What an honor and a thrill to serve as the president of Women of Reform Judaism. This amazing organization, since its inception in 1913, has been working to ensure a future for Reform Judaism and to make our world a better place – tikkun olam. I am blessed to be part of a group of women that does such important work, helps me to become a more educated and informed Jewish woman, and enables me to spend time with incredibly interesting and passionate women. If you are part of WRJ, you know that something magical happens when women come together. If you are not yet part of WRJ, I encourage you to spend some time on this website and see what happens when more than 65,000 women come together!

 

Our WRJ history is replete with moments of great accomplishments and I urge you to read about the history of our organization. We have provided steadfast support for Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the Union for Reform Judaism, our valuable youth movement, and progressive Jewish institutions around the world. Our women have worked together, advocating for and affecting positive change for human rights and women’s rights throughout our history. 

 

The power of women working in our world - the power of sisterhood - is no less important today than it was in 1913. At our recent, successful 47th assembly in Toronto, we spent five glorious days learning about how we impact the world, while celebrating our successes in our congregations and communities. . And we had so much fun being together throughout all of it!  You can view photos and read about the assembly here.  Read about our Or Ami awards and learn how the women in our congregations make a difference in their communities! Read about our YES Fund recipients and learn how the women in our congregations make a difference in the larger Progressive Jewish world. Study our resolutions and understand how we work together to heal our world. Read and download our new study guides for The Torah: A Women’s Commentary and make a difference in your own spiritual life!

 

I have learned so much and enriched my life through the power of sisterhood and this remarkable organization – Women of Reform Judaism. As we move into the year 2010 and WRJ embarks on its 97th year and think about ways to celebrate our centennial in 2013 we have to ask:  What will the next century of Women of Reform Judaism look like?  What can we, as women, accomplish?  It is certainly my wish that WRJ will continue to have a strong voice of advocacy for justice and peace in our world.  It is my wish that we will continue to support vibrant Reform congregations in North America and in every country around the globe, where people search for a modern, progressive expression of their Judaism.  It is my wish that every woman connected with our Reform movement will come to understand the value and share in the joy of sisterhood.  One woman can do remarkable things.  Together, 65,000 women can achieve amazing goals.  It is my wish that we add thousands of women to WRJ and know that together – we are unstoppable!

 

I am quite fond of quotations, and I share this anonymous one with you:

 

 

May God bless us and guide us as together; we work to translate our WRJ wishes into positive decisions and meaningful change.

 

 

Lynn Magid Lazar