Commentary
Women for Reform Judaism must not be an adjunct for the Democrats

By Sheila Orysiek

SAN DIEGO—When a foundational meeting to form a new sisterhood at a Reform Temple was announced, I was immediately attracted to the prospect for companionship with other Jewish women and the opportunity to participate in activities to benefit the synagogue as well as the larger community. So, I attended that meeting and happily joined.  

At a subsequent meeting a speaker from the WRJ – Women of Reform Judaism - explained the benefits to the sisterhood in joining that umbrella organization.  She made available brochures detailing the social action and lobbying undertaken in the name of the 75,000 WRJ members. 

I took home two of the brochures and carefully read the menu of social action issues and found myself reading a very close facsimile to the platform of the Democratic National Party. This caught me by surprise; I had never considered that joining a synagogue sisterhood would involve me in a political agenda. Why should membership in a sisterhood entail endorsing a political agenda – any political agenda?

In a friendly and respectful exchange of e-mails with a representative of the national WRJ, she readily admitted that the political goals of the organization were indeed left of center.  However, I was informed that people with politically conservative opinions (such as I) would be treated with respect.  This was reassuring; however, I didn’t join a sisterhood to become involved with either side of the political divide.  That was not part of the sisterhood’s goals as originally stated at the foundational meeting.

I was also informed that I should view this admittedly left of center political agenda of the WRJ as “welcoming diversity.”  But how can the endorsement of any political agenda – on either side – be thought of as “welcoming diversity?”  Precisely the opposite.  As soon as one particular side of the political divide is actively chosen – the other side is denied.  And it begs the question – why in a sisterhood is there political activism at all? Social action and political advocacy are two different entities.

Additionally, I was told that pursuing “social action” is an important part of the “prophetic mandate to heal the world.”  Well, I have no argument with “healing the world,” - prophetic or otherwise. But, I must ask what does lobbying against school vouchers (which was listed in the brochure) have to do with healing the world when there are valid points made by good people on both sides?  Working toward a good education for every child is a commendable social action goal, but getting down to the level of describing exactly how that must occur (in this case: sans vouchers) – is political.

The WRJ’s endorsement and advocacy for not informing a parent about an impending abortion on a minor child (also listed in the brochure) is not “healing the world.” There are valid differences of opinion on the issue of parental notification and it should be decided by the ballot box, the legislature and the judiciary – not as part of the political agenda of a Sisterhood.

I do have the option of remaining silent but that won’t prevent a portion of my dues being used and my “voice” being counted, when the national organization lobbies on behalf of particular political issues.  This places me in the position of having to chose between enjoying the activities and fellowship of the sisterhood and maintaining a principled position in line with my political views and values – much like Senator Joe Lieberman.  No one desiring to be a member of a temple sisterhood should be placed in this position. 

I wonder how many women who are members of a WRJ sisterhood haven’t thought to read the political menu of the umbrella organization.  A woman may not be politically conservative – she may be entirely apolitical.  Should her money and voice be used to lobby for any particular slate of political objectives just because she wishes to enjoy the companionship of a sisterhood?

I am politically active, but I do that in an arena that is specifically set up for such activism.  I don’t come to the Temple sisterhood for politics. Is the Jewish community – are we - so numerous that we can afford to make some of our co-religionists uncomfortable by actively advocating for a specific political agenda in the guise of social action in an arena where politics really has no place?

The line between pursuing commendable social action as opposed to political activism must be respected if we as Jews are to be a cohesive and inclusive community.  That is truly “welcoming diversity.”
                                                   ____________________

Bone Marrow Registry in Israel arranges
joyful meeting of donors and recipients

PETACH TIKVAH, Israel (Publicity Release)—It was a thanksgiving celebration cum victory party as the guests raised their glasses and toasted each other "L'chaim!"   For these men and women - recipients and donors of bone marrow containing healthy stem cells - the words had special, immediate significance, marking triumph over cancer.  The event was held at Ezer Mizion's Oranit Guest Home for Children with Cancer, which houses the Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry. (BMDR).

The BMR, established in 1998, is the largest Jewish bone marrow registry in the world, with close to a quarter of a million potential donors. To date, it has saved the lives of over 200 cancer patients around the world by facilitating stem cell transplants from healthy donors to replace their own diseased or damaged bone marrow.

The meeting between the donors and recipients was very emotional for both sides. "I still can't really digest it," says Val, 24, from Kfar Saba, a student of behavioral sciences at Ariel College.

She gave a blood simple several years ago and totally forgot about it. But in 2005, Val received a phone call from Ezer Mizion, notifying her that her bone marrow was initially found to be a match for sick person. She vaguely recalled having undergone blood testing a few years earlier. Further testing revealed that her bone marrow was a perfect match for Oleg. "At first I couldn't believe that this was real," Val says. "But then I began to see that it was indeed serious."

The recipient of Val's life-saving stem cells was a businessman from Vitebsk in Belarus, Oleg, who was seriously ill with leukemia. His sister, Miriam, an immigrant to Israel, made arrangements for him to be immediately brought to Israel. His only chance of survival, he was advised, was a bone marrow transplant. | Miriam's bone marrow wasn't a suitable match and a donor was sought from Ezer Mizion's Bone Marrow Donor Pool.

Val & Oleg

In mid-August, two months after Oleg  arrived in Israel, he

was notified that a donor had been found and the transplant was performed.

All Val knew about the recipient was his gender. In December she was notified that he feels excellent. "When they told me that he was healthy, I felt tremendously relieved and I cried," she recalls.

The meeting with Val was very emotional. "She gave me my life as a gift," says Oleg.

"It was wonderful to finally see what he looks like, who he is," says Val. "Before our meeting it was all very businesslike. It's a relief that I can finally call him by name."

Like most of the "couples," Val and Oleg intend to stay in touch. "It's a connection that I very much want to maintain," states Val.

Val's initial blood testing was funded by the Carlos Smeke Donor Pool, a personalized donor pool within the main Registry named in honor of the person who sponsored the lab testing of potential donors when they joined the Registry. Carlos Smeke and his family are now celebrating the privilege they have - together with the bone marrow donor - to be able to save the life of a patient.

In April 2005, Lyvia, a grandmother of five from Ramat Hasharon, was diagnosed with acute leukemia.

Elad, who today serves in the Israeli army, had given a blood sample the previous year. He was contacted by Ezer Mizion, informing him that he preliminary tests found him to be a potential bone marrow donor for a cancer patient. After undergoing further testing, his bone marrow was found to be 100% compatible with Lyvia's and the transplant was carried out.

The transplant procedure seems to create an almost mystical connection between the donors and the recipients and their respective families. "Every time I look in the mirror, I see Elad," says Lyvia. "His blood is coursing through my veins. He gave me my life back."

Elad is accompanied by his blissful family, all of whom have become strong advocates of the BMDR. "I feel so proud of him says his dad, Aharon, a career air force man. "When you see that your child knows how to give, there is no greater satisfaction than that." "I received a good education," interjects Elad. "It gives extraordinary satisfaction to meet the recipient," continues Aharon. "What more can you ask?"

The traditional toast, "l'chaim," takes on new meaning at this joyous  celebration. "He gave me my life back,"

Elad & Lyvia

summarizes Lyvia.

Elad's blood testing upon joining the Registry was sponsored by the Michael Brecker Donor Pool, which was set up by Michael Brecker fans from all parts of the world. This is the third successful transplant that has been facilitated by the Michael Brecker Donor Pool.

The foregoing article was prepared by the Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry