Women of Reform Judaism held its biennial Sisterhood Leadership Conference in New Orleans, LA from January 23-25, 2009.  A record breaking 160 women from across North America attended the conference this year.  As expressed by WRJ President Rosanne M. Selfon, “Regardless of where they began their journey to New Orleans, all the women found common ground: successes to share, challenges to discuss, information to learn about WRJ, and additional skills to facilitate their leadership.”  The weekend was filled with exciting programs, new friendships, and inspirational speakers.

On Friday, twenty-five women participated in an optional hands-on mitzvah project.  Following breakfast at New Orleans’ well-known Café Du Monde, the group spent the day at the Lafayette Academy Charter School.  The women read Don Freeman’s book, Corduroy, to a group of second graders in the morning and a group of kindergartners after lunch.  Each child created an art project based on themes in the book.

On Friday evening, Selfon opened the conference with warm words of welcome, followed by the icebreaker “Have you ever?” led by conference chair Jill Neuman and WRJ Vice President Sharon Benoff.  

Cantor Joel Colman from Temple Sinai led a soulful Kaballat Shabbat service and was accompanied by pianist Dr. Marcus St. Julien.  The evening continued with a gracious dinner.  Three local women who lived in the New Orleans area during Hurricane Katrina told their personal stories.  Each speaker offered a different perspective– from educational, spiritual, and personal standpoints.  Still, their message was the same in that they were able to move on constructively after the storm by doing such things as volunteering at a public school and helping their synagogue “come back to life.”  The evening concluded with an array of show tunes performed by Cantor Coleman, including a rendition of“Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof.

Saturday morning Cantor Tory May from Congregation Gates of Prayer led a spiritually uplifting service.  At one point, many of the women got up and danced in a circle to Miriam’s Song by Debbie Friedman.  WRJ First Vice President Lynn Magid Lazar gave a beautiful D’var Torah about the meaning of names and bringing God into your everyday life.

Following the service, there were two guest speakers.  Dr. Benjamin Sachs (left), senior vice president of Tulane University and dean of the School of Medicine, gave a fascinating presentation about Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the healthcare system in New Orleans.  He described the revitalization of the system through neighborhood health centers.  Next was Jonathan “J.C.” Cohen, (right) director of the URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS, who spoke about many who, during Hurricane Katrina, fled to his camp, which welcomes people in times of crisis.  J.C. also told the group about the camp leadership’s role in the establishment of the Jacob’s Ladder Project, which provided food and supplies to neighboring communities.

Saturday afternoon was filled with a multitude of learning opportunities.  There were four workshops to help the participants build their sisterhood toolbox, including “Running an Effective Meeting,” “Prioritizing Membership,” “Advocacy in Action,” and “Sisterhood Financial Health.”  Later in the day, each person had the opportunity to attend a “sisterhood schmooze” session according to their congregation’s size.  Here, the participants shared their questions and concerns within their group which was lead by a WRJ vice president.

Saturday evening, everyone departed the hotel in three buses for a fun-filled riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River (above).  Bus captains – Rosanne M. Selfon, Lynn Magid Lazar, and Susan Bass – led the participants in a creative Havdallah service.  Each woman received her own WRJ flashlight (Havdallah candle) and scratch n’ sniff stickers (grape for wine and cinnamon for b’samim or spices).  

On Sunday morning, Shelley Lindauer, WRJ’s executive director (left), led a tutorial of the WRJ website. Later, the four department WRJ Vice Presidents – Susan Bass, Karen Sim, Sharon Benoff, and Katie Roeper – participated in a “Meet the Facts” panel discussion moderated by Lynn Magid Lazar.  Each vice president gave a brief presentation, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

The day continued with a delicious buffet brunch and an exciting YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects) program which raised over $10,000 for the YES Fund!  The conference concluded with a large friendship circle of 160 women from across North America, holding hands, and exchanging one word about their experience during the weekend at the WRJ Leadership Conference.  Some words were “inspirational,” “spiritual,” “revitalizing,” and “fun.”

Not only were sisterhood leaders inspired by the conference, but it gave them the opportunity to network and get to know each other. They exchanged ideas, insights, and stories.  They gained valuable information about WRJ and learned about the wide array of resources that WRJ has available for their sisterhoods.  As one participant said so eloquently, “Thank you for holding this conference.  It has invigorated me and gave me the tools and resources to go back to my sisterhood and make positive changes.”

Central District

The WRJ Sisterhood Leadership Conference was successful because of the combined efforts of the WRJ staff, Executive Director Shelley Lindauer, President Rosanne M. Selfon, First Vice President Lynn Magid Lazar, all of our WRJ Vice Presidents, the District Presidents, and our excited participants.  We’d also like to give a special thank you to local WRJ leaders, Marilyn Lake Neumann and Joanne Fried, for their guidance and support.  Finally, we would like to extend a big thank you to the conference co-chairs, Jill Neuman and Debra Faye, for their hard work and for making the conference such a great success.

We hope to see you at the next WRJ Sisterhood Leadership Conference on January 21-23, 2011 in San Francisco, CA.  Stay tuned for more details.

 To read a report of the 2007 Leadership Conference, please click here.