Bienvenido a Tampa! Welcome to Tampa! I am so thrilled to welcome my WRJ sisters to the city I have called home since 1970. It has grown by leaps and bounds since then, but one thing that has not changed is its welcoming attitude and friendly residents.

We have not gathered in person since 2018 and the world has changed a great deal in that short amount of time. Many of you will be wearing masks, many of you will choose not to hug or be hugged. Many of you may not socialize as much as at previous conventions. As a District we all respect your choices and your comfort level.

First VP Faith Alexander and her committee have put together a spectacular convention filled with inspiring Shabbat services, delicious meals, great speakers and a variety of interesting workshops as well as a hands on social action project. 

We are trying a few new things this time. The current trend is to make conventions shorter and more affordable, but this comes with a squeeze to include everything we want you to experience.

We are having a paperless convention, or as paperless as we can achieve. There will not be a printed convention book, but you will be able to download our virtual book to your phone or tablet with a QR code that will be displayed at the registration table. The virtual book will include all the tribute ads that will be scrolling in our convention gathering rooms. It will also include a list of outgoing and incoming board members and a complete convention schedule and list of room assignments. Your convention bag will include a printed schedule in a surprising format.

Our newly formed Chayil Society Board Alumnae Group will meet for the first time and will receive their newly minted membership pins.

A separate table at Sunday breakfast will be reserved for sisterhood presidents to meet with their newly assigned Area Directors.

Our Sunday panel on Reproductive Rights should be informative and captivating, as this is a current issue of concern to all of us.

Most of all I hope you are able to reconnect with old friends make new friends in our first in-person convention in five years. Let’s all remember the magic that happens when WRJ sisters are together.

Much love,

Madelyn Davidson
Outgoing WRJ Southeast District President