Shalom!
ARZA Canada, the Canadian arm of Reform Zionism, is happy to keep you up-to-date on important news about Israel. |
Spotlight on: World Zionist Congress 2010 |
|
Joan Garson, President of ARZENU, at the WZO Conference |
The 36th World Zionist Congress was held in Jerusalem in June, continuing a tradition started when Theodor Herzl held the first Congress in 1897.
The Reform movement is well represented in the World Zionist Organization, having achieved success in the last WZO elections (thanks to strong voter turn-out by our members). The international Reform Zionist umbrella organization is ARZENU , of which ARZA Canada is a member. ARZA Canada sent a large contingent of committed delegates to represent the Reform movement at this year's congress.
What are the stakes? The WZO directs the spending of a large amount of money on Zionist activities in Israel and throughout the world. All the Israeli political parties and world Zionist groups vie for their share. And each faction's strength translates into jobs in the upper echelon portfolios in the WZO.
|
Reform delegates dine at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem |
ARZENU is the leader of the largest faction in the WZO, which includes Israeli political parties Labour and Meretz. This group continues to be successful in promoting the cause of religious pluralism in the WZO.
Here are several of the key achievements of the ARZENU-led faction in this year's Congress:
- Passed major resolutions in favour of religious pluralism and defeated resolutions attacking pluralism and other core Reform values.
- Obtained commitment of Labour leader Ehud Barak to expand the influence of Reform in the government by filling positions with members of the Israeli Reform movement.
- Secured the position of Co-chair in the Diaspora department of the WZO, enabling direct input to Zionist activities around the world.
- Held onto the Land position in the Jewish National Fund, which has control over land issues and related funding.
- Took over the Chair position on the WZO Budget and Finance Committee. We will institute improved checks and balances, particularly with regard to financial matters.
- Strengthened the role of women in future congresses.
- Expanded the role of Diaspora representatives in the WZO. This will enable our representatives to play a larger ongoing role and will help to ensure the WZO is more open to Diaspora input.
- Recognized the negative impact of settlement expansion.
|
Reform youth delegates at the WZO conference |
More good news - ARZENU and ARZA Canada had a large contingent of youth, who participated actively in congress activities, such as committee meetings and voting on resolutions. These youth could be future leaders of Reform Zionism.
With your support, ARZENU and ARZA Canada, will continue to promote Reform values such as religious pluralism on the international Zionist stage.
|
A Vision of Israel |
In light of the recent political hostilities related to the proposed conversion bill, Rabbi Donniel Hartman proposes his vision of a progressive and diverse Jewish state. Here's an excerpt:
|
Rabbi Donniel Hartman |
"Israel must be a place where religious pluralism and diversity reign. It must be a place where the various Judaisms of the Jews have footholds and a place of respect. It must be a place where our foreign and military policies are morally and Jewishly defensible. It must be a place where the impact of our policies on world Jewry is an integral part of our political deliberations. It must be a place which strives to represent the best of what the Jewish people stand for."
|
Virtual Visit - Hip and Historical Tel Aviv |
|
Tel Aviv at night |
If you didn't make it to Tel Aviv this summer, or are planning an upcoming trip, the following videos will give you a taste.
Tel Aviv in the summer offers beautiful beaches to be sure, but lots more as well.
|
A game of matkot on the beach |
The first Jewish suburb of Jaffa, Neve Tzedek eventually became a neglected section of Tel Aviv, but has transformed again into a trendy neighbourhood of boutiques and expensive condos. |
Business - Reducing oil dependence |
 Project Better Place is an ambitious electric car venture founded by Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi. The project's objective is to drastically reduce oil dependence, cut carbon emissions and blaze a trail for more environmentally friendly transport.
 President Shimon Peres endorsed the project, and Israel is expected to be the first country to have electric cars on its highways in large numbers, starting next year.
For background, here's a New York Times article from the original Better Place announcement.
|
Sports - Still strong in Windsurfing |
Israel's only Olympic gold medal was won by Gal Friedman in windsurfing in 2004.
New Israeli windsurfing talent Shahar Tzubari has won the gold medal in the European windsurfing championships two years in a row. |
A Word of Hebrew - I'm Fine Thanks! |
Last month we asked "How are you?" in Hebrew. Here are several possible answers:
 So-so - Kacha-kacha כָכָה כָכָה
Everything is fine - HaKol b'Seder
הָכֹל בְסֶדֶר
Totally fine - B'seder Gamur בְסֶדֶר גָמוּר
Awesome! - Sababa! סַבַּבָּה
|
|
On behalf of ARZA Canada, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy Shannah Tovah.
Sincerely,
Les Rothschild
President, ARZA Canada
|
|
|
Renew Your Membership |
|
If you have the opportunity to renew your ARZA Canada membership as part of your synagogue membership process, please renew!
Alternatively, you can click here to send us an e-mail. Please include your name and phone number and we'll respond. |
Reasons to be a Member of ARZA Canada |
Connect Canadian Reform Jews to Israel:
- Offer special educational programs related to Israel (e.g. prominent speakers, annual kallah)
- Provide financial assistance to Israel-related programs in Reform congregations.
- Provide financial assistance for Canadian youth to study in Israel (Stroh Scholarship)
- Members receive a monthly member newsletter on important issues and news in Israel
- Members receive announcements and alerts on important Israel-related events.
Support Reform Judaism in Israel:
- Support the expansion of Reform congregations in Israel.
- Assist critical activities of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, such as the Israel Religious Action Centre.
- Assist special projects in Israel, such as building new Reform pre-schools.
|
Upcoming Event -
The Case for Israel |
|
Stand Up for Israel - Arm Yourself with the Facts
October 6, 2010
7:00 pm
Temple Sinai
210 Wilson Ave.
Toronto
Join us for a lively panel discussion where Professors Ed Morgan and David
Dewitt, with Susan Davis moderating, take us on a journey to understand
Israel's actions and standing based on the historical political process and
international law around the Middle East.
These experts will address some of the most challenging issues around
politics and law, spanning the period of British Mandate Palestine to the
current day, the UN role, and the record of governments involved.
The mainstream media and many foreign governments regularly describe
Israel's actions, its control of land, and its very existence as on the
wrong side of the international political process and the legal process.
Gain the knowledge to respond!
Members and non-members alike are invited to attend.
October 6 at 7pm
To register contact Temple Sinai. As well, please refer to Temple Sinai's web site for any further details. |
 |
|
|
