Women of Reform Judaism

08/21/2026

Shabbat shalom, WRJ 💜🩷💛 In this week’s blog, newly-ordained Rabbi Yael Tischler reflects on her journey to the rabbinate, and what she hopes to accomplish as a feminist rabbi in the United Kingdom. WRJ had the opportunity to meet with Rabbi Tischler when select leaders were visiting Leo Baeck College in London earlier this summer. She writes:

“At my final KHPI retreat, at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, as I stood by the aptly named Lake Miriam, I realized that what I wanted to do was to enable others to discover that sense of belonging. Many Jewish women, as well as members of other marginalized groups, even those of us in the Progressive world, still grow up with the sense - even if we can’t articulate it - that Judaism doesn’t belong to us. But Judaism does belong to us. It always has.”

Read the full reflection: https://wrj.org/blog/claiming-our-lineage-my-journey-rabbinate

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

Take the next step in your involvement with WRJ by joining the North American Board of Directors! Connect with women+ like Pattie Schreiber from Tampa, FL, who values the leadership skills and opportunities to shine that she has gained from being a member of the board. Learn more and apply to WRJ’s North American Board below – applications close September 28!

https://wrj.org/our-community/about-wrj/board-service-application/board-service-application

08/19/2026

Rosh HaShanah is only a few weeks away, and WRJ’s Covenant of Justice is the perfect addition to your High Holiday celebrations! “Covenant of Justice” is a dynamic collection of prayers, poems, and reflections on the most pressing social justice issues of our time, viewed through the lens of Jewish tradition and covenant. Written by a diverse group of female, nonbinary, and genderfluid contributors, the pieces address key topics including racial equity, climate justice, gender equality, and reproductive rights.

Get your copy of Covenant of Justice today from CCAR Press: https://www.ccarpress.org/9780881236606/covenant-of-justice/

08/17/2026

This past weekend, WRJ CEO Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch visited Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan for the Women of Temple Israel's Sisterhood Shabbat, as well as Temple Beth El of Bloomfield Hills' Sisterhood Shabbat. It was a meaningful weekend supporting our sisters in the wake of the attack on the community earlier this year.

08/17/2026

We are weeks away from the next season of the Just For This podcast! We are finalizing our episodes and guests now, so each of these icons represent an upcoming episode for the season. Can you guess the guest based on the drawing? Who are you hoping to hear from this season? Let us know in the comments!

08/14/2026

Shabbat shalom, and chodesh tov! 📚🍂 Rosh Chodesh, translating literally to “the head of the month,” celebrates the start of a new month on the Hebrew calendar. Today marks the start of Elul, the twelfth and final month of the calendar when counting from Tishrei, and marks the lead-up to High Holiday season. The letters of the month of Elul form an acronym for the words in the Song of Songs verse “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li – I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine,” symbolizing our connection to God during this time. The shofar is blown each morning in Elul, and the month is traditionally filled with studying, prayer, and reflection to prepare us for the new year ahead.

How are you preparing for the High Holidays? Let us know in the comments!

08/13/2026

Last month, WRJ President Karen Sim, Past President Susan Bass, and Southwest District Immediate Past President Phyllis Strausberg visited URJ Jacobs Camp to celebrate the official naming of the Women of Reform Judaism–Southwest Jacobs Performing Arts Center (WRJ-SW JPAC), a gift from honorary lifetime board member Joanne Fried. In her reflection on the visit, Karen writes:

“We all came to learn about the camp, visit with staff and campers while recognizing Joanne’s generosity. It was so special for the WRJ contingent to be together in Mississippi as Southwest District sisters and WRJ friends. Through Joanne’s charitable gift, she modeled a belief in camping, her faith in the future of Reform Judaism, as well as her unwavering dedication to WRJ. She is incredible.”

Read Karen’s reflection: https://wrj.org/blog/my-visit-urj-jacobs-camp-spotlight-joanne-fried

08/12/2026

Join Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), a Platinum Biennial sponsor, for 24+ hours of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice at the Fried Women’s Summit (FWS) ahead of URJ Biennial in Philadelphia this December! Anyone interested in WRJ who identifies as female, nonbinary, or genderfluid is welcome to attend, with both scholarships and a young adult (18-36) rate available. Attendees will participate in 3 learning session blocks, experience meaningful women-led worship and music, and hear from global Reform Movement partners at our Kehillah fundraising lunch. 50% of seats are already sold out – don’t miss your chance to register!

You can sign up as part of your URJ Biennial registration or as a standalone event: https://brnw.ch/21x4Svf

08/11/2026

New from CCAR Press and Women of Reform Judaism: “Covenant of Justice: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations from Women of Reform Judaism”

“Covenant of Justice” is a dynamic collection of prayers, poems, and reflections on the most pressing social justice issues of our time, viewed through the lens of Jewish tradition and covenant. Written by a diverse group of female, nonbinary, and genderfluid contributors, the pieces address key topics including racial equity, climate justice, gender equality, and reproductive rights. With a focus on action rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world), this book serves as both an educational resource and a call to action.

• Order at: covenantofjustice.ccarpress.org