Why WRJ Took a Week-Long Break

From August 12-16, WRJ was proud to be one of the pilot grantees to participate in BREAKWEEK. Funded by R&R: The Rest of our Lives, BREAKWEEK was “an opportunity for US-based Jewish nonprofit organizations to experiment with a powerful talent intervention—a 1-week org-wide break—in a structured format, paired with implementation guides, coaching support, customized evaluation tools, peer-to-peer engagement, and a $5,000 grant.”

This week-long break enabled WRJ staff to step away from the stress of the typical work week, unplug and unwind, and refill our cups, uninhibited by the potential pressure of knowing other colleagues were still working and there was more that could be done, despite the fundamental need for rest.

According to R&R’s website, “[o]rganizational-wide closures are a proven practice that have been utilized across sectors to promote habits of wellbeing, retention and productivity, and combat burn-out, attrition and exhaustion. Rest-based interventions, such as this, are a critical part of equity work, defining organizational culture and giving all team members agency to help make their day-to-day feel sustainable.”

We have found, time and time again, that it is difficult to truly rest and recover during the week—whether one is in need of a mental health day or is feeling physically unwell—when one has the knowledge that meetings are still being held, others are working through the day, and the chats and emails keep coming in. With our commitment to equity, safety, respect for the individual, and acknowledgement of our staff, WRJ is happy to be leading the way in this work and reinvesting in our employees through this holistic initiative.  

Following this break, WRJ staff was able to return to work rejuvenated, ready to commit their full energy, and better mentally suited to hold meetings, solve problems, and complete projects at their best. We strongly encourage that other Jewish nonprofit organizations, and any organization both for and nonprofit, seek out this opportunity as a return to their employees. Organizations can best succeed and meet their mission when their staff feel supported and recognized, when they strive for the balance between work and life, and when their institutions publicly display commitment to the concept of wellbeing. In order for us to do the best work for and that reflecting our community, we should be prioritizing the health and safety of our coworkers and colleagues.  

Inherently, Jewish tradition honors the concept of rest every week during Shabbat, upon which folks spend time being present, relaxing, and recouping. In this spirit, extending that value and these ideas for hardworking professionals to turn off the computers, step away from the screens, and push in the desk chair is reflective of our commitment to these grounding practices.  

For WRJ, we not only proudly lead the way in this work, but wholeheartedly believe in the goal of this initiative through our three pillars: sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. By extending this concept of mindful rest, this equity work helps us combat systems of oppression and make our own community and those we work with stronger. We thank R&R for this grant and for the opportunity to rest so that we may pursue our work with more vigor, focus, and intention.