Live Broadcast of URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs on “Judaism and Women’s Equality” Panel at Israeli President Peres's Conference

Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs will speak on a panel at the fifth Israeli Presidential Conference Facing Tomorrow 2013, under the auspices of the President Shimon Peres on Thursday, June 20 at 9:30 am EST (4:30 pmIsrael time) entitled, “Judaism and Women?s Equality.”

Chaired by Professor Menahem Ben Sasson, the panel will be broadcast live and will also feature Adina Bar Shalom, Professor Ruth Gavison, Nancy Kaufman and Rabbi Morsechai Neugroschel.

Visit the Peres Conference homepage at http://2013.presidentconf.org.il/en/ to view the panel.

Headlines & Action Items:

Joshua Weinberg has been unanimously approved by the Board of ARZA to serve as the next President of the organization. He starts on September 1st. We are all excited to have him join the team! 

Read the press release here.

Celebrate ARZA's Double Chai (36) Anniversary at URJ Biennial in San Diego

The ARZA Annual Meeting and Special Reception will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. Don't miss them!  Plan to arrive in San Diego by Wednesday morning, December 11 and join us. The URJ Biennial, December 11-15, 2013 in San Diego is where Reform Jews gather to learn, pray, share ideas, dance and sing, hear from inspiring guest speakers, reunite with old friends, make new connections and make decisions about the policies of the Reform Movement. At the Special Reception, ARZA will recognize the great work that NFTY-EIE High School in Israel does to create Reform Zionists and build strong Jewish identities. We know that many of our EIE alums have done and continue to do great work in the Jewish community. Please help us find former participants of EIE, so that they can be honored for their accomplishments. If you are an alum of the Eisendrath International Experience in Israel ; a parent of an EIE participant; or a leader in a congregation that regularly sends students to EIE each year, please fill out this form and get in touch with our Rabbinic Intern, Sarah DePaolo (sdepaolo@ARZA.org), to get involved with this very important event.

Every week, we will share the latest happenings at our congregations in Israel. Check out the 'What's Happening in Israel?' page for recent events and information, and the latest news from the IMPJ.

The end of the fiscal year is approaching.  Have you paid your membership dues?

Visit our membership page to learn about all the ways you can join ARZA.

Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, ARZA Vice Chair, has written a background paper which clarifies the key elements of Jewish Agency Chair Natan Sharansky's proposal concerning the Kotel (Western Wall).   

ARZA presents a selection of videos for your viewing enjoyment.  Be sure to keep checking back and see new and interesting productions as they are posted!

“Monopolity,” a new and exciting interactive Israeli political game, developed by the World Zionist Organization (WZO), explores the complexities of Israel’s Knesset (Parliament), and is a good introduction to the country’s many political parties and sparks discussions and debates on such issues as religion/state, peace, security, immigration and relations to Jewish communities around the world. It is ideal for congregations, NFTY groups and high school classes. Watch the promotional video to see the game in action!

Monopolity is regularly $120, plus shipping and handling, however there is a special discount price of only $90, plus shipping and handling, if ordered through ARZA, and a free shipping offer through June 2013. 

For information on Monopolity, please call 212.650.4280 or email Amy at abernstein@arza.org.

A “war without guns” is being waged to delegitimize Israel. Referring to Israel as an aggressor, that is committing state terrorism and massacring the people of Gaza, the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement is actively calling on people around the world to boycott Israeli goods, join an active BDS campaign or start a new one, organize a BDS protest action, urge organizations that you affiliate with to divest from Israel and to urge your government to impose a military embargo on Israel.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013, Richard Falk, UN Human Rights Investigator for the Palestinian territories, said he would not resign and accused critics who have called him anti-Semitic of trying to divert attention from his scrutiny of Israeli policies. On June 10, Falk accused Israel of imposing collective punishment on 1.75 million Palestinians in Gaza, saying the enclave's viability is at stake.  UN Watch and the United States have called upon Falk to quit and the US Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, has described Falk as "unfit to serve in his role as a US special rapporteur."  Reportedly, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also questioned Falk's appropriateness.

In his position at the UN, Falk has regularly singled out Israel as a human rights violator and has employed anti-Semitic imagery and comparisons of Israeli actions to those of the Nazis. At the same time, he ignores the virulent anti-Semitism and violent statements of Hamas leaders in Gaza.

Read on for more information.

Learn more about opportunities to live and learn at Kibbutz Lotan in the South of Israel:

• 4-month Peace, Justice and the Environment University Semester: Hands-on work and experience in all areas, both onsite and throughout Israel. In partnership with UMass Amherst for gap year and undergraduates from other colleges.
• Green Apprenticeship Program: Work/study sustainable design and management program. Teaches practical skills and theoretical knowledge, as well as alternative solutions.
• Summer Eco Experience: Two week hands-on opportunity for those interested in the design, building and running of sustainable communities. Between four to eight hours of educational activities will take place each week.