from sisterhoods. Many attendees began or completed Lifeline contributions or added their financial support to Circle of Service.

Friday's moving YES Fund luncheon raised an astounding $205,000 and included the gift of a Torah from Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster, PA to Rabbi Dr. Walter Homolka, rector of Abraham Geiger Kolleg in Germany, which will be used in the new WRJ Music Library at the School of Cantorial Arts at Abraham Geiger. 

Guest speakers Rabbi Mark Winer, West London Synagogue of British Jews and Rabbi Homolka,  both credited WRJ’s YES Fund with supporting their rabbinic callings. “I am here because you cared,” said Rabbi Homolka about his days as a young German student rabbi. Rabbi Homolka now leads the progressive movement in central Europe.

On Friday night, the new The Torah: A Women's Commentary was the basis for a Preparing for Shabbat program, as selected poems were read by the book’s editors (left) and Julie Silver provided a musical performance.

Saturday's Havdalah service was fittingly led by Cantor Sarah Sager who first challenged WRJ to produce a women's commentary. Along with Cantor Ross Wolman (right), she brought Shabbat to a close before the installation of WRJ's new board.

Sunday was the closing day of the convention and the fourth and final plenary session opened with a rousing welcome-in-advance from the local arrangements committee of WRJ's 47th assembly, to be held in November 2009 in Toronto.  The session celebrated Israel's 60th birthday and ARZA's 30th with guest speakers Rabbi Naamah Kelman, associate dean and director of the Year in Israel Program at HUC and Rabbi Stanley Davids, president of ARZA.

Over the course of the five-day convention, women sang together, laughed together, ate together, studied together, and participated in workshops on such diverse topics as: sisterhood brand recognition, surviving as a member of the sandwich generation, and making poverty history. From sisterhoods of a variety of sizes and demographics, they came together and bonded, shared, and learned that whatever they are doing, they are truly stronger together.

To view, download, or order all assembly photos, please visit the site of our photographer Rodney Regala here.

Click here to download a press release for your congregation or local paper.

	For a PDF of WRJ's daily assembly newsletter, please click on the appropriate day: Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Tamara Cohn Eskenazi		Rosanne Selfon and Barbara Koppel