Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

VP of Social Justice

Women of Reform Judaism

Shoshana Dweck is WRJ’s Vice President of Social Justice. A recovering lawyer and engineer, she served as sisterhood president of Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford Corners, New York, where she now serves on the Temple Board and on the WRJ then-District 3 Board. She is immediate past-Chair of the New York Says Thank You Foundation and its healing arts work. Long a part of the Israel/Zionism leadership of the Reform Movement, Shoshana was Vice President of ARZA and is now a member of the ARZENU Board and part of the Israel Leadership Network. Shoshana represents our Movement on the JNF Zionist Advisory Board of Governors and as a member of the AZM Board. A past Federation President and Interim Executive, Shoshana was Vice-Chair of United Israel Appeal, serves on the Jewish Agency for Israel North America Advisory Council, and is a member of the ADL NY/NJ Advisory Council. Shoshana is an individual member of WRJ from the Northeast District and is the proud mom of James, Joshua, and Gabriel, two cats, and two grandkitties.

Reproductive Health and Rights

Parashat Mishpatim

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

February 17, 2023

The word “mishpatim” means “laws” – a list of 53 laws, to be precise, mostly in the arena of civil law and damages. Coming immediately after the revelation at Sinai, Parashat Mishpatim digs into the details that move us from the high principles in the Ten Commandments to the nuts and bolts of an implementable system of governance with specific rights and obligations.

hand holding a megaphone, voting buttons, and hands raised

Social Justice

Get Out the Vote on November 8th!

Abigail Fisher

Debra Goetz

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

November 1, 2022

Over the past several years, it seems that so many of the things about which we, as Reform Jews, care have been under attack. Gun violence is still the norm; Roe v. Wade has been overturned; and People of Color and immigrants are still under attack. All that is not to mention the attacks on the very fabric of our democracy. What do all these things have in common? The best way to “fix” them; to move forward toward the sort of world we might actually like to have, is to vote.

Reproductive Justice

The Accidental (Repro) Advocate

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

August 5, 2022

Looking back at the first couple of weeks after the decision came down in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization, I think I processed our new reality by keeping busy. My focus was on providing education, action, and advocacy materials and support for WRJ and my synagogue community. I kept the full pain of the decision at arm's length. But then I heard about the college students who successfully advocated for a Plan B vending machine installed at Boston University, and the idea is going viral. And then I thought about my children, and everything hit home.

B'haalot'cha

Parashat B’haalot’cha

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

June 17, 2022

Parashat B’haalot’cha has many lessons for us. From the impact of racism and misogyny to governance structures and obligations to our community and G-d. It bounces from holiness to the most mundane, and from mistakes to punishment to prayer to recovery. Our people are transitioning from slavery to freedom and self-governance, and it isn’t easy.

Go On A Journey with WRJ

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

Deb Lelchuk, WRJ Board Member

May 5, 2022

For some of us, going anyplace together is the driving force – the camaraderie, the joy of being and experiencing together has been missing in our lives. Others are most looking forward to a chance to dive more deeply into the civil rights history of the United States. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously likened marching in Selma, Alabama, to praying with his feet. We all want to learn with our feet, our hearts, and our prayers by taking this journey together.