WRJ Action Projects

The Department of Development and Special Projects provides ongoing financial support for the growth and expansion of special WRJ programs and projects that strengthen Reform Judaism and its institutions at home and abroad, as well as provides for fund-raising and volunteer activities within your Sisterhood. The projects, whether one-time or continuing, are testaments to the strength and conviction of Sisterhood and its mission to strengthen Judaism and the synagogue, and to express its ethical mandates in society.

Ongoing Projects

YES Fund

The YES Fund represents WRJ's commitment to supporting the institutions of Reform Judaism and its future leadership throughout North America and the world. Annual contributions are the way WRJ provides scholarship assistance for rabbinic students at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, supports activities for high school and college age youth through the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), and contributes to special projects of religious education and leadership development within Sisterhood.

Ways to Directly Contribute to the YES Fund:

Make your Sisterhood a YES Fund Winner!

There are three awards your Sisterhood chapter can be awarded based on YES Fund contributions.

Silver Trophy Awards

In addition, all Sisterhoods are eligible for the Helen M. Dalsheimer Silver Trophy Awards.

Helen M. Dalsheimer, of blessed memory, bequeathed funds to WRJ for maintaining the beautiful Silver Trophy Awards for the YES Fund. The silver awards are presented in the following membership categories: 1-99 members, 100-449 members and 450 and more members.

At each WRJ Assembly, the following Silver Awards are presented:

Silver Plate is presented to one Sisterhood in each of the three membership categories for the greatest number of Uniongrams sold during the one year prior to the Assembly.

Over the years, it has not been unusual for a Sisterhood to win more than one Silver Trophy in a single biennial period. When a Sisterhood, through its generous support to the YES Fund, wins more than one Silver award, it is awarded only the highest category award trophy, and receives a handsome citation as the winner of the other awards. The actual trophy is presented to the runner-up winner for display.

Each award is engraved with the name, city, and state of all the winners, past and present, in the category. The award stays with the winning Sisterhood until the next Assembly. In addition, the name of the winning Sisterhood and the award they won will be Listed in that years Book of Honors.

When a Sisterhood receives the same award for three consecutive biennial periods, a permanent award is presented to the Sisterhood.

Individual Participation in the YES Fund:

The Circle of Service

The Circle of Service is the individual Sisterhood member's link to a worldwide network of Reform Jewish women who make an annual commitment to the vital needs met by the YES Fund. Membership in the Circle of Service strengthens Judaism in the community, in Israel, and throughout the world through an annual donation of only $36.

Lifeline Membership

Lifeline Membership, which is $1000 payable in one, two or four segments, contributes to a special endowment whose annual interest is used to support the YES Fund.

Through your contributions, Sisterhood women can be part of a never-ending Circle of Service to Reform Judaism, and help ensure the future of the Jewish people.

A Lifeline can be an individual contribution or can be made as a sisterhood. Contributions are $1000 and can be made in payments of one, two or four segments. All proceeds go toward a special endowment and the annual proceeds are used to support the YES Fund. Participants in the Lifeline campaign also get a beautiful silver and gold pin. There is also a Golden Lifeline which constitutes a contribution of $5000, and is payable over time or all at once. The participant in a Golden Lifeline gets a solid gold pin. You can donate to a Lifeline online at theWRJ website.

Jewish Braille Institute of America, Inc. (JBI)

The WRJ Service to the Visually Impaired Committee was established by the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods early in its history as a pioneer and leader in the field of voluntary service to the visually impaired. The program was started in 1927 at the NFTS 7th Biennial Assembly as a special committee to fill a need for "literature for the Jewish sightless." In 1929 this vigorous special committee was transformed into an NFTS Standing Committee which since has achieved and maintained the highest honors in its field.

Thousands of books of Jewish interest or authorship, both fiction and nonfiction, including text books used in religious schools, secondary schools and colleges, are brailled and bound, recorded on disc and tape, and large-typed by Sisterhood volunteers for the JBI Library. Its very special publication, the Jewish Braille Review, is published monthly and read by virtually every blind college graduate, Jewish and non-Jewish, in 36 countries throughout the world, including Israel.

Every Sisterhood is asked to include in its annual budget a contribution for the JBI.

World Union for Progressive Judaism

World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) is the international body of Reform/Liberal/Progressive Judaism working in more than 40 countries. WUPJ helps establish Congregations, develops religious educational materials, provides rabbinic leadership, and serves in an advisory and advocacy role.

WRJ is the women's affiliate of the World Union and is represented on its Governing body and its North American Board. It has the responsibility to raise a share of the WUPJ budget. This goal can be met by Sisterhoods and individuals sending contributions to WRJ earmarked for WUPJ.

Become a member of one of the World Union's special categories:

Note: We ask for Sisterhoods to issue their checks directly to WRJ with a notation at the bottom directing it to the WUPJ. If the checks are not made payable in this manner, WRJ can not credit nor acknowledge your Sisterhood's contribution, Consequently, you would miss having the recognition you so richly deserve in our upcoming Book of Honors.

Fund for the Generations

The Fund for the Generations was established with a clear purpose: safeguarding the continuity, growth, and flourishing of Sisterhoods. The net proceeds are earmarked to help Sisterhoods become even stronger than they are today.

Through WRJ publications, programs, training seminars, speakers and new initiatives, all Sisterhoods, large and small, will benefit. We are all aware of the serious challenges that we face in this world. We all understand that multiple resources are needed to enhance Sisterhood programs, activities, and role in the Reform movement. Your Sisterhood or individual contribution will help provide all of this for us and for all generations to come. L'Dor V'Dor.