Women of Reform Judaism

09/11/2026

L’shanah tovah, anyada buena, happy new year! 🎉 💜 Tonight is the beginning of Rosh HaShanah, literally translating to “head of the year,” also known as the Jewish New Year. Rosh HaShanah is a time for reviewing the past year and committing to growth in the year to come. As we enter 5787, please consider donating to WRJ (link below) to ensure that we can continue to rise for justice, strengthen sisterhood, and create a more just world in the year ahead. Have a safe and happy new year 🍎🍯

https://donate.wrj.org/Default.aspx?tsid=43484

09/08/2026

What a year it has been for WRJ, and what a year it has been for our CEO, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch! From representing the Reform Movement on a global stage at the World Zionist Congress, to elevating women’s voices through the Just For This podcast (Just For This Podcast), WRJ has been steadfast and dedicated to our mission.

But the work before us is urgent. Threats to democracy persist. Women’s rights remain in jeopardy. Antisemitism and violence continue to rise. Now more than ever, WRJ’s voice is needed. In this sacred season, consider a High Holiday gift to WRJ. Your support sustains our advocacy, expands our educational and leadership programs, and strengthens the bonds of sisterhood that empower women worldwide.

Together, we can continue creating lasting connections for generations to come. Visit the link below to give today.

https://donate.wrj.org/Default.aspx?tsid=43484

09/04/2026

Shabbat shalom, WRJ 💖 This week, we heard from both Helene Waranch and Cheryl Barenberg about their trips to London, UK with WRJ earlier this summer. In her video, Helene talks about how meaningful it was to meet with the participants of the Wilkenfeld International Women’s Leadership Conference having known and worked with the conference’s namesake, Dolores Wilkenfeld. In her blog, Cheryl discusses how much she enjoyed touring Leo Baeck College and the House of Commons. Watch Helene’s video on our YouTube page and read Cheryl’s piece: https://wrj.org/blog/leading-charge-london

09/03/2026

WRJ joins the world in mourning Gloria Steinem, writer, organizer, and one of the most prominent faces of American feminism. Steinem’s work as a journalist and activist transformed the personal and professional lives of women, fighting for many of the same rights as our WRJ (then-NFTS) members. Steinem found a strong connection between her feminism and Jewish identity, which is often credited in part to her paternal grandmother, Pauline Perlmutter Steinem, herself a Reform Jew and president of her Toledo, OH sisterhood. Her legacy will live on in our members and our mission to strengthen the voices of women worldwide and empowering women through social justice. May her memory be a blessing and a revolution.

09/02/2026

Election season is almost here! Inspired by her experience at a postcarding event, WRJ Social Justice Intern and Hebrew Union College student Shayna Dollinger shares this prayer for postcarding. 📮 Read the full prayer: https://wrj.org/blog/prayer-postcarding

08/31/2026

Welcome back to Season 6 of Just For This! Each week, host Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her) interviews women in leadership about women and leadership. This season kicks off with Jewish singer-songwriter Michelle Citrin, the upcoming musician-in-residence for Women of Reform Judaism’s Fried Women’s Summit, December 9-10 in Philadelphia. In today’s episode, we talk about celebrating Jewish identity through joy and humor, how to model authenticity coupled with vulnerability, and the differences between vertical and horizontal connections. Now available wherever you listen!

08/28/2026

As we prepare to welcome 5787, we reflect with gratitude on the strength of our WRJ community and look ahead with hope for all we can accomplish together. Our first opportunity to bring our vision to life will be at the Fried Women’s Summit (FWS). Immediately before URJ Biennial this December, Reform Jewish women+ from across North America will gather for just over 24 hours of leadership, learning, spirituality, and connection. Participants will engage through workshops, deepen their Jewish identity, experience inspiring women-led worship and music with our musician-in-residence, Michelle Citrin, and build meaningful relationships with individuals from across the Movement. Together, these experiences will strengthen leaders and help shape a vibrant, Jewish future.

As we begin this new year, we invite you to be part of what comes next. Your generosity fuels every aspect of WRJ's work — from leadership development and Jewish learning to transformative in-person gatherings like FWS that inspire connection and belonging. Support WRJ today: https://donate.wrj.org/Default.aspx?tsid=43484

Learn more about the Fried Women’s Summit at wrj.org

08/26/2026

“I arrived expecting to slip out quietly. Instead, I left energized, having laughed with strangers, shared stories, and experienced what happens when ordinary people gather around a common purpose.”

Earlier this month, WRJ Executive Committee Member Alyse Kirschen wrote about the power of postcarding and sisterhood for ReformJudaism.org. Read Alyse’s full blog:

Join WRJ board member Alyse Kirschen as she experiences her first postcarding party.

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