Advocacy and Action
Critical Issues and Resolutions
WRJ Midwest District’s and WRJ’s involvement in critical issues is grounded in our identity as Jewish women committed to Jewish values. Civil rights, public education, health care, reproductive rights, social welfare, and other issues require new responses and action.
At each WRJ Assembly, resolutions are passed that enable WRJ to respond to critical issues of the day and to advocate for the positions adopted by the Assembly delegates. This action might take the form of letters to legislators or federal administrations, or signing onto coalition efforts. All Sisterhoods are encouraged to submit issues for consideration by the WRJ Resolutions Committee.
Following each Assembly, copies of the adopted resolutions are sent to all Sisterhoods with a Guide for Advocacy and Action. The Guide provides suggestions to help Sisterhoods implement the resolutions in their congregations and communities by establishing community services and responding to legislative and judicial issues.
The resolutions for the 46th Assembly focused on:
• the passage of legislation requiring employers to provide workers with paid sick days;
• global warming issues;
• human rights and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center;
• empowering Congress to review the drug laws of the United States;
• supporting targeted divestment and other economic actions to cut off funds to Iran;
• passing legislation to increase the minimum wage.
Encouraging Sisterhoods to participate in coalitions with local agencies that deal with issues of local concern is consistent with the broad goals of Women of Reform Judaism. If you have questions about joining a coalition, contact WRJ for advice.
WRJ sends Critical Issue Alerts, under the heading, Social Justice: WRJ Advocacy and Programming, to Sisterhood presidents and to Critical Issues Chairs who request them. To receive these alerts, contact Carolyn Kunin at CKunin@urj.org. WRJ Midwest District also has three Critical Issues/Social Action Co-Chairs, who will be able to assist you with advocacy efforts: Milta Turner, milta115@aol.com, Ann Weisberg, aweisberg@nssed.org Julia Ziev (JCRC), jgziev@sbcglobal.net.
Not sure which issues need your attention? Check out the Action Alerts at www.womenofreformjudaism.org. Also, visit the website of the Religious Action Center at www.rac.org.
You can make a difference.
To reach your United States legislators, call the Capitol Switchboard at
202.224.3121. Ask for your representative or senator by name. After
giving your message, state your name and address.The phone number for the White House is 202.456.1111.
The phone number for the Secretary of State is 202.674.9572.
WRJ projects
An Overview
The projects of WRJ are the means by which Women of Reform Judaism collectively strengthen the institutions and programs of Reform Judaism, Israel, and the Jewish people. Support of these projects not only means that the women of Reform Judaism assume their rightful responsibility in our larger family, but they also provide a “window of opportunity” for a Sisterhood to help its members understand that they are part of a world-wide movement. Each local Sisterhood member acquires a sense of achievement and satisfaction in knowing that her Sisterhood’s support has had a direct impact on people, policies, and institutions throughout the world and that our Sisterhoods have, indeed, made a difference.
WRJ’s key projects are described below. In addition, from time to time, Sisterhoods are asked to participate in special projects, such as The Torah: A Women’s Commentary. These projects are testaments to WRJ’s commitment to Torah (pursuing life-long learning), Avodah (seeking spiritual connection and purpose) and G’milut Chasadim (caring for others) as WRJ strives to strengthen and to ensure the future of Reform/Progressive Judaism.
The YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) is WRJ’s most vital project and is also the oldest commitment shared by Women of Reform Judaism. Through the YES Fund, Sisterhoods and individuals work collectively to strengthen the institutions of Reform/Progressive Judaism and to ensure the future of Reform Jewish leadership by meeting the needs of our rabbinical and cantorial students, our youth, and organizations throughout the Reform/Progressive Jewish Movement in North America and around the world.
Sisterhoods participate in the YES Fund by purchasing Uniongrams and other YES Fund items, including Goldengrams, contribution cards, High Holy Day cards, mazel tov cards, Chanukah cards, thank you cards, note cards, post cards, gift enclosures, WRJ Post-It Notes, confirmation sets, Chai certificates, and YES Fund e-cards. Sisterhoods also make cash contributions to the YES Fund. (Sisterhoods are entitled to receive YES Fund merchandise equaling the amount of their YES Fund contribution. Shipping, however, is not included.)
Individuals participate in the YES Fund by joining the Circle of Service or by purchasing a Lifeline. Circle of Service donations are annual donations, starting at $36, to whatever amount the individual chooses. These monies, combined with other donations, can be used immediately. Lifeline is a gift that keeps on giving, as these monies go into an Endowment Fund. The principal remains intact and only the annual interest is used. The Individual Lifeline Levels are:
Centennial $100,000 (one payment or $10,000 annually for 10 years)
Emerald $36,000 (one payment or $4,500 annually over 8 years)
Diamond $18,000 (one payment or $3,000 annually over six years)
Pearl $10,000 (one payment or $2,000 annually over five years)
Golden $5,000 (one payment or $1,250 annually over four years)
Silver $1,800 (one payment or $600 annually over three years)
Upon completion of a Lifeline level – Silver, Gold, Pearl, Diamond, Emerald, or Centennial – individuals are presented with a handmade Lifeline pin, corresponding to the level of the contribution. The individual’s name will also be listed in a special booklet, published biennially. Through the Legacy Program, when a woman moves up to the next level of Lifeline, she is encouraged to return her Lifeline pin to WRJ and her pin can then be passed on to someone else. The purchase of a Lifeline is a wonderful way to honor someone. A confirmation, a graduation, or an ordination are all examples of a perfect occasion to contribute a Lifeline. New Lifeline pledges will need to be completed in full within the specified time frame for each level. Lifeline contributions are made as individuals and are not counted toward a Sisterhood’s annual YES Fund contribution.
Sisterhoods Say YES Lifeline Campaign. In 2004, WRJ introduced a YES Fund Lifeline Campaign for Sisterhoods, creating an opportunity for Sisterhoods to contribute to a Lifeline. The Lifeline pin, like the WRJ Sisterhood President’s pin, will then be passed down from president to president. In this way, the Sisterhood President can become an ambassador for the YES Fund and proudly talk about the people and programs that our YES Fund supports. Sisterhood Lifeline levels are discussed on the WRJ website. Sisterhoods that participate in the Sisterhoods Say YES Campaign will be honored at WRJ Assemblies.
The YES Fund Awards are presented to Sisterhoods every two years at the WRJ Assembly to acknowledge their support of the YES Fund.
• The Kavod (“Honor”) Award, in memory of Helen M. Dalsheimer, acknowledges Sisterhoods that have demonstrated exemplary support of the YES Fund for three consecutive Assembly periods (six years).
• The Achat (“Individual”) Award is given to the one Sisterhood with the largest per capita contribution through the sale of YES Fund items and/or cash contributions to the YES Fund during the two-year period prior to the Assembly.
• The Avodah (“Service”) Award is given to the Sisterhood in each of four membership size categories that has made the highest total contribution through the sale of YES Fund items and/or cash contributions to the YES Fund during the two-year period prior to the Assembly.
• The L’Chaim (“To Life”) Award is given to the Sisterhood with the highest percentage of new Lifeline members during the two year period prior to the Assembly.
• The Ma’agal (“Circle”) Award is given to the Sisterhood with the highest percentage of new Circle of Service members (at any level other than Lifeline) during the two-year period prior to the Assembly.
World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) WUPJ is the umbrella organization of Reform, Progressive, and Liberal Judaism, working in more than forty countries throughout the world. Women of Reform Judaism is the women’s affiliate of the World Union and is represented on its governing body and its North American Board. The work of WUPJ includes:
• establishing and nurturing synagogues in Israel, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern and Western Europe;
• striving for social justice, affirming Jewish identity, and pursuing equal rights;
• training future religious and educational leaders and supporting their efforts in their communities; and
• guiding Jews from isolation and persecution into a new era of freedom.
Sisterhoods are encouraged to budget for a level of support for WUPJ that is commensurate with their own membership size and to also contribute additional funds through special fundraising efforts.
JBI International (formerly Jewish Braille Institute). Through JBI International’s programs of Brailing, typing, large-print books, recordings, and tapes, many blind and partially-sighted Jewish men and women throughout the world are able to “see” once again. Braille editions, in Hebrew and English, are available for the Union Prayer Book, Gates of Prayer, Gates of Repentance, and Haggadah, as well as the Bible. Complete large-print editions of many of these books have also been prepared. Each year, WRJ makes a substantial donation to JBI International.
WRJ, as founder and patron of JBI International, considers it a privilege and an obligation to continue its financial support of the ongoing programs of JBI International. Each Sisterhood is encouraged to include, in its annual budget, an allocation to enable WRJ to continue its support of the blind and visually impaired.
Fund for the Generations. The Fund for the Generations was established with a clear purpose: to safeguard the continuity and growth of Sisterhoods. The net proceeds of this endowment fund are earmarked to help Women of Reform Judaism assist Sisterhoods in meeting the needs of their membership. Through WRJ publications, programs, leadership seminars, speakers, and new initiatives, all Sisterhoods, large and small, benefit from contributions to the Fund for the Generations. Donations to the Fund for the Generations enable WRJ to sustain affiliated Sisterhoods today and for generations to come.
Donations to the Fund for the Generations in another’s honor are welcomed. Birthdays, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or graduations are examples of a perfect occasion to contribute to the Fund for the Generations. Notification is sent to the honoree, acknowledging the contribution.