WRJ Midwest District Convention October 27 30, 2016 CONVENTION SCHEDULE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 Registration: 12:00pm Noon 9:00pm DoubleTree Ballroom Lobby Noon 5:00pm 5:00pm 8:00pm 5:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 10:00pm 10:00pm Midnight Morton Arboretum Oakbrook Center Shopping Mall Hotel will provide free shuttles Dinner meeting for Midwest District Executive Committee Outgoing and Incoming Executive Committee Optional Dinner for Early Attendees Carlucci's Restaurant next door to the DoubleTree Welcome Wine and Cheese Reception Welcome from Carol Berger, Michelle Scheinkopf, Cheryl Stern & Linn Ullenbrauck Welcome from Lynne Turry and Sara Charney Entertainment by Zafirah Belly Dancing Troupe Shmooz and Games 1
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016 Registration: 7:30am 4:00pm DoubleTree Ballroom Lobby Sisterhood President Networking Breakfast Coordinator: Sherri Feuer Facilitators: Susan Pittelman, Sandi Firsel First Timers Breakfast and Orientation Presenter: Marcy Frost If this is your first time you are attending a District Convention, this breakfast and workshop is just for you! Learn how to get the most from the convention with special hints that will help you every step of the way. 9:00am 10:15am WORKSHOP BLOCK ALEF Are You Experiencing Motion Sickness Presenter: Marcy Frost When you hear, I move to amend at a meeting, do you think to yourself, I move to adjourn: If so, you may be experiencing motion sickness, which is caused by meetings that are out of control. In this session you will learn techniques and tips for running a successful meeting, from basics like feed them and they will come to nuggets of Robert s Rules that can be used to keep a meeting on track. This session is perfect for sisterhood/women s groups presidents, upcoming leaders, and those who just want to understand the mechanics of running a meeting. Working with Volunteers: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly Presenters: Kathy Madura, Gayle Weil You have a new project that you think would be great for your Sisterhood. The only problem is how do you get volunteers to chair and be on the Committee? This session will show ways to encourage volunteerism in your Sisterhood. What attributes are important, what do you avoid? How do you prevent burn-out with your members? This session is for presidents, committee chairs and those who work on committees. How to Raise a Mensch. Leaving a Legacy for the Next Generation Presenter: Sharon Morton Do you want to raise a mensch? Do you want to leave a legacy that will teach the next generation to become young philanthropists or social action activists? Whether it be for your child, your grandchild, your niece or nephew, or young friend, learn the tools to help you to entice the young people you love to be aware of the possibilities of living a kind and generous life. 2
10:30am 1:00pm 1:15pm 2:30pm YES Fund Brunch Chairs: Diane Kaplan, Zabe Williams WORKSHOP BLOCK BET "WRJ: Aleph-Tav" Presenter: Sara Charney Learn how to use WRJ resource to benefit your women s organization. Engaging Young Members. Programming to Attract the Younger Generation of Sisterhood Presenters: Ashley Burbul, Jennifer Schneider Learn more about the perspective of younger members of Sisterhood. What attracts younger members? How do you encourage participation? Why won't they commit to more? What can you do to be welcoming and inclusive? Maturing with Wisdom. Living Life with Intention & Purpose Presenter: Julie Webb At each new stage of maturity, changing life situations present new opportunities as well as challenges. This workshop will introduce a range of issues in life including (re)defining aging, becoming your authentic self, life review and Jewish spiritual practices for maturing with meaning and intention. Jewish wisdom, personal reflection and engaging discussion will help us begin to mindfully reflect on the past, better understand present needs, and re-envision the next stage of the journey. 2:45pm 4:15pm 5:00pm 7:00pm General Plenary Session Dinner WELCOMING SHABBAT 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:15PM 10:00PM 10:30PM Midnight 10:30pm Midnight Buses depart the DoubleTree for Congregation Etz Chaim of DuPage County, Lombard, Illinois Shabbat Services at Congregation Etz Chaim of DuPage County, Lombard, Illinois Social Action Activity Stepping Up to Success Chair: Aviva Weisberg Schmooz and Games 3
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016 Registration: 7:30am 4:00am DoubleTree Ballroom Lobby 7:30am 8:30am 8:30am 9:45am Torah Study 1 Cantor Rayna Green Torah Study 2 Creation of the World: A Case Study for Change Management Rabbi Ilana Baden At one time or another, every organization faces the challenge of how to introduce new ideas and practices to its cohort. Fortunately for us, our Torah portion provides us with a wonderful example of how this can be done in a sensitive and effective manner. Join Rabbi Baden and explore the biblical text, as well as some examples of rabbinic and modern interpretations of B reishit, in order to glean some best practices insights from our Torah portion. Torah Study 3 In the Beginning an Idea Presenter: Anita Silvert Creation started with an idea, and then God made the plan into reality. We are constantly re-creating our lives, finding those new ideas, and bringing them to reality. We will explore B reishit and learn how it infuses our personal creativity today. 10:00am 11:45am 12:00pm 2:00pm Shabbat Morning Services Led by: Marla Goldberg Music by: Cantor Rachel Rosenberg D var Torah: Sara Charney KAVOD Luncheon Chairs: Judy Lohr-Safcik, Penny Shnay Rhoda Hauptman Memorial Award for Excellence Chair: Judy Lohr-Safcik Woman of Valor Award Chair: Penny Shnay 2:15pm 3:30pm WORKSHOP BLOCK GIMMEL To Go, or Not to Go. The 1936 Berlin Olympics Presenters: Terri Argentar, Sandy Greenberg Would the United States boycott of the 1936 Berlin Olympics changed the course of the Holocaust? Should Jesse Owens have taken the place of the Jewish runner pulled from the games? This workshop will address and debate these questions. Rhoda Hauptman Award Winners Chair: Judy Lohr-Safcik Yearning for more information from the Sisterhoods who were honored with Rhoda Hauptman Awards? Learn the details about the award winning projects in our Midwest District. 4
Sisterhood Leadership: How to Mentor for the Future Presenter: Sandi Firsel Completing your term on your Sisterhood Board? What do you do now? Give the gift of mentoring to your rising leaders. This session will discuss relationships, trust, and legacy. 3:45pm 4:45pm 4:45pm 5:45pm 5:45pm 6:45pm 6:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 10:45pm 10:45pm Midnight "It's a New Day at WRJ" An update on what WRJ is doing on behalf of our members both in North America and globally." Presenter: Sara Charney BREAK WRJ Midwest District Installation & Havdalah Installation of the 2016-2018 WRJ Midwest District Board Installing Clergy: Rabbi Isaac Serota Chair: Judith Wexler Cocktail Reception in Honor of Janet Buckstein and the New Midwest District Board Formal Dinner and Entertainment Entertainment by nationally renowned illusionist Ben Siedman Shmooz and Games SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 7:30am 9:15am 9:30AM 10:45AM 11:00am 12:00pm Board Meeting/Training (Includes Sisterhood/Women s Group Presidents) Presenter: Janet Buckstein How to be a Mensch Community Outreach Panel Discussion Facilitator: Rozan Anderson Panelists: Marilyn Glazer, Sherri Feuer, Rachel Rapaport, Dr. Marc Swatez Come and meet several Mensches who are making a difference in the world, setting an example for all of us on how to perform acts of Tzedakah (justice, righteousness, and good will) and Gemilut Hasadim (loving kindness). B reishit A New Beginning. May this workshop give you some ideas on how to go forth and be a Mensch! Closing Plenary General Session Complete any Unfinished Business Midwest District President Janet Buckstein Presiding Final Remarks: Sara Charney Convention Remarks: Carol Berger, Michelle Scheinkopf, Cheryl Stern & Linn Ullenbrauck L'hitraot! 5