September 2026 / Tishrei 5787 | | |
Greetings!
What is in this month's issue:
- Greetings from the Co-presidents
- Eastern District Upcoming Events
- Sisterhoods / Women's Groups Upcoming Events
- Advocacy and Social Justice
- Sharing Sisterhoods / Women's Groups Past Events
- More Info from our Districts
- WRJ Happenings
- WRJ Resources and Eastern District Social Media
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Greetings, WRJ Eastern District!
We are both proud and honored to be your co-presidents of our new WRJ Eastern District! It was a pleasure to meet and spend time with many of you at our convention in May 2026 in Wilmington, DE. We look forward to meeting more of you during our term, which concludes in 2029.
The first couple of months have been very busy behind the scenes. There is a lot involved with creating a new district. We have been meeting with co-1st VPs, Bernice Porrazzo and Sharon Zydney, as well as with members of the Executive Committee to get started. We have also been meeting with women who will hold stand-alone positions and chair standing committees. There is a place for each and every woman in the district who wants a role in creating our new community. Please contact us about how you would like to participate!
Our district has grown, and we plan to have regional and virtual events. This will allow women to join together without major travel. If you are planning an event that you would like to share regionally or know of an event (show, exhibit, speaker, etc) around which an event might take place, let us know!
Meanwhile, there are several things on which we’d like to focus your attention:
-
Fried Women’s Summit: December 9-10, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA
-
Nominations for the WRJ Board are due September 28, 2026
-
WRJ Eastern District gathering to see the Simeon Solomon exhibit: April 11, 2027 in
Wilmington, DE.
You will find more information about all of these items below! That’s all for now.
L'Shana Tova,
Abby Gilbert abbyfgf@gmail.com HarrietAnn Litwin hslitwin@icloud.com
WRJ Eastern District Co-presidents
| | Eastern District Upcoming Events | | |
Join your WRJ Eastern District sisters for a special day at the
Delaware Art Museum as we enjoy a guided tour of the exhibition:
"Simeon Solomon: Queer and Jewish in Victorian London"
Additional details, including registration information and the day's schedule,
will be shared in early Fall.
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For questions, please contact Mindy Miller, Vice President of Programs & Events,
click here.
We look forward to sharing this meaningful and inspiring experience with you!
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Have another program idea? We'd love to hear it!
If you're interested in volunteering or would like more information,
please contact Mindy Miller, Vice President of Programs & Events,
click here.
Together, we can create meaningful programs that connect, inspire, and engage our
WRJ Eastern District community!
| | Upcoming Sisterhood/Women's Groups Events | | |
Broadway and screen legend
Tovah Feldshuh is coming to D.C.!
Whether you know her from Netflix’s "Nobody Wants This" or her decades-long career on stage and screen, don't miss this chance to see her in person.
Women of WHC invites you to the D.C. area premiere of TOVAH, a documentary celebrating Tovah Feldshuh’s extraordinary life. Following the screening, there will be a Q & A with Feldshuh and the film's director.
Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 4:00 pm (3:00 pm for exclusive Meet & Greet)
Location: Northwest D.C. (location will be shared with registered attendees)
RSVP: whctemple.org/tovah
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Click here to register for the program.
Once you fill in the Zoom registration form,
you will be emailed a dedicated link to join the program.
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Register online by clicking this link.
For more information click here.
| Advocacy and Social Justice | |
Every Voice, Every Vote
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) works to promote social justice and encourage voting through its Every Voice, Every Vote (EVOV) Campaign. Every election matters—local, state, and national—and our votes help shape policies on issues important to our communities and values.
One way to make a difference is by sending handwritten postcards to registered voters who have not voted recently. Anyone in any state can participate. RAC provides postcard packets with instructions and voter addresses.
Please order your postcards ASAP. Completed postcards should be mailed
September 15–October 1. Donations toward postcards and stamps are appreciated.
The best part? Joining others who care about making a difference!
Questions? Please click to contact RAC. I work with RAC-PA and am happy to help.
Linda Kline, WRJ Eastern District, VP Advocacy
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🌱 Go Green—and Save Money—with Adamah!
Want practical ways to make your congregation more sustainable and save money? Join Adamah—membership is free! Adamah offers resources, programs, and grants and loans through its Climate Action Fund to help congregations tackle energy-saving and environmental projects.
My congregation recently used Adamah’s resources while exploring solar panels. Their guidance helped us quickly understand the costs, permits, and process—even though we ultimately decided solar wasn’t right for us.
Ready to take action? Visit Adamah.org and discover how Adamah can help your congregation create a greener future—one step at a time.
Linda Kline, WRJ Eastern District, VP Advocacy
| Sharing Sisterhood/Women's Groups' Past Events | | |
The Women of Temple Rodef Shalom (WoTRS) in Falls Church, Virginia held a record-breaking YES Fund event on July 12. Together, 45 people gathered to say “YES” to summer food, fun, and philanthropy, raising a record $3,723. Thank you to our wonderful Co-Chairs, Josie Hertz-Ackerman and Bernice Porrazzo for their hard work and dedication in supporting this meaningful cause.
Helene Waranch, past president of the North American Board of Women of Reform Judaism and our District’s own “National Treasure” shared a warm and engaging look at the YES Fund’s beginnings, including its early support for scholarships at Hebrew Union College and the National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), as well as the many other meaningful grantees supported by the YES Fund.
Guests enjoyed a delicious homemade luncheon of appetizers, salads, fruit, and desserts donated by members. Many thanks to all the attendees for their contributions to the YES Fund.
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Mod Podge & Margaritas: A Fantastic Start to the Sisterhood Year!
The Sisterhood of Adath Emanu-El kicked off its new year with Mod Podge & Margaritas on August 18, 2026—and what a success it was!
A record-breaking 45 people attended, including an incredible percentage of Sisterhood members for a first event! Everyone had a wonderful time getting creative as we mod podged seashells into beautiful home décor pieces while enjoying delicious, refreshing margaritas.
The evening was filled with creativity, laughter, friendship, and fun. What a fabulous way to launch a new year of Sisterhood events! We can’t wait to see what’s next!
| | More Information from Our District | |
To KEEP WRJ UP TO DATE! Please click the link and fill out the form with your sisterhood's or women's group's most up-to-date leadership and their contact information.
2026/27 Sisterhood Leadership Information Form
Through WRJ’s philanthropic arm, the YES Fund, WRJ supports Youth, Education, and Special projects that develop future leaders of the Reform Movement, advocate for the voice and rights of women, and expand diversity and innovation throughout the Jewish world. Click the link below to find out more information/and or contribute to it. WRJ YES Fund
Apply to Join the WRJ Board!
If you are looking for an opportunity to meet and interact with focused, dedicated, and amazing women and to get involved in WRJ on the organizational level, look no further than the WRJ North American Board. The application process for board service is now open. Just click this link to complete the application: North American Board application by September 28th.
What to expect: During the first year of your term, you will participate in board training to become familiar with the workings of the board. During subsequent years, you will be invited to join one of the many WRJ committees.
The board meets approximately quarterly, primarily by zoom. There is one face-to-face board meeting annually.
WRJ is looking new, talented members to join our Board. And if you are a former member of WRJ’s Board and want rejoin, remember that you can also reapply for a new term. Remember, applications are due September 28, 2026.
Communicate with other WRJ North American sisters online in a secure, private platform. Exchange ideas. Ask questions. Access important documents. Get the latest scoop on WRJ. Be sure to join the Eastern District space.
Join Us on Mighty Networks, call the WRJ office.
| | Eastern District Swag Store! | | |
Shop till you drop! There is something for everyone with our Eastern District logo.
Purchase one or more items at the Eastern District Swag store to show your spirit when you attend your meetings, Kallah, Area Day, etc.
Click here for Your New Swag Options!
For questions email Miriam Sandler, click here.
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Do you want your sisterhood/women's group events
in the district's newsletter?
Submit information by downloading this digital request form and fill in needed information. Email the completed form along with photo attachments to Marcia Bornfriend, before the 5th of each month.
To have your board members receive the newsletter directly, please send a spreadsheet with the first name, last name and email address for of board members to Marcia Bornfriend also by the 5th of the month.
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Please share our KOLOT Voices newsletter with your
Sisterhood/Women's Group Members.
| | Women of Reform Judaism Happenings | | |
WRJ presents a preview program October 19 at 7:30 pm ET:
"Simeon Solomon: Queer and Jewish in Victorian London".
It is now open for registration!
Click here to register and receive your Zoom link.
This WRJ Zoom sponsored talk offers a behind-the-scenes preview to whet your appetite to visit the Delaware Museum to view in-person on April 11, 2027 to go with the Eastern District tour at the Delaware Art Museum for the Simeon Solomon exhibition.
The October preview program will be led by Dr. Roberto C. Ferrari, a leading Simeon Solomon scholar, and Dr. Sophie Lynford, curator of the Delaware Art Museum’s Bancroft Pre-Raphaelite Collection.
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A Gift to the WRJ Ner Tamid Legacy Society is an opportunity for you to ensure the future of WRJ. From “generation to generation”, you’ll know you’ve made a difference. As it is written in the Talmud, “I did not find this world desolate when I entered it, my parents planted for those who will come”.
Your planned gift will be your legacy, continuing your support for decades to come. Membership includes recognition of your future gift by WRJ, a unique Ner Tamid pin, invitations to special donor events, and your name in WRJ publications (optional).
A direct Legacy Gift reflects your life, values, hopes, and dreams. It involves no upfront funds, no set levels of giving, and no minimum gift amounts. If you would like to discuss options for giving or to help decide if a Legacy Gift is right for you, email sfirsel@gmail.com.
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WRJ’s flagship event, Fried Women's Summit, is a 24+ hour experience to hone leadership skills, further Jewish learning, partake in women-led worship and music, and deepen connections with other sisterhoods, women, and the WRJ community. Early bird deadline is September 30th. Click here for more information and to register for this event.
Scholarships are available until 9/30 by clicking this link.
| | Check out the Women of Reform Judaism page to find out what other sisterhoods and Women's Groups are doing across North America. | | ------WRJ Resources------------------Eastern District Social Media | | | | |
