Dear WRJ PD Sisters,
Since May 25, 2020, our country, and even most of the world, witnessed one of the most tragic incidents in recent history. The events that lead to the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis left us in shock, dismay and sadness that quickly turned into anger, protests and a demand for racial reform NOW.
Discussions have centered on two inseparable issues: the invisible tailwinds of white privilege and the battering headwinds of systemic racism. These discussions are hard and past-due. They are personal and very necessary.
As WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla Feldman posted, “In troubling times like these, WRJ stands with our Reform Movement partners to address the challenges we face in our communities. We share the outrage at the death of George Floyd and we understand the overflow of emotion sparked by relentless and pernicious racism and discrimination faced by People of Color. We pray for peace in our communities and remain committed to working toward a more just and equitable society".
Below is a statement issued by Rabbi Jonah Pesner on behalf of all of us in the Reform Movement:
"Our country simply cannot achieve the values of 'justice for all' to which it aspires until we address ongoing racism in all sectors and at all levels of society."
What I know, as the grandmother of bi-racial grandchildren, grappling with my own racism, and growing up as white “privileged,” transformation is personal, painstaking and slow. Yet, what has been a deeply personal process for me has become an issue that we all need to talk about and act upon.
As Jews, we are taught to accept others without prejudice or bias. We are taught that we cannot sit idly by. "You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart...You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people. Love your fellow as yourself: I am the Eternal" (Leviticus 19: 17-18).
At our next PD Executive Board meeting later this month we will be discussing our district’s role in helping to make a difference and reaffirming our long held commitment to equality. I welcome all thoughts and ideas you would like to share.
Please join us Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. for our Pacific District Virtual Schmooze. Feel free to wear your jammies, and bring your favorite tea and any prayers you may want to share.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously said, “Some are guilty; all are responsible.” Let us take responsibility and as always, we are stronger together.
Shabbat Shalom.
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
June 5, 2020
Since May 25, 2020, our country, and even most of the world, witnessed one of the most tragic incidents in recent history. The events that lead to the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis left us in shock, dismay and sadness that quickly turned into anger, protests and a demand for racial reform NOW.
Discussions have centered on two inseparable issues: the invisible tailwinds of white privilege and the battering headwinds of systemic racism. These discussions are hard and past-due. They are personal and very necessary.
As WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla Feldman posted, “In troubling times like these, WRJ stands with our Reform Movement partners to address the challenges we face in our communities. We share the outrage at the death of George Floyd and we understand the overflow of emotion sparked by relentless and pernicious racism and discrimination faced by People of Color. We pray for peace in our communities and remain committed to working toward a more just and equitable society".
Below is a statement issued by Rabbi Jonah Pesner on behalf of all of us in the Reform Movement:
"Our country simply cannot achieve the values of 'justice for all' to which it aspires until we address ongoing racism in all sectors and at all levels of society."
What I know, as the grandmother of bi-racial grandchildren, grappling with my own racism, and growing up as white “privileged,” transformation is personal, painstaking and slow. Yet, what has been a deeply personal process for me has become an issue that we all need to talk about and act upon.
As Jews, we are taught to accept others without prejudice or bias. We are taught that we cannot sit idly by. "You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart...You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people. Love your fellow as yourself: I am the Eternal" (Leviticus 19: 17-18).
At our next PD Executive Board meeting later this month we will be discussing our district’s role in helping to make a difference and reaffirming our long held commitment to equality. I welcome all thoughts and ideas you would like to share.
Please join us Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. for our Pacific District Virtual Schmooze. Feel free to wear your jammies, and bring your favorite tea and any prayers you may want to share.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously said, “Some are guilty; all are responsible.” Let us take responsibility and as always, we are stronger together.
Shabbat Shalom.
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
June 5, 2020
Dear WRJ Pacific District Members,
We are living in a very tumultuous time that is affecting every single one of us in our daily lives, personally and professionally. Please know that the safety and well-being of all our members is our number one top priority.
WRJ FWC 2020 has been reimagined as a virtual conference. We hope you tune in on Friday, May 1st to hone your leadership skills and deepen connections with other women, receive tools for intergenerational programming, and learn more about WRJ's advocacy work. This virtual conference is open to any identifying woman who would like to attend, free of charge. Click here to register.
Every aspect of synagogue life has changed and this includes WRJ. Some suggestions your sisterhood may want to consider are:
Please follow all guidelines that have been provided by the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus2019 for your own personal health and well-being.
Be well and stay safe,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
March 15, 2020
We are living in a very tumultuous time that is affecting every single one of us in our daily lives, personally and professionally. Please know that the safety and well-being of all our members is our number one top priority.
WRJ FWC 2020 has been reimagined as a virtual conference. We hope you tune in on Friday, May 1st to hone your leadership skills and deepen connections with other women, receive tools for intergenerational programming, and learn more about WRJ's advocacy work. This virtual conference is open to any identifying woman who would like to attend, free of charge. Click here to register.
Every aspect of synagogue life has changed and this includes WRJ. Some suggestions your sisterhood may want to consider are:
- Form a phone tree, identifying elderly members who are alone, and checking in with them on a daily basis. The synagogue should be able to provide a list of these individuals. They are scared, isolated and a friendly voice will go a long way.
- There will be a loss of revenue from cancelled events and programs. You may need to reassess your expenses for an interim period.
- Consider having a “non-event fundraiser”. Yammer has posted several creative ways to reach out to your community, asking for financial support so you may continue to do the work that is so vital to our congregations.
- Consider opening a zoom account for meetings. You are able to sign on for 40 minutes at a time without paying for a subscription.
Please follow all guidelines that have been provided by the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus2019 for your own personal health and well-being.
Be well and stay safe,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
March 15, 2020
Dear WRJ Pacific District Members,
We are living in a very tumultuous time that is affecting every single one of us in our daily lives, personally and professionally. Please know that the safety and well-being of all our members is our number one top priority.
As you have expressed concerns about the status of WRJ FWC 2020, the WRJ Executive Committee, in coordination with URJ, are closely monitoring the situation. Currently everything is still on. However, as new developments are announced we will keep you informed. This is also an excellent time to check in with yammer.com for up-to-date information. Several women have shared that their airfares have decreased since they originally booked their reservation so check this out.
Every aspect of synagogue life has changed and this includes WRJ. Some suggestions your sisterhood may want to consider are:
Please follow all guidelines that have been provided by the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus2019 for your own personal health and well-being.
Be well and stay safe,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
March 15, 2020
We are living in a very tumultuous time that is affecting every single one of us in our daily lives, personally and professionally. Please know that the safety and well-being of all our members is our number one top priority.
As you have expressed concerns about the status of WRJ FWC 2020, the WRJ Executive Committee, in coordination with URJ, are closely monitoring the situation. Currently everything is still on. However, as new developments are announced we will keep you informed. This is also an excellent time to check in with yammer.com for up-to-date information. Several women have shared that their airfares have decreased since they originally booked their reservation so check this out.
Every aspect of synagogue life has changed and this includes WRJ. Some suggestions your sisterhood may want to consider are:
- Form a phone tree, identifying elderly members who are alone, and checking in with them on a daily basis. The synagogue should be able to provide a list of these individuals. They are scared, isolated and a friendly voice will go a long way.
- There will be a loss of revenue from cancelled events and programs. You may need to reassess your expenses for an interim period.
- Consider having a “non-event fundraiser”. Yammer has posted several creative ways to reach out to your community, asking for financial support so you may continue to do the work that is so vital to our congregations.
- Consider opening a zoom account for meetings. You are able to sign on for 40 minutes at a time without paying for a subscription.
Please follow all guidelines that have been provided by the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus2019 for your own personal health and well-being.
Be well and stay safe,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
March 15, 2020
As we approach the High Holy Days, and the beginning of the new year 5780, every one of us is drawn to be with our family and friends - Our People. It is time to take stock of where we are in life, and to pray about where we still can go.
Unfortunately, Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge, California, part of our Pacific District, was vandalized this past Wednesday with hateful, anti-Semitic graffiti. This is not the first time this synagogue has been vandalized, but we can only hope it will be the last.
During this time of increased hate crimes targeting Jewish people and institutions, we stand by Temple Ahavat Shalom, as well as all our Jewish agencies, synagogues, schools, and homes, and condemn hatred and bigotry. It is important for us all to stand tall and urge civility and tolerance as we pray together and hear the call of this sacred season.
B’Shalom,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
October 20, 2019
Unfortunately, Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge, California, part of our Pacific District, was vandalized this past Wednesday with hateful, anti-Semitic graffiti. This is not the first time this synagogue has been vandalized, but we can only hope it will be the last.
During this time of increased hate crimes targeting Jewish people and institutions, we stand by Temple Ahavat Shalom, as well as all our Jewish agencies, synagogues, schools, and homes, and condemn hatred and bigotry. It is important for us all to stand tall and urge civility and tolerance as we pray together and hear the call of this sacred season.
B’Shalom,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
October 20, 2019
Dear Sisters,
More and more I find fewer and fewer words to express my heartfelt sympathy to our communities affected by gun violence, and now El Paso, which is part of our beloved WRJ Pacific District. While the loss of any life is devastating I pray no members or family of Temple Mount Sinai in El Paso were injured.
Temple Mount Sinai has a Tikkun Olam fund, which has recently been used to feed stranded migrants. It will be used in some way to alleviate the suffering of this crisis. To donate, personally or as a Sisterhood, please go to https://www.templemountsinai.com/Donate.
Here is is a link to the message to Temple Mount Sinai from its rabbi, Ben Zeidman.
Please know we are thinking about your community and stand with you during this most difficult time.
L’Shalom,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
August 4, 2019
To send a personalized WRJ PD tribute email to Temple Mount Sinai, please click HERE or on the red Donate or Send a Tribute button on the right side of this page and use the following email address for the acknowledgment: info@templemountsinai.com.
To mail your own note or Uniongram, please use the following mailing address:
Temple Mount Sinai
4408 North Stanton Street
El Paso, TX 79902
Read WRJ's Statement on Gun Violence here.
More and more I find fewer and fewer words to express my heartfelt sympathy to our communities affected by gun violence, and now El Paso, which is part of our beloved WRJ Pacific District. While the loss of any life is devastating I pray no members or family of Temple Mount Sinai in El Paso were injured.
Temple Mount Sinai has a Tikkun Olam fund, which has recently been used to feed stranded migrants. It will be used in some way to alleviate the suffering of this crisis. To donate, personally or as a Sisterhood, please go to https://www.templemountsinai.com/Donate.
Here is is a link to the message to Temple Mount Sinai from its rabbi, Ben Zeidman.
Please know we are thinking about your community and stand with you during this most difficult time.
L’Shalom,
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
August 4, 2019
To send a personalized WRJ PD tribute email to Temple Mount Sinai, please click HERE or on the red Donate or Send a Tribute button on the right side of this page and use the following email address for the acknowledgment: info@templemountsinai.com.
To mail your own note or Uniongram, please use the following mailing address:
Temple Mount Sinai
4408 North Stanton Street
El Paso, TX 79902
Read WRJ's Statement on Gun Violence here.
Dear WRJ Pacific District Members:
By now most of us have heard the terrible and deeply unsettling news that the Congregation Chabad of Poway, CA, experienced a shooting tragedy today even as the celebrations for the closing day of Passover were underway. One woman was killed and three injured, including Rabbi Goldstein. This appears to be a hate crime carried out by a shooter who was motivated by anti-Semitic views. This assault occurred exactly six months to the day from when a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
We stand in unity with the Chabad community of Poway, and we remain committed to stand against all such hate crimes. We remind you to stay vigilant in your synagogues and community.
We ask as well for all of us to expand efforts in our own communities to form coalitions of those individuals and groups committed to combatting hate crimes and gun violence.
A note of support or condolence may be sent to Congregation Chabad,16934 Chabad Way, Poway CA 92046 or via the Tribute Button to rabbi@chabadpoway.com.
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
April 27, 2019
By now most of us have heard the terrible and deeply unsettling news that the Congregation Chabad of Poway, CA, experienced a shooting tragedy today even as the celebrations for the closing day of Passover were underway. One woman was killed and three injured, including Rabbi Goldstein. This appears to be a hate crime carried out by a shooter who was motivated by anti-Semitic views. This assault occurred exactly six months to the day from when a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
We stand in unity with the Chabad community of Poway, and we remain committed to stand against all such hate crimes. We remind you to stay vigilant in your synagogues and community.
We ask as well for all of us to expand efforts in our own communities to form coalitions of those individuals and groups committed to combatting hate crimes and gun violence.
A note of support or condolence may be sent to Congregation Chabad,16934 Chabad Way, Poway CA 92046 or via the Tribute Button to rabbi@chabadpoway.com.
Dana Adler
WRJ Pacific District President
April 27, 2019
