2018 Fried Leadership Conference Highlights
The Pacific District was the largest district delegation to attend the WRJ 2018 Fried Leadership Conference in Nashville, 60 of us from 20 sisterhoods, were represented in almost every aspect of the weekend, including at the WRJ board meeting, and two of our district members served as conference co-chairs. Some 14 women from our district served as workshop leaders.
Intended for current, rising, and experienced sisterhood leaders, WRJ Board members and Board alumnae, new WRJ members, and any woman interested in WRJ and the Reform Movement, FLC was the perfect opportunity to gain and fine-tune skills, strengthen sisterhoods, broaden Jewish knowledge and spiritual horizons, and learn about and connect (or reconnect) with WRJ.
Attendees participated in workshops and learning sessions, created connections and networked with other Reform women, experienced meaningful Shabbat worship, learned from experts and from each other, and enjoyed time together with WRJ leaders and friends. FLC attendees left feeling rejuvenated and, with the support of their WRJ sisters, better prepared to guide their own sisterhoods and serve as leaders in their communities.
FLC featured more than 35 unique workshops and sessions for women of all experience levels which contributed to theri personal growth, sharpened their skills, and expanded their horizons. The following are just some examples of the workshops.
Workshops teaching crucial, practical leadership skills to rising and current sisterhood leaders in areas such as:
Workshops for a new sisterhood presidents:
Learning opportunities for both the newest and most experienced WRJ women:
FLC provided a chance to hear from and meet with leaders of the Reform Movement. We were inspired by speakers such as Blair C. Marks, outgoing WRJ President; Susan C. Bass, incoming WRJ President; Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ President; April Baskin, URJ Vice President – Audacious Hospitality; and URJ female camp directors. FLC 2018 speakers and performers included:
Intended for current, rising, and experienced sisterhood leaders, WRJ Board members and Board alumnae, new WRJ members, and any woman interested in WRJ and the Reform Movement, FLC was the perfect opportunity to gain and fine-tune skills, strengthen sisterhoods, broaden Jewish knowledge and spiritual horizons, and learn about and connect (or reconnect) with WRJ.
Attendees participated in workshops and learning sessions, created connections and networked with other Reform women, experienced meaningful Shabbat worship, learned from experts and from each other, and enjoyed time together with WRJ leaders and friends. FLC attendees left feeling rejuvenated and, with the support of their WRJ sisters, better prepared to guide their own sisterhoods and serve as leaders in their communities.
FLC featured more than 35 unique workshops and sessions for women of all experience levels which contributed to theri personal growth, sharpened their skills, and expanded their horizons. The following are just some examples of the workshops.
Workshops teaching crucial, practical leadership skills to rising and current sisterhood leaders in areas such as:
- Membership growth & retention
- Programming best-practices
- Fundraising
- Marketing & communications
Workshops for a new sisterhood presidents:
- Sessions to fine-tune skills for experienced sisterhood, District, and WRJ leaders:
- Leading & managing change
- Audacious hospitality & inclusion
- Conflict resolution
- Alternative governance models
- Leadership development & transition
Learning opportunities for both the newest and most experienced WRJ women:
- Multiple Social Justice-based topics
- Aging successfully and finding “what’s next”
- Global Reform/Progressive Judaism
- Engaging with younger women
- Jewish learning and text study
FLC provided a chance to hear from and meet with leaders of the Reform Movement. We were inspired by speakers such as Blair C. Marks, outgoing WRJ President; Susan C. Bass, incoming WRJ President; Rabbi Rick Jacobs, URJ President; April Baskin, URJ Vice President – Audacious Hospitality; and URJ female camp directors. FLC 2018 speakers and performers included:
- Michelle Citrin, musician-in-residence
- Rabbi Rick Jacobs, keynote speaker
- Marian Wright Edelman, founder & president of Children's Defense Fund; 2018 WRJ Jane Evans award winner
- April Baskin, keynote speaker/ presenter
- Stacy Beyer, FLC choir director
The WRJ PD - 60 sisters strong in Nashville
(joined by WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla Feldman and WRJ President Blair Marks)
