Blog

by Howard Lev From novels to movies to the stage, it is the male who is traditionally depicted, as learned. The woman cleans the house, raises the children, and even has a proper double-chin. In the short story, Yentl The Yeshiva Boy, by Isaac Beshevis Singer, Yentl, a young woman, is so desperate to study and discuss the sacred texts, she disguises herself as a boy. If Yentl had been a member of my temple, she would not have had to wear a disguise to pray and study. The women of Temple B'nai Torah have a voice; they can quote, interpret, and read the sacred text with ease.

By Jodie Gordon In honor of WRJ's Centennial Celebration, HUC-JIR students were invited to submit a 1000 word original essay for the WRJ/HUC-JIR Essay Competition on the topic, "Celebrating Our Journeys: My Spiritual Path to Reform Jewish Leadership." WRJ received dozens of moving, well-written essays from each of the four HUC-JIR campuses and degree programs. The decision was difficult, but a dedicated committee of WRJ staff, lay leaders, HUC-JIR alumni, and HUC-JIR faculty chose this essay as the competition winner. Gilda Radner once said, "I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity."

By: Molly Benoit New Yorkers, the time is now to lift up your voices together and call your state Senator and tell them that you support the New York Women’s Equality Act. Along with others across the state, tell the state Senate that you demand strengthened policies to support women as equal members of society as consistent with our American and Jewish values.

Dial 1-888-897-0174 or text “WEA” or “womensequality” to 877-877 to hear key points and automatically connect to your state Senator.

by Myra Feiger Parashat Chukat discusses the grim reality of death in the wilderness, the necessary succession in leadership, and the approach of the journey’s end. Repeatedly in this parashah, healing and new life follow death. The circle of our lives includes death, which follows life, not the other way around.

Yesterday, the Obama Administration issued an announcement that Plan B will now be made available over-the-counter without age restriction. Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

"We applaud the Obama Administration’s decision to allow women of all ages to access Plan B emergency contraception over-the-counter. This is an historic step toward ensuring that all women have access to the medical care that they need and deserve. Emergency contraception is safe and effective, restores a woman’s control over her reproductive health, and reduces the many physical and emotional risks of unintended pregnancies.

By Toba Strauss Sisterhood women have had an incredible impact on my life. I am largely a product of the religious school system, of NFTY and URJ camping, all of which are opportunities afforded to me through sisterhood support. I feel fortunate to be a student at HUC-JIR, an institution that ordains women like me, in part because of the support (and perhaps pressure!) of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods/Women of Reform Judaism, and this year I have the opportunity to work for WRJ for my rabbinical internship. I am thankful to Women of Reform Judaism, and I personally owe a great deal to sisterhood women, both past and present, who have helped me to achieve my goals.

In preparation for this week’s message, I re-read Parashat Korach (Numbers16:1−18:32). As I read, I was reminded of the preparation for my adult Bat Mitzvah, which occurred on this same parashah. How interesting that the verses in Korach which caught my attention almost 15 years ago are not the same ones which resonate with me today.

by Rabbi Shelley Kovar Becker On Sunday, June 2, I attended the wonderful WRJ Centennial Symposium in NYC.  I was delighted to be with WRJ on this occasion because of my long and rewarding connection to Sisterhood.

“Learn to do good, seek justice, relieve the oppressed. Uphold the orphan’s rights, take up the widow’s cause” –Isaiah 1:17

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend Women of Reform Judaism’s annual board meeting and special Centennial Symposium. The highlights of the weekend are too many to count – a keynote address from Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna at Sunday’s Symposium, a presentation from Rabbi Bradley Solmsen from the Campaign for Youth Engagement on the future of the Reform Movement, updates from all the WRJ departments on our impressive array of programs and initiatives from the past year, and deciding who will be the recipients of this year’s Or Ami Awards for Special Achievement.