Over the past 10 decades, Women of Reform Judaism has led the Movement in social action advocacy. WRJ Resolutions have preceded policy in many areas, such as women's and civil rights and economic justice.
In 2013, in honor of WRJ's Centennial Year, WRJ Vice President Sharon K. Benoff, WRJ Board member & WRJ Resolutions Committee Chair Professor Sally Frank, WRJ/RAC Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Sarah Greenberg, and WRJ Board member & Resolutions Committee Chair Dr. Jane Seigel, z''l, put together a list of the 12 most important resolutions from WRJ's first 100 years. This list explores how our previous struggles have successfully triumphed to forge new paths in advocacy and social justice.
1923: Representation of Women on Union Boards and Commissions
1933: On Cooperation with the Jewish Braille Institute
1935: Birth Control Literature
1963: Ordination of Women as Rabbis
1991: Rights of Gay Men and Lesbian Women
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Resolutions
Since 1913, WRJ has led the Reform Movement in social action advocacy. Our Resolutions have preceded policy in many areas, such as women's reproductive rights, civil rights, and economic justice.
Resolution Archive
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Resolutions & Statements: 2010 - 2018
2018 Child Marriage Affordable Housing 2017 Pluralism in Israel Sexual Violence in Schools Racial Profiling Human Trafficking 2016 Zika Virus Supreme Court Vacancy 2015 Distracted Driving Paid Family & Medical Leave Pay Equity The Crisis of Syrian and Other Refugees from the Middle East The Crisis
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Resolutions & Statements: 2000 - 2009
2009 Economic Priorities for the New Administration and Congress Elder Abuse Food Production and Distribution Immigration Statement on Child Marriage 2008 Paid Sick Leave 2007 Divestment Policy to End Genocide in Darfur Drug Policy Global Warming Human Rights and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp
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Resolutions & Statements: 1990 - 1999
1999 Children as Soldiers Crisis in the Balkans Equal Justice and Equal Protection Hate Crimes Health Issues School Vouchers 1997 Apprehension and Prosecution of War Criminals Child Abuse in the Home Children's Issues in North America Continuing Tragedies of the Shoah End of Life Care Gay and
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Resolutions & Statements: 1980 - 1989
1989 East-West Relations International Literacy Year Israel North American Federation of Temple Youth Protecting the United States Constitution Reproductive Rights Substance Abuse - Health Hazard Women at the Wall 1987 Bicentennial of the Constitution Civil Rights Restoration Act Ethics in Science
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Resolutions & Statements: 1970 - 1979
1979 Boat People Children's Rights Commitment to Jewish Values Diplomatic Immunity - Hostages in Iran Energy Holocaust Human Rights Israel and Peace in the Middle East Kampuchea-Cambodia National Association of Temple Educators North American Federation of Temple Youth Salt II Soviet Jewry Troubled
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Resolutions & Statements: 1960 - 1969
1969 Environmental Pollution Hunger Israel (A Most Important Resolution of Our First 100 Years) Priorities for Peace Religious Education The Activism of Youth 1967 Anti-Poverty, Crime, and Firearm Legislation Interreligious Dialogue Israel Representation in the UAHC The United Nations and Human
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Resolutions and Statements: 1950 - 1959
1959 Capital Punishment Discrimination in Housing Immigration Peace and Disarmament 1957 Disarmament Immigration The Middle East The Worth of the Individual 1955 Arms to the Middle East Desegregation Disarmament Genocide Immigration Individual Liberties Spiritual Rededication Technical Assistance
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Resolutions & Statements: 1940 - 1949
1949 Displaced Persons Genocide (A Most Important Resolution of Our First 100 Years) Human Rights Jerusalem and its Holy Places Regulations of Armaments and Control of Atomic Energy The Sabbath The United Nations 1948 Displaced Persons Human Rights International Trade Organization Charter Sabbath
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Resolutions & Statements: 1930 - 1939
1939 Gratitude to President Roosevelt 1938 Distinction Between Civil Liberties and Military Functions German Jewish Emigres Gratitude to Oswald G. Villard Peace Education 1937 Music and Prayers for Israel World Peace 1936 Analysis of Ruthless Discrimination Child Labor Costigan-Wagner Federal Anti
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Resolutions & Statements: 1920 - 1929
1929 Director of Young Folk's Activities Participation in World Friendship Project Peace Prayer 1927 Arbitration Urged Bezalel School Eliminate Compulsory Military Training Endorse Treaty of Traffic in Arms Conference Flag Association Endorsed International Disarmament Urged International Justice
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Resolutions & Statements: 1913 - 1919
1919 A Book of Biblical Selections and Prayers Attendance at Religious Services Religious School Libraries Subscription to Jewish Periodicals University Extension Work 1917 Free Religious Schools 1915 Celebration of Passover and Sabbath Eve Immigration Bill (A Most Important Resolution of Our First
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Our History
A Brief WRJ History On January 21, 1913, 156 delegates representing 52 congregational women’s groups met in Cincinnati, OH to organize the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS, now WRJ). Carrie O. Simon was chosen to serve as temporary chairwoman and later as the first president. Advocacy