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Let’s Not Forget to Celebrate – Israel is 75!
Shalom Chaverim,
The State of Israel turns 75 years old this year, on the 5th of Iyar (April 26).
We should take a moment to step back from the day-to-day turmoil, and appreciate this amazing milestone for the Jewish State.
The State of Israel is a miraculous achievement. The only sovereign, Jewish country in 2,000 years, Israel gathered a diverse population from all corners of the world and built an economic, cultural and military powerhouse, based on principles of freedom, equality and justice. Israelis have much to be proud of and we, as their family, are entitled to feel pride also.
Lee Weisser, President ARZA Canada (right) with Temple Emanu-El Shinshinit Hila Meltzer at Purim
As Reform Jews, we can also be proud of the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel. Secular Jews want to explore their religious heritage, but in a modern context. Many have found a home in the Reform movement.
In the last decade the presence of Reform communities doubled to 54 congregations.
In just the last 2 years, Reform congregations in Israel performed over 3,000 Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, 1,500 egalitarian weddings and 400 conversions. The Reform movement has active programs for youth, pre-army, and young adults, as well as Israel’s premier social action organization – the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC).
We pray that the current tensions subside, and Israelis can have a joyous celebration of Israel at 75.
Members of Temple Emanu-El sing Hatikva to celebrate Israel@75
We continue to encourage our members to support Israel’s Reform movement during the current crisis, as they stand to lose up to $1.5 million of annual funding under the current government coalition, which openly seeks to impede non-Haredi streams of Judaism.
March 9 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Rabbi Lea Muhlstein “The Future of progressive Judaism in the State of Israel”
Rabbi Lea Mühlstein is the International Chair of Arzenu – the political voice of Reform, Progressive and Liberal Religious Zionists. Born and raised in Germany, Lea holds a BA and MSci in Chemistry from Cambridge University as well as an MA in Jewish Studies from King’s College London. Ordained in 2012 by Leo Baeck College, Lea is currently Senior Rabbi at The Ark Synagogue, London. She is a member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. In addition to her deep commitment to Zionism, she has a great passion for interfaith and social action work as well as world Jewry. She has previously served on the boards of various Jewish and non-Jewish organisations including the WUPJ and EUPJ.
June 21 – 28, 2023 in Jerusalemat the Shalom Hartman Institute.
Community Leadership Program - The Choosing People: Community and Meaning in an Age of Individualism
We are excited that this year’s program will include a component specifically for our Canadian participants. Our dedicated Canadian cohort will have opportunities to gather for group processing and debriefing. This time together will enable us to think about what we are learning, reflect on how we can take our experience back home to our communities, and consider what does and does not resonate for us within the Canadian Jewish landscape.
