WRJ Wilkenfeld Seminar: Day Two

This week we are thrilled to share reports from London, UK where 20 Jewish women leaders are meeting for the first WRJ Wilkenfeld International Women's Leadership Seminar. Read about day one.

“Leadership is your values in action.”

This quote from Dr. Madelyn Katz set the tone for another very busy day. You’d think we’ve been here a week, but it was only day two. At breakfast this morning, Seminar participants were scattered in pairs and fours all over the restaurant, connected in animated conversations, bonding after only a few hours together yesterday.

We began the morning with visual tefillah, a first for many of the women. Some melodies were clearly unfamiliar depending on home nations…but Hebrew connected us all. We sang Hatikvah together in a unified voice without hesitation, but many of us with tears in our eyes.

Leadership journeys continued as the attendees were asked to identify and discuss the general needs and challenges of their communities. Common themes emerged, including:

• The role of the rabbi. Is rabbinic authority absolute? When there is no permanent rabbi, who has that authority? How do you transition from visiting rabbi to student rabbi or perhaps to a rabbi who does not speak the native local language? What do you do when there is no rabbi? We also discussed the need to develop, over time, “home grown” rabbis: children of the community who leave to study but return home after seminary to lead and serve.
• Funding. This is a concern in every community. Solicitation of gifts is not a universally accepted approach. Holding a “fundraiser” is a foreign concept in some cultures. And if there are “competing” congregations in a locale where there are only one or two donors with capacity, that can also create unique challenges.
• Engagement of community members. How can we involve more of the community directly in congregational/community life? How can we “spread the work?”

It quickly was apparent to everyone that while the specifics may vary depending on the location, there are many common concerns. We shared strategies for addressing these challenges and committed to continue the dialogue on line.

We spent the afternoon and evening at Leo Baeck College. After a tour of the historic manor that houses the school, we enjoyed a session with the Leo Baeck librarian. She shared several pieces from the collection including a 1500’s commentary that had been redacted to black out those interpretations that might run counter to Christian theology.  We saw the space that will be converted and updated to house the library more properly, including the WRJ-funded student lounge for study.

We enjoyed tea with members of the European rabbinic kallah, with several of the seminar attendees connecting with rabbis who currently or previously served their communities.

We learned from Rabbi Dr. Deborah Kahn Harris, Principal of Leo Baeck, about the seven “official” prophetesses as designated in Seder Olam Rabbah. And we heard from fourth year WRJ student Haim Casas, who will be the first Spanish rabbi ordained at Leo Baeck. He discussed the history of Jews as significant contributors to the culture and history of Spain prior to the 1492 expulsion. In looking ahead to the community that he hopes to serve after ordination, he said he expects that eventually a thriving Jewish community will return to Spain: “We can change the world.” 

Rabbi Dr. Kahn Harris, as well as several of the students, thanked WRJ for their support which is essential to allowing many to pursue their studies. One of the North American women in the group said later this evening that this visit had put a face to the YES (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) Fund in a new and concrete way as she met those who directly benefit from what we do.

Some of today’s thoughts from attendees:

• It’s hard to get out of your comfort zone, but it’s easier to do so when making connections with women.
• Don’t be afraid of vulnerable leadership and sharing part of yourself. Bring ALL of yourself to your leadership role.
• It’s not enough to listen. You need to HEAR.
• We would definitely recommend this experience to other women in the community.
• We are not alone!

The buzz about the WRJ Wilkenfeld International Women’s Leadership Seminar is tangible, and as we run into friends from across the Movement we find that they have already heard positive feedback and want to know when and where we are doing it again! WUPJ leaders in particular are excited about the network we are building and the rising leaders who are exploring their capabilities and developing their skills.