WRJ PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT

Jewish tradition teaches that every person is created b'tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image. In the spirit of this core Jewish value, every individual who participates in events within the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) community – including participants, presenters, staff, vendors, guests, facilities staff, and all others – will be valued and treated with respect. Every participant, whatever their role, has a right to a safe and inclusive experience, including treatment that is fair, honest, dignified, and nonjudgmental. 

WRJ does not tolerate, in any form or at any time, discrimination, harassment, bullying, sexual misconduct, threats, intimidation, menacing, or any other offensive behavior or acts against anyone in our community or participating in our events. This includes but is not limited to actions taken against others based on their race, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, size, ethnicity, origin, religion, class, or any other identity.

Critical areas of concern include but are not limited to bullying, sexual harassment or misconduct, and inclusion.

Bullying

Bullying is unwanted, hostile behavior, either as single act or repeated over time, committed with the intent to degrade, humiliate, or oppress another person. It may include:
  • Verbal behavior such as making threats, inappropriate sexual comments, and taunting;
  • Social misbehavior such as spreading rumors and purposeful exclusion;
  • Physical behavior that involves hurting another individual’s body or damaging possessions;
  • Cyberbullying, such as persistent, unwanted texts, phone calls, or social media messages, or posting private, personal information of others online (known as “doxing”).
Bullying typically involves a real or perceived power imbalance such as using popularity, position, physical strength, or access to embarrassing information in order to control or harm others. Thus, it is important to note that while bullying will not be tolerated, respectful disagreement and good-faith critiques of one’s work and activities, even if sometimes harsh, are not bullying. Individuals’ ability to disagree and/or share ideas and concerns openly and without reprisal must not be compromised and will be respected and protected.

Sexual Harassment or Misconduct

Sexual harassment includes, for example, unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favors, and other unwelcome verbal, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature when:
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect, intentionally or unintentionally, of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s participation, work, or volunteer performance, or otherwise creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
  • Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s standing as a participant, volunteer, or employee.
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for participation in a WRJ event, employment decisions, or decisions concerning volunteer assignments, whether or not such decisions have direct economic consequences.
Conduct of this nature diminishes us all and compromises our ability – individually and collectively – to demonstrate our commitment to living lives that reflect our Jewish values.

DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

Participants, staff, and volunteers of WRJ programs will meet and work with people from backgrounds (i.e., races, cultures, genders, socioeconomics, etc.) different from their own. People from historically marginalized backgrounds – including People of Color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or people with disabilities – are frequently asked questions about their backgrounds or identities that serve to further marginalize them and separate them from others. For example, in Jewish spaces, Jews of Color are often subject to questions and comments about their authenticity.

All participants, staff, and volunteers in WRJ programs are asked to recognize the diversity of the Jewish people and to continually challenge dominant ideas of who “looks Jewish.”

Reporting Concerns or Violations

To report a concern or violation of this Code of Conduct regarding yourself or another person:
  • In-person: Deawn Hermmann or Shari Carruthers.
  • If the complaint concerns that person(s), reporting should be done by email or phone as below. 
  • In-person, by email or phone: Deawn Herrmann or Shari Carruthers 
  • By email or phone: to WRJ Assistant Director – Liz Rosenblum (lrosenblum@wrj.org or 212-650-4056).

Please note that the conduct of WRJ employees is governed by the URJ Employee Handbook, and the conduct of WRJ volunteers, staff and independent contractors is governed by the URJ Ethics Code and WRJ Policy on Harassment. The URJ Ethics Code can be accessed at https://urj.org/who-we-are/ethics-code-union-reform-judaism.