September 07, 2010   28 Elul 5770

Temple Emanuel - Kensington, MD
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Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ)  

As a member of the Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel, you automatically become a member of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). WRJ represents women in 500 Sisterhoods throughout the United States, Canada, and 13 other countries. Our strength lies in our community - through WRJ, 70,000 women come together to make the world a better place, to effect change, and to make sure our voices are heard. WRJ supports a wide range of social justice and women's issues. Additionally, WRJ founded the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) and established the Jewish Braille Institute of America. We also support the World Union for Progressive Judaism, which helps establish congregations and provides rabbinic leadership in more than 40 countries.

Our Temple Emanuel WRJ welcomes you to take advantage of our many activities offered this year.  They are great way to become involved in synagogue life, meet other women with similar interests, have fun, and build lasting friendships at the same time. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A TEMPLE EMANUEL SISTERHOOD (WRJ) MEMBERSHIP AND DONATION FORM.

We host many wonderful programs throughout the year. Please join us! Below is a sample of the varied activities in which we are involved. We look forward to your participation. For a more detailed look at our program year, please review pages 24 & 25 of A Guide to Temple Emanuel 2009-2010. If you are interested in helping out with any of these activities, please let Diane Culkin, culkincd@yahoo.com, know and we will give your name to the chair of that event. 
WRJ Officers  

OFFICERS

Co-Presidents

  • Joyce Falk
  • Sharon Roll

Vice Presidents

  • Susan Harris
  • Stephanie Seiberg

Secretary

  • Rhonda Rich

Treasurer

  • Jackie Solomon

TRUSTEES

Linda Astor

Diane Culkin, Social Issues

Carol Evans, Board of Education Representative

Cindy Gerecht

Ellen Gerecht, Chanukah Sunday School Coordinator

Susan Landesberg, Bagel Table and Gift Shop Volunteer Coordinator

Sandi Marsden

Cheryll Trefzger, College Outreach

Janet Turim, Retreat Coordinator

Carmelita Watkinson, Judaica Shop

Linda Wolpert, Membership

LILITH Salons

Not Oprah’s Book Club, but our very own Lilith Salons to discuss the issues that are near and dear to our hearts.  Please join us as we meet quarterly to discuss articles from the most recent copy of Lilith Magazine, a Jewish publication that centers on issues that are important to us, as Jewish women. All you have to do is subscribe to Lilith, with our special order form, and come to discuss the issue.  Transportation will be provided for those unable to drive in the evening. We are hosting 4 sessions per issue at 4 different locations.   It gives our members an opportunity to better get to know each other while focusing on Jewish issues.  Please contact Cheryll Trefzger,   ctrefzger@gmail.com, for more information or a subscription form.

 

Sunday Walks

Come join us with our new walking group on Sunday mornings during religious school.  We will meet in the synagogue lobby at 9:15 AM and walk in the neighborhood.  Other locations are possible.  This is a casual, fun activity.   Contact Mollie Katz for more info, mkatz4pr@verizon.net.

College Outreach

We also send holiday packages to our college students who are away at college.  If you would like to volunteer on our College Student Outreach Committee or would like packages sent to your child, please contact Cheryll Trefzger, ctrefzger@gmail.com.

 

Sunday Bagel Table

Please join us every Sunday when the Religious School is in session to purchase food and drink while socializing at our Café outside the Social Hall.  Part of the proceeds will be used for Sisterhood tzedakah projects.  Please contact Susan Landesberg for more info and to volunteer.

Stepping Stones Shelter

WRJ “adopted” the Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville as one of our mitzvah/social action projects.  Stepping Stones is a family shelter that provides opportunities for homeless men, women and children to regain their independence.  They offer food, training and shelter in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.  The Shelter collects items from the community (listed on their website) and needs volunteers to do various things from making dinners for families to tutoring.   Anyone interested in helping with this pr program, please contact Cindy Gerecht at cgerecht@comcast.com or Sandi Marsden at smar1020@gmail.com.

 

WRJ Gift Shop

We sponsor a Gift Shop selling items from Israel and Africa as well as featuring local Jewish artists.  This is a wonderful opportunity to buy wedding gifts, bar/bat mitzvah gifts and something for you at a reasonable price.  There are opportunities for volunteers to “man” the Gift Shop on Sunday mornings.  This is a great time to meet other Temple members while helping at the Gift Shop.  If you interested in volunteering for this project, please contact Carmelita Watkinson at cjw4225@aol.com.  

Annual Women’s Retreat

This event is now in its 4th year.  Fifty members attended the January 2010 event in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  It was a time just for ourselves to renew old friendships, meet new people and participate in a spiritual renewal to start the New Year right. 

For more information, please contact Janet Turim at janet.turim@yahoo.com.

Women's Seder

The women’s seder has proven to be not only a spiritual event but a very social event for our members.  It gives us time to reflect and enjoy in the company of our “sisters.” The seder is led by Cantor Boxt.

 

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