2023 Convention Schedule
Thursday, March 23, 2023 - Sunday, March 26, 2023
(all times are PDT)
Check the Chai Line for schedule updates.
Hybrid workshop links will be provided prior to Convention by email
to those who register to attend Convention virtually.
After convention, recordings of virtual sessions will be made available to registrants.
All sessions will be located on Level 3 of the Westin Hotel, except for Shabbat Services and Shabbat Dinner.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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Registration - (Grand Ballroom C)
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2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
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Area Director Training - required for Area Directors (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid) |
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm |
First Timers Meet and Greet - For in-person only. Come meet each other and your convention mentor! - (Lake Quinault)
Note: There will also be a Pre-Convention Orientation on Zoom on February 22, details in a future Chai Line. |
5:00 pm - 6:45 pm
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No Host Dinner - Space will be limited based on restaurant capacity – first come, first served. Restaurants will be listed on Yammer – there are many choices in the area.
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7:00 pm
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Opening Session - (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid)
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8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
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Choir Rehearsal - (Lake Quinault)
Movie night! Join us to watch Crossing Delancey, a classic film. "Isabelle's life revolves around the New York bookshop where she works and the intellectual friends of both sexes she meets there. However, her grandmother remains less than impressed and hires a good old-fashioned Jewish matchmaker to help along Isabelle's love life. Enter pickler Sam, who immediately takes to Isabelle. She, however, is irritated by the whole business--at first." (Grand Ballroom A) Come paint with your Sisters! For this favorite camp art project,we will have available small, individually painted wood slats and paint pens for you to make a piece or several pieces to take home and hang up your unique piece of art that represents the fun, spiritual weekend you had with your sisters. - (Lake Sammamish) Mahjong! Bring your card and we’ll have some sets and card tables ready for you to play. There is already lots of excitement on Yammer so this is sure to be a busy spot. - (Payette Lake) Book Discussion! Find a copy of The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams and read it before you come. Or join the discussion and read the book later. "Spanning nearly a century, from 1930s Siberia to contemporary Brighton Beach, a page-turning, epic family saga centering on three generations of women in one Russian Jewish family―each striving to break free of fate and history, each yearning for love and personal fulfillment―and how the consequences of their choices ripple through time." - (Lake Chelan) Board Games! Come learn some new board games and make some new friends. Play some old favorites, like Scrabble, or something new, like Lanterns or Splendor. Our members have an extensive selection. There will be lots of fun and laughter. - (Lake Washington B) Friends of Bill - (Lake Coeur d'Alene) |
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Registration - (Grand Ballroom C)
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8:00 am - 9:00 am
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Breakfast On Your Own
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9:00 am - 10:30 am
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Legislative Body Meeting - (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid)
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Morning Workshop Block
10:45 am - noon |
Weaving Creativity and Connection Through Jewish Women’s Stories - Reaching out with Chesed - acts of loving kindness - helps us build a sense of belonging and connection to community. Using hands-on activities to share our stories, we will examine how these stories reflect our Jewish values and feelings of creativity, resiliency, and spiritual growth. Presenter: Rabbi Laura Rumpf, Jewish Family Service & Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Seattle, WA - (Lake Sammamish)
Introduction to Anti-Racism - How does “anti-racism” differ from not being racist? This session includes lecture, group activities, and lots of discussion. Presenter: Shari Kotzen Shelton, WRJ PD Area Director, Congregation Kol Ami, Vancouver, WA - (Lake Washington B) The Art of Iyyuning - The word Iyyun comes from the Hebrew root for eye/seeing. Iyyuning is what happens when a group of people come together, over time, around deep or gnarly problems to “thresh” out new understandings and new actions. The act of Iyyuning is the engine of Jewish learning and adaptation: a core privilege historically accorded to (certain) Jewish men and actively denied to Jewish women. In The Art of Iyyuning, we introduce you to the core principles and creative power of Iyyuning to collectively rise to the promise and problems of this moment in time. Then, we ask “What’s Your Iyyun?” and help surface what, why, how and with whom you are called to discover and create a different future. Presenters: Becca Motola-Barnes and Estee Solomon Gray, Hineinu Institute, San Francisco/Bay Area, CA - (Lake Washington A) Mentoring: Finding Your Passion and Lighting the Passion in Others - Who taught you to be the leader you are? How do you use your knowledge and experience? There are skills you can learn to become an effective mentor or coach to someone else. Help grow our future leaders by sharing a smile, a word of encouragement, a little direction, and what you know. Presenters: Lillian Silver, WRJ VP of Philanthropy, and Evelyn Lever, WRJ PD Area Director and 2023 Convention Workshop Co-Chair, Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA - (Lake Quinault) The Holy Work of Greening Our Congregations and Our World - Does your state have an active Interfaith Power & Light organization? Come learn how Earth Ministry/WAIPL helps organize people of faith to advocate for strong environmental policies. Temple B’nai Torah was recently certified in their Greening Congregations program which helps houses of worship implement sustainable practices. Hear about some of the activities and plans of the TBT Green Team and see the Environmental Justice Mission statement. Learn how congregations in the Northwest led by Shmita Project Northwest are using the ancient teachings in Leviticus to reimagine this tradition and make it relevant to our current lives while promoting Climate Justice. Moderator: Rabbi Molly Weisel, Associate Rabbi, Temple B’nai Torah, Bellevue. Panelists: Jayne Carlin, Green Team Member, Temple B’nai Torah; Deirdre Gabbay, The Shmita Project Northwest, Founder, Congregation Beth Shalom, Seattle; Keah Calluccie, Multifaith Program Manager, Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light - (Lake Chelan) Loving the Stranger in Our Midst: How We Help Non-Jewish Family Belong in Our Jewish Communities - From the very beginning of the Jewish people, people from other religious traditions have attached themselves to individual Jews and to the Jewish community. The Jewish communal response, however, has varied from inclusive and appreciative to outright hostile and everything in between. Now we know, whether from personal experience or from what we see in our congregations, that interfaith families and households help our Jewish communities thrive. How do we make sure that family members with different backgrounds and traditions feel part of the Jewish community and find a sense of belonging among us? Presenter: Rabbi Keren Gorban, Temple Beth El, Tacoma, WA - (Lake Coeur d'Alene and Hybrid) |
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
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YES Fund Lunch - The YES (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) Fund provides grants to Reform Movement partners to strengthen the Reform Movement and to ensure the future of Reform Judaism. Learn about the YES fund and about how you can support its important work. Special Guest Speakers Megan Brumer, Jessica Brumer, and Kayla Brumer. (Grand Ballrooms A/B and Hybrid)
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Afternoon Workshop Block
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm |
I Know the Words, But…Interpreting Key Prayers and Songs - Learn why key prayers are in our Shabbat Service and sing along with your favorite melodies. Presenter: Margie Meadow, Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA - (Lake Chelan)
Reimagining Jewish Communal Life: Taking the Past into the Future - Judaism has a history of changing traditions. We will look at this and explore the new/changing role of women in temple life. What is the impact on our traditions and viewpoints after 50 years of women in the rabbinate? What are women’s roles and responsibilities in moving us into the future? Presenter: Rabbi Keara Stein, Director of Congregational Learning, Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA -(Lake Washington B) Art Project: Card Making with a Spiritual Twist - Create a Jewish holiday card learning some new techniques, discussing the significance of the holiday. Why is sending a personally made card an act of Chesed, loving kindness? Requires additional $8 materials fee. Presenters: Meridith Patera and RuthAnn Rossman, Congregation B’nai Emet, Simi Valley, CA - (Lake Coeur d'Alene) Reimagining Leadership Models : A Panel Discussion - What leadership model works best for your Sisterhood? Exploring different leadership models for Sisterhood Boards and other working groups. Panelists: Laurie Kassman, Kol Ami Synagogue, Tucson, AZ; Lisa Wise-Wolk, Congregation Emanu-El, Redlands, CA; Joani Share, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, CA; Joann Kotkin,Temple Beth Ohr, La Mirada, CA - (Lake Washington A) WRJ Says Stop: Creating Safe Spaces - This workshop will offer an overview of the WRJ Says STOP campaign and share resources to help you on your journey to create boundaries and safe spaces - both in your personal life and in which to gather for worship, community, or action. You will also learn about spearheading an ethics code at your congregation. Presenters: Alyse Kirschen, Temple Beth Tikvah, Fullerton, CA; Rabbi Molly Weisel and Lis Cardy, Temple B'nai Torah, Bellevue, WA; and Rebecca Coates-Fink, Teen and Young Adult Mental Health Counselor at Jewish Family Service, Seattle, WA - (Lake Quinault) Finding Leadership in Every Woman - If we think about leadership as “your values in action” then it’s very possible every woman possesses it. How do we change our perspective from finding “leaders” to finding and nurturing “leadership” in all our WRJ women. Presenter: Dr. Madelyn Katz, WRJ North American Executive Committee, Van Nuys, CA - (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid) |
5:00 pm
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Depart for Temple B’nai Torah - start lining up for buses at 5:00 pm in the Lobby
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5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
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Pre-Neg at Temple B'nai Torah - 15727 NE 4th Street, Bellevue
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6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
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Shabbat Services at Temple B’nai Torah - TBT has created a musical service with a middle Eastern flavor that includes musicians and singers (including some of our Sisterhood members). The service will be a blend of the annual Sisterhood Shabbat service and the musicians led by Rabbi Molly Weisel.
TBT Services Livestream link: Livestream - Temple B'nai Torah (templebnaitorah.org) |
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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Shabbat Dinner at Temple B’nai Torah
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9:30 pm - 10:30 pm
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Lifeline Reception - By invitation: please meet by Lobby elevator for access to the 19th floor. (Chairman Suite)
Friday Night Cozy Crafts! Bring your knitting, crochet, or other craft projects for an informal gathering, and find time to schmooze with other Sisters while you share your favorite patterns and tips. (Seating Area in Foyer on Hotel Level 3)
Mahjong! Bring your card and we’ll have some sets and card tables ready for you to play. There is already lots of excitement on Yammer so this is sure to be a busy spot. - (Payette Lake) Board Games! Come learn some new board games and make some new friends. Play some old favorites, like Scrabble, or something new, like Lanterns or Splendor. Our members have an extensive selection. There will be lots of fun and laughter. - (Lake Washington B) |
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023
8:00 am - 9:00 am
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Breakfast On Your Own
Choir Rehearsal - (Grand Ballroom A) |
Torah Study Sessions
9:00 am - 10:15 am |
Leadership and Atonement: Why God Expects a Different Means of Atonement From Leaders - On this Shabbat we read about what God expects ”if” an individual sins, “if” the community (referring to the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court) sins, and “if” the High Priest sins. But when God refers to the “Nasi” (the leader) the text says “when” the Nasi sins. Why is God so sure that a leader will sin? Presenter: Dr. Madelyn Katz, WRJ North American Executive Committee, Van Nuys, CA - (Lake Washington B)
Vayikra: The Torah of Relationships - While you might not be inclined to seek relationship advice from the Torah, Parashat Vayikra and much of Leviticus offer meaningful and important guidance for maintaining holiness and wholeness in our relationships, whether with friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, or even strangers. Presenter: Rabbi Keren Gorban, Temple Beth El, Tacoma, WA - (Lake Quinault) Looking Forward, Looking Back – A Guided Meditation on Vayikra. Presenter: Chava Monastersky, Seattle, WA - (Lake Chelan) Transformation and the Creation of Extraordinary Moments: A New Understanding of Sacrifice - Instead of understanding it as giving something up, we'll discuss how the act of sacrifice can help us transform ourselves and turn the commonplace into the sacred. Presenter: Rabbi Allison Flash, Seattle, WA - (Lake Sammamish) Pajama Torah Study On Zoom: Reading Vayikra as a Pathway to Jewish Life - Whether you are in your hotel room or at home, stay comfy and cozy in your PJs and robe and join us on Zoom for a deep dive into Vayikra, as we begin our Torah’s book of Leviticus. Presenter: Rabbi Keara Stein, Director of Congregational Learning, Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA - On Zoom Only (In person attendees must log in to Zoom on their own devices and may do so from anywhere) |
10:30 am - noon
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Shabbat Services - This will be a meaningful and moving Shabbat morning service, with Rabbi Keara Stein, local service leader Mikayla Goodkin, and including the beautiful voices of our WRJ PD Choir organized and led by Annette Kozicki. (Grand Ballroom A) - Hybrid
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12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
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Affinity Groups Lunch - Topics include Jewish Educators, Sisterhood Presidents, Judaica Shops , Membership, Fundraising Ideas, Social Justice, WRJ Board Members, Book Groups, Cooking and Recipes, Program Ideas, Meet New Friends, Nashim Society, First Timers, Communications/Social Media - (Grand Ballroom B)
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Afternoon Workshop Block
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm |
Feeling Happy and Calm: The Art of Resiliency - How can we create greater feelings of well-being, happiness, and calmness? Use mindfulness and other behavioral tools in learning to cope with our daily stresses and anxieties. Presenter: Adrienne Helander, Temple B’nai Torah, Bellevue, WA - (Lake Chelan)
Opening Our Tent to Welcome the Diversity in Our Midst: A Panel Discussion - How do we create a safe space where everyone feels welcomed and accepted? Hearing and learning from the stories of individuals from these diverse groups. How are Jewish traditions changed/improved or impacted by this growing diversity? Presenters: Donna Blankinship, Moderator, Temple B’nai Torah, Bellevue, WA and Panelists - (Lake Washington A) World Jewry: WRJ and WUPJ Connections - Hear the stories about progressive Jewish communities in other parts of the world: their challenges and successes, and how they are being assisted by the World Union for Progressive Judaism and others in our movement. Leave with a better understanding of how vibrant and widespread the Reform Movement is outside of North America and feel proud of all that WRJ has done to help make this possible. Presenter: Jane Taves, WRJ Vice President of Engagement, Temple Beth El, Madison, WI - (Lake Quinault) Membership - How to get the younger members we want while retaining the members we have and growing our leadership pipeline. Presenters: Deawn Herrmann and Shari Carruthers, WRJ Pacific District Area Vice Presidents, and Panelists - (Lake Coeur d'Alene) Hot Topics in Social Justice - A discussion of timely topics through a Jewish lens from experts in the field. Presenters: Rita Chang from Northwest Harvest will talk to us about organizing and policy making/advocacy efforts to help manage food insecurity. Miri Cypers, Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League's Pacific Northwest Office, will speak about rising anti-semitism and how to respond. Sequoia Pullella Barca, Unaccompanied Youth Case Manager on the Resettlement Team at Jewish Family Service of Seattle, will focus on refugee resettlement efforts and share insights and information from the perspective of unaccompanied minors and youth survivors of human trafficking. - (Lake Washington B) The Jewish Art of Giving and Why it is Important - A brief history of philanthropy through a Jewish/WRJ lens followed by a discussion of how to turn FUNraisers into FUNDraisers. Julia Wackenheim, WRJ Executive Committee and YES Fund Chair, and WRJ Pacific District Speaker’s Bureau Chair, Temple Beth Hillel, Valley Village, CA; Julia Weinstein, Pacific District Vice President of Philanthropy, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles, CA - (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid) |
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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Kavod Awards Ceremony: Honoring Our District's WRJ PD Kavod Award Winners and Our WRJ Or Ami Award Winners - (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid)
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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Installation and Havdalah - Join us for a beautiful installation service as we say goodbye to Shabbat and welcome our new Board of District leaders. (Grand Ballroom A and Hybrid)
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7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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Dinner and Celebration - Featuring a live comedy improv show with Jet City Improv, a special sing-along song session with Annette Kozicki and Celia Curran Amancio, and a photo booth! (Grand Ballroom B)
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023
8:00 am - 9:30 am
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Breakfast On Your Own
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Morning Workshop Block
9:30 am - 10:45 am |
Creating an Effective, Warm, Working Relationship with Our Temple Clergy and Staff - Exploring the sacred partnership between clergy/staff and lay leaders so that we may all work toward a shared vision and goal. How can we create a joint covenant of service? Presenter: Flo Cohen, WRJ Pacific District Area Vice President, Temple Sinai of Glendale, Glendale, CA - (Lake Washington B)
Presidents Workshop - For all incoming and continuing Sisterhood presidents. Join a discussion to share best practices. Presenters: Cher Krichmar WRJ Pacific District President, Temple Beth Ohr, La Mirada, CA; Ellen Bick, WRJ Pacific District Past President, Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, OR; Dana Adler WRJ Pacific District Past President, Kol Ami Synagogue, Tucson, AZ - (Lake Sammamish) Winning Ideas: Honoring and Learning From Our WRJ PD Kavod and WRJ Or Ami Award Winners - Come away with ideas for your next great program. Presenters: Panel of Award Winners moderated by Rhonda Daniels, WRJ Pacific District Kavod Awards Chair, Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, OR - (Lake Washington A) Seattle’s Sephardic Community: Its History, Customs, and One Family’s Story of Survival - A taste of traditions, customs, food, and music of our Sephardic sisters. We will hear about a member of the speaker’s family and her story of how her family escaped the Nazis and settled in Seattle. Presenter: Cynthia Flash, Temple B’nai Torah, Bellevue, WA - Lake Coeur d'Alene) Challenging and Changing Tradition: The Struggle for Gender Equality and Religious Pluralism in Israel - Learn about the complex challenges women face in Israel and find out what you can do to support them. Hear how Women of the Wall is fighting not only for women’s rights to pray out loud with tallitot and tefillin, and to read from a Torah scroll at the Kotel, our holiest site in Jerusalem, but also protesting against the ultra-Orthodox rabbinate’s monopoly on Jewish life. Presenter: Yochi Rappeport, Executive Director of Women of the Wall, Israel. On Zoom Only (In person attendees must log in to Zoom on their own devices and may do so from anywhere) |
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
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Legislative Body Meeting/Program and Brunch - (Grand Ballroom B and Hybrid)
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12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
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Closing Circle - Convention Ends at 12:45 pm - (Grand Ballroom B and Hybrid)
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON POST CONVENTION
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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WRJ Pacific District Board Meeting - New & Continuing Board members are expected to attend. Sisterhood presidents/representatives are encouraged to attend. - (Lake Washington A and B and Hybrid)
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