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!
Waking up to snow at Camp Kalsman at the 2018 PNW retreat.
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!
