Riding4Reform 2016
Hop on for the ride!
February 28th
March 3rd
Join us as we sojourn from the flourishing Western Negev at the height of its bloom to the Jerusalem hills.
Come meet fellow progressive Israelis, visit Reform communities and enjoy the beautiful scenery that Israel has to offer.
Coming to the CCAR conference? There's a special option just for you!
For more information and to register, go to the
See you in February!
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ARZA Canada Delegation 37th World Zionist Congress
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Holy Blossom Temple
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 7:30 p.m.
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ARZA Canada
Chanukah is a time to remember our people's history and our successful response to the darkness of intolerance. We kindle lights and remember threats to our Jewish survival. This week as we light our Chanukah candles, let us together recommit to helping to build a Jewish homeland where we can practice our faith freely - an Israel that is democratic, pluralistic, and just.
Thank you for helping ARZA Canada strengthen Israel connections in our Reform congregations, for helping the Israel Reform Movement grow progressive Jewish communities, and for helping the Israel Religious Action Centre stand up for the rights of women, minorities and progressive Jews.
May this Chanukah bring joy and peace.
Chag Chanukah Sameach
Miriam
ARZA Canada, President
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ARZA Canada at the 37th World Zionist Congress
Oct 20 - 22, 2015, Jerusalem
Miriam Pearlman
Temple Sinai, Toronto
The Zionist Congress, established by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland in 1897, is the supreme organ of the World Zionist Organization and its legislative authority. It is known as "The Parliament of the Jewish People" and convenes every four or five years. At this WZC, 500 delegates representing the Jewish people world-wide debated cutting-edge issues confronting the state of Israel and the Jewish people.
The 500 delegates were chosen based on the following demographic formula: 38% from Israel, divided along Israeli political party lines as determined by the results of the last Israeli election; 29% from American Zionist organizations according to the last American Zionist Congress elections, and the remaining 33% came from other countries of the Jewish Diaspora.
Canada had 20 delegates of which six were from ARZA Canada based on membership numbers. We had a team of 13 ARZA Canada members, six as delegates including two youth delegates and 7 as deputy delegates. We belonged to the group of ARZENU, the umbrella organization for all Reform Zionist Organizations. Together with other groups with whom Reform has a natural alliance, ARZENU formed a voting bloc faction with Meretz, Labor, Green Party, and HaNoar Hatzioni. Read more....
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37TH ZIONIST CONGRESS:
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| | Charlotte Axelrod, Sienna Holtz with ARZA Canada President Miriam Pearlman at the 37th World Zionist Congress in Israel |
ARZA Canada Youth Delegate Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
I am fortunate to say I have been to Israel many times. With friends, with family, with a program; every trip offers me something new and challenging. This time around, I saw a side of Israel I never thought to explore. And here I share my remarkable experience at the 37th Zionist Congress in Jerusalem. The first congress convened in Basel, and Theodore Herzl was the chair. At that congress, Herzl believed they had created the Jewish state. Of course, his dream was only realized some 50 years later, but today our Zionist forefathers would be proud to see us continuing their extraordinary work. Now, delegates from recognized Zionist organizations come together every five years to reflect on and improve the status of our state. Resolutions are submitted, dissected, re-worded, debated, insulted, justified, and ultimately, voted on. The national institutions of Israel, that is, the WZO, KKL, and the UIA, effect these resolutions in Israel and the Diaspora. We come to claim our stake in Israel's future; both as a state and a people.
Sermon: "Va-yetzei" Nov. 20
By Sierra Holtz
ARZA Canada Youth Delegate
Temple Emanuel Beth Sholom, Montreal
In this week's parasha, "Va-yetzei", we are reminded of the story of Jacob, son of Isaac, and how he travels from Beer-Sheva to visit his uncle Laban in the city of Haran. After travelling very far, Jacob comes across a well near Haran and encounters Laban's daughter, Rachel, a shepherdess leading her father's flock to the well for them to drink. It is here where Jacob falls in love with Rachel and promises to work for Laban for 7 years in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. After these 7 years, however, Jacob is deceived and given Rachel's older sister, Leah, instead. Jacob is allowed to marry the love of his life, Rachel, only after he promises the father that he will work another 7 years.
Because Jacob's circumstances weren't particularly in his favor, Jacob's goal of marrying Rachel was delayed by Laban's decisions that were selfish and deceiving. In life, we feel that we are often confronted by obstacles that prevent us from reaching our goals and chances at attaining happiness. As Jews in particular, one of these goals includes bringing about peace in the Middle East. Peace, in other words, is our Rachel. Time passes and it seems like peace only gets farther and farther away. Our efforts are constantly thwarted by violence, ignorance, and stubbornness.
Read more....
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ARZA Canada at Biennial
Nov 4-8 2015, OrlandoBy Jeff Denaburg
ARZA Canada Vice President
Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
Israel, and the Reform movement in Israel, were prominent topics at this year's URJ Biennial. For example:
- A panel discussion covering Israel's most important challenges, such as internal tensions and the Palestinian conflict, featured Stav Shaffir (Member of the Knesset), Ari Shavit (well-known author/journalist) and Rabbi Eric Yoffie (past President of the URJ). You can watch the discussion at the link below.
- Rabbi Rick Jacobs made Israel one of the main topics of his major talk at Biennial. He provided a Reform perspective on Israel's sensitive situation, at a cross-roads both in terms of the two-state solution and disturbing trends in Israeli society.
- US Vice-President also spoke at length about Israel, from the perspective of US-Israel relations.
- The Israeli Reform movement sent a large delegation, who had a high profile in sessions addressing the entire Biennial as well as various learning sessions, where they described the important advances being made by the Reform movement in Israel.
In addition to speeches and learning sessions, there were opportunities for ARZA Canada members and friends to connect with our Israeli partners. ARZA Canada held a successful reception for all the Canadian and Israeli delegates at the Biennial, which was well attended and facilitated valuable dialogue.
ARZA Canada was well represented among the 5,000 delegates, creating new ideas and opportunities for promoting Israel in Canada and supporting the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel.
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