Parashat Pinchas
Perhaps there are wise women in your life — mothers, grandmothers, aunts, relatives, ancestors, or friends — who have guided you in some way, large or small, on your journey. This week, as I begin my new role as Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism, I am grateful to the wise leaders who have come before me in WRJ’s 110-year history.
The Path Forward on Abortion Resource Guide
Here are some resources and actions to protect and advance abortion access, including assistance for people seeking abortions and the organizations that provide that healthcare.
Parashat Balak
This week we encounter the strange tale of Balak (king of Moab,) Balaam (a non-Israelite prophet,) and Balaam’s she-donkey, who, like most of the females in the Torah, has no name. Let’s call her Jennie, which, after all, is the term for a she-donkey.
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A Farewell Message from Marla
As you can imagine, these final days as the WRJ Executive Director are bittersweet as I prepare to embark on the next stage of my professional journey. While I am looking forward to the opportunities and new adventures ahead of me, I am looking back with heartfelt gratitude for the many gifts I have received from WRJ over the years.
LUNAR: Simply Remarkable - An Ongoing WRJ YES Fund Partnership
When getting lunch with a colleague in the field this week, they said that the work we do at the LUNAR Collective is “remarkable.” That word stuck with me.
Still Asking Why
I am very proud to be Emily McOsker’s mother. She is a very strong woman. In 2021, Emily was stalked. Fortunately, the perpetrator was identified, arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated. Emily is sharing her story with us.
Parashat Korach
How many times have we reacted angrily to someone’s comments when taking a moment to reflect would have resulted in a calmer discussion and potentially a better outcome? As leaders in our Sisterhoods and women’s groups, we are often faced with women who challenge our ideas, disrupt our meetings, or fail to follow through on promised activities. When faced with a challenging conversation, sometimes taking a moment just to breathe is the most helpful thing we can do.
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Women of B’nai Israel of Sacramento Responds to Migrant Crisis
As 35 migrants on two chartered flights from out of state were dropped off in Sacramento with no advance warning, the Women of B’nai Israel saw the developing crisis firsthand and knew what had to be done, as congregants of Congregation B’nai Israel, which is a member of SacACT (Sacramento Area Congregations Together).
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What Juneteenth Means to Me
From a very young age, my mother, of blessed memory, made sure to buy me diverse books that showcased different experiences. She said it was important for me to understand that people have multiple identities, different cultures, and histories than my own, and they should all be celebrated.
Parashat Sh’lach L’cha
Parashat Sh’lach L’cha (“Send for Yourself”), Numbers 13:1–15:41, tells the dramatic story of Israelite scouts going into Canaan to survey and report on the land’s inhabitants and natural resources. The story continues with the community’s reaction to the...