Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), formerly known as the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, is the women's affiliate of the

Union for Reform Judaism The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The other two arms established ...

. As the primary women's organization in the Reform Jewish movement, WRJ represents over 65,000 women. WRJ advocates for social justice, raises funds for charities and rabbinic scholarships, and educates congregational leaders.

Notable contributions

In 1972, the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods was instrumental in the ordination of the first American female rabbi,

Sally Priesand Sally Jane Priesand (born June 27, 1946) is America's first female rabbi Semikha, ordained by a rabbinical seminary, and the second formally ordained female rabbi in Jewish history, after Regina Jonas. Priesand was ordained by the Hebrew Union Co ...

. In 1963 the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods had approved a resolution at its biennial assembly calling on the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the

), the

Central Conference of American Rabbis The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), founded in 1889 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in the United States and Canada. The CCAR is the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world. I ...

, and the

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

to move forward on the ordination of women. The YES Fund (Youth, Education, and Special Projects), maintained by WRJ, provides support to

North American Federation of Temple Youth NFTY: The Reform Jewish Youth Movement (formerly known as the North American Federation for Temple Youth, often referred to simply as NFTY, commonly pronounced ''"nifty"'') is the organized youth movement of Reform Judaism in North America. Fun ...

, the

Hebrew Union College Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

, the

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism The Religious Action Center (RAC) is the political and legislative outreach arm of Reform Judaism in the United States. The Religious Action Center is operated under the auspices of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint body of ...

, and many other organizations and charities. WRJ also supports Abraham Geiger College, the first seminary to ordain a Rabbi in Germany since World War II. ''The Torah: A Women's Commentary'' recently won the Everett Family Foundation Jewish Book of the Year award. This counterpart to ''The Torah: A Modern Commentary'' gives a new perspective on women in the Torah. ''A Women's Commentary'' is a scholarly work, written by Jewish women, that gives voices to the women in the Torah and gives a woman's perspective on these classical stories. The book began as a WRJ project in 1992 and was published in 2008 with URJ Press.''The Torah: A Women's Commentary'', Ed. Dr. Tamara Cohn Ezkenazi & Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D., URJ Press & WRJ, New York, 2008.

Leadership and structure

For its first twenty years (1913-1933), Women of Reform Judaism was led by volunteer presidents, the first being Carrie Simon. Jane Evans became its first full-time Executive Director in 1933, a position she held until 1976. Another president was

Stella Heinsheimer Freiberg Stella Heinsheimer Freiberg (November 29, 1862 - January 20, 1962) was an American patron of the arts and society figure. Stella Heinsheimer was born the fifth of six children in Cincinnati. She was the daughter of a well-off family of German Jews, ...

. As of March 2018, the President of WRJ is Susan C. Bass, of Congregation Beth Israel, Houston, TX. She previously served as WRJ Vice President and WRJ Southeast District president. Her First Vice President is Sara B. Charney (Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto, ONT). She is also assisted by vice presidents Abigail Fisher (Beth El Temple Center, Belmont, MA), Madi Hoesten (Congregation Kol Tikvah, Parkland, Fl), Jane Taves (Temple Beth El, Madison, WI), and Julia C. Weinstein (University Synagogue, Los Angeles, CA). The Treasurer is Lisa D. Singer (Temple Beth Shalom, Hudson, OH), and the Secretary is Nicole Villalpando (Congregation Beth Israel, Austin, TX). The Executive Director is Rabbi Marla J. Feldman (Central Syngagogue, New York, NY), and there is an executive committee to assist the Officers and Board of Directors. Prior to 2018, the President had been Blair C. Marks (Temple Kol Emeth, Marietta, GA). There are eight districts that span the United States and Canada, each of which has a district president.

Notes and references

External links

Women of Reform Judaism
{{DEFAULTSORT:Women Of Reform Judaism Union for Reform Judaism Women's political advocacy groups in the United States