WRJ's Centennial Celebration Concludes

Thousands of women and men have been celebrating the 100th birthday of Women of Reform Judaism throughout 2013. The year ended with a phenomenal tribute to WRJ in San Diego on Saturday night when WRJ Assembly delegates joined with URJ biennial delegates to thank WRJ for its 100 years of support for Reform Judaism as well as its commitment to social justice and advocacy worldwide. For me, this concluding activity was deeply personal. I was honored to have served as WRJ's Centennial Chair. For the past four years, I have thought about WRJ's Centennial day and night, wanting to make it transformative and meaningful for all our participants. Creating and implementing activities, essay competitions, publications, a mission, myriad events, and so forth took a village! Women of our Centennial Executive Committee along with our fabulous WRJ staff worked tirelessly to forge dreams into reality. Over the few weeks, I set three lifetime moments forever in my mind's eye. When all of our past presidents stood behind president-elect Blair Marks as she chanted Torah Saturday morning and then received Rabbi Daniel Freelander's blessing for WRJ, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for being part of this amazing organization. Then Saturday night arrived. WRJ was saluted for its 100 years of accomplishments and mitzvot. The WRJ Past Presidents (including me), spanning 32 years of service, stood on the stage together as Rabbi Rick Jacobs honored WRJ with the URJ Eisendrath "Bearer of Light" Award. What a tribute to an organization that its leaders have remained engaged and actively involved for so many years. And, the stage was filled with incredible women who performed to perfection. But the moment I cherished the most was standing in a little circle with my beloved "Treasure Island" Past Presidents as we waited to ascend to the bema in the morning. We held hands, singing together, swaying gently. I looked from one to another and kvelled to see those beautiful, competent, strong women I could call my friends and mentors. I saw the strength of life in their eyes. We shared immense joy and pride in what we and thousands of other women have created together - a feeling of true sisterhood among women of all ages and backgrounds. Indeed... we are Stronger Together! And I thanked and praised God for bringing us to this day. May our next 100 years extend the impact we have brought to the Jewish people during our first century.