Also known as "Sisterhood," the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is an affiliate organization of Riverdale Temple.  The WRJ provides a sense of belonging and comfort to its members through frequent organized events and activities, with Riverdale Temple as a welcoming venue for these functions.

As an affiliate, WRJ provides many services to the temple, hosting its Oneg Shabbat collation each week and coordinating many fund raising events that support the temple's operations.

Additionally, each year, WRJ arranges outings for dinner, theater, concerts, museums and many other places of interest.  WRJ monthly meetings often feature films, interesting guest speakers and book discussions.  Members are active in community affairs, charitable drives and volunteer efforts.

As a new member of Riverdale Temple, your first year of membership in WRJ is free.

Whether you come to Riverdale as a single in your first apartment, as a working professional with a family or as a recently divorced or widowed woman, WRJ is the place for you.  There are many opportunities in which to participate and to get involved, and it's the
perfect way to meet others in your community.

Did you know that one does not have to be a member of the temple in order to become a
member of Sisterhood?

Bring a relative, friend, or neighbor to participate in our Book Club, our next card party, or take a trip to a museum with us.  These are just a few of the activities that we are planning for what promises to be an exciting year for an invigorated sisterhood.

The Sisterhood Gift Shop - Especially Judaica
 

The Sisterhood Gift Shop offers a convenient source for all your gift needs.  If you are wondering what to give to the bride and groom, or the bar or bat mitzvah celebrant, browse the gifts in the display cases at Riverdale Temple.  A wedding anniversary, a new home, or a cozy Shabbat can all be made more beautiful and memorable with the items on sale.  An attractive collection of mezzuzahs, kiddish cups, tallisim, and jewelry is available.  Let Elaine Katz serve as your personal shopper if you are looking for something the shop doesn't have in stock.  The Women of Reform Judaism want to make it easy for you to find and purchase beautiful Judaica for yourself, your family and your friends. 

Come and look at our many beautiful and unique gift items for yourself, your family and your friends.  Our inventory of attractive judaica  is displayed at the bottom of the winding stairs (see photograph above) and in the lobby showcase.  Thank you for supporting our temple by purchasing your gifts in our shop. 
For information about our Judaica Shop Call Elaine Katz at 718-601-4452.

Poet, Thomas Hood wrote in the mid 1800’s the following:

November sky is chilly and dreary
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds
November

If Mr. Hood were a woman, living today in Riverdale, and was a member of WRJ, she would experience the warmth of other sisterhood members each time they saw one another.

Cheerfulness would envelope her while attending s Saturday evening at a Karaoke session.

She would feel healthier if she were kept busy the 2^nd Tuesday evening of the month-knitting, chatting with gracious women, while creating warm blankets for people less fortunate than herself.

But she might see butterflies and bees on clothing or craft items being sold at the Holiday Craft Show on Sunday, November 15^th. She might enjoy the fruits of her labor by working alongside the Men’s Club selling bagels and cream cheese or by giving her child/grandchild a special treat of a frankfurter.

She might learn we are a unique group of woman who gather on the last Tuesday of each month to critique and discuss a particular book. The Book Club’s November 24th selection is Rashi’s Daughter/Book 2-Miriam by Maggie Anton.

If she attended some, if not all, the events offered at the temple, November would not be a dreary month.

She might be inclined to perform a mitzvah. I have learned doing one mitzvah will lead one to do another and another. The satisfaction gained by doing a good deed is indescribable.

She also might learn that one of WRJ’s missions is assisting in maintaining the visibility and viability of Riverdale Temple

—Elaine Katz, Vice President

To join the Women of Reform Judaism, contact Elaine Katz

(Ekatz305@verizon.net, 718-601-4452).

Undaunted by today's foul weather, a group of intrepid and enthusiastic temple members and guests from the community assembled
today to hear Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson speak on Education and Crime Prevention.  The breakfast event was sponsored
jointly by Riverdale Temple Men's Club and the Women of Reform Judaism of Riverdale Temple.  The District Attorney spoke of
traditional public education and the urgent need for volunteers to teach our young people the skills they need for employment to avoid
becoming involved in gangs and a life of crime.  He pointed out that everyone in the room could provide a sound role model for the next
generation.  He also spoke of the many efforts the District Attorney's office is making to educate attorneys, the public, and the police
with regard to problems of law enforcement.  The DA recommends that all his attorneys spend a day patroling with police to find out what
they need to do their job.  This also gives the attorneys a chance to explain to the police what is needed to make an arrest stick. A lively
question period followed the talk.  Robert Johnson was born in the Bronx, educated in New York City, and is the longest serving District
Attorney in Bronx history.  He has served our communities for over 20 years.  If it was cold and damp outside, it was sunny and warm at
Riverdale Temple this morning.

  Charity Knitting Project  It started as a Mitzvah Day project, Susan Birnbaum and Rachel Radna headed a group of knitters who knit squares to be made into blankets for Warm Up America. Several people knitted premie caps and chemo caps. It was decided to make this an on going charity project and open participation to the entire community.  The next meeting of the Knitting for Charity Group is October 2nd at 7:00 p.m.  For further information email radnarachel@earthlink.net

We gratefully acknowledge the generous donation of yarn from Lion Brand and Caron Yarns.

 Charity Knitting for Warm Up America
as an ongoing Mitzvah Project. We will also be knitting Preemie and Chemo Caps to be donated to local
Hospitals.  Come and join us for this social and very rewarding activity, all you need bring is size 8,9,11 or 13 needles,
yarn was generously donated by Lion Brand Yarn. A wonderful way to make new friends, build bridges
in our community and participate in the mitzvah of Gemilut Chasadim (act of love and kindness).

Coming Soon charity knitting in the afternoon time and date to be announced.