Founded in 2009 by WRJ Board member Resa Davids, WRJ-Israel’s initial goal was to ensure there would be a women's track of workshops at the international World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) Convention in Jerusalem that year. At that time, 15 out of the 25 Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) congregations had formal women’s groups and from those groups, 50 women attended the inaugural meeting. Later that year, at the WRJ 2009 Assembly in Toronto, Canada, each of these 15 Israeli women’s groups was given a gavel and a charter as an official WRJ affiliate.
“Some of our groups are already quite active, while some are still trying to establish themselves. It is very important to state that we are not trying to imitate WRJ Sisterhoods. We are culturally different. Our communities are not mirrors of North American Reform Congregations—we are building an Israeli Movement.”
—WRJ-Israel Founder and WRJ Board member Resa Davids, 2012
Today, WRJ-Israel has grown to include 27 WRJ-affiliated women's groups. Each of these groups has its own goals and runs its own programs in accordance with the WRJ-Israel Mission Statement (in the sidebar). Although WRJ-Israel affiliates differ culturally and structurally from their North American counterparts, they have the support of WRJ in their journey to build an Israeli Movement that promotes the roles of Israeli women in Reform/Progressive Judaism. WRJ-Israel holds an annual national meeting and periodic programs in local communities.
To become involved in a local WRJ-Israel women’s group or find one while traveling abroad, please search the "Find a Sisterhood" Database (in the sidebar), view the contact list (below), or, please contact WRJ Director of Engagement, Heather Lorgeree.
WRJ-Israel Women's Groups
Kibbutz Lotan
Arava Valley
info@klotan.co.il
www.kibbutzlotan.com
Kibbutz Yahel
Arava Valley
www.yahel.org.il
Tefillat Ha’Adam
Caesarea
ayalasamuels@gmail.com
Kehillat HaShahar
Even Yehuda
nknoa21@gmail.com
Kehillat Yuval
Gedera
aefraimi1@gmail.com
Ohel Sarah of Kehillat Ohel Avraham
Haifa
ohel@leobaeck.co.il
Kehillat Or Hadash
Haifa
rabbi@or-hadash-haifa.org.il
https://en.or-hadash-haifa.org.il/
Kehillat Shirat HaYam
Haifa
dlimor@gmail.com
Kehillat Har-El
Jerusalem
office.kharel@gmail.com
Kehillat Kol HaNeshama
Jerusalem
kolhaneshama@kkh.org.il
Kehillat Yedid Nefesh
Carmiel
yedid_nefesh@014.net.il
Kehillat Birkat Shalom
Kibbutz Gezer
info@birkatshalom.net
www.birkatshalom.net
Kehillat Ma’a lot Tivon
Kiryat Tivon
maalottivon@gmail.com
Kehillat Kamatz
Mevasser et Zion
Info@kamatz.com
Kehillat Yozma
Modi’in
yozma@yozma.org.il
www.yozma.org.il
Kehillat Emet VeShalom
Nahariya
emet.veshalom.nahariya@gmail.com
Kehillat Natan-Ya
Natanya
rabbiedgar@gmail.com
Kehillat Ra’anan
Ra’ananah
office@beit-shmueli.org.il
Nashot Noam, of Kehillat Darchei Noam
Ramat HaSharon
liana.dothan@gmail.com
Kehillat Achvat Yisrael
Rishon Letzion
achvatisrael@bezeqint.net
Kehillat Bavat Ayin
Rosh Ha’ayin
office.bavatayin@gmail.com
Kehillat Rosh Pina
Rosh Pina
maayan1885@gmail.com
Kehillat Beit Daniel
Tel Aviv-Jaffa
office@beit-daniel.org.il
www.beit-daniel.org.il
Tefillat HaLev
Tel Aviv
hadaslevin@yahoo.com
Kehillat Tzur Hadassah
Tzur Hadassah
kehilat.tzur.hadassah@gmail.com
Kehillat Har Halutz
Mitzpeh Har Halutz
lori10@012.net.il