My Journey to WRJ's Board as the "Cool Older Chick"

October 22, 2024Bernice Porrazzo

My three daughters lovingly call me “Cool Older Chick!”

I was first given that name when I lived in Texas. They told me, “(you) do not let your age keep you from doing things you support, believe in, and love, you give 110%.” We lived in a mid-sized Texas town north of Houston, where being Jewish was a major minority. I decided this was an opportunity to reach out to my community and give 110% to educate them about the Jewish religion. I decided establishing a relationship with the school’s administration and volunteering my time would be a good start. Sharing my culture matured into an awareness that there is not just one religion in our town. As I became active in the community, taking on more leadership positions, the school principal would ask me what the dates of the Jewish Holidays were every year to then inform the teachers to not give homework on those dates. I felt a sense of accomplishment; however, there was something missing in my life.

When I moved to Virginia, I joined my temple’s sisterhood. I learned that our sisterhood was also a member of the Women of Reform Judaism. After several years of leadership positions, I was elected to be President of the Women of Temple Rodef Shalom, our past president, Andrea Stillman, was on the WRJ Board. 

Our sisterhood sent four representatives to the Fried Women’s Conference, and I attended my first FWC in Nashville. I met so many amazing individuals from all over North America. I participated in many leadership workshops and was so impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the presenters. I felt spirituality and an emotional bond to sisterhood as we prayed and encouraged each other to dance to Miram’s song during Mi Chamocha. Then later that evening when we all sang Limdu Heiteiv and linked arms, I had decided that this is a group I wanted to gave 110% and become more active in; this is a group of women who support women’s issues and strive to improve women’s rights.  

When I returned from the FWC, I started attending WRJ workshops and engagement programs. I became active in the Mid-Atlantic District as an area director, cookbook editor, and did logistics for our district convention. I pledged a silver lifeline for the YES Fund. I volunteered to do cooking demos and donated baked goods for the WRJ Auction. I attended the Civil Rights Journey and went to Israel with WRJ. I met so many wonderful, dedicated women.

It was the fall of 2021 I thought about the ‘nickname’ my daughters gave me. I thought about the tree pillars of WRJ: Sisterhood, Spirituality and Social Action and decided this “Cool Older Chick” is passionate about what WRJ stands for.  And although I was 73 at the time I sent in my application in hopes of being nominated to serve on the WRJ Board and I am glad I did.  In 2022, I was honored to be nominated and started on my journey as a WRJ Board member.  
 

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