Global Stories
By Ruth Bohm, 10/11/2017
Today I am thrilled to inform you that WRJ is accomplishing great things in some of Brazil’s Progressive and Reform congregations. Thanks to WRJ’s mentoring and support, and also to the support of WUPJ Latin America, we’ve been able to develop some wonderfully successful projects. Each day we are attracting the interest of new women’s groups in various regions and gaining more committed volunteers. Adult Bat Mitzvah Project: Our second adult bat mitzvah cohort started to study with the guidance of Rabbi Ruben Sternschein. The banot mitzvah will take place in Recife, Brazil at Kahal... Read More
By Julia Weinstein, 5/28/2017
When I signed up for WRJ’s 2017 Journey to Israel I knew that the itinerary would not only include the historical and cultural sights one would expect to visit in Israel but also offer unique and very special experiences that would set it apart from my previous two trips decades ago. And indeed, this last week delivered on the promise: long days spent together with a bus load of WRJ women and their mothers, mothers-in-law, daughters and friends; a panel discussion with local women rabbis and another with participants in a Mother/Daughter Bat Mitzvah program; a visit to the Druze village of... Read More
By Sandy Abramson, 3/28/2017
I attended an event held at the UN on March 15, 2017 entitled, “A Year of Focused Actions to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls.” The sponsoring party was the European Union. This was held on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was the 25th of November, 2016. The stakes are high: one in three women will face sexual abuse or harassment in her life. 76% of people arrested in sex trafficking cases are women and girls. In women aged 15-44, gender-based violence accounts for the same percentage of women who will be affected by cancer.... Read More
9/22/2016
by Leslie Brier On September 7, Janet Stovin and I attended the High Level Forum on Global Antisemitism hosted by the Missions of Canada, Israel, the United States and the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. Four separate interactive panels considered different factors related to Antisemitism around the world including Government Responses to Global Antisemitism, Antisemitism and Hate Speech on the Internet and in Social Media, a keynote address by Professor Deborah Lipstadt, the renowned Holocaust historian, professor, author and the person whom the film Denial is based... Read More
5/03/2016
by Sandy Abramson I was lucky enough to attend the Biennial Convention of the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ), which took place in London April 14-17. The theme was “Building Bridges, Spanning the Jewish World and Beyond.” As a new WRJ representative to the UN, a former WRJ board member, and a frequent visitor to Paris, going to this convention was a great first-hand look at the accomplishments and challenges that characterize European Progressive Jews today. My husband Steve and I were among participants from 29 nations attending the conference. They ranged from Argentina and... Read More
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