Established in 1913, Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is a federation of independent and autonomously-operated Sisterhood affiliates throughout the United States and Canada, and thirteen other countries. WRJ is the collective voice of more than 640 local sisterhoods, 13 district federations and 100,000+ members on issues of local, national and international concern. Committed to God, Torah, Israel, and Tikkun ha'Olam (Repairing the World).
Our vision is to create a community of women devoted to Reform Jewish Life; bound by a sense of identity, service, friendship, and mutual respect.
Affiliated with Women of Reform Judaism, Southeast Federation of TempleSisterhoods 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY10017-6778 212.650.4050
Article I – Name
This organization shall be known as WRJ Temple Sisterhood, hereinafter referred to as “Sisterhood”.
Article II – Objectives
The objectives of this organization shall be:
To foster and further the highest ideals of Judaism
To promote fellowship among its members
To be a mentor for religious, social action and educational activities, in cooperation with the Temple, the congregation, and the community.
To address Jewish and humanitarian causes in the community
To promote the causes of Reform Judaism
To further the objectives of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), the Southeast Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, and the Southeast District
Article III – Membership and Dues
Any woman who is committed to the objectives of Sisterhood shall be eligible for membership.
Membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Board.
The fiscal year shall be from July 1 through June 30.
Article IV – Executive Board
The officers of the Executive Board shall be the President(s), Departmental Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Communications Coordinator, Treasurer, and last two past Presidents.
Duties of the Officers
President(s) shall be Jewish and a member in good standing of the Temple. She shall preside at all Sisterhood meetings and oversee the entire Executive Board; be an ex-officio member of each committee except the Nominating Committee; attend the monthly Temple Executive Committee, Temple Board of Trustees, and Temple Finance Committee meetings; be the official spokesperson and representative at Temple and community functions; and act as a liaison between the Clergy, Temple staff, and the Sisterhood board. In the event of the inability of the President(s) to perform her duties, the Executive Board shall determine who will act in her stead.
The Departmental Vice Presidents shall, when called upon by the President(s), assist the President(s) in the performance of the duties of that office. Each Vice President shall support and assist the Chairs of the committees within her department.
The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate account of all Sisterhood proceedings and shall be custodian of all records.
The Communications Coordinator shall attend to all Sisterhood publicity.
The Treasurer shall be custodian of all Sisterhood operating funds, receive and file vouchers for all disbursements of money, and keep an accounting of all receipts and expenditures.
The Immediate Past President shall serve as the Chair of the Nominating Committee.
The Second Past President shall serve as the Parliamentarian and as a representative of the Past Presidents’ Council.
Article V – Nominations and Elections
The Nominating Committee for General and Executive Board elections shall be composed of five members --- three members from the Executive Board, including the immediate Past President, and two members from the General Board and/or the general membership.
The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers, in writing, to the general membership at least thirty days prior to the last general meeting before Installation.
Additional nominations to the slate may be submitted, in writing, to the Chair of the Nominating Committee no later than two weeks prior to the meeting at which elections will be held. The membership shall be notified of these additional nominees. Whenever there is more than one candidate for an office, the vote shall be by written ballot.
All officers shall be elected for a two-year term. They may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in any one capacity. The Nominating Committee may ask for an exception to this by a majority approval through a written ballot of the Executive Board.
Any Sisterhood member in good standing shall be eligible to hold office.
In the event of a vacancy occurring in any office, the President(s) with the approval of the Executive Board may appoint a replacement to complete the term of office.
Officers shall be duly installed in May/June as the Templecalendar permits.
Article VI – Meetings
General Sisterhood meetings may be held during the months of August through May, as scheduled by the Executive Board with the Templecalendar permitting.
Five members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Board. Twenty members shall constitute a quorum at any general or special meeting of the Sisterhood membership.
Executive Board meetings may be held via telephone or video conference call on an as-needed basis to allow all participants the ability to participate. This need would be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board. All Executive Board members are expected to participate in general meetings.
Orientation and training for the Executive and General Boards shall be held prior to the first general meeting.
Article VII – Delegates
The names of delegates to the WRJ Assembly and District Biennial shall be submitted for approval to the Executive Board.
Article VIII – Amendments
These By-laws may be amended at a general meeting of the organization, provided that the proposed amendment(s), having been previously approved by the Executive Board are submitted, in writing, to the general membership, at least thirty days prior to the meeting. These amendments(s) shall be read and discussed at that meeting. A vote to approve/reject the amendments(s) is needed from two-thirds of the membership present at that meeting. Upon adoption, the amendment immediately becomes part of the By-laws.
Article IX – Parliamentary Authority
The rules of Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the proceedings of all meetings.
Sisterhood Braille
The Temple Sisterhood Braille Group meets every Thursday 10:00 am to noon from September to May.We Braille textbooks for school children, and produce informational, occupational, and pleasurable Brailled materials upon request.
Each year our mission is to teach a class of sighted people to Braille or learn to construct tactile graphics.Once the class completes the course and the students receive their Library of Congress certification, they join the Temple Sisterhood Braille Group in our quest to provide free Braille to those who need it, so that they can function as literate members of our community.Please contact our President, Brenda Berry, (904) 794-2245.
2008-2009 WRJ Temple Sisterhood Board
Executive Board
President Rebecca Pendergraft President Elect Celeste Danos VP Ways & Means Anne Depaul VP Administration Ruthie Nachman, Barbara Nykerk VP Programming Katie Horovitz, Susan Board VP Temple/Community Karen Goldstein, Morleen Berlin Treasurer Laura Osofsky Recording Secretary Rochelle Miller Communications Coor Janet Goldstein Second Past President Rhoda London Immediate Past President Marilyn Newman
General Board
Administration Ruthie Nachman, Barbara Nykerk Good & Welfare Leslie Goldstein Membership/Retention Ruthie Nachman, Barbara Nkyerk Membership Appreciation Adele Stewart, Natalie Sandler
Ways and Means Anne DePaul, Juli Warren Braille Group Liaison Jackie Lasky Donor Chairs Sue Elinoff, Jackie Simms Dir of Judiaica Shoppe Arlene Greenspan, Wendy Efron Shoppe Volunteer Coord Stacey Yudin Director of WRJ Funds Mindy Grinnan Special Projects Maxine Bergman, Robin Lanigan
Temple Community Karen Goldstein Break-the-Fast Ann Stone Spirituality Retreat Morleen Berlin, Michelle Frisch, Carolyn Ilano Tashlich Lauren Austin, Maritza Clapp Women's Seder Reva Sandler, Gail Jarrett
Past President's Council Rhoda London
Sisterhood Gift Shop-Judaica Treasures
Judaica Treasures: Where Shopping is a Mitzvah
If you haven’t seen Judaica Treasures, the beautiful shop right inside the Templelobby, stop in and discover what all their repeat clientele already love. Whether you’re helping someone celebrate a new baby or a new home, a bar mitzvah or passing the bar, or you just want to add the beauty and warmth of Judaica to your own home, Judaica Treasures has distinctive gifts for all occasions.
Sometimes presenting the perfect gift makes the giver feel almost as special as the recipient. The key is finding a shop you can count on to have just the right selection of distinctive items. At Judaica Treasures, shoppers will be immediately dazzled by the array of colorful works by internationally renown artists, whimsical gifts for teens and tots, jewelry any woman would love to wear, and Judaica sure to please the collector or the newlywed just building their Jewish home.
Shoppers can also feel great knowing their purchases support the worthy projects Sisterhood undertakes to benefit the Temple. It’s a mitzvah to shop at the Templestore – one that online shoppers miss out on.
Today’s market for Judaica is as diverse and exciting as the myriad of artists who create it. The buyers at Judaica Treasures have over 30 years combined experience carefully selecting the finest pieces to showcase. If you still don’t see what you want, or you need a special order such as a tallis, ketubah, or personalized kipot for your simcha, they will work with you to search out just the right thing that fits comfortably in your budget. And if you’d like to volunteer your time working in the store, you can enjoy the mitzvah of helping others support the synagogue through Judaica shopping.
For assistance call Arlene at 268-7971 or Wendy at 268-8319.
Temple Sisterhood Programs
Funding scholarships for rabbinical students in North America and overseas, while contributing to special projects of leadership development and religious education.
Establishing Reform Israeli nursery schools and kibutzim.
Supporting youth activities through the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), established by WRJ.
Providing services to the blind and visually impaired as the founder and patron of the Jewish Braille Institute.
Promoting and publishing educational resources for Torah study, prayer, outreach, women's health issues, and the combating of domestic violence.
Commissioning a Sefer Torah for use by Reform Jewish women throughout the country; thereby establishing a fund for generations to insure the future of Women of Reform Judaism.
