Voices of WRJ: Parashat Shoftim

by Michelle Scheinkopf In this week's Torah portion, Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9), Moses reviews the justice system for the Israelites and instructs them to appoint judges and law enforcement officers in every city. According to The Torah: A Women's Commentary, this "parashah focuses on organizing the community and establishing rules that will promote justice within it." In Shoftim, rules are set up to make sure that everything is fair and just in the system. One of the verses states: "Justice, Justice shall you pursue." Not only is this necessary for legal systems but also for individuals. Organizing ourselves to pursue justice is central to Jewish teaching. It is a Jewish calling—an obligation, if you will—telling us to pursue and be engaged in activities that seek justice for all. You may not be one to get involved in politics or try to change social policy at any level, but you can become more informed and learn about what is happening around you. The WRJ website is a great place to start. Becoming informed on any issue is the first step towards taking action, which is easy at the local level if you do it with like-minded friends. Isn't that what sisterhood is all about?! Get your sisterhoods involved by supporting local organizations in your own communities. Women's shelters, food banks, and public health clinics are examples of facilities where you and your sisterhoods can volunteer your time and energy to make a difference. My WRJ District, Midwest, commemorated the WRJ Centennial last year by asking the sisterhoods and women's groups in our district to participate in a social action project called Supporting Women In Need. Our goal was for the sisterhoods to make connections and foster community within the district through our shared experiences performing acts of tikkun olam and social action while celebrating this amazing milestone. Many of the sisterhood boards enthusiastically embraced this initiative and supported it by asking their members to choose a project that directly helped support women in need in their communities. Projects ranged from collecting toiletries or food to professional clothing for job interviews or even slightly used bras. Sisterhood members volunteered their time at shelters, giving groups of women training for job interviews, parenting, healthy cooking, and healthy shopping on a budget. The good news is it didn't stop after the WRJ Centennial was over. Many of these sisterhoods and women's groups in WRJ Midwest District are continuing to pursue what is just for those who are still in need. This project was a win-win. It was meaningful for all those involved, whether on the giving or receiving end, and it allowed us to be challenged and meet our Jewish obligation to justice. Here's one more thing to think about if you're not sure where to begin with social action: as we read this portion and think about how we can pursue justice, realize that this portion begins the month of Elul, a time of introspection as we get closer to and prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Not to compare to the secular new year, but isn't this a perfect time to think about justice and become more resolute in our actions to do something about issues that we deem unjust for those less able to fight or take care of themselves? Like I said, one does not have to do this alone. As members of sisterhoods, WRJ Districts, and WRJ, we have a network of women with whom we can do this together. Social action is to Women of Reform Judaism as water, food, and air are to humans. We live it and can't be apart from it because it is a basic need which gives us purpose and allows us to exist in a meaningful way in our world. Michelle Scheinkopf is a WRJ Board member and WRJ College Outreach Committee chair; WRJ Midwest District Vice President of Development and WRJ Projects, and a Past President of Women of North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, IL.