Greetings!

• President's Message
• Understanding Microaggressions - October 9 - Save the Date
• Mid-Atlantic District Innovations and Engagement Microgrants
• Eastern District Convention - April 30 - May 3, 2026 - Save the Date
• More from the District and Beyond

President's Message

When I joined the WRJ Executive Committee more than 5 years ago, then President Sara Charney gave each of us a copy of the book, Boys in the Boat. I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling, non-fiction narrative that I presumed was shared with us to encourage teamwork. In all honesty, I hadn’t thought further about the book in several years, until this past weekend. 

My husband and I decided on a rare at-home movie and wine night, and we came upon the film version of this book and watched it. Perhaps it took a visual version, the current WRJ emphasis on leadership, my own role in joining our Mad-Atlantic District with the Atlantic District smoothly into one entity or the state of current events. Perhaps it is a mix of all of those things, but it did have an effect on me. Here are my take aways:

• Nothing comes easy. There are no shortcuts to success. It takes perseverance and resilience to overcome challenges.  
• Rowing in the same direction together will propel you forward. There is power in unity and collaboration. When we work together we can achieve extraordinary things. 
• Sometimes we feel exhausted from rowing against a strong current. Perhaps we feel that we fell so far behind, we will never catch up. There is always hope that if you don’t give up you can triumph as in this Cinderella account. And even if your expectations are not met, you can always find triumph in knowing you did your best.

As we approach fall and our holidays, I want to thank our many teams of volunteers for all that you do. I want to recognize that the work we do together is not always easy. I want to remind you that our goals are the same. We want to live our Jewish values, build a strong community of women by welcoming all, and practicing tikkun olam aimed at creating a better, more equitable, and just world. We are a team.



My wishes for you to have a year filled with joy and sweetness, L‘shanah Tovah u’metukah.

In Sisterhood,

Andrea

Understanding Microaggressions – Words do matter!

Thursday, October 9, 7:30 PM

Get ready to learn, unlearn, and level up!



We’re hosting a dynamic, interactive workshop all about microaggressions—what they are, how they show up (especially in Jewish spaces), and what to do when they do. We’ll dig into real-life examples, share strategies to interrupt harm (even when we’re the ones who caused it), and create space for growth, reflection, and community. All are welcome—don’t miss this chance to learn and grow together!

  Register here

Mid-Atlantic District Innovation & Engagement Grants

Deadline Alert!



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

The Mid-Atlantic Innovation and Engagement Grant is a rolling grant that will fund new social justice and engagement programs in an amount between $250-$750 and can be combined with other funding opportunities. Applications are being accepted now for Fall 2025 programs. 

Applications will not be accepted after October 31, 2025! If sisterhoods or individual members show no interest, this may be the last opportunity to obtain a grant.

Additionally, this opportunity will not continue if sisterhoods or individual members show no interest. This may be your last chance to secure a grant.

Click here for the application and criteria explanation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marilyn Morrison at marilynmorrison1990@gmail.com or 703-989-7960.

Click here to apply!

Convention is coming! Convention is coming!

April 30-May 3, 2026, in Wilmington, Delaware

WE NEED ALL OF YOUR TALENTS!



You can contribute by sharing your many talents. Convention provides the opportunity for you to shine by helping to design worship experiences, plan programming, help with communications/publicity (are you an artist?), registration, meal planning, and fundraising (with fun raising!).

Added Benefits of Volunteering

As you have probably heard, the Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic Districts are unifying to form the Eastern District at this convention.

• Get a jump on meeting some of your new future-Eastern sisters by working together to make this one wonderful convention.
• Add to your sense of belonging by contributing and connecting. Many hands make light work.

Please contact HarrietAnn Litwin, Mid-Atlantic 1st VP, at hslitwin@icloud.com and become a part of the Eastern District Convention 2026!

Outstanding opportunities you don’t want to miss!  

Thursday, October 9; Understanding Microaggressions; 7:30 pm, details above

Monday, October 20; Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan: Experiencing Israel through the Bitter and the Sweet, 12 pm, details below

Thursday, April 30 - Sunday, May 3; Eastern District Convention - Save the Date

Saturday, November 1 & Sunday, November 2 - Mid-Atlantic District Area Day - Area 1

More from the District and Beyond ...

Mid-Atlantic District Area Days - Area 1

November 1 & 2, 2025

Come meet women from other Sisterhoods/Women’s Groups in your WRJ Area

Click here for all the details!

Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan: Experiencing Israel through the Bitter and the Sweet

October 20, 2025, 12 PM

“Rosh,” the Hebrew word for “head,” is part of both our Jewish calendar and Israeli society in history, politics, current events, slang, song, and sites. After Rosh HaShanah and all the holidays in the month of Tishrei, Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan ushers in a month without any holidays. The word “mar” – Hebrew for “bitter” – is sometimes not used when referring to the month; instead, it may be referred to simply as "Cheshvan." On this virtual tour with Shari Robins, we will travel together (virtually) to Israeli sites in nature, history, and politics related to the word “rosh,” looking at both the sweet sides of Israel while also exploring some of the bitter topics, such as the recent 12-day war with Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza. As always, we will connect to Israel through language, song, and off-the-beaten-track places.

Register here

WRJ Lifeline Pins

District Convention planning is well underway, and a wonderful element is the recognition of those individuals who have completed their Lifelines.

A Lifeline commitment is an investment in the future of our Jewish community. Contributions to the Lifeline Endowment are invested and directly support our YES Fund grantees. 

We’d love to be able to celebrate the generosity and support of the YES Fund. So, if you’ve started your Lifeline or want to start one, you can structure payments to finish in time for the district convention next spring.

https://urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/pnec5uy0dvw5iv/

Questions? Reach out to WRJ N.A. YES Fund chair Deb Lelchuk at lelchukdebwrj@gmail.com. 

Attention All Sisterhood and Women's Group Leaders!

The women in your sisterhoods and women’s groups are entitled to receive information from the WRJ Mid-Atlantic District. We also encourage you to share information with friends, relatives, and others in your community who may be interested. WRJ has individual memberships available.

To receive our monthly newsletter: Contact madmarketcom@gmail.com

Check out the Women of Reform Judaism page to find out what other sisterhoods are doing across North America.

Click here to see the latest WRJ program calendar.