WRJ Charity Funds

A New Need for Our Support - Or Hadash

Rabbi Edgar Nof at our sister congregation Or Hadash in Haifa, Israel, has asked for our assistance and support for their Moadonit Program.

This program which serves 13 very special children, meets twice a week for three hours each day, offering hot lunches, assistance with homework, arts and crafts, holiday celebrations and, above all, emotional support. Rabbi Nof hopes to extend this program to three days in the near future. Support for Moadonit would be a natural extension of our commitment to the children within our own Temple community who have special needs.

If you support WRJ-TI's involvement in this new endeavor please contact Sandy Perrin . 

_________________________________________________________________________________

The YES Fund

Circle of Service is your own personal way of supporting the Reform Jewish community in North America and around the world. Your contribution to Circle of Service and to Lifeline, or your purchase of Uniongrams and YES Fund materials enables Women of Reform Judaism to support:

• Activities for high school youth (NFTY)
  
• Funding for college programs
  
• Eisendrath Legislative interns at the RAC in DC
  
• Rabbinic educational scholarships
  
• College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)
  
• Awards and prizes for cantorial students
  
• Scholarships for rabbinic students from around the world who
  will return to their countries of origin
  
• Leadership training for Sisterhoods
  
• Membership and programming strategies
  
• Women's health awareness and advocacy through action
  
• Nursery schools in Israel at the HUC-JIR Cincinnati
  
• Funding for religious teacher training program

There are a variety of ways to participate in the YES Fund:

• Purchase Uniongrams and YES Fund Materials at the Judaica Ship on Wheels
  
• Donate to Circle of Service
  
• Double Chai - $36
  
• Sponsor - $75
  
• Partner - $90
  
• Partner Plus - $180
  
• Donate to Lifeline, an endowed gift - $1,000
  
• Donate to Golden Lifeline, an endowed gift - $5,000

Send your check made out to Women of Reform Judaism to:
B-J. Scheff, WRJ-Temple Israel
477 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
__________________________________________________________________________________

Judaica Shop On Wheels

Every Sunday (Follows Education Program Calendar) 
9:00  a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
In The Atrium

***NEW***

Bracelets are here! "Live Strong" in yellow and "Share Beauty - Spread Hope" in pink. Cost is a $1 contribution to the the Cancer Fund.

Plus

"L'Chaim: To Life", from Temple B'nai Shalom Sisterhood in Huntsville, Alabama, a breast cancer awareness and research pin. "She who saves a life is as if she saves the entire world." The pins are a $10 cost and money is donated in its entirety to Breast Cancer Research.

Special sale items always available.
If you are unable to come to the "push cart" call Myra at 617-983-5607.
WRJTI runs the 'pushcart' as a service to the Congregation. A convenient place to pick up gifts, get appropriate children’s books and games, buy Israeli products at discounted prices. Proceeds go towards the WRJTI Temple projects such as Hanukah candles for Religious School families; Confirmation Reception; special help for Congregational families through the WRJ Tzedakah Fund.

__________________________________________________________________________________

New Domestic Violence Initiative

Domestic violence has been a critical concern of Women of Reform Judaism for many years. On a local level WRJTI paid for the kosher kitchen at Second Step in Newton and has joined Jewish Women International and the Jewish Domestic Violence Coalition in presenting a number of community education meetings. Last year we hosted and cosponsored Kol Isha’s first Sukkah of Peace event. This year we continued our support.

The first major contribution from the Betsy Friedman Abrams Social Action Fund went to Kol Isha, the Jewish Domestic Violence Program at JF&CS. Our Hennie Herman Tzedakah Fund provides emergency services to women and children directly through our Rabbis and through Kol Isha.

We are expanding our work in this area to provide educational and training opportunities for our Temple professionals, such as to attend the Second International Conference on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, sponsored by Jewish Women International. We hope that by offering staff the ability attend workshops and seminars on the varied aspects for domestic violence we can raise awareness of the issues and the resources available to our Congregants and our children. We welcome the Temple Israel Brotherhood as a partner in this endeavor.

___________________________________________________________________________________

WRJ Project: Knitting For Preemies at the New England Medical Center

This project has reached its third anniversary this year! We would like to thank all the wonderful women and especially, one Bar Mitzvah candidate, who have been fulfilling this Mitzvah. Special thanks to Annette Hodess, Fay Kravet, and Norma Woodlee who take top honors for number of items produced! The Hospital tells us that the monthly need for 100 hats and booties is as prevalent as ever. Lap blankets are also needed. We need some new volunteers.

If necessary, we will teach you how to knit. Please join us. This is something that really makes a difference and that you can do at home. If you would like to get together with others to knit and chat we can help you arrange that.

Contact Diane Cline or call 617-527-7287.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Health Care Initiative

Since its formation 91 years ago, The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (now known as Women of Reform Judaism) has been concerned with issues of child welfare issues and maternal health. We continue that concern and join with GBIO and Ohel Tzedek in urging you to get involved in ACT! (Affordable Health Care Today!). Call Alison Kur, 617-965-9791 for further information.

____________________________________________________________________________________

WRJ Art Calendars & Holiday Cards

This year's calendars and cards feature the colorful and evocative art of Siona Benjamin. A descendant of the Bene Israel Jews, Siona grew up in India in a predominantly Hindu and Muslim society. Her art reflects her complex cultural background and raises questions about what and where is "home," while reflecting on issues such as identity, tolerance of diversity and the role of art in social change.

The Art Calendar is pocket-sized and lists all weekly Torah and Haftorah portions, all Jewish holidays and American and Canadian legal holidays. It spans 13 months, provides space for appointments and notes, future engagements, telephone numbers and month-at-a-glance mini-calendars. ($14)

New this year is a WRJ Wall Calendar which also includes Shabbat candle lighting times. ($15)

The High Holiday card is inscribed on the front with the words A Time of Reflection, and inside with May the year ahead be filled with the blessings of health, happiness and peace in English in English and Hebrew. ($10 per pack)

Calendars and cards are on sale at the Temple office or call Myra Chivian at 617-983-5607.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Lunchtime Book Club

The Lunchtime Book Club will meet on the forth Thursday of each month at Temple. The Pushcart and Library will have copies of the current book. Bring your lunch to the organizational meeting and join in a stimulating discussion of Lost In America by Sherwin Nuland (July's selection) - highly recommended by Myra Chivian.

The book is available at the Library and at the WRJTI Judaica Shop on Wheels. To get a copy call Sylvia at 781-337-5404.

____________________________________________________________________________________

The Power of Jewish Women's Conversations

Be the first in your neighborhood to host a Salon! Lilith Magazine and WRJ have developed a joint pilot program "more free-flowing than a book club, not as spiritual as a Rosh Chodesh group, and more intimate than a lecture."A Salon is a gathering where a dozen or so people meet for an evening or afternoon of good talk, refreshments, and renewed energy. There will be four meetings per year and conversation starters and 'trigger' questions will be provided. A subscription to Lilith (at a special reduced price) and membership in WRJ are expected.

For more information contact B-J. Scheff or call 781-259-9511.