The Next Steps on Your WRJ Leadership Journey

As a North American board member of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), I expected to attend the Fried Women’s Conference this past spring. What I didn’t expect was that I would actually be a presenter at one of the workshops. In fact, all three of us who led the workshop on “the next steps of your WRJ leadership journey” admitted as much. We wondered: How did we get here?

I have always been a worker in my volunteer efforts - I am great at organizing and getting things done. However, public speaking was not necessarily my forte until I became involved with WRJ. Through many experiences and training sessions, I became much more comfortable with my abilities. My experiences have allowed me to learn many new skills as well as more fully developing my natural strengths.

I started out my WRJ leadership journey as a committee chair and eventually ended up as president of my sisterhood. While I was serving in that role, I was instructed to attend District meetings to keep abreast of the activities and resources available. This was how I began to get to know some of the WRJ members outside of my own sisterhood. Meeting and sharing ideas with them really opened my eyes to the value of being part of WRJ. Attending a District convention led me to meet many more wonderful members from my area who were a great resource for new programs and problem-solving.

After my term ended, I was asked to be a chair on the District Board. It was empowering to be able to help not only my own sisterhood, but other groups in my geographical area. Even at this point, I never dreamed that I would soon be the District President. Due to unforeseen circumstances in our District, I was asked to be first vice president way before I thought I was ready. However, a mentor expressed her faith in me, and I stepped up. It’s amazing how a person can grow into a role!

You may be thinking that you’re not “ready” to serve on the WRJ North American Board. However, my story demonstrates that we can do more than we think we can. And if you are chosen, WRJ has a terrific training program for new board members called L’Atid. This program has extensive content that ensures that you will be ready to help strengthen our organization and enable us to move forward in our important work.

Recently, WRJ has been focusing on being more diverse and inclusive. The new members who joined the Board last year covered a broad spectrum of ages and backgrounds. We would love to attract a similarly diverse cohort with this year’s group. We are looking to include new voices in our conversations in moving WRJ forward, a direction we always strive for in our work.

Serving on the WRJ Board is very rewarding. You can make special connections with leaders from all around the world and contribute in a meaningful way to the Reform Jewish community. As I learned, there are also opportunities to enhance your personal skills. This is a working board, so there are many ways to contribute within your area of expertise or interest.

I hope that everyone reading this will think about applying. Applications are now open! Apply today. I would also encourage you to think “outside the box” to recommend other leaders or potential leaders you know from your sisterhood, workplace or other organizations. Even if someone is not currently a WRJ member, their individual membership would always be welcome later. We look forward to strengthening the great work we are already doing with our new board members!