SAVE THE DATE!
NEXT PACIFIC NORTHWEST AREA DAY
JULY 30-31, 2022
Temple Sholom, Vancouver, British Columbia
Are you interested in being a part of our NorCal planning committee? Please contact Carol Stoler to participate in this planning. Carol's email address can be found in the Chai Line in your inbox.
Virtual HAVDALAH and BINGO
October 2nd, 2021
October 2nd, 2021
Since we could not attend the PNW Retreat in person, we decided to come together virtually on Saturday, October 2, for Havdalah and Bingo. It was a fun evening and a great opportunity to gather (virtually) and give us all a taste of community.
2021 PACIFIC NORTHWEST RETREAT
The PD Retreat Planning Committee has decided it is in the best interest of all to postpone the retreat at this time. We are hopeful that vaccines will be available for all ages by next spring, the Delta variant will be a thing of the past, and everything will be all-around much better.
New date: April 8-10, 2022
If you have already registered for the retreat, you have two options going forward:
1. Keep your current registration as is. We will hold on to your registration, and you will still have the same housing as you registered for. If we have to cancel again (We truly hope not!), you will get a full refund (minus the small PayPal fee).
2. Cancel registration, and we will refund your registration (minus the small PayPal fee). We will refund your funds, and if you decide to attend next spring, you will have to re-register. We will not charge the $25 registration fee to those that cancel as outlined in our current cancellation policy.
Also, if you find out between now and 4 weeks prior to the new date that you are unable to attend, we will honor the same offer and refund complete funds (minus the small PayPal fee). In addition, we will not charge the $25 registration fee as outlined in our current cancellation policy to those that cancel before February 28.
Please get in touch with me if you have already registered for the event and let me know which of the above options you would like to select.
In addition, if you purchased non-refundable, non-changeable airline tickets to come to the retreat, or if the airline you purchased your tickets on imposes a change fee to rebook for the new date, please fill out a reimbursement form and submit it for approval. Here is the link to the form: https://www.wrjpacific.org/reimbursement-voucher.html
We genuinely hope that coming together next spring will be a far healthier option for all ages eligible for the vaccine with back-to-school and summer travel in the rear window (and past Holiday break travel) for all of us.
Thank you all for your interest in the retreat, and I truly hope to see you all at Camp Kalsman in April 2022.
Elizabeth Goertzel
PD Sisterhood Retreat Chair
New date: April 8-10, 2022
If you have already registered for the retreat, you have two options going forward:
1. Keep your current registration as is. We will hold on to your registration, and you will still have the same housing as you registered for. If we have to cancel again (We truly hope not!), you will get a full refund (minus the small PayPal fee).
2. Cancel registration, and we will refund your registration (minus the small PayPal fee). We will refund your funds, and if you decide to attend next spring, you will have to re-register. We will not charge the $25 registration fee to those that cancel as outlined in our current cancellation policy.
Also, if you find out between now and 4 weeks prior to the new date that you are unable to attend, we will honor the same offer and refund complete funds (minus the small PayPal fee). In addition, we will not charge the $25 registration fee as outlined in our current cancellation policy to those that cancel before February 28.
Please get in touch with me if you have already registered for the event and let me know which of the above options you would like to select.
In addition, if you purchased non-refundable, non-changeable airline tickets to come to the retreat, or if the airline you purchased your tickets on imposes a change fee to rebook for the new date, please fill out a reimbursement form and submit it for approval. Here is the link to the form: https://www.wrjpacific.org/reimbursement-voucher.html
We genuinely hope that coming together next spring will be a far healthier option for all ages eligible for the vaccine with back-to-school and summer travel in the rear window (and past Holiday break travel) for all of us.
Thank you all for your interest in the retreat, and I truly hope to see you all at Camp Kalsman in April 2022.
Elizabeth Goertzel
PD Sisterhood Retreat Chair
| 2021_retreat_brochure.pdf |
2019 Pacific Northwest Area Day
Sunday, July 20-21, 2019
Congregation Kol Ami, Vancouver, WA
Thank you to Congregation Kol Ami for hosting the 2019 Pacific Northwest Area Day!
To celebrate with those who were once living on the streets or in cars and to change their lives by offering housing supplies as they transition to permanent housing, we created “Welcome Home Baskets” filled with basic needs items. What a wonderful way to reach out and help change the lives of those in our community who need that extra support!
To celebrate with those who were once living on the streets or in cars and to change their lives by offering housing supplies as they transition to permanent housing, we created “Welcome Home Baskets” filled with basic needs items. What a wonderful way to reach out and help change the lives of those in our community who need that extra support!
Share and post your Area Day photos on Social Media!
On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, please tag:
@wrjpacific
#PNWareaday19
#wrjpd
SCROLL DOWN TO READ ABOUT PAST PACIFIC NORTHWEST AREA DAYS!
2018 Pacific Northwest Retreat and Area Day
Camp Kalsman, Bellevue, WA
Camp Kalsman, Bellevue, WA
Thirty-five women from the Pacific Northwest area of the WRJ Pacific District gathered together at Camp Kalsman from March 23-25, 2018, to connect, reflect, relax, play, eat, sing, and participate in social action, crafts, and spiritual growth.
Friday evening, after dinner, we enjoyed a sing-along and then had a fun "Sisterhood Speed Dating" ice breaker, followed by a wine, nosh, and activity social hour that stretched into the night. Many of us were surprised when we woke up Saturday morning to a blanket of snow on the ground, with large flakes falling on us as we walked to the dining hall for breakfast and services. Fortunately, the snow did not stop the fun and we experienced a beautiful visual tefillah service.
Throughout the weekend, women could choose to spend their time as they wished: making new friends, attending a Social Justice workshop, creating Lava Rock bracelets, participating in the #marchforourlives Camp Kalsman edition, making no-sew blankets as a social action project, Israeli dancing, participating in a meditative walk, playing Mah Jongg and other games, and connecting with other women from across the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday evening, after a lovely Havdalah service, we watched WRJ's "Rachel's Story" video, learned about the WRJ YES Fund and spent time with our guest of honor, WRJ Pacific District president, Judie Shor Ning, All in all it was a rewarding and fun bonding experience for our Pacific Northwest Sisterhood members!
Friday evening, after dinner, we enjoyed a sing-along and then had a fun "Sisterhood Speed Dating" ice breaker, followed by a wine, nosh, and activity social hour that stretched into the night. Many of us were surprised when we woke up Saturday morning to a blanket of snow on the ground, with large flakes falling on us as we walked to the dining hall for breakfast and services. Fortunately, the snow did not stop the fun and we experienced a beautiful visual tefillah service.
Throughout the weekend, women could choose to spend their time as they wished: making new friends, attending a Social Justice workshop, creating Lava Rock bracelets, participating in the #marchforourlives Camp Kalsman edition, making no-sew blankets as a social action project, Israeli dancing, participating in a meditative walk, playing Mah Jongg and other games, and connecting with other women from across the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday evening, after a lovely Havdalah service, we watched WRJ's "Rachel's Story" video, learned about the WRJ YES Fund and spent time with our guest of honor, WRJ Pacific District president, Judie Shor Ning, All in all it was a rewarding and fun bonding experience for our Pacific Northwest Sisterhood members!
2017 Northern California Area Day
"BUILDING YOUR SISTERHOOD, BUILDING YOURSELF"
Thank you to Beth Israel Sisterhood, Portland, OR for hosting!
This year's Pacific Northwest Area Day was more of an Area Weekend. Women from around the area made plans to drive or take the train to Portland on Saturday afternoon, July 22.
We began with a president's workshop and a panel discussion on programming for a diverse membership. Then we gathered for cocktails and "speed dating for inspiration" followed by dinner. Our hosts from Congregation Beth Israel arranged home hospitality, with an assist from Vancouver's Congregation Kol Ami, for those who preferred to be hosted.
Sunday was a full day of workshops on leadership skills and personal enrichment, including some led by our special guest from the southwest, Pacific District 1st VP Dana Adler.
We began with a president's workshop and a panel discussion on programming for a diverse membership. Then we gathered for cocktails and "speed dating for inspiration" followed by dinner. Our hosts from Congregation Beth Israel arranged home hospitality, with an assist from Vancouver's Congregation Kol Ami, for those who preferred to be hosted.
Sunday was a full day of workshops on leadership skills and personal enrichment, including some led by our special guest from the southwest, Pacific District 1st VP Dana Adler.
2016 Northern California Area Day
"Expanding the Circle of Leadership"
Thank you to the sisterhood of Temple Beth Am in Seattle for hosting!
Sisters of Beth Am in Seattle hosted a very successful Area Day for the Pacific Northwest women on June 26, 2016. We had forty-four women attend - a new record for us. The theme was Expanding the Circle of Leadership. Our Area Day was a collaborative effort made possible by the leadership of each of our sisterhoods. WRJ Pacific District 1st VP Judie Shor Ning provided us with an inspiring preview of the Las Vegas Convention and updates about the District. The first convention registration happened just as she spoke, with one of our attendees registering on the spot.
Ellen Bick, WRJ PD Immediate Past District President, led us through the YES Fund presentation with resounding results. Our YES Fund Ask garnered $1523.00 which included a $300.00 donation from B'nai Torah Sisterhood. Each sisterhood also donated an item for a drawing with the money collected also going to the YES Fund. We raised $331.00 and lovely smiles from the winners.
Rabbi Joel Simonds, Associate Program Director for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, was our scholar in residence for the afternoon. He was wonderful!!! He emphasized that social action, for example in supporting refugees, lobbying against gun violence and other issues, is not only the Jewish thing to do but it is the human thing to do. Our breakout sessions allowed us to share our thoughts and develop action plans. We closed our day with sharing a one-word conclusion. For me, it was Blessed. Our day was wonderful.
Toni Kennedy, WRJ PD Area Director, Temple Sholom, Vancouver, B.C.
Ellen Bick, WRJ PD Immediate Past District President, led us through the YES Fund presentation with resounding results. Our YES Fund Ask garnered $1523.00 which included a $300.00 donation from B'nai Torah Sisterhood. Each sisterhood also donated an item for a drawing with the money collected also going to the YES Fund. We raised $331.00 and lovely smiles from the winners.
Rabbi Joel Simonds, Associate Program Director for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, was our scholar in residence for the afternoon. He was wonderful!!! He emphasized that social action, for example in supporting refugees, lobbying against gun violence and other issues, is not only the Jewish thing to do but it is the human thing to do. Our breakout sessions allowed us to share our thoughts and develop action plans. We closed our day with sharing a one-word conclusion. For me, it was Blessed. Our day was wonderful.
Toni Kennedy, WRJ PD Area Director, Temple Sholom, Vancouver, B.C.
Thank you to the sisterhood of Temple B'nai Torah for hosting the 2015 Pacific Northwest Area Day!
"Leadership of Others Begins with Leading Ourselves"
20 women from 5 sisterhoods participated in Saturday training, held for a second year in Bellevue, Washington, this time hosted by the sisterhood of Temple B'nai Torah (TBT). Then 35 women from 7 Pacific Northwest sisterhoods participated in a decidedly different area day on Sunday.Pacific Northwest Area Director Toni Kennedy spearheaded this collaborative effort and made sure that all sisterhoods in the region had assigned tasks.
The "traditional" parts of area day included a welcome by TBT Sisterhood President Carol Schuster, a President's Report by Pacific District President Phyllis Bigelson, and a convention poll and preview by Pacific District 1st Vice President Judie Ning regarding the 2016 Pacific district to be held in Las Vegas.
Sunday began with an icebreaker led by Temple Beth El in Tacoma. During this bonding exercise we learned that one unique aspect of PNW area day was that a significant percentage of attendees was under the age of thirty.
Our Equity and Access Forum comprised the social justice component of this area day and focused on four topics: pay equity, gender sensitivity, equal access to quality education, and the effects of privilege.
And how about the workshops? Phyllis and Judie used theSaturday meeting to hold leadership training with the five sisterhood presidents and other leaders. On Sunday, we divided into three groups, then rotated round-robin style from impromptu discussion on membership led by Ellen Bick, on programming led by Judie Ning, and on cultivating new leaders led by Phyllis Bigelson.
Evaluations show that the weekend and this collaborative approach were extremely well received. Whichever sisterhood hosts next year's event will know exactly who to call for assistance!
Thank you Temple De Hirsch Sinai Sisterhood, Bellevue, WA for hosting the 2014 PNW Area Day!
