Women's Rights
By Alyson Malinger, 2/11/2019
Representing 51% of the population, 102 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and 88 seats in the House of Commons of Canada, women are finding themselves in more and more leadership positions. Nevertheless, we have a long way to go until true gender equality is reached. On March 8, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world with International Women's Day. Each year the day also is given a theme around the issue of gender parity; this year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter. The theme focuses on how balance is... Read More
By Ally Karpel, 1/31/2019
The #10YearChallenge gained widespread traction on social media this month. This catchy Facebook trend calls for users to post posting two side by side photos of themselves — one from 2009 and another from 2019 — to show how much they’ve changed in the last decade. My newsfeed has been flooded with friends, teachers, and acquaintances alike who were eager to participate in this silly, yet somehow intriguing, online craze. The enthusiasm around the trend encouraged me to reflect on what else has changed over the past decade of my life. Ten years ago, I was preparing for my Bat Mitzvah,... Read More
By Karen Goldberg, 1/23/2019
In this past week's Torah portion, Parashat Beshellach, we read about the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites' escape from slavery, and the miraculous parting of the Sea of Reeds. We chant the Song of the Sea - the song of triumph and joy Moses, Miriam, and all the Israelites sing as they begin their march toward the Promised Land. As we know, there will be controversies along the way, as the Israelites struggle to become a nation. But for this moment in time, they celebrate their new freedom with great hope for their future. As I marched through the streets of downtown Walnut Creek this... Read More
By Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, 1/16/2019
Over the course of the past several weeks I have been part of numerous conversations about the upcoming Women’s March. Should we endorse or condemn? Should we march or sit on the sidelines? Is it best to engage or should we boycott? These conversations have taken place in multiple spaces - among progressive Jewish organizations, women’s organizations, Reform Movement leaders and, of course, among WRJ women. These have been vibrant, challenging, and heartfelt conversations and, as one might expect, we are not of one mind. Why the ambivalence? The Unity Principles of the March are aligned... Read More
By Ally Karpel & Samantha Frank, 1/10/2019
There are parts of the Torah that we don’t learn about in Sunday school. While I am proud that our beloved book is rich with moral teachings, instructing not to “hate [our] kinsfolk in [our] heart” (Leviticus 19:17-18); warning “not [to] subvert the rights of the stranger or the fatherless” (Deuteronomy 24:17); and imploring us to "speak up, judge righteously, champion the poor and the needy” (Proverbs 31:9), there are also some texts that condone violence. While there are hundreds of stories of our biblical ancestors to lift up and guide us to be better humans—to be hospitable and welcoming... Read More
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