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We want to hear from you!
Dear Friends,
The world is becoming more polarized. We know our ARZA Canada members hold a range of opinions. It’s time for an open conversation about where we stand as Canadian Reform Jews.
The ARZA Canada board is examining our role in advocacy and the tension between staying silent and speaking out, especially on controversial issues. We have to balance our desire to advocate for our shared values with the responsibility of representing our membership.
Have your say
Here are the findings from our board, as well as an invitation for further feedback from you.
Until now we have focused on our primary mandate of helping to grow Reform/Progressive Judaism in Israel and Reform Zionism in Canada. We generally avoid speaking out on the West Bank and Gaza, as does the leadership of the Israel Movement for Progressive and Reform Judaism (IMPJ), with whom we consult on sensitive issues.
Key findings from our board self-examination:
1. Some argue that we should not go beyond our core mandate. Others feel it’s time for us to be more active in speaking out about human right violations, within the State of Israel and in the West Bank.
3. We believe we should continue to support IMPJ and IRAC who are protesting extremist policies.
4. ARZA Canada, the Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC), and the Reform Rabbis of Canada (RROC) speak together on behalf of the Canadian Reform community. Whenever possible, ARZA Canada should be the primary voice for issues concerning Israel.
Your ARZA Canada Board will continue to work on your behalf for our shared values.
We welcome feedback from each of you. Submit here by January 26, 2023. Thank you.
ARZA Canada in the media:
Miriam Pearlman, ARZA Canada’s immediate past president, spoke as one of three panelists in a recent CJN podcast:
Canadian Jewish Leaders are Worried about Israel's New Government
Miriam was quoted in the Concordia University, Azrieli Institute of Jewish Studies, article by Randy Pinksky, "Israel Goes to the Polls...Again" in reference to the podcast above.
Many prominent Jewish organizations and centers have expressed concern about government policies that have little resonance with their own values and could take Israel backwards. “There are many ways to be Jewish,” shared Pearlman of ARZA Canada.“If it is our homeland, it has to look like a homeland to all of us.”
You may be aware that several progressive Jewish organizations are sponsoring a Vigil for Democracy in Toronto in front of the Israeli Consulate on the evening of Saturday January 21. The ARZA Canada board executive has decided not to participate.
While many of us as Canadian Progressive Jews were happy to see the protests this week in Israel, most do not support public protests against Israel in Canada.
In Canada, it would be easy to interpret a street protest against Israel as anti-Zionist. On the street, it's hard to clarify that you're protesting specific government policies and not Zionism in general.
Upcoming Events:
January 21, 2023, 7:30 - 9 pm
Building Bridges with Jews Around the World: The Jews of Canada
Women of Reform Judaism, Midwest District
Speakers include:
The History of Jews in Canada: Professor David Koffman, York University Tikkun Olam: Social Action, Social Justice, and LGBTQ: Len Bates, Reform Jewish Community of Canada President and Rabbi Dara Lithwick, Temple Israel, Ottawa. The Canadian Connection to Israel: Lee Weisser, ARZA Canada President. The Rituals and Music of Canada: Cantor Paula Baruch, Temple Anshe Sholom, Hamilton, Rabbah Gila Caine, Temple Beth Ora, Edmonton, Cantor Rachael Littman, Temple Har Zion, Thornhill.
Weekly, Thursdays and/or Fridays, 12:00-1:30 pm ET
The Israel Dialogues is presented by Holy Blossom Temple and ARZA Canada
Our celebrated Israel programming returns to your screens on January 12, heralding a new season of insightful discussion into the state of Israel! Presented by a respected cross-section of leading academics and scholars, the Israel Dialogues is an incredible window into the challenges and successes of the Jewish state. The Israel Dialogues provides an opportunity for learners across the world to engage fundamental issues facing Israelis and the Jewish Diaspora alike. A diverse range of topics include discussion on regional and international context and include principal factors which affect Israel’s place in global affairs.
As Israel turns 75 and just recently elected its most religious and ultranationalist government in its history, how will this affect the relationship with its most important ally, the United States? How have the strategic priorities of the United States changed, and how should we understand the unfolding implications for a new geopolitical reality in the Middle East? And what should be our role as American Reform Jews? This four-part series will examine the past, policies, parties, and personalities to understand the complexities of the relationship. Register here to join via Zoom
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Israel and the Diaspora: Are We Breaking Up? Presented by City Shul, with Rabbi Elyse Goldstein and Rabbi Galit Cohen-Kedem of Kehilat Kodesh v'Chol in Holon, Israel
Sunday January 29, 2:30 pm ET, Temple Beth Ora and ARZA Canada present
"A Conversation with Israeli Rabbis: The Current Challenges in Israel"
Watch for registration information.
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WUPJ Connections Conference, May 3-6, 2023
Join me there!
Connections is the biennial conference of the World Union for Progressive Judaism – the central hub that connects all Reform, Progressive, Liberal and Reconstructionist Jewish communities around the world while upholding the State of Israel as the center of the Jewish people and Jewish identity.
Running for more than 30 years, this year’s Connections is the WUPJ’s first in-person international gathering since 2017, providing the perfect opportunity for the WUPJ community and regional leaders of all ages and interests to re-engage, re-energize and rejoice together.