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Get Ready to Make a Difference in Israel
Your vote in the upcoming election for the World Zionist Congress (WZC) has a tremendous impact on the future of Israel.
Voting will be online and starts on June 5.Watch your email for details.
Voting in the election gives you power and influence in Israel.Here are just two examples where the strength of the Reform faction in the WZC allows us to fight for democracy and equality in Israel.
Reform leaders in positions of power
Due to the strength of Reform in the WZC, Yair Lootsteen, Chair of Israel’s Reform movement, is also Vice-Chair of the Jewish National Fund (JNF).
Yair, a former Canadian, is able to prevent the ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox in JNF from misusing their authority by investing JNF funds to develop settlements in the West Bank.
Yair Lootsteen, Vice-Chair, Jewish National Fund (left) counters efforts to invest JNF funds in the West Bank
Using his position to fight against annexation, Yair helps to keep Israel both Jewish and democratic.
Helping Israelis most in need
The Reform movement is Israel’s foremost defender of Israel’s disadvantaged and minorities in the courts.They have been prominent in the struggle to make public transportation available on Shabbat.
Shabbat is often the only day of the week that people have for personal needs, including medical appointments.While well-off Israelis can afford cars and taxis, the poor depend on public transportation.When Haredi lawmakers succeed in shutting down public transportation on Shabbat, the burden falls on the poor.
With Reform initiative, the courts have intervened to make public transportation available in several cities, including Tel Aviv.
Voting kicks off June 5!
Watch your emails for:
The zoom link to our kick-off event on the evening of Thursday, June 5
Detailed instructions to vote
Remember:
All Jewish Canadians 18 and over are eligible to vote.
Every person in your household can vote, including adult children.
There’s no automatic voting, e.g. because you’re a member of ARZA Canada or a synagogue.
You must vote online from June 5 to 15.
Vote early!
L’Shalom
Judith Wiley and Jeff Denaburg
Co-Chairs, ARZA Canada
Upcoming events:
Hope and Strength – Finding Resilience in Community and Song
Concert in support of Peace of Mind Canada
Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 pm ET
Temple Har Zion, Thornhill
Temple Har Zion and Temple Emanu-El are jointly hosting a unit of Israeli soldiers from the Peace of Mind program.
This critical initiative makes an enormous impact on the lives of the brave veterans who have so selflessly given of themselves to defend Israel. Hosting a unit of released soldiers will provide much-needed therapy for these exceptional young men as they begin their journey towards healing their emotional/psychological battle wounds.This experience will also enrich the lives of our community as we come together in love and support for Israel's heroes.
