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January 19, 2006

Tourism to Israel increased 26 percent in 2005

By The Associated Press

Tourism to Israel increased by 26 percent in 2005 over the previous year, reflecting a turnaround in the industry since Israeli-Palestinian violence dropped.

A total of 1,902,900 tourists visited Israel in 2005, up from 1,505,500 in 2004, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics said in a release.

But 2005's figure was still 21 percent less than the peak tourism year of 2000, when almost 2.5 million tourists visited the country, the release said. Tourism to Israel began to plummet in September 2001 with the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian hostilities that has included suicide bombings in major Israeli cities and Israel Defense Forces operations in Palestinian areas.

A turnaround in the industry began when the violence dropped off significantly in 2004 and especially since a cease-fire was signed between the sides a year ago.

Every 1 million tourists bring about $1.5 billion to Israel and supports almost 40,000 jobs, tourism officials say.

Posted by ARZA World Team at 09:00 PM | Comments (0)

January 18, 2006

Working with ARZA World has been a pleasure, because leading 27 others might be stressful, but you make it easy

Just a note to say thank you to ARZA World for a superb tour of Israel: I have led half a dozen such tours, and ARZA World's arrangements were far and away the best. You understand that intellectual and spiritual content are vital, so you make arrangements for us to meet fascinating and involved Israelis, and you furnish materials that build the Jewish and personal spiritual essence of a visit to Israel.

Rabbi Maya Leibovitch of Kehilat Mevasseret Zion and Rabbi Keith Stern of Temple Beth Avodah in Newton light the first candle of Hanukkah at Merkaz Shimshon in Jerusalem. Attending the event and concert by Shlomo Gronich & The Sheba Choir were 400 ARZA World Travel program participants led by Rabbis' from Congregations across the United States and Canada (background)

There was complete co-operation. You supplied necessary materials for events such as the entry into Jerusalem, celebration of Chanukah, and visiting of key sites where literary and background material would be helpful. Transition to hotels and transportation was superb. We were able to make our itinerary flexible and visit places that were not on the official itinerary but of interest to us. The added surprise of a Chanukah concert at Merkaz Shimshon shines as a highlight.

You understand the needs of liberal Jews. Working with all the ARZA World staff has been a pleasure, because leading 27 others might be stressful, but you make it easy. So thank you for a great tour. In making arrangements again, I’d only visit Israel through ARZA World.
-Rabbi Leigh Lerner, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Westmount, QC

We constantly receive glowing testimonials from those who have taken part in our tours. If you would like to read testimonials from Rabbi's and/or program participants please click here

Posted by ARZA World Team at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

January 15, 2006

Making it Happen: Your Congregational Trip to Israel

If you are considering a congregational trip to Israel, we have a great new resource for you, please view our "how-to" guide. It is designed to provide you with both practical and useful suggestions to help you plan the perfect trip for your congregation.

The Step by Step Guide to Planning your Congregational trip to Israel is now available online. To view: Making it Happen: Your Congregational Trip to Israel, please click here.

The guide is divided into 4 simple steps:

1) Making the Decision

2) Creating a Buzz in your Community

3) Planning your Trip

4) Working with your Tour Organizer.

There is no better way to Enhance Community than a congregational trip to Israel. Through a shared and inspired experience in Israel, members build a special bond with their rabbi and develop life-long friendships in the congregation. Members who travel together are transformed; they typically become more involved and active within the community. They volunteer more, embrace leadership positions, and provide increased support. A successful Israel trip will boost a congregations standing in the community.

Posted by ARZA World Team at 09:55 PM | Comments (0)

January 04, 2006

Practical Reform Zionism: Ten things you can do now

1. Sponsor a congregational Israel day, week, or year. Devoting congregational time in support of Israel raises awareness of its accomplish-ments and challenges, and builds connections between North American Reform Jews and the Jewish state. For resources visit www.arza.org.

2. Establish an Israel or ARZA Committee. A vibrant Israel or ARZA Committee can ensure that Israel-related programming plays a significant role in congregational life. For more information visit www.arza.org.

3. Create a congregational trip to Israel. First-hand experiences in Israel can be spiritually inspiring, emotionally transformative, and great fun. ARZA World will work with your congregation to tailor a Reform pilgrimage to Israel; for more information contact ARZA World at (888) 811-2812.

4. Build the next generation of Israel supporters. Consider sending teens in your community on one of NFTY's summer or semester Israel programs, pre-college students on the Carmel program, and college students on the Kesher Israel Connection. Visit www.nfty.org/israel or www.keshernet.com.

5. Join ARZA and Hineini. A significant portion of ARZA membership dollars go directly to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism and the Israel Religious Action Center; dollars for the Hineini initiative help fund the building of Progressive synagogues in Modi'in and Mivaserret Zion. For more information visit www.arza.org and www.urj.org/hineini.

6. Enhance Yom Ha'Atzmaut. Israel Independence Day provides opportunities for communal discussions of Zionism, interactions with Jews of other denominations, and explorations of new congregational initiatives dedicated to Israel. For more information visit www.urj.org/holidays/haatzmaut.

7. Bring a Reform Israeli to your community. Israeli-based speakers and scholars can offer personal insights on the challenges and successes in the Jewish state. For a list of speakers visit www.arza.org.

8. Deepen your knowledge of Israel and Hebrew. Read Israeli newspapers and magazines written in English (visit www.haaretzdaily.com, www.jpost.com, or www.ynetnews.com). To improve your Hebrew skills, consider the URJ Press' Aleph Isn't Tough! series, the Learn Hebrew Today book and CD-ROM for adults, or the Mitkadem program for youth, all available at www.urjpress.com (click on Hebrew).

9. Fund an Israel project. Funding a project in Israel is a vital way of investing in our common future. The World Union for Progressive Judaism (www.wupj.org) raises funds for Reform congregations and educational programs in Israel that are nurturing modern Jewish identity. Discuss options with your rabbi and/or contact the World Union at 212-452-6530, wupj@urj.org.

10. Move to Israel. Immigrants from our Movement have joined our 25 congregations and two kibbutzim (Lotan and Yahel), ensuring that our values are represented in everyday Israeli life and within the political process. For more information call 212-650-4280.

-Rabbi Andrew Davids, Executive Director, ARZA

Posted by ARZA World Team at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)