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Editors' Note: This d'var Torah is part of a series that was written by WRJ executive committee member Cynthia Roosth Wolf for adaptation and use by sisterhoods/women's groups during the 2013 WRJ Centennial year.

By Rabbi David Ellenson The history of the rapport between the Women of Reform Judaism and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion starts with the founding of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods in 1913 when NFTS established a National Committee on Hebrew Union Scholarships. Through Harvest Balls, dances, raffles, card parties, rummage sales, bazaars, the charging for refreshments at meetings, and other devices, NFTS in its first year raised more than $2000 in HUC scholarship support at a time when annual tuition was $300 per student. By 1915, the Sisterhood women proposed a 25 cent per capita tax on all members for the establishment of scholarships. Another source of scholarship revenue was discovered through the sale of NFTS Jewish Art Calendars and, in 1917, NFTS proposed that the profits of Uniongram sales be used for “the maintenance of the Hebrew Union Scholarship Fund.” The results were remarkable, and while no single contribution was “large,” the NFTS women succeeded in amassing an “aggregate” that constituted “a considerable sum.” By 1920, NFTS provided more than $12,000 in scholarship aid for HUC students by mobilizing thousands of women through participatory and grass roots methods to raise thousands and thousands of dollars.

This week’s parashah (Tzav, Lev. 6:1–8:36) is one that is a bit difficult for us in these modern times to relate to as it refers to the many kinds of sacrificial offerings made by the Israelites to God.

Welcome to Berlin! What an adventure we had, as the WRJ Centennial Mission group attempted to make the transition from Jerusalem to Berlin. First, we left Jerusalem for the airport at 3 o’clock in the morning! After significant delays at the Tel Aviv airport and the Vienna airport, we finally arrived in Berlin many hours later than expected. May I also mention that it was freezing cold in Berlin with snow on the ground?! Nonetheless, our intrepid group was ready to begin the next stage of our adventure. After all, we are “flexible people”!

By Diane Kaplan In the fall 1974 I had left the work force to await the arrival of our first child. It was an infant adoption and we didn’t have a date certain so I signed up for a daytime class being given by our Rabbi sponsored by sisterhood. I hadn’t really done anything with sisterhood before that time and when Josh arrived in November he attended the final classes with me. That was the beginning. I really don’t remember what transpired but I began attending sisterhood meetings. Over the years I held most of the positions on the Executive Committee other than president, though asked, the timing was not right. I attended District Conventions and became active on the District Board and eventually the District Executive Committee on which I still serve.

The themes of Passover have broad resonance with many of the most critical social justice causes of the day: reading about Israelite slavery reminds us of those who are not free today, focusing on our food calls our attention to those who are hungry and hearing about forced labor in Egypt brings our attention to contemporary labor issues.

by Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet I remember being six years old, sitting at my parents’ Rosh Hashanah dinner table trying to add something to the conversation. They were talking with my grandparents and other family guests about my aunt’s new neighbors. I sat in a big wooden chair just barely able to see above the table listening as my aunt clearly stated matter of factly, “I don’t know how they could let people like that move into my neighborhood.” For about 10 minutes, I tried to speak my six year old mind about how all people are equal in the eyes of God and that we all deserve to live wherever we wish. Finally, my squeaking was interrupted with my grandfather’s sharp look and his stern words of, “children should be seen and not heard.” Well, I had had it. I swallowed my food, raised my hand, and actually waited to be called on. My parents are both teachers and so it did not take them long to notice, and they called on me to speak. I looked at my aunt and back again towards my grandfather. I spoke in soft, distinct tones. “Those people,” I began, “Earn as much money as you or else they could not afford to live in your neighborhood. They have a dog and they always smile at me when I visit. I want to know why they would want to live near you. Conversation stopped.

My sister Liz and I recently had a frightening experience that was transformed into something wonderful by the women of my congregation, Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh, and by the members of Ruaj Ami, a small Progressive Congregation in Chile.       

by Annette Powers, Dana Stein and Jane Herman Annette:  Despite the drenching rain in New York City, it was standing room only at Town and Village Synagogue this morning, where hundreds gathered to daven Rosh Chodesh Nisan in solidarity with Women of the Wall