Blog

This piece includes details about abortion and loss of life.

Life is Sacred: Our Pathway to Parenthood and Community Care

When my husband, Bruce, and I married, our vows reflected a dream: to share the journey of parenthood. We embraced the hope and joy that

“If a person sits in their home and says to themselves,
‘What have the affairs of society to do with me?... Why
Should I trouble myself with the people’s voices of
protest? Let my soul dwell in peace!‘ - If one does this,
they overthrow the world.”
(Midrash Tanhuma

This week’s Torah portion is Toldot. Toldot tells the story of Rebecca and Isaac, and their twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The opening words of the parasha are profound — Rebecca is having a difficult twin pregnancy, and we get this fulsome description of her

My WRJ Leadership journey can be summed up by the three pillars of WRJ: sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice.

Sisterhood:

My Jewish journey began when I said “yes” to membership in the Temple Beth El Sisterhood in South Bend, Indiana. My husband and I

As an American Reform Jew, my understanding of Jewish practice and gender equality was shaped by the values of my community. Growing up, I was accustomed to seeing women and men equally engaged in Jewish life. It has never been a radical concept for me to see

On the 754th day since October 7, 2023, I walked into the plaza of Hostage Square, the heart of community organizing and public support for families of those held hostage in Gaza. The place where so many gathered for over two years in prayer and protest. 
 

I

 “People called her ‘Jeannette Miriam.’ She was a spitfire. She was a proto-feminist, an attractive, sociable, smart woman in leadership positions before women got the vote. What a role model then and now.” — Hollace Ava Weiner 

The Atlantic District is unique

השיבנו יי ונשובה
חדיש ימינו כקדם

“Bring us back, God, and we will return to You.
Renew our days as they once were.”  (Lamentations 5:21)

I’m on my way to the 39th World Zionist Congress, where I’m honored to represent Women of Reform Judaism, the Reform Movement

The following remarks were shared on a Movement-wide gathering of collective prayer and reflection following the release of the remaining living hostages from Gaza.

Good evening. I’m Rabbi Liz Hirsch, CEO of Women of Reform Judaism.

Mothers, fathers, parents