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TBE Sisterhood and the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) Heartland District

01/23/2024 03:31:36 PM

Jan23

By Rozan Anderson, WRJ Heartland District president, WRJ North American Board member, and TBE past president

TBE Sisterhood, as you may know, is part of a vast network of Reform congregational women’s groups and individual members around the world. Coming together as Women of Reform Judaism, our impact is substantial, as we work to empower women and communities through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice.

 

The North American affiliates are grouped into seven geographic regions called Districts, and we in Madison are part of the Heartland District. Heartland was formed in early 2023 from a consolidation of our eight-state Midwest District with the six-state Central District. We now serve all or parts of 14 states from Ohio to Nebraska and the Dakotas to Tennessee, with some 50 women’s groups, plus individual members. That’s a lot of woman power!

So, why does any of this matter to us at TBE?

The Heartland District brings many of the benefits of being part of WRJ even closer to home, so that more of us can easily and affordably participate. The District assists our local sisterhoods, helping with organizational growth, new leadership cultivation, and development, and connecting us with WRJ programs and projects on a more regional level. We hold various events throughout the year, giving women a chance to socialize, learn, worship, and collaborate in a broader community.

I know from my own TBE Sisterhood presidency how helpful it is for our Sisterhood leaders to speak with others in similar and relatively nearby congregations about our successes and challenges. With the District and WRJ, I found many like-minded women who were working toward the same goals as me, organizationally, professionally, and personally. Through my participation at District events, I have been able to grow as a leader. And, one certainly doesn’t need to have a leadership position or aspiration to come join in the fun. There’s always something for everyone at a District event!

I have the honor of serving as president of the Heartland District for the next couple of years. I hope you’ll consider joining me in New Orleans, May 30–June 2, 2024, for the WRJ Fried Women’s Conference. This will be quite a special event, bringing hundreds of women together from all over North America for learning, worshiping, singing, dancing, eating, and inspiring community. Registration will open soon.

I am always happy for a conversation about the value of TBE Sisterhood, the Heartland District, and WRJ and the impact—and fun—we can have together!

April 29, 2024 21 Nisan 5784