December, 2013

Dear ARZA Canada Members

 

We have designated, December 1-8, as ARZA Canada Week. There are many events going on in a variety of synagogues but, unfortunately, we couldn't provide speakers for everyone. Some of the smaller congregations had the privilege of having Rabbi Lerner visit their congregation with an ARZA Canada message during the past few months. 

  

The idea behind this week is to focus on the Reform Movement in Israel. Whether it is because of all the  recent publicity around the Kotel and Women of the Wall or because the Haredi political parties are not in the government coalition, the idea of a pluralistic and inclusive Jewish state is being talked about more on all fronts in Israel.

  

To get a flavour of what is happening in our Movement in Israel today please take a look at this short video. 

   

Our newsletter this month will give you a sense of some of the variety of things that are happening in Israel from a general  interest perspective. Please take a few minutes to read some of the articles that are of interest to you.

 

 

 

 
Teaching Jewish identity in the IDF
The Military Rabbinate is trying to wrestle the authority to teach Jewish identity from the IDF's Education Corps.  In the latest compromise, the Education Corps still teaches "Jewish identity" (including pluralism), but the Rabbinate is entitled to teach "Jewish awareness" (i.e. tradition).

 

 

The Reform movement's Israel Religious Action Centre has called on the Knesset to ensure that soldiers' education reflects the diverse nature of Jews in Israel and in the IDF.

 Israel provides emergency relief in the Philippines


Israel's 148-person medical team recently left the Philippines after treating 2,600 patients and delivering 36 babies in 11 days.

 

 

 

Click here for a map of the many places where Israeli medical teams have rushed in to provide disaster relief.  

 

Click here for video on more information!

 

 The 148-person medical team vacated...

Ride or Hike for Reform
ride 4 reform 3

The Israeli countryside in spring is beyond beautiful.  Immersing yourself in the landscape for 5 days of cycling or hiking is an amazing experience - different from sightseeing by bus or touring in cities.  The beauty, the outdoors, the camaraderie of the group, getting close to the land - it all adds up to 5 unforgettable days.  Ask those who have been there.  And it even benefits our Israeli Reform cousins.

 

Consider joining the Canadian team in Ride4Reform this coming spring.

 

Click here for more information 

 

 

 

  

 
 
 The women who run Israel's banks
Karnit Flug, a child of Holocaust survivors, was recently appointed the first female Governor of the Bank of Israel.  One of her key objectives is to reduce income inequality in Israel.

    

She joins a group of successful women in Israel's Finance industry.  The CEOs of 3 of the top 5 banks are women, as is the outgoing CEO of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.  Why the dominance of women in banking?

   

 

According to Galia Maor, former CEO of  

Bank Leumi: "The men made a big mess".

 

 

At ceremony, Flug reveals personal details.

 

Karnit Flug was named successor to Stanley Fischer 

 

 

 

 
A large Arab hi-tech firm, located in ... Israel
Alpha Omega: the Largest Arab-Israeli Hi-Tech Company
Alpha Omega: the Largest Arab-Israeli Hi-Tech Company

 

Alpha Omega is a successful high-tech company that makes medical devices in Nazareth.  The CEO, an Arab who grew up in Nazareth, studied Engineering at the Technion in Haifa before obtaining government assistance to launch this successful company.

 

 
 
 Maccabee Mansion in the Basement
 Theo and Miriam Siebenberg discovered the foundation of an original Hasmonean (Maccabee) family mansion in the basement of their Old City home.  It's now open for group tours.

 

Check this out! 

 

 Support the Reform Movement in Israel
Nursery school
If you wish to make a year-end donation in support of the Reform Movement in Israel.          I encourage you to donate to our program to support the growth of Reform nursery schools in Israel. This is ARZA Canada's signature project that enables communities in Israel to reach out to secular children and parents about the benefits and rewards of our form of Judaism. Please  click here  to donate and in the fund field select "IMPJ Nursery Schools

 

A Word of Hebrew

     

As Chanukah ends and we look forward to holiday time with our families, we realize we have a lot to be grateful for.

Here are two ways to say be grateful in Hebrew:

Asir (asirah) todah - אסיר תודה

Makir (makirah) tovah - מכיר טובה

And with gratitude comes "peace of mind" - rosh shaket (literally a tranquil head) - ראש שקט

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