• Why join ARZA?
• How does joining ARZA support ARZA's mission of connecting Reform Jews and Israel?
• What is ARZA's relationship with the Union for Reform Judaism?
• What is the ARZA Rabbinic Council?
• What is IMPJ?
• What is IRAC?

Why join ARZA?

• Express your commitment to the Jewish People and Israel.
• Support Reform Movement in Israel.
• Enhance your congregation’s relationship with Israel.
• Strengthen your personal connection to Israel.

How does joining ARZA support Israel?

ARZA is the single largest supporter of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) and the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC). Your membership allows ARZA to continue this important work. ARZA also provides educational materials about Israel and Zionism for Reform congregations, assists in bringing Reform Jews to Israel, and provides pre- and post-trip programming for congregations and individuals in order to enhance their Israel experience.

What is ARZA’s relationship with the Union for Reform Judaism?

ARZA is an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism. ARZA thus serves as the central Israel address in the Reform Movement. ARZA represents the Reform Movement in the World Zionist Organization. The Union and ARZA work in close partnership to help achieve shared goals.

What is the ARZA Rabbinic Council?

The ARZA Rabbinic Council is a group of over 100 Rabbis who have made a special commitment to ARZA and Israel, and make an additional annual contribution to support our work, and encourage ongoing substantive conversations about Israel among their colleagues and leaders.

What is IMPJ?

IMPJ stands for The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, the Israeli Reform Movement. There are currently 40 congregations and communities in the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, and new communities are forming regularly as the Reform Movement grows in Israel.

What is IRAC?

The IRAC stands for The Israel Religious Action Center, the social, political and legal branch of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). It gathers information, analyzes policy, advocates for legislative reform and conducts litigation, submitting petitions to the Israeli High Court of Justice in cases involving the religious rights of Israeli Reform Jews and the civil rights of all Israelis. Since 2002, the IRAC has had a Department of Public Policy and Social Action which aims to bolster the involvement of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism in social justice and to make the Reform Movement’s voice heard in Israel. ARZA is one of the founders of the IRAC and through our membership revenue, the IRAC’s largest financial donor. While ARZA does work to impact Israeli society through advocacy, support for the Israel Religious Action Center and other such methods, ARZA is not affiliated with a particular political party or platform in Israel. ARZA does take political stances regarding Israel based upon Board resolutions and the resolutions of the various bodies within the Reform Movement such as the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.