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YOZMA at 25
Twenty-five years ago, the founders of Kehillat YOZMA in Modi’in Israel dreamed of a community that would be the centre of its members’ lives.
Today, that dream has been realized. Every day is filled with communal activity ranging from daycare to day school to adult study circles to supports for seniors.
Worship at YOZMA. Rabbi Nir Barkin, centre.
On a recent visit to Toronto, Rabbi Nir Barkin, Senior Rabbi and Executive Director of Kehillat YOZMA, commented: “When I asked my congregation what they needed most, their answers reflected two main needs -- fulfillment and belonging. By filling these needs, we have built a strong community.” “The secret to our success is that we accompany our members from birth to youth to army-age, through adulthood and beyond. Along with their family, we are their support through life’s changes and challenges.”
YOZMA is the vibrant spiritual, educational and cultural centre for Progressive Jewish life in Modi’in and vicinity. They integrate Jewish heritage and progressive values throughout their community programs, events and education. And they really ‘walk the talk’. They sponsor many programs in the community for people with special needs, employ people with disabilities in their programs, and YOZMA member volunteers run the programs.
Kabalat Shabbat at Yozma
YOZMA’s commitment to social justice has been recognized by the city. They have received Modi’in’s Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award. YOZMA was founded in 1997 with 20 families in a borrowed, portable building, and eventually acquired land and a one-story building. But YOZMA is so successful it has outgrown its current space. Now 1,000 families, they need more space for worship and communal activities. In the works is a plan to build a second, larger floor for their existing building – a true feat of engineering.
You can help build the future for YOZMA. Donate through ARZA Canada. Choose Option 3, an Israel Reform Congregation, and specify YOZMA.
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