The Women of Reform Judaism Leadership Conference took place in Tyson’s Corner Virginia, from April 13-15, 2007.  Over 140 Jewish women from North America were in attendance.  We are in awe to see so many women from across North America, travel near and far, to attend this informative, spiritual, and energizing conference.

Friday evening began with beautiful Shabbat Services led by Rabbi Gabi Arad and Doug Mishkin, song leader. Dinner was miraculously served hot and was incredibly delicious. After dinner, Barbara Weinstein, the legislative director of the Religious Action Center, enlightened us as to how the Religious Action Center operates and why their work is important. She also thanked us for our continued support.  Barbara left us with a lasting thought, “How important it is to make our voices heard.”

Saturday morning services were spiritually poignant.  To acknowledge Yom HaShoah, Caroline Liston, from Rodef Shalom Sisterhood in Pittsburgh, shared her thoughts about being a living legacy of her grandparents who were victims of the Holocaust.  Caroline’s testimonial was followed by a beautiful prayer by Rabbi Karyn Kedar found in, The Book of Forgiveness.  Our song leader, Lisa Baydush, wrote a touching song about a friend who has passed away, regarding ‘listening.’  The words of memory resonated throughout the room as our tears of sadness and tears of joy mingled together with love and support for one another.

Our torah study was lead by Rabbi Andrea Weiss, Associate Editor of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary. Her explanation of the parasha of the week, Shemini, was brilliant. She used materials from OUR commentary and she reviewed an essay from a contributing writer, Blu Greenberg, regarding the death of Greenberg’s young son and her need for silence.  In the parasha Shemini, Blu Greenberg’s words echo similar wording about Aaron’s silence after his two sons were consumed by fire.  This essay will be in OUR commentary in a section titled, ‘Insights and Voices.’ 

Saturday afternoon was filled with learning experiences.  Four “Bits and Pieces: Leadership Tools” were reviewed.  The seminars consisted of ‘How to Pass the Torch’, ‘How to Solve Conflicts’, ‘How to Program’, and ‘How to Create a Nominating Committee’.  Later that afternoon, each sisterhood leader could attend a schmoozing session dependent upon her congregational size.  The session was an open forum with a panel and a facilitator. “I always pick up new ideas,” said one attendee.

 
The Havdalah Service was written and prepared by Debra Faye from the Atlantic District.  It was beautiful to see 140 women light their candles and see how each of our individual “sparks” are stronger together.

 
Saturday was a day filled with emotion, spirituality, learning, and candid discussion. 

 
A fun evening followed as we filled three tour buses to see the sites and monuments of magnificent Washington DC.  The YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) was the source of discussion on each bus and the competitive edge was felt amongst our three bus leaders--Rosanne Selfon, Lynn Magid-Lazar, and Blair Marks. These three fearless bus leaders taught us about the YES Fund while having a competition as to which bus could raise the most money for the YES Fund.  Although Lynn’s bus won this competition, it is the YES Fund that actually benefited by raising over $11,000 in one night! 

Sunday morning began with the WRJ Departmental Mall.  This was an opportunity for each participant to learn about ‘Programming and Advocacy’, ‘Marketing and Communications’, ‘Development and Special Projects’, and ‘Service to Sisterhoods and Districts’.  The “Mall” enabled the participants to further learn about WRJ as well as being able to view materials and meet contact persons available to their respective sisterhoods.

During our final lunch, Susan Weidman Schneider, editor of Lilith Magazine, spoke about the WRJ Lilith Salons and how effective the Salons are in bringing in new members.  She also discussed the thought provoking and open dialogue that is experienced during the Salons.

Our Leadership Conferences help to build a network with our sisterhoods.  It is an opportunity to meet new sisterhood friends and reconnect with our established friends.  It is a learning venue and a sharing environment.  The Leadership Conference is a place to develop new ideas and strategies, a place to embrace and engage our Judaism. You now have an opportunity to attend the next Leadership Conference March 2008 in New Orleans!  We hope to see you there.

Finally, a friendship circle of 140 women from across North America, holding hands, exchanged one word about their experience of the weekend at the WRJ Leadership Conference. 

 The Leadership Conference is successful because of the combined efforts of the WRJ staff, our Executive Director Shelley Lindauer, our President Rosanne Selfon, our First Vice President Lynn Magid-Lazar, all of our WRJ Vice Presidents, the District Presidents, and our excited participants.

  What worked best were the rotating sessions.  Every participant was able to attend and learn from each session.  The highlight of the leadership conference consistently is the ability of the participants to network.  Also, each attendee gains vast information about WRJ and an increased awareness of the many resources available to their sisterhoods.

What the participants gained from the leadership conference was that they are not alone.  Also, the participants learned that not every sisterhood fits the same mold and that is okay!  Mixing up the women during meals is extremely beneficial to increase comfort level and ability to meet other women throughout the weekend.

As one participant said, “The WRJ Sisterhood Leadership Conference afforded us the opportunity to connect with each other on so many levels, all while praying, sharing,

learning, and having fun together. It was a joy."                                                                                                                               

- Sharon K. Benoff and Kay Schachter