WRJ Voices: Tol'dot

In Tol’dot, The Generations (of Isaac), Rebekah is the driving force. Her pregnancy causes concern so she inquires of the Eternal One. The Eternal One said to her: “Two people are in your belly; two nations shall branch off from each other (as they emerge) from your womb. One people shall prevail over the other; the elder shall serve the younger.” (25:19-26) Esau gives Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (25:27-34) Isaac plans to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (27:1-29)

In this parashah we learn about Rebekah as a mother. Our second matriarch, in a patriarchal world, is the strongest character in this narrative. She directly seeks out the word of God and then singularly takes matters into her own hands to devise a plan that ensures the future she wants for her children. She is bold, determined and unrelenting.

Rebekah’s need to protect her children is in the DNA of most modern mothers, too. Often, our immediate instinct is to take control, to fix and to advocate. Instinctively, the day after the presidential election, moms all over the country took to social media expressing their sadness and concern about how to protect their children. How do we tell them that the new president is the one that spewed hate, bullied and fueled fear of those different from him and his supporters? How do we explain the racism, misogyny, anti-Semitisim and Islamaphobia?  How do admit that we don’t know what effect this will have on their future and the future of their friends?

But like our matriarch, Rebekah, when faced with the choice of action or non-action, today’s mothers take action. Social media continues to burn with posts, articles, petitions, march invitations and pleas to keep our voices loud – to let the new administration know what is important to us and that our government needs to govern for all the people.

Our sisterhoods and WRJ have a history over 100 years long of advocating for our children, the children of our communities and those around the world. Today, we continue to advocate for social justice and human rights through our WRJ resolutions and the programs that spread their messages. We support the Religious Action Center’s work to advocate for social justice on behalf of the Reform Movement.

This spring we have an opportunity to arm ourselves with the skills to be effective advocates in Washington, DC, in Ontario, and in our local communities. Join the WRJ Delegation at the Religious Action Center’s (RAC) Consultation on Conscience, April 30 - May 2, 2017. This is the Reform Movement’s premier social justice event for leadership development, community building, and the chance to make our collective voices heard. The Consultation brings together major political and social justice speakers, thought leaders, and coalition partners, along with the hundreds of committed Reform social justice activists in attendance, to learn, train, network, and advocate.

This year, the Consultation will feature special WRJ program opportunities, including a learning session for women only, to learn about women’s issues, WRJ’s social justice work, and how you can empower yourself and others to advocate on these and similar issues important to WRJ women.

There’s plenty we can do at home and with our sisterhoods as well.

• Volunteer at social service organizations helping the less fortunate in your community. These agencies will be forced to reduce care as suggested legislation threatens the way they are funded.
• Educate your community on human rights issues using the WRJ marketing and program tools available on Yammer.
• Support political candidates at all levels of government that support our Jewish values.

With Rebekah as our guide, we are mothers to all children and we work to secure the future they deserve.

Andrea Gingold is a member of the WRJ North American Board and is sisterhood president of the Women’s Leadership Council of Temple Israel of the City of New York.