Women of B'nai Israel
Add Your Voice
Women of B’nai Israel (an affiliate of Women of Reform Judaism) is the collective presence, voice and strength of women within the structure of our Congregation. We support and strengthen our synagogue, our greater community and progressive Judaism through our social action programs and fundraising efforts. We are a diverse, multi-generational group who draw strength from each other in our commitment to our Jewish ideals and value the energy, ideas, and participation that our members bring.
Our programs and social action projects inspire personal growth, Jewish involvement and a strong sense of community. We are committed to Jewish education, we support progressive Judaism in Israel and we are actively involved in service to our community!
WHAT WE DO
WBI provides opportunities to serve Congregation B’nai Israel and the larger community through learning, social action, worship and programming.
Over the past two years, donated $42,500 to support our congregation, our community, and progressive Judaism.
What we will be doing this year:
- Continuing our partnership with the Sacramento Refugee Resettlement Circle and CBI's Immigration & Refugee Assistance Committee to welcome and support refugee families.
- BANS OFF OUR BODIES! Our members will continue to take action to support reproductive rights and women's health choices, including Reproductive Rights Shabbat.
- Rosh Chodesh — Quarterly Rosh Chodesh programs with Lauren Silva, Director of Lifelong Jewish Learning, to explore the role of women in our Torah and traditions.
- Virtual Museum and in-person Mural Tours — to gain knowledge of Jewish history, art, stories, and our local community, while supporting our local congregations' and community’s needs.
- Postcarding — to get out the vote in underrepresented communities and for reproductive rights.
- Supporting our Congregation — Rosh HaShanah Reception and Second Night Passover Seder
- Mah Jongg on Mondays
We are currently meeting in-person every Monday in the Sosnick Library at 1:00 PM. Proof of vaccination required. Contact Suzy Underwood with questions. - Book Discussion Group
Contact Elaine Berghausen to be part of our book discussion group which meets monthly on Zoom.
Women of B’nai Israel’s activities this past year:
- Postcarding to get out the vote: Partnering with the Racial Justice Committee, we initiated a weekly postcarding project, led by Helen Nusbaum and Suzy Underwood, to reach underrepresented voters and to protect reproductive freedom. The postcarding group mailed 1600 postcards, and the combined efforts of the whole congregation sent a total of over 3600 postcards!
- Rosh HaShanah Reception: The congregation always appreciates the savory snacks, cookies, and social time after the morning Rosh HaShanah services. The courtyard was filled with members talking, eating, and sharing our lives.
- San Francisco Yiddish Combo Concert: A large audience from our Sacramento-area Jewish community enjoyed the Klezmer-inspired stylings of the San Francisco Yiddish Combo concert, which got us dancing in the aisles. The event raised $2,500 for the Weinberg Godparents Scholarship Fund.
- Annual Membership Appreciation Event: The Annual Membership Appreciation Event featured guest speaker Joyce Mitchell, who shared her passion for AIDS/HIV activism and social action documentaries. We recognized Helen Nusbaum and Suzy Underwood with the Betty Reuben Social Action Award for their postcarding campaign, and collected a table full of diapers for the Family Promise project.
- Second Night Seder: The Social Hall was filled with families and friends enjoying a catered Passover seder led by Cantor Kurland. Women of B’nai Israel organized and sponsored this long-awaited annual event.
- Rosh Chodesh: Led by Lauren Silva (Director of Lifelong Jewish Learning), we met four times during the year in the library to enjoy snacks and wrestle with the roles of women and their lives as viewed by the Torah and Jewish tradition. Lively discussions and sharing enhanced these special evenings.
- WBI/Reproductive Rights Shabbat: Our members gathered on the bimah for a special blessing by Rabbi Alfi and Cantor Kurland, and we listened to a d’rash regarding reproductive rights and the dangers faced by women when those rights are curtailed.
- Weekly Mah Jongg play on Mondays in the Sosnick Library, and the annual Mah Jongg Fun Day Fundraiser for Price Camperships.
- Monthly Book Discussion Group on Zoom.
- Donations to our synagogue, community, and Progressive Judaism, including:
- $7,050 for the repairs to Bernie's Torah
- $5,000 for Price Camperships ($1,000 for each campership to eligible Kulanu (Religious School) students)
- $5,000 to Central Downtown Food Basket
- $1,000 to Kehillat Kodesh v’Chol in Holon, Israel
- Sponsored Oneg brunch for Cantor Kurland
- Sponsored Taste of Afghanistan fundraiser for local refugees
BE PART OF THE ACTION
The Women of B’nai Israel is a “Shared Governance” organization, and there are many ports of entry into WBI. We encourage all of our members to find a niche where they can become direct contributors, work with other women of Congregation B’nai Israel, enrich their involvement in our local community and the Jewish community at large, as well as making new friends and having fun in meaningful activities.
TWO WAYS TO JOIN:
- If you prefer to renew or join online with a credit card or by PayPal, please click here to go to the WBI Donorbox link. Notes: You do not need a PayPal account to pay your dues online when filling out the Donorbox form; and when paying online, there is no need to complete a membership form.
- Those who prefer to pay by check, please click here to download/print the membership form. Make your check payable to WBI and mail it with your completed form to: Women of B’nai Israel, c/o Maryann Rabovsky, 3600 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95818. Please email Maryann with any questions.
Your dues are tax deductible. Joining WBI also creates a membership for each woman in WRJ Pacific District and WRJ North America as well as our international connections through WRJ. Our voices resonate and make a difference as members, engaging and empowering all who identify as Reform Jewish women.
CONTACT US
Please feel free to communicate with us if have further questions, need encouragement, or want to share ideas at womenofbnaiisrael@gmail.com.
DONATE
To make a donation to any of the Women of B'nai Israel funds, please click here.
The Jonas Goldman Judaica Gift Shop is Open!
We have a wonderful variety of Judaica to meet your personal and gift needs. Visit the Gift Shop webpage for complete details, hours, and contact info! Thanks for supporting Women of B’nai Israel and our congregation!
Women of B’nai Israel is a charter member of Women of Reform Judaism, an international organization founded in 1913 as an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism.
WBI is part of the Pacific District of WRJ. The district has just created a transition and engagement plan to strengthen the relationship between Women of Reform Judaism and members of our district by:
- Welcoming and engaging potential, new, and current members
- Recognizing and celebrating the diversity in our district
- Connecting our sisterhoods/women’s groups and individual members to encourage collaboration
- Empowering each member to achieve her highest potential as an individual.
Access the WRJ Pacific District transition and engagement plan.
