Global Affiliates Report: Santiago, Chile

On a Friday evening in January, my husband, daughter Jessica, son-in-law, and I attended Kabbalat Shabbat services at Congregation Ruaj Ami in Santiago, Chile. It was a delightful and wonderful experience!!! Prior to our arrival, both Miriam Vasserman and I had been in touch with Rabbi Jaim Koritzinsky. As many know, my daughter and son-in-law live in Santiago and have previously attended services at this congregation. We were all welcomed with open arms, and Jessica and I were invited to light the Shabbat candles. Additionally, I had been asked to speak for 10-15 minutes about WRJ and our connection to the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and the members of Ruaj Ami. The president of the congregation, Victor Grimblatt, translated my speech for me as I was delivering it! It was quite an adventure, as I speak very little Spanish. Victor did a fabulous job, and it was a unique and heartwarming experience for me! I presented the congregation with a copy of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary and they were extremely grateful. Ironically, they presented me with a book as well–a copy of their very own siddur, Sidur Ruaj Ami.  Rabbi Jaim wrote in the book:

Dear Lynn and Family,

For your remarkable devotion to the expression of Progressive Judaism and your dedication to ensure the inclusion and active participation of women in our communities.

With warmth,

Rabbi Jaim and the Ruaj Ami community

Following services, our family was invited to the Rabbi’s home for Shabbat dinner. The guests included Rabbi Jaim's wife Keren, Victor and his wife and adult son, and another prominent female leader and founder of the congregation. It was a thoroughly enchanting evening and warm and lasting bonds were formed. I will also share some of the email that I received from Rabbi Jaim since that Shabbat:

… We also really enjoyed having you join us for Shabbat. Many people–especially women–in Ruaj Ami commented to me afterwards how empowering it was to hear you speak about the collective women's voice over the past century. In fact, I have had follow-up conversations with at least four women all whom are interested in starting up a women's group. So thank you for planting this important seed in our community.

Keren and I also really enjoyed having you over to the house and the opportunity to speak at greater length with you and Dale. It was also very special to share this Shabbat with Jessica and Juan. It's an exiting time for them and I look forward to sharing more time with them.

… Again, I am so glad we have made the connection and look forward to deepening it in Chile, in Israel, wherever!

As always, I am proud and honored to represent WRJ in any part of the world. This particular community presented a special joy as it will be the community to which my children belong. I strongly believe that WRJ has a powerful message that can inspire and motivate people in all parts of the world. Women in this congregation in Santiago are eager and willing to learn from us and share with us. I hope that WRJ will continue to reach out to this community as well as other congregations in Latin America that are striving to create progressive Jewish communities. DID YOU KNOW? NFTS/WRJ has been a primary sponsor of other Reform/Progressive institutions over the years. Since our support of rabbis and rabbinical students fleeing Nazi Germany in the 1930s, WRJ has sponsored rabbinical and cantorial students studying in Reform/Progressive Seminaries around the world, totaling $45,000-$50,000 annually. We helped establish the WUPJ World Education Center in Jerusalem and sisterhoods annually contribute about $140,000 to WUPJ. Over the years, WRJ through the YES Fund has supported many special projects in Israel, including support for individual congregations, the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). The YES Fund grants along with the support of individual sisterhoods for programs in Israel total about $150,000 annually.