May 19, 2013   10 Sivan 5773
Take a Stand for Equality at the Western Wall

Women of the Wall Prayers Disrupted

Recruited by their rabbis, haredi Orthodox youth disrupted the Rosh Hodesh prayers of Women of the Wall on Friday morning, May 10 at the Kotel in Jerusalem. They were able to complete their service but, instead of previous months when they were arrested, the police protected them from the protesting crowd.

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ARZA Annual Meeting, Dec 11, 2013 at Biennial

  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.

ARZA Video Theater

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!

Enjoy!

Latest Blog Posts
Anat Hoffman Speaking in Cleveland

The Fight for Social Justice and Civil Rights for All Israelis

Thursday, May 23, 2013, 7:30 pm

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Beachwood, OH

 Event is free and open to the public   Presented by ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Beth Israel – The West Temple, Kol Chadash, Suburban Temple – Kol Ami, Temple Emanu El and The Temple – Tifereth Israel

From Our Congregations in Israel  

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.

Background on Kotel Proposal

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).   

Read more

Reform Wedding at the Knesset  



 

A Jewish couple was married in Jerusalem on Monday, March 18, 2013 with two Reform rabbis officiating.  This joyous event was hardly a unique one.  Over 800 couples in Israel have chosen to have Reform rabbis marry them with the numbers growing every year. What made this wedding unique was the opportunity for change that seems afoot in Israel.  See full story

 
 
ARZA Offering “Monopolity” Israeli Political Game-Free Shipping Extended!


“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 May 15. 

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

IMPJ Petitions High Court to Implement Ruling for Israel to Pay Non-Orthodox Rabbis  
The Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) accused the Israeli government of dragging its feet on paying Reform and Conservative rabbis, despite a High Court ruling ordering it to do so, in a petition to the court that it filed on Tuesday, February 12. In the original petition, filed in 2005 for the Reform congregation at Kibbutz Gezer (Birkat Shalom) and Rabbi Miri Gold, the IMPJ demanded equal funding of non-Orthodox religious services from the local authority. Read more.
The Miri Gold Case  
New and Expanded Programs at Kibbutz Lotan  

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.
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement Against Israel  

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.

This movement, founded in 2005, got an endorsement last month from UN Special Rapporteur Richard Falk, who called on UN General Assembly member nations to boycott companies that do business with Israel. In a report he recently presented to the UN, entitled “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Since 1967,” Falk singled out a number of companies who he claimed are involved in the establishment and maintenance of Israeli settlements.

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.

Read on for more information.

 
We Stand with Our Communities in Israel

ARZA, with the Union of Reform Judaism, is rushing to meet the many critical needs of effected communities, including trauma counseling, financial assistance, rebuilding damaged and destroyed homes and other initiatives. These needs are being met by the Israel Terror Relief Fund. ARZA's Chairman, Rabbi Bennett Miller, sits on the allocations committee that will decide how best to distribute these funds.

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Celebrate Israel Parade 2013  


Join ARZA as we celebrate Israel's 65th Birthday and our 35th! This year's parade is on Sunday, June 2nd in NYC. March with us!  And wear the official ARZA Israel Parade T-Shirt which you can order here!

Bike the Drive 2013  


Team ARZA is riding their bikes on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago! We are an official charity partner of Bike the Drive, and our team will be raising money to support pluralism in Israel! The ride takes place on Sunday, May 26, and you can support the ARZA team with a donation. If you're in the Chicago area and interested in joining, please contact Marlene Dodinval.  



  

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IRAC and IMPJ Newsletter

Please go to IMPJ and IRAC to get the latest news from the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism and the Israel Religious Action Center.

The ARZA Calendar  

The ARZA Calendar, featuring Congregational Trip to Israel Photo Contest Winners from the URJ Biennial, is now available for purchase! Fill out an order form today!

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