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WRJ Districts
An Explanation
Given the widespread geographic distribution of affiliated Sisterhoods and the necessity to communicate effectively with our local Sisterhoods, WRJ-affiliated Sisterhoods are grouped into districts. WRJ Midwest District, which is one of eight districts, encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northwest Indiana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The districts serve as liaisons between the local Sisterhoods and WRJ and provide leadership training and support. District leadership is available to provide hands-on assistance, as needed, in a wide variety of areas, including organizational issues, planning, and programming. Districts also provide assistance with the implementation of the programs and projects of WRJ. Sisterhoods are encouraged to take advantage of the many services and programs offered by the districts.
The geographic area assigned to each district varies greatly, ranging from three to twelve states. Each district is further divided into smaller “areas” for accessibility. All Sisterhoods, no matter in which district they are located, are linked together as members of Women of Reform Judaism, sharing common goals and supporting the same programs.
Every year, district presidents attend a meeting of the District Presidents Council at Camp Kutz in Warwick, New Jersey, before the spring WRJ Board Meeting. District first vice presidents are encouraged to attend this meeting. The district presidents also meet prior to the WRJ Leadership Conference. At both of these gatherings, district presidents discuss questions of mutual interest, including leadership training and district operations.
Governance Structure of WRJ Midwest District
The WRJ Midwest District is governed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of the Executive Committee (including members of the WRJ Board of Directors who reside in our district), Chairs of Standing Committees, the Sisterhood president(s) of each affiliated Sisterhood, and WRJ Midwest District past presidents. The Committee Chairs are organized into four departments, headed by the four department vice presidents.
Departments and Portfolios
First Vice President Marcy Frost
Area Directors
METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
Alese Goers, goers700@aol.com
Julie Newman, jbubly6@comcast.net
Lynne Turry, lturry@comcast.net
CHICAGO SOUTH SUBURBAN/NORTHWEST INDIANA/DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS
Kristin Stern, Stern730@msn.com
Adina Sutlin, asutlin@yahoo.com
IOWA/NEBRASKA
Marlen Frost, minyfrost@aol.com
MINNESOTA/NORTH DAKOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA
Harriette Krasnoff, hrkras@comcast.net
Sue Stein, sue@steinmoore.com
WISCONSIN/WESTERN ILLINOIS
Sue Center, slcenter@wisc.edu
Jodi Oskin Harris, jtkoskin@aol.com
Department on Service to Sisterhoods
Vice President Carol Berger
ALUMNAE, Lynne Ballesta
AsSISt (formerly New Affiliates/Retention), Sandi Firsel and Terri Argentar
MEMBERSHIP & OUTREACH, Janet Buckstein
NOMINATING, Sherri Feuer
SPEAKERS BUREAU, Sue Schneider
Department on DEvelopment and WRJ Projects
Vice President Esther Schak
CAMP (OSRUI and GUCI), Michelle Scheinkopf and Peggy Rubenstein
LIFELINE/CIRLCE OF SERVICE/YES FUND, Helen Gold
WRJ PROJECTS, Dolly DeCaro
Department on Marketing and Communications
Vice President Ilene Lanin-Kettering
BYLAW REVISIONS, Susan Pittelman
DATA MANAGEMENT/DIRECTORY, Lynn Ullenbrauck
HISTORIAN, Peggy Kipp
THE MESSENGER, Penny Shnay
WEBSITE, Gayle Hachen
Department on Programming and Advocacy
Vice President Marilyn Oskin
CRITICAL ISSUES/SOCIAL ACTION, Sally Frank, Julia Ziev (JCRC)
KALLAH, Jacqueline Marcus and Marilyn Weisberg
PROGRAMMING, Marsha Cooper
RELIGIOUS RITUALS/WORSHIP, Diane Frichol
RHODA HAUPTMAN MEMORIAL AWARD, Liz Mack and Sheila Schuman
YOUTH (EARLY CHILDHOOD/NFTY/KESHER) Naomi Shapiro
An Explanation of our Logos
WRJ Logo
When the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods changed its name to Women of Reform Judaism, The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, WRJ asked Holocaust survivor Morris Wyszograd to design a logo to convey WRJ’s new image. The design was to represent an organization inclusive of all its members, emphasize WRJ’s tie to the Reform Movement, and reinforce the partnership between Sisterhood and the individual. The logo designed by Mr. Wyszograd was recently updated, but much of the original symbolism remains. The WRJ logo uses as its core the initial “J,” which stands for Judaism. Above the letter “J” are three leaves, symbolizing the pride, dignity, and self-esteem of being Jewish, and the continuing growth and productivity of Sisterhood. A circle branching out from one of the leaves symbolizes the world and the international role of Reform Judaism. But the circle is unfinished, reminding us that our work is never done and much more lies ahead. (It was recently suggested that another reason that the circle was left open is to remind us that Sisterhoods are to remain all-inclusive.)
WRJ Midwest District Pin
Our WRJ Midwest District pin is blue and white, the colors of Israel. The name of our district, encircled by the WRJ logo, signifies that we serve the Sisterhoods in our district, as well as the greater community, through our connection with the Women of Reform Judaism. We are truly “Stronger Together.”