Nicole Villalpando

Nicole Vallalpando

Nicole Villalpando is a past president of her Sisterhood, the Southwest District, and served on WRJ's Board from 2009-2022. She served on the centennial committee and wrote “Women of Reform Judaism: A Centennial Celebration.” Nicole lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and twentysomething children, who have no plans of leaving home.

 

WRJ Matriarchs

Nicole Villalpando

Like any good family history, Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) has more than a few standout matriarchs. Each one has some colorful notes in their histories, and each helped move the organization forward.

As the Union of Reform Judaism celebrates its 150th

Mentoring and Stepping Back

Nicole Villalpando
22. That’s the number of years I served on my Sisterhood board. When I started in 2000, I was six weeks pregnant. That baby has now graduated college, and his younger sister graduated high school. A lot happened in the years I served on my Sisterhood board, both in my life and the life of my Sisterhood. By the Fall of 2022, it was time to step back. It was time to get out of the way of other women so they could lead. Could you be holding back future leaders? Are you the one who is afraid that if you don’t step up, no one will take your place?

Voices of WRJ: Yom Rishon shel Rosh HaShanah

Nicole Villalpando

Twenty-two chapters into Genesis, we come to the Torah portion for the first day of the new year, Yom Rishon shel Rosh HaShanah. This chapter (Genesis 22:1-19) is also known as “The Akedah” or “The Binding.” 

Abraham is facing the test not unlike what parents

WRJ Voices: Nitzavim

Nicole Villalpando

Nitzavim begins with these words:

“You stand this day, all of you, before your God -- you tribal heads, you elders, and you officials, all the men of Israel, you children, you women, even the stranger within your camp, from woodchopper to water drawer -- to

WRJ Voices: Tol'dot

Nicole Villalpando

The story of Rebekah can be a great cautionary tale of how not to be a “good Jewish mother.” You know the stereotype: an anxious mother who fawns over her children and then uses guilt to get her children to make the choices she wants them to make.

Like that