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Reflections on Attending the WRJ Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference

09/02/2025 01:58:23 PM

Sep2

By Kat Hsia, VP Communications, TBE Sisterhood

I had the honor of attending the Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference in Arlington, VA, April 4–7. This was not only my first Social Justice Conference, but my first large WRJ event in general. I was excited for the content, nervous for not knowing what to expect for my first large-scale event, and elated for an opportunity to lobby with our representatives and senators on important topics.

From Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday night to our closing session on Monday morning, the conference itself felt like something my soul needed. Having the ability to connect with 350 others with shared values yet different experiences for a full weekend was a very needed connection during a time of increasing strife in our country. 

We spent Saturday and Sunday in sessions with a variety of topics, designed to challenge us, engage us, and prepare us for lobbying on Monday. We heard from leaders who experienced adversity and rose to the challenge. We honored leaders who inspired transformative social change across the world. We held space for difficult conversations in sessions and learned about each other's views both inside workshops and at our dinner tables. I walked away from these moments with a variety of takeaways, but perhaps the most meaningful to me was what I heard in a session on Immigration Reform and Refugee Rights: "You are not in this alone, even when it feels isolating. Find like-minded people who share your beliefs. Your beliefs matter. Don't deter from what is important to you. No one does it alone."

On Monday, my Wisconsin colleagues and I had engaging conversations with Senator Baldwin and Representative Pocan's office on reproductive freedom, democracy and voting rights, and Israel. Being able to share my "why" on reproductive freedom with our state's leadership was especially overwhelming in the best way. As the song goes, "I have a voice, my voice is powerful, my voice can change the world." So can yours, and I encourage you to look into further WRJ events to help find your voice in our community. You won't regret taking the chance to be heard.

Thank you to WRJ's Heartland District for providing me a scholarship to help cover my travel costs for this impactful event! I will carry these themes and this experience with me for a long time to come.

September 3, 2025 10 Elul 5785