welcome

Dear Friends:

In the spring of 2008/5768, we will be celebrating together 60 years of Jewish sovereignty in the land and State of Israel. 
 
ARZA Canada would like to help your congregation with Israel@60 celebrations.
 
  • Have 1 speaker a month, perhaps at Kabbalat Shabbat, on an Israel-related topic for the next 6 months (contact ARZA Canada for suggestions for topics and speakers, and thanks to Rabbi Jordan Cohen for this wonderful idea)
  • Hold an Israel evening and use the ARZA Canada “speaker’s bureau” of people who can come to your congregation and speak on a wide variety of topics, including:
    1.      The Israeli Reform Movement: an update and a challenge
    2.          The Political Situation in Israel
    3.          Reform Zionism and its Meaning for us as Canadian Jews
    4.          Social justice in Israel
    5.          Israel through the Arts
    6.          Israel through the Senses
    7.          Historical perspective
  • Help the Reform Movement grow in Israel by participating in ARZA Canada’s “Israel Reform Movement Nursery School Project”; make a contribution individually and join many other Canadian Reform congregations by making a congregational gift
  • Include a monthly Israel column in your bulletin. ARZA Canada has been forwarding ideas for content and more will follow
  • Join “Team ARZA Canada” in raising funds for the Israel Reform Movement with the Ride4Reform bike ride in Israel March 23-27, 2008.  You will experience Israel in a new and unique way and by the end of the week, every part of your body is engaged, “from the eyes to the thighs, and most importantly – your heart!”
  • Join other Reform Zionists from across the country and consider the nature of Reform Zionism at our kallah on February: more to follow
  • Start an Israel committee: ARZA Canada will connect you with a congregation which already has one and help with ideas
  • If your congregation is planning a trip to Israel, contact ARZA Canada so that we may assist you with making connections with the Israeli Reform Movement, home hospitality with Israeli congregants, engaging interesting speakers to meet with your group and studying at the Saltz Center in Jerusalem. (We also do the same for individuals who are traveling to Israel).
  • Visit the ARZA Canada website, www.arzacanada.org, for more information about Israel travel programs for teens and young adults.
  • Join the ARZA Canada study trip:  June 11-27, 2008.  See www.arzacanada.org for full information and registration form.

We look forward to partnering with you to celebrate this wonderful moment in Israel’s history. Contact us to follow up on any of these ideas. And share yours and we will publicize them
 
L’Shalom,
 

Joan Garson, President, ARZA Canada
Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel, Executive Director, ARZA Canada