Mid-Atlantic

This District includes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina (except Charlotte and Davidson), Virginia, and Charleston, West Virginia.

Welcome to WRJ Mid-Atlantic District!

Greetings from Andrea Stillman, Mid-Atlantic District President

Andrea Stillman Headshot

I am honored to serve as your District President for the next three years.

In March 2023, we prayed, learned, sang, and socialized together at our Making Waves Together District convention in Ocean City, Maryland. From the moment we began at our Ice Cream Social Thursday evening, the excitement was palpable. Long-time members saw and hugged their friends for the first time in many years. Perhaps even more heartwarming was watching these same members welcome and embrace those joining us for the first time.

During a beautiful installation ceremony, the baton was passed from a wonderful executive committee led by outgoing president, Marilyn Morrison, to the new district leaders. While I am so proud to work side-by-side with a group of talented and enthusiastic group of ladies, I want to reiterate my deep-rooted belief that the WRJ Mid-Atlantic District is really about all of us supporting each other and working together. I want to meet as many of you as possible; I want to hear your needs; I want to hear your ideas; and I want to hear your constructive criticism. Without you, success will be elusive.

I began doing that just that this past weekend by joining the Ohef Sholom Temple Sisterhood in Norfolk, VA, for their beautiful Women’s Shabbat service and the next day luncheon. There was so much positive dialog, and I believe I saw many idea bubbles appear, starting with my own. Please invite me to come to your sisterhood events and/or your Board meetings. I will always do my best to join you.

Non-profit organizations rely on volunteerism to run, and the district is no exception. I understand we are all so busy, and we have made so many of our opportunities into huge commitments of time and other resources. I am dedicated to expanding ways you can get involved by meeting you where you are. Volunteering brings you closer to our mission and enables opportunities for personal growth and friendship. You are all valuable; we do not measure your value in the number of hours you have to give. With all that is going on in our country and abroad, this is an opportune time to join together as Reform Jewish women.

To close, I want to thank Marilyn Morrison, Margee Greenfield, and Louise Johanson for their service to the MAD Executive Committee. Notice I did not say goodbye. Marilyn will be active as our Immediate Past President, and Margee and Louise are just a phone call away, always willing to help.

I end by extending a heartfelt welcome and thank you to the new Executive Committee. You will meet all these extraordinary women on our website, in the Candle, at meetings, and Zoom programming over the course of the next few months.

In Sisterhood,

Andrea

District Camp Scholarships for First-Time URJ Camp Attendees

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Three Campers Jumping Joyfully into the Lake

Mid-Atlantic District is offering scholarships to:

 

  • First time attendees of any URJ camp

  • Campers with a family connection to a Mid-Atlantic District member (mother or grandmother)

  • Camper must reside within the Mid-Atlantic District

  • One scholarship per family per year

  • Scholarship will cover a maximum of 10% of camp registration.

  • Camper agrees to share experiences with their local Jewish community.

* Having participated in Taste of Camp partial sessions does not disqualify the camper.

How to apply:

  • Complete scholarship application by February 15, 2025.

  • Recipients will be notified by March 1, 2025, if they have been selected for a camp scholarship.

    For more information: Please contact Louise Johanson.

Mid-Atlantic District Innovation & Engagement Grant Opportunities

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  • Do you have an innovative program that will have a meaningful impact?  
  • Do you have a program that engages in the areas of sisterhood/community building, spirituality, or personal enrichment and growth? 
  • Are you preparing a Social justice or advocacy program that includes WRJ resolutions and high priority issues?  
  • Are you preparing a program that will provide outreach to other groups?

We are excited to announce the Mid-Atlantic Innovation and Engagement Grant Program, which provides the opportunity for your affiliated women's group/individual member to receive funding for a project relating to engagement, social justice or advocacy, spirituality, or personal enrichment and growth. The rolling grant application will fund between $250-$750 and can be combined with other funding opportunities.  Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2025. Your program must be completed by December 31, 2025. The grants will be awarded on a rolling basis as received.  

If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn Morrison at marilynmorrison1990@gmail.com.

Supporting Israel from Afar: WRJ Resources

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Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut

WRJ stands with the people of Israel during these difficult and challenging days and pray for the safety and immediate release of all of the hostages.

As the war persists in Israel, we urge you to keep up to date on what we are doing and ways you can help.

On the WRJ Blog

With Hope, We Carry On

As we once again come up on Parashat Mishpatim, the portion of the Torah that contains the verses commonly referred to as the foundation of Judaism’s approach to reproductive health, rights, and justice, we will celebrate Repro Shabbat. You can find out more information about WRJ’s history of

On A Roll - Hitting YES Fund Goals!

By definition, an honor roll is a list of the names of people who are celebrated for something they have done, such as doing very well in a sport or in school. For example, if you study hard, you can make your school’s honor roll. Honor roll in WRJ world has a broader, more encompassing meaning. We