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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
