Friday Voices

I have recently returned from the WRJ Pacific District convention in Portland, OR. It was rejuvenating to be among women who strive to repair the world in so many compassionate ways. So much of what we do when we come together is to focus or reignite our commitments towards social justice as we recently did at this convention. Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Co-Director of URJ’s Just Congregations and scholar-in-residence at the Pacific District Convention, said in her sermon, “WRJ is coming from a legacy of radical and brave justice work. Fighting for equal rights for women, rabbinical ordination for women, gay and lesbian rights and other cutting edge issues, fought out of your values of justice and equality.” This statement is quite timely, especially now at this time in history, as women in the U.S. are about to vote for the representatives who will make life-changing decisions on our behalf. We need to continue to hold strong together. Rabbi Kolin further states, “And while we live in a world where women can vote and be ordained as clergy, and serve as leaders of powerful organizations and companies… If we think the fight for equality is over, then we are not paying attention… A woman’s right to control her own body and make decisions about her own health, safety, and contraception is being dismantled and whittled away.” We are a community of women who share our journeys together and listen to each other’s stories. Women share stories about the things that matter to us: challenges in accessing health care, foreclosed homes and other economic challenges, the desire to marry the people that they love in their home states, personal health choices, and reproductive matters. These are issues that shouldn’t be legislated or dictated by someone else’s religious beliefs. And there areso many more stories that validate how our commitment to social justice is a core value of our faith. WRJ resolutions support the right of individuals to make such personal decisions based on their own religious and moral viewpoints, without others’ religious views interfering with their rights. We are a community that is committed to repairing our world. We gain sustenance from the energy that we create when we are together as we nurture our communities both within and outside of our synagogues. This is a critical time in our history, not just as Jewish women of faith but as Americans. There is concern that if we become passive, feel too embarrassed to share our stories, or don’t make our voices heard that our historical accomplishments will disappear. We must be sure to take in all of the power of our spirits joined together, take in all of the ruach that bonds us, and be touched by the inspiration of those before us. Let us have renewed passion and empowerment that impacts us all and inspires us to repair the world as we continue to be stronger through our shared journeys. Editors' Note: Join us for a special webinar, The Day After: What Jewish Women Need to Know About the U.S. Election, about the results of the U.S. election and the implications for us as women and as Reform Jews.