Turning Energy and Emotion into Action with WRJ

As we approach the end of 2024, WRJ’s Social Justice team thanks everyone for all of the impressive efforts, communications, and relationships that resulted in productive and positive change and led to enhanced coalitions, stronger bonds, and the momentum to continue to build power in 2025. We followed our Jewish values by being a co-sponsor of Every Voice Every Vote. We worked diligently to get out the vote and lift issues important to our democracy.  We reached thousands of individuals encouraging strong voter participation. These actions underscored our commitment to key issues as we aimed to positively influence the lives of many.  

We celebrate the passage of seven state ballot initiatives protecting abortion access. We also acknowledge the impact, fear, and express deep concern over the potential impact on the issues close to our mission such as reproductive health care and violence against women in the years to come.  

While our work must continue, we pause to reflect on the journey and seek understanding of diverse perspectives and needs. Our work, however, is more important than ever, to protect those who are a part of our community and the communities for which we advocate; maintain safe, respectful, and equitable environments; and secure access, freedom, and rights. We can turn our hope, anger, and high emotions into action. We can commit ourselves to “resolutions” in the new secular year.

There are several ways you can continue to educate, act, and advocate with WRJ:  

• Join Social Justice & Advocacy Conversations in Mighty Networks, our network platform, to receive a weekly roundup of social justice readings, actions, and upcoming programs. Hear from a variety of folks on advocacy important to them and ways to get involved. Check out Israel Discussions on Mighty Networks, too, to keep up to date on the ways folks can continue to support Israel from afar, on news pertinent to our high priorities, and find your community of advocates.
• Lead initiatives and programming with a group or make an impact individually. Dive into several of WRJ’s high priority issues by following our action roadmaps. Formerly known as “Advocacy Guides,” WRJ’s Action Roadmaps include the resources and program content associated with our recent resolutions on Preventing Gun Violence Against Women and Reaffirming our Commitment to Reproductive Rights Post-Dobbs. Participating in or hosting social justice programming can look different and unique, appeal to a variety of platforms and number of participants and inspire folks to dive deeper into an area of interest. For example, WRJ’s virtual programs in a box are another way that folks can use replicable program ideas, content, and discussion guides, specifically on the WRJ Says STOP initiative against sexual assault and harassment.  
• In February, recognize Repro Shabbat the WRJ way. In addition to holding programming provided by the Action Roadmaps on our recent resolution, we invite you to join us for a virtual program, consisting of a film and productive discussion following. You will be encouraged to watch the film ahead of time, as the program held will be discussion around the themes in the film. Link to come in the new secular year!  
  • WRJ is a proud partner of the Jewish Abortion Access Coalition. You can find more information at the link (above) on Repro Shabbat, February 21-22, 2025.
• WRJ is also a proud member of Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition. Our Climate Steering Team recently worked on and will be submitting WRJ’s 2025-2026 comprehensive climate action plan, setting goals like reducing greenhouse gas emissions from conference meals and supporting climate ballot initiatives through phone banking. Looking ahead, we’re excited to host an inspiring Earth Day program on April 22, 2025, to empower WRJ members to take meaningful climate action in their homes and communities.  
• Be with us in person from April 4-7, 2025, at the upcoming Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference (SJC) in Washington, D.C.! SJC is intended for anyone who identifies as female, nonbinary, or gender fluid (age 18+) interested in advocacy in the Reform Movement through a Jewish feminist lens. SJC attendees will spend time with like-minded women+ who are equal in their dedication to advancing our Reform Jewish values through an important gendered lens and will lend a new spark to the biggest issues of our time. You can find more information about the conference here. Register today! If you need financial assistance, a limited number of scholarships are available.  
  • At the tail end of the conference, all who identify with WRJ’s mission, including men, will be lobbying on the Hill. Folks will receive training and preparation for Hill visits by our Movement’s experts – the staff of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC). Senior staff and legislative assistants from the RAC will conduct training, both in advance of SJC over Zoom and onsite, to prepare everyone – regardless of whether you have lobbied before or not – to feel comfortable and capable of visiting their elected officials on The Hill on Monday. Speaking of lobbying, the first program to prepare you to lobby is on Wednesday, January 15 from 8-9pm ET with RAC’s Associate Director Barbara Weinstein and Jacob Greenblatt, assistant legislative director at the RAC.  
• Mark your calendars! We are excited to announce the WRJ Day of Action, taking place in 2026. On this day, WRJ sisterhoods/women’s groups and individual members across North America will come together in a collective effort to create positive change through meaningful social action. This initiative is an opportunity for all to collaborate, join forces, and make a lasting impact in their communities. Together, we can amplify our efforts and show the strength of what can be achieved when we unite for a common purpose. Whether through community service projects, advocating for important causes, or other impactful actions, this day will be a testament to the power of WRJ working in solidarity. Now is the time to start thinking ahead to this impactful day. How will you, your sisterhood, or women’s group join this effort? As an individual WRJ member, we will provide ways for you to participate with local affiliates/districts. More information will be available soon, but we invite you to begin thinking about how you can participate in this meaningful day of action.

If you need guidance on how to take part in WRJ’s social justice and advocacy, please contact WRJ Social Justice Manager Rena Crawford or email advocacy@wrj.org.  

WRJ will always lead with the principle of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), working into 2025-2026 and on to mobilize collective action on a variety of causes to create a more just and compassionate world for all people of all backgrounds and identities. Together, as a united network of WRJ sisterhoods, women’s groups, and individual members, we can achieve extraordinary results. We hope to see you carrying these ideas forward in your own communities and with us at the Social Justice Conference in April!