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 We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Rabbi Lisa Tzur as the newest ARZA World North American Representative. Rabbi Tzur graduated from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in 1997 where she was a Steinhart Fellow specializing in Informal Education. While attending HUC-JIR, Rabbi Tzur received awards in Biblical scholarship and wrote her dissertation on Direct Discourse in the Pentateuch. She is a graduate of Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, and of the URJ College Academic Year Israel undergraduate program.
For thirteen years following her ordination, Rabbi Tzur served two congregations in Arizona and instituted a dynamic youth program, produced concerts by well-known contemporary Jewish artists, oversaw the b'nai mitzvah program, and was instrumental in creating an innovative Kabbalat Shabbat service that has received national recognition. Rabbi Tzur has an extensive history working with the Reform Movement. Rabbi Tzur spent eighteen years in the movement's camps serving as music specialist, unit head and program director. She served on the joint ACC (American Conference of Cantors) / CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) / URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) Music Commission for two years.
Rabbi Tzur also served on the Outreach Committee for the Union for Reform Judaism-Pacific Southwest Region (URJ-PSW) and has experience connecting with Jews of all different backgrounds. Rabbi Tzur served as the music specialist for the NFTY in Israel programs and was on the faculty of the first NFTY Exodus programs origination in Prague. In addition, Rabbi Tzur traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union facilitations workshops promoting Jewish and Israeli culture. Prior to attending rabbinical school, Rabbi Tzur served as the first liaison from the Union for Reform Judaism to our sister movement in Great Britain: the Union of Liberal and Progressive Judaism. She spent two years living in London, traveling to many congregations building youth groups and programs, familiarizing herself with the Reform movement abroad.
Tzur is excited to be working with congregations strengthening their bond to Israel, building bridges between communities with Israel and the Jewish World and strengthening their relationships to their local communities.
Rabbi Lisa Tzur
Cell: 917-828-4442
Email: rabbitzur@arzatravel.com
Office: 212-217-0430, 888-811-2812 x 4 |
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AW works in partnership with trip organizers to create tailor made trip experiences. When Rabbi Jonathan Singer approached the AW team to build an Israel experience with them, they had a very specific 'something' in mind: a program which would highlight solidarity with their progressive Jewish counterparts in Israel and especially with Women of the Wall. Rabbis Pam Frydman Baugh and Sue Morningstar will be joining him on this historic trip.
Women of the Wall, or Nashot Hakotel is a group of Jewish women from around the world who strive to achieve the right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah collectively and out loud at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem, Israel. As the Western Wall is symbolic of Jewish people-hood and sovereignty, Women of the Wall works to make it a holy site where women also can pray freely.
For 22 years the group has gathered at the Wall every month on Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of each new month of the Hebrew Calendar) to read Torah, sing and pray, despite persistent resistance and some legal setbacks. Still today, conducting such prayer services remains illegal under Israeli law. On Monday, July 12, 2010, Rosh Hodesh Av, Anat Hoffman, Chair of the Women of the Wall, was arrested by the Israeli police for carrying a Torah at the Kotel.
 The Women of the Wall Tour was actually conceived and developed by the trip organizers in partnership with AW prior to the events of July 12; however, the shock of Hoffman’s unforeseen arrest (see video) has further demonstrated the necessity of international support and solidarity with organizations in Israel that represent pluralistic Judaism.
In addition to sightseeing the program highlights religious pluralism and Jewish responsibility and includes dialogues with various local leaders plus opportunities to meet with Knesset members and other Israeli officials with the goal of learning from them and to express support of Jewish religious pluralism in Israel.
Read more about this Israel Tour > |
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Our team of destination specialists is always available to help craft trips and figure out tour details. Each of us has experience and specific knowledge of destinations around the world and uses that expertise to create unforgettable tours for your congregation. Questions? Ask Our Experts >
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ARZA World, a subsidiary of Da'at Educational Expeditions and a full-service wholesale tour operator, combining tourism services with enhanced programming. Da'at Educational Expeditions has been serving the travel community for 20 years. During that time, we have developed our own methodology for creating travel projects in partnership with a wide array of trip organizers, developing trips for both individuals and organizations. Our secret lies in our approach: The Holistic Travel Experience, translating the trip organizer's travel vision into a working reality, allowing for seamless implementation from beginning to end. By synthesizing top level education and content with the best administrative and travel needs, we are able to meet almost any challenge with creativity and realism.
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