Women of Reform Judaism is the women’s affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, the central body of Reform Judaism in North America. Established in 1913, WRJ now represents more than 75,000 women in over 500 women’s groups in North America and around the world.

With a mission to ensure the future of Reform Judaism, WRJ works to educate and train future sisterhood and congregational leadership about membership, fundraising, leadership skills, advocacy for social justice, and innovative and spiritual programming. Through our YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects), WRJ provides financial support to rabbinical students at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, to the youth programs of the Reform Movement, and to programs benefiting women and children in Israel and the Former Soviet Union. A portion of each local member’s $36 sisterhood dues goes directly to WRJ to support the programs detailed above.

Currently, Temple Beth El’s Sisterhood has 225 members. Our vibrant gift shop and active membership has enabled us to contribute $22,000 towards religious school scholarships and $4,000 towards our Sisterhood Children’s Endowment Fund during the 2006-2007 school year. This year we have made an additional contribution of $500 to WRJ’s YES Fund, provided Shabbat Dinner and sponsored the Oneg for approximately 100 Youth participating in NYFTY’s Spring Kallah, provided coffee and doughnuts to parents and teachers and craft projects on Religious School Opening Day, and contributed $250 towards a Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Every new member born into our congregation receives a “Beth-El Baby” t-shirt from Sisterhood welcoming them to our community.

TBE Sisterhood has an active Book Club and hosts Rosh Chodesh Programs providing monthly opportunities for women in our congregation to connect emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and politically. Sisterhood instituted two important relationships this past year; we partnered with TBE’s Domestic Violence Awareness Committee and continue to collect and send Tzedakah to our Sister Temple in Israel, Birkat Shalom.

Calendar of Events

JANUARY 2008
Shevat Rosh Chodesh
“The History of Love” by Nicole Krauss
A Book Club Discussion
Sunday, January 6, 3pm, Chapel, TBE

FEBRUARY 2008
Adar Rosh Chodesh
Women Count!
Sunday, February 3, 11:15 am
Luski Lounge

MARCH 2008
Community Wide Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 16, 12-3 pm, Levine JCC

Drop Off Items for Attic Sale
Sunday, March 16, TBE Parking Lot

10th Annual Women’s Seder
Sunday, March 30, 5 pm, Levine JCC

APRIL 2008
Nisan Rosh Chodesh
“The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusak
A Book Club Discussion
Sunday, April 6, 3 pm, Chapel, TBE

Sisterhood Attic Sale
Sunday April 13- Wed. April 16
9 am – 3 pm

MAY 2008
Sisterhood Shabbat
Friday May 9, 8 pm, Temple Beth El

JUNE  2008
Sivan Rosh Chodesh
“Seven Days at Sea” by Rebecca Kohn
A Book Club Discussion
Sunday June 1, 3 pm
Chapel, TBE

CHANGE THE DATE!
Our meeting June 1 is cancelled.

CHAPTERS will now meet on Sunday, June 29 at 3pm to discuss Seven Days to the Sea under Amalia Warshenbrot’s expert direction.

Questions?
Please call Lynne Cojac at 704-541-3358 or e-mail at LCojac@aol.com with questions. Guests are welcome and no RSVP is necessary.

Memories

2006-2007 Board

President - Ivy Saul
Membership VP - Debra Chez
Treasurer - Shirley Fytelson/Lori Trapani
Programming VP - Corine Bockenek
Rosh Chodesh - Tammy Menaker/June Seidel Allen
Publicity - Gurevitch Samland
Sisterhood Shabbat Amy Montoni
Simchat Chochmah Amy Montoni/ Susan Proctor
Political Education - Susan Proctor
Book Club - Lynne Cojac
Purim Carnival Lori Trapani
Sukkot Kelly Markiewitz
RITI Sandra Friend
Religious School Liason - Kathy Rosenfeld
Discovered Traditions Ginny Rosenberg/Sue Klein
Jodi Pinion

For additional information
call Ivy Saul, Sisterhood President, 704/321/2565
Or Temple Beth El 704/366/1948