April 2018 Light

It is March 4 and I am sitting at the Marriott Hotel in Nashville, TN.
And yes, the weather is warm and I missed the Nor’easter. The WRJ
(Women of Reform Judaism) Leadership Conference has just concluded.
I figured what better use of my time after an intense, inspirational,
spiritual and invigorating convention than to write my April Light
article? So many things to say, so many places to start, so much to
share. I feel I could write a book on the issues I learned about, the
eloquent speakers, and the ruach – the spirit – of 350 Jewish women
celebrating Shabbat and Purim together. As not to overwhelm me or
you, I am going to share only one thing, the “big picture.”
Do we really understand why Temple Emanuel Sisterhood is a member
of WRJ? Let me answer this simply. Our membership adds voice to the advocacy and
outreach of WRJ. Here are some specifics. Does your child attend a URJ camp? Harlem, 6
Points or Kutz? Perhaps they participate in NFTY and are finding their voice as a Jewish teen
leader? Have they attended the RAC (Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism) advocacy
program? Did you know that WRJ financially supports these programs and in part, makes it
possible for your child to be engaged in these programs? Does your child or grandchild, niece
or nephew, receive Jewish books from PJ Library? We -- you and I -- help support this
program by being members of WRJ. Do you feel strongly about social justice issues – LBGTQ
rights, pay equity, women’s health care and immigration, or Jewish pluralism in Israel and in
the world? If you answered “yes” to any or all of these, then know that your Temple Emanuel
Sisterhood membership is supporting these issues, since WRJ fights on a local, national and
international level on our behalf. So you see, we are bigger than 1101 Springdale Road, Cherry
Hill, NJ. We are more than playing Bag Bingo, or enjoying our Sisterhood under the Sukkah, or
learning about Guatemalan Midwifery. We do all of these things, and we also are a part of the
bigger picture, the bigger goal of changing ourselves, changing our communities and changing
the world. We fund-raise, we educate, and we share our Jewish connections so that we can be
a small part of the big picture. We should be proud of ourselves because we are the Women of
Reform Judaism.
B’Shalom, Lauren Waite
Temple Emanuel Sisterhood President
Sisterhood
10
February Thank Yous!
It seems that every month is a busy month, and March was no
exception. Sisterhood succeeds because of the brilliant leaders and
dedicated volunteers who head programs. Michele Speier and Betsy
Morgenstern organized a spiritually meaningful and rejuvenating
Sisterhood Retreat Weekend. The hours spent on the planning were
realized throughout the weekend. Todah Rabah.
Thank you also to Karen Ginsburg and Sheila Cosminsky for their
tireless work to bring the Her Seder to the Temple Emanuel
Sisterhood community. It was a fabulous evening celebrating the
Exodus from Egypt as only women can recall. The Seder was led by
our very own Karen Ginsburg and Renee Siegel. Their elegance and
leadership was evident to all.
Our Passover Wine Sale was a success thanks to those who
participated in the sale. Thank you for continuing to support our
Tikkun Olum fund-raising efforts!
Upcoming
Sisterhood Dates
April 15
Book Club: “My Russian
Grandmother & Her American
Vacuum Cleaner”
April 25
Mikvah Tour
at Chabad Voorhees
April 30
Trekkers Walk:
Blueberry Hill, Voorhees
May 11
Sisterhood Shabbat