"Hand in Hand"

Some of my most meaningful memories of connecting with Judaism have happened at URJ Camp Kalsman, and this year’s WRJ Pacific Northwest retreat and area event was no exception. The Pacific NW region spans from Portland, OR to Vancouver, BC, and we were fortunate to have representation from each of the eight sisterhoods. The theme was “Hand-in-Hand,” and it was carried throughout our weekend together. Over 50 of us nestled amongst the trees and sang, worshipped, played, studied and got to know each other (and ourselves) better.

With unexpectedly good weather, we could get out and enjoy walks around the lake, challenge and encourage each other on a ropes course and on a scavenger hunt and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature. We worshipped outside Saturday morning with the trees and deer as a backdrop to a beautiful service, filled with lovely music and inspiring words from WRJ President Karen Sim.  Later that evening, we prepared for the High Holidays with a meaningful s’lichot service led by our district president, Carol Schuster. We concluded by celebrating Havdalah around the campfire, and finished the day with s’mores and singing hand-in-hand.

Several of the workshops centered around helping us to better communicate and support each other. In one workshop, we examined the B’rit Kehillah (a code of conduct) and our Jewish values. In another, we studied how to navigate difficult conversations. In one of the final sessions, we reflected on how to create communities to give participants a feeling of belonging. We came away with tools we could use in our own sisterhoods and in our daily lives.

Of course, there was plenty of time for fun and building friendships.  In the cooking workshop, women worked together to make apple baklava for the upcoming new year. The drumming workshop required coordinating our pounding Boomwhackers to create beautiful music. We later helped each other as we sewed felted covers for handwarmers, traced our hands and chatted as we added patterns to Zentangle hands or painted dots on hamsas.  

Many of us had read The Amen Effect ahead of time, and our discussions each morning were deep, allowing us to get to know each other even better. Conversations over meals, while playing games, or in our cabins enriched our times together and made me want to come to events like this more often.

The Pacific District Convention is in March 2026, and, after an interactive presentation, I am even more eager to attend. Many of the women around our tables shared how much more passionate about sisterhood, WRJ, and the YES (Youth, Education, Special Projects) Fund they have become after attending WRJ events such as conventions and area events. At this retreat, we ended up raising more than $3,500 for the YES Fund.  

We were fortunate to have our WRJ President and many of our own district leaders attend, imparting their expertise and wisdom and giving us the opportunity to get to know them better and they us.

Standing in our closing circle at the end of the retreat, I looked around at the faces of the other women as we sang “I Have A Voice” by Elana Arian. I could see that they, too, were impacted by our time together.  What will they take back? Will they give a little more grace to their leadership teams? Will they examine their codes of conduct and encourage each other to be kind? Will they share an idea they learned or inspire their members to attend future events? Will they feel more confident in tackling challenges? I hope that they, too, will feel more connected to their faith and to making a difference in the world. I made new friends, cemented old friendships, and feel even more strongly about WRJ and the work we are doing. I am excited for the upcoming Convention and for next year’s retreat.