ARZA (pronounced AHR-tzah) is a pretty clever name. It's a Hebrew word meaning "toward the Land (of Israel)," and it's also an acronym for the "Association of Reform Zionists of America." ARZA is the national membership organization that connects Reform Jews with Israel. But what does the name mean? What is a Reform Zionist? Is it simply a Zionist who happens to be a Reform Jew but who otherwise is kind of like any other Zionist? Or is there something uniquely Reform about our Zionism? And while we're at it, what's a Zionist?

A Zionist is a proponent of Zionism, a movement founded in the late 19^th century to create a Jewish homeland in the land of Israel, then known as Palestine. But that goal of Zionism was fulfilled in May, 1948, with the declaration of Israel's independence. Since then, most people understand Zionism as a movement that supports Israel and works to make Israel the best, most ideal Jewish state it can be. Reform Zionism is Zionism infused with the values and principles cherished by Reform Judaism, including religious equality for women and men, a commitment to tikkun olam (literally "world repair," i.e., social justice), the creation by individuals of meaningful Jewish lives through informed choice, and so on. Some of those characteristics are shared by other forms of Zionism while others are unique to Reform Zionism.

But within these fairly vague parameters, Reform Zionist thinkers don't actually agree completely on the details of Reform Zionism. You can get a sense for the range of views by looking at "An Open Conversation About Reform Zionism" (go to www.reformzionism.net), a project initiated by ARZA in the spring of 2008. The website allows you to add your views about what being a Reform Zionist means. So give it some thought, and join the conversation!