Yes, yes, yes. I know that ARZA (The Association of Reform Zionists of America) organizes and galvanizes Reform Jews to vote for the Reform Movement's candidates in the World Zionist Congress elections. And I know how important that is in the effort to create a strong, vibrant Reform presence in Israel. But the elections only happen once every four years! What does ARZA do the rest of the time?

The answer is in two parts.

Part I. Here at home, ARZA provides all sorts of resources to help American Reform Jews integrate Israel deep in their Jewish identity. These include

• adult study curricula (e.g., One Heart, Two Homes, a 5-session course that helps students understand why they should have a relationship with Israel),
• responses to current events (e.g., Our Israel, a resource guide produced in the summer of 2006 to help congregations cope with the Second War in Lebanon),
• advocacy training programs (e.g., our 2007 Consultation on Iran and our 2008 Consultation on Jewish Dialogue with Muslims and Christians about Peace and Conflict in the Middle East),
• speakers for congregational Israel programs,
• and much more.

Part II. In Israel, ARZA works to

• support the IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center, the movements legal arm that advocates on behalf of all those in Israel whose rights are curtailed) with a grant of $5 from each $36 dues payment,
• support the IMPJ (Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, the umbrella of the 24 Reform congregations in Israel) with a grant of 18% of each dues payment,
• coordinate and facilitate mifgashim, face-to-face meetings between American Reform congregations traveling in Israel and members of Israeli Reform congregations.

All that for just $36 per household – what a great deal!