 |
Jim Lederman,
Senior Middle East Analyst for Oxford Analytica
Holy Blossom Temple
Wednesday,
September 17, 2014
7:30 p.m.
|
|
Anat Hoffman
"What don't we talk about when we focus on Israel's security."
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday
October 22, 2014
7:30pm
Holy Blossom Temple
1950 Bathurst Street
Presented by the GTA
Reform Sisterhoods and Congregations
|
Word of Hebrew:
We're all in this together -
Kulanu ba-esek
כולנו בעסק
.
|
|
|
|
Dear ARZA Canada Members
Board member Carole Sterling and I recently went on a quick trip to Israel to show support to our friends there, and to understand the impact of the war better. It was a very insightful trip and provided us with a range of opportunities to understand what the country went through this past summer.
I'd like to mention two key learning points:
1 The mood in Israel is very unsettling. Although they are extremely proud of the way the IDF conducted itself, there is an underlying current of uncertainty about the future. Many people expressed the fact that they felt different about this war than any other, even though the rockets have stopped and the tunnels have been destroyed. Israelis are used to the up and down emotions that they continually experience and they are getting on with their lives now, but it is not quite the same. The deaths and injuries on both sides weigh heavily on everyone.
2 The Israel Reform Movement was very instrumental in helping Israelis living in the south to cope with the effects of the daily barrage of rockets. Keren B'Kavod, the social service arm of the Movement, provided many services for the young and the old who were in bomb shelters for long periods of time. Day camps, social activities, and counselling were offered throughout the southern region. They also organized respite trips for people to get out of the area and many were hosted at the Reform Kibbutzim Yael and Lotan, as well as at our hostel facilities in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. All of this effort was funded in conjunction with the Stop the Sirens campaign and the Jewish Federations of North America. They are continuing to provide services for Back to School and the High Holidays so it is still not too late to contribute.
Let as pray for a peaceful year ahead.
L'shana tova Les President ARZA Canada.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israelis innovate with Shabbat celebration
|
|
|
|
 Rabbi Naamah Kelman, Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, is encouraged by the new and innovative ways that Israelis are celebrating Shabbat. Many of these creative approaches, which are often led or influenced by the Reform community, are attracting secular Israelis to appreciate their Jewish heritage.
Read more of Rabbi Kelman's Blog here!
|
|
Back to school - with relief and trepidation
|
|
|
|
Israelis are cautiously returning to a more normal routine during the current cease-fire negotiations. Although they didn't have much of a summer vacation, due to the frequent sirens, they appreciate getting back to work and back to school.
 Israeli kids going back to school
Those closer to the shelling will need time. Just 13 km from Gaza, residents of Ashkelon still consider running to the shelters as the "new normal" daily routine.
 Israel 21c has more on this story
|
|
|
| |
Can a cease-fire in Gaza work? If Hamas won't disarm, Israel won't permit entry of the materials needed for reconstruction. Is it stalemate?
Apparently the sides are working towards a plan for "reconstruction in return for non-remilitarization". Although Hamas won't surrender their remaining weapons, stars are aligning to undermine their ability to rearm and wage war in the future.
If a Gaza cease-fire is achieved, how can recurring wars in the future be prevented. Some, including author David Grossman, believe now is the time for Israel and a moderate Palestinian leadership to strike a long term peace agreement.
Israeli Novelist's Cry for Peace....
|
|
|
Can we be both liberal and Zionist?
|
|
|
| |
When a NY Times Sunday Review opinion suggested that Diaspora Jews can be either liberal or Zionist, but not both, Rabbi Josh Weinberg, President of ARZA US, responded that Liberal Zionism is alive and well and has an important role in the future of Israel.
Read NY Times Sunday Review.....
|
|
| |
One has to admire the courage and determination of these four female paramedics who served on the ground during the war in Gaza.
 Female IDF paramedics' fight for life
|
|
Who won the media battle?
|
|
|
| |
Israel was heavily criticized, especially in Europe, for the loss of life and destruction during the ground operation in Gaza. It's too early to know whether this will have a lasting effect on Israel's international standing. Both sides are still hard at work trying to get their message out. Natan Sharansky, for one, feels betrayed by the free world.
 Washington Post Opinions.....
The last word goes to former President Shimon Peres who, talking with Reform Judaism magazine, says: Pessimism is a waste of time. I prefer to dream.
 Peres on the futility of war....
|
|
|
|
|
