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IN THIS ISSUE
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Lech L’cha: Expanding Our Circles
Looking Ahead to Memphis
National Civil Rights Museum
Online Convention Registration - Coming Soon
Julie Silver - Artist in Residence
Sara Charney - Featured WRJ Guest
Programming Spotlight
Nominating Committee Report
Connect with Southwest
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Celebrate with the Women of the Southwest District at our 5th Biennial Convention
Temple Israel Sisterhood is looking forward to November 10-13, 2016 when they will be hosting all of our Southwest District Sisters for our 5th Biennial Convention in Memphis, Tennessee - Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll!
Our Theme this Year: Lech L'cha: Expanding Our Circles refers to the important Jewish teaching that tells us to take care of ourselves first and then move out in ever expanding circles to care for others.
Southwest District gatherings always include dynamic speakers, prayerful Shabbat Services, educational and inspirational workshops and an assortment of projects, advocacy opportunities, WRJ business and entertainment, but this year will be a bit different. This year we will take advantage of being in Memphis, and we will spend Saturday afternoon touring the National Civil Rights Museum.
As always, we will have lots of time for networking with women from around the District and each evening will conclude with some sort of “Late Night Shenanigans.”
Make note that the weekend begins with special evening programming on Thursday, November 10th. Our Host Sisterhood from Temple Israel will present their Or Ami Gold Award Winning Program: Spaaah! You won’t want to miss this!
We will conclude on Sunday after our YES Fund Brunch and final ceremonies, so plan to leave the hotel no earlier than noon on Sunday, November 13. When making travel arrangements, plan for flights after 2pm.
Continue reading below for many more details and background articles. Also look for Facebook posts and tweets throughout the summer for exciting and informative revelations. Ask us if you have questions – we will be happy to assist you.
This is our time to grow and bond – to learn from our sisters, strengthen our connections and commitment, and share some hugs. We look forward to greeting you in person in Memphis!
Laurel Fisher, District First VP, Biennial Convention Chair
Phyllis Gregory, Biennial Convention Coordinator
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LOOKING AHEAD TO MEMPHIS
The Hilton Memphis will be our home for the weekend. It is a 27-story luxury high-rise located in the heart of the East Memphis business district just a few miles from Temple Israel.
- Guest rooms and suites have been recently renovated with comfort and convenience in mind.
- Free parking
- Complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport that takes approximately 15 minutes.
- Free WiFi in guest rooms
- Health and fitness center
- Heated outdoor pool and whirlpool
There will also be a spacious hospitality suite for us to mix, mingle, snack and play games in between the scheduled events.
 
The room rate for Thursday and Friday nights is $139, which includes breakfast and $129 on Saturday night (single/double; additional charge of $10/person per night for Triple and Quad occupancy).
Sunday morning we will have our YES Fund brunch which is included in your registration.
You can book your reservation now by calling 800-774-1500 with the group code RJ1109
or click here to register online by October 21st
We look forward to sharing a wonderful weekend together!
Waynette Besser
Convention Facilities Manager
901-846- 5957
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NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
New this year will be a special Saturday afternoon tour of the National Civil Rights Museum. This museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles key episodes of the American Civil Rights Movement, examines today’s global civil and human rights issues, provokes thoughtful debate and serves as a catalyst for positive change. After exploring interactive exhibits and historic collections, we will return to the hotel where we will have a wrap up discussion about our afternoon.
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ONLINE REGISTRATION
Coming Soon
Watch your email for the link, by mid-July, and then register right away to secure your spot for our wonderful Convention.
The Convention Early Bird Registration rate is $250.
Scholarships are available through the Support Our Sisterhood Fund, made possible by the generosity of the Sisterhood at Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie, Louisiana. Please contact Deb Mayworm for more information.
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JULIE SILVER
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Join us as we learn from, pray with and rejoice in the music of Julie Silver.
As you know, Julie is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. Her songs have become so tightly woven into the fabric of American Judaism that they have become “standards” in worship. Julie will join us for Shabbat Morning Services, Havdallah and she will also perform an intimate evening concert.
What a wonderful opportunity! Julie is more than an entertainer; she is a presence and a spirit that will stay with you long after the convention is over.
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SARA CHARNEY
FEATURED WRJ GUEST
We are very excited to announce that Sara Charney, WRJ Vice President of Programs and Education, will be our WRJ guest. We last hosted Sara at our 2nd Biennial Convention, held in Dallas in 2010. She comes to us from north of the border with vibrant energy and much to share. A Toronto native, Sara has been intimately involved in the work of WRJ since coming onto the board of directors in 2005. She has served as a Vice President since 2009, in the departments of Marketing and Communications, Service to Sisterhoods and currently, the department of Programs and Education. In addition to her expertise in volunteer management and leadership development, Sara enjoys working with the women of WRJ to develop and present relevant WRJ resources and programs. We are indeed lucky to welcome Sara back to the Southwest as our guest.
At the convention you will see Sara participating in our meetings and workshops as well as being available to speak with you individually about your Sisterhood. Additionally, she will be leading training for our board members and Area Directors and speaking to us about what is going on in WRJ.
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PROGRAMMING SPOTLIGHT
The Program Committee has been working to create dynamic programming for our upcoming Southwest District Biennial this fall in Memphis.
We will have programs that will surely appeal to both newbies and seasoned attendees alike. You will find programs that you will be able to re-create in your local sisterhoods, programs to help your sisterhood flourish in membership and fundraising, and programs that will inspire you personally.
A small taste of what we have to offer are:
WRJ 101 will help you get the basics of what WRJ has to offer you. You will learn about fundraising both inside and outside of your temple walls. You will find out how the URJ commitment to Audacious Hospitality can really help your sisterhood! We will also introduce you to the new Chai Mitzvah program for adult learning that WRJ has developed for all of us.
I look forward to seeing you all in Memphis!
Renee Roth, Program Committee Chair
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NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Below is the slate of officers and area directors to be voted on at the WRJ Southwest District Biennial, Nov. 10-13, 2016, in Memphis.
President Laurel Fisher, Temple Shalom, Dallas, Texas
First Vice President Jennifer Daley, Gates of Prayer, Metarie, Louisiana
Senior Area Directors
Yael Sasley, Congregation Beth Shalom, Arlington, Texas
Linda Zoll, Congregation Emanu El, Houston, Texas
Vice President of Marketing and Communications Sue Pfeffer, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Vice President of Development Cheryl Barenberg, Temple Emanuel, Beaumont, Texas
Treasurer Sharon Miller, Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, Texas
Financial Secretary Sue Berne, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Overland Park, Kansas
Corresponding Secretary Linda Kates, Congregation Emanu El, Houston, Texas
Recording Secretary Phyllis Gregory, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Area Directors
Pat Blum, Temple Emanuel, McAllen, Texas
Lisa Dayan, Gates of Prayer, Metarie, Louisiana
Joanne Fried, Gates of Prayer, Metarie, Louisiana
Debbie Jackson, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Lillian Kapilivsky, Temple Emanuel, McAllen, Texas
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Phyllis Gregory, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Linda Kates, Congregation Emanu El, Houston, Texas
Sue Pfeffer, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Immediate Past President Deb Mayworm, Congregation Emanuel, Denver, Colorado
Respectfully submitted on June 13, 2016 by the nominating committee:
Nicole Villalpando, chair, Congregation Beth Israel, Austin, Texas
Lori Alter, Temple Emanuel, Beaumont, Texas
Fran Cohen, Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, Texas
Sheryl Gorden, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Cathy Poulin, Temple Israel, Memphis, Tennessee
Ellen Rice, Congregation Emanuel, Denver, Colorado
Renee Roth, Temple Shalom, Dallas, Texas
Soozi Waxman, Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, Missouri
Amy Wulfe, Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, Texas
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CONNECT WITH SOUTHWEST
In the coming weeks we will be rolling out our District Social Media campaign. Watch for our increased presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Are you a Wiz at Social Media? Let us know and we'll put you on our team!
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