Northeast District Blog Posts

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Go On A Journey with WRJ

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY
Deb Lelchuk, WRJ Board Member
For some of us, going anyplace together is the driving force – the camaraderie, the joy of being and experiencing together has been missing in our lives. Others are most looking forward to a chance to dive more deeply into the civil rights history of the United States. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously likened marching in Selma, Alabama, to praying with his feet. We all want to learn with our feet, our hearts, and our prayers by taking this journey together.
Sara Charney, WRJ President
Passover

A Passover Message

In Exodus 12, verse 11 which concludes God’s commandment on how to observe the Passover sacrifice, God enjoins the Hebrew slaves of Egypt to eat the roasted lamb with “your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat

A circle of people with linked arms on the bima of a synagogue
Gender-based Violence

Is it Ok to Hug You?

Trina Novak
Trish Joseph
Do you belong to a “Hug and Kiss” congregation? In our communities, we greet each other with big hugs often accompanied by a kiss. This is part of our culture. These actions are fine if the two people are in consensual agreement. But, what happens when community cultural behaviors cross the line?
2022 I Wear Teal Because
Gender-based Violence

Breaking up with Rape Culture

Kate Franklin

If you would have told 18-year-old Kate that she would one day openly talk about the most painful, and for a long time, “shameful” experience of her life to hundreds and hundreds of people, her jaw would still be on the floor.

WRJ member Abby Fisher praying at the Kotel
Religious Pluralism in Israel

Standing with Women of the Wall

Abigail Fisher
The first time I celebrated Rosh Chodesh with Women of The Wall (WOW) at the Kotel was in 2013 during the WRJ Centennial Mission to Israel. I was fully prepared and expecting to be detained by police. At that time, women were being arrested simply for wearing a tallit – a prayer shawl! For over 30 years, Women of the Wall have led the struggle for women’s right to pray aloud, with tallitot, tefillin, and Torah, at the Kotel in Jerusalem. This is a cause I really believe in. No one, and I mean NO ONE, is going to tell me how to pray or not.