In Richmond, we have truly wonderful women and a Leadership team that strongly recognises and champions Women to feel empowered and treasured within the community. With a newly created role of Women’s Officer, we’re building on strong foundations and there’s always more we can do! With the encouragement and support from the US, this is an opportunity for growing our community inclusivity and deepening our connections with each other. Here’s a quote from the US when they first introduced the role around 4 years ago…
Women of RJC
“The Chief Rabbi and the United Synagogue are delighted to announce the introduction of a new Honorary Officer position to support the engagement of female members in community life.
The purpose of this new portfolio is to ensure that positive opportunities for women’s engagement are incorporated into all areas of community life and that the synagogue is welcoming to and inclusive of women. The Women’s Officer will support the active participation of our female members in community life and religious services, with particular sensitivity to issues which affect them. The role is exclusively for women. The Women’s Officer role is flexible, and there is scope for communities to tailor it to their needs.”
Our Women’s Officer, Naomi Ross, will be working in partnership with the Rabbi and Rebbetzin and Council members to help give voice and focus to our women to ensure we feel supported, welcome and are able to participate as fully as possible particularly in the Services and Religious aspects of the community. We accept that the services are very much led by men but where we wish to and can do more to include women, we do.
Naomi says “One of the biggest successes for me has been in bringing women of all ages, religious levels, professional achievements and personal abilities together to find out more about each other. There’s so much we can all learn from each other and so many experiences to share and I’ve realised – and this is without exception – EVERYONE is too modest about their own achievements…that means it’s my new mission to uncover and champion the inspiration that’s right under our noses!”
So far, we’ve run a membership wide consultation, heard inspiring life journeys from our community members, begun regular Israeli Dancing sessions and initiated a Learning Circle. We particularly encourage and help women mourners to say Kaddish during the Services. Most importantly, we’re always listening for ideas and ways to connect with each other – please get in touch to suggest even more we can do! Womensofficer@richmondsynagogue.org.uk