WRJ's Speakers Bureau offers an opportunity to bring a dynamic, experienced WRJ leader to your sisterhood, women’s group, or District. Our speakers can share various topics with your group, including, but not limited to, leadership development, advocacy opportunities, WRJ history and priorities, and fundraising. We encourage you to take advantage of this program, which aims to help develop leadership skills, provide educational opportunities, and bring spirituality to your next Sisterhood Shabbat or retreat in your community.


Eligibility Requirements

Sisterhoods in good standing with both WRJ and their WRJ District are qualified to have a WRJ North American Representative visit for no charge at least once every two years.

(WRJ Districts also have their own Speakers Bureau where sisterhoods are eligible to have a local representative during alternate years to the WRJ North American speaker. Please contact your WRJ District directly for more information.)


Policies & Procedures

  • We ask that you request a speaker at least 90 days before your event if it is in-person and 60 days before your event if it will be virtual. 
     
  • WRJ will arrange for the best speaker for your event.  Please do not recruit a specific speaker yourself.
     
  • For in-person events, the host sisterhood(s) provide all local transportation and meals during the speaking engagement (including to/from the airport and events). WRJ will cover the cost of airfare and hotel for the speaker. 
     
  • In-person speakers are happy to meet with the host sisterhood(s) board(s) in addition to any other scheduled events.
     
  • Host sisterhood(s) must complete and return either electronically or by mail the WRJ Speakers Bureau evaluation form after the visit.
     
  • If the host sisterhood(s) cancels an in-person speaker after a WRJ representative has been confirmed, the host sisterhood(s) is financially responsible. It will be billed by WRJ for the full amount of any non-refundable travel expenses incurred.


Tips for a Good WRJ Speakers Visit

  • Have the WRJ Representative meet privately with sisterhood/women's group and congregation leaders.
     
  • Allow the WRJ Representative to provide leadership training sessions to assist your board members in dealing with specific needs and concerns within your sisterhood/women's group.
     
  • Invite other local WRJ sisterhoods/women's group to participate in all or part of the weekend’s events.
     

Speakers can attend programs related to sisterhood and WRJ, including but not limited to:

  • Leadership/Board Training
     
  • Installation of Officers
     
  • Special Celebrations 
     
  • Sisterhood Shabbat
     
  • Kallah Weekend
     
  • Sisterhood/Women's Group Programming
     
  • Fundraising and Fiscal Education
     
  • Advocacy Events
     
  • Racial Justice Education

Request a Speaker

Speakers Bureau engagements are scheduled based on availability, and all requests must be submitted at least three months in advance of your requested date.

Here is the form for the virtual requests:

https://urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/pp4g2z21brj14v/

Here is the form for the in-person sisterhood requests:

https://urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/m1agdiu00hq0gba/

Here is the form for the in-person District requests:

https://urjyouth.wufoo.com/forms/m1fyav2x1fvb8y9/

 

For more information about WRJ Speakers Bureau, please contact WRJ Director of Engagement Heather Lorgeree or 212.650.4063.