ARZA Canada

tikkun olam

ARZA Canada (the Association of Reform Zionists of America – Canada) is affiliated with the Reform Jewish Community of Canada and the Union for Reform Judaism North America.

With over 4,400 members, our mandate is to connect with Reform communities throughout Canada, foster connections with and strengthen our ties to the Reform Movement in Israel, and work to realize the vision of Reform Zionism.

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ARZA CANADA WEBSITE

ARZA Canada stands for a love of the land, the state and the people of Israel, our Jewish homeland.

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ARZA Canada applies Reform Jewish values to our progressive ideology.

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ARZA Canada is dedicated to educating our community about the complex reality in Israel and presenting it in a balanced and nuanced way.

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ARZA Canada has a vision of what Israel can become and is dedicated to work towards that ideal. To fulfill the prophetic vision of the state of Israel, ARZA Canada works to ensure that Israel provides justice and democracy for all its inhabitants.

Israel Engagement

Yossi Klein Halevi, eminent Israeli author, journalist and scholar of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem has agreed to serve as Temple Sholom’s Resident Scholar for 5784-5785.

This is a new and unique relationship unlike any Temple Sholom has enjoyed in the history of our congregation.

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Over the the year, Yossi will engage with Temple Sholom in person for a series of classes at Temple, via Zoom and through his published writings and articles.

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As Israel continues to struggle with domestic turmoil and existential crisis Yossi’s writings and scholarship have been an essential and powerful voice for democracy and coexistence. He speaks with authority and wisdom gained from decades of teaching and writing on the convergence of Israel and Diaspora Jewish issues.

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His weekly podcast with the Hartman Institute’s Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman as well as his books and articles in major international publications have helped elevate the discussion and translate what is unfolding in Israel today for Jews all over the world.

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Yossi’s writings and podcasts:

Yossi’s Shalom Hartman Institute Page

Yossi’s Times of Israel Blog

Yossi’s Articles on Haaretz

UnXeptable at Temple Sholom Hosting

Leaders of the Israeli Protest Movement Michal Muzskat Barkan, PhD, and Ora Peled Nakash discussed the plurality of issues and thoughts facing the pro-democracy movement, and how our community can engage and support their efforts.

ARZA Canada

We are writing to ask you to join us and stand up for progressive Jewish values in Israel and our Zionist institutions, by joining or renewing your membership in ARZA Canada. Your membership is OUR voice in Israel.

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ARZA Canada partners with the growing Israeli Reform Movement, working toward the goals of democracy, equality and pluralism in our homeland.
ARZA Canada works to increase Israel engagement and helps to create an Israel that is both Jewish and democratic.

In October 2020 at the World Zionist Congress, in what was at its essence an attempted tyranny of the minority: the Likud Party and religious right tried to exclude Reform, Conservative and centre-left Jews from influential executive positions in the Congress.

Why is this important now?

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This attempt by a particularly extreme and motivated faction of the Jewish community to wield outsized power in the face of a majority of Reform and Conservative Jews nearly succeeded. Had it not been for organizations like Hadassah, Naamat, Arzenu, Maccabi and B’nai B’rithInternational, Reform and Conservative Jews would have completely lost their voice and their vote in the allocation of nearly $1 billion in Jewish community and State of Israel funds. Those funds historically have gone to key Zionist organizations such as the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), and Keren Hayesod and for the benefit of the broader Jewish community.

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We almost lost this important seat at the table because Orthodox organizations, which are smaller in total number than Reform, Conservative and progressive Jewish communities, have outpaced us in memberships in the Congress. In order for Canadian Reform Jews in Canada to ensure an increase in our membership at the table, that means being a registered member of ARZA Canada. Every Reform Jew in Canada who cares about Israel should be a member of ARZA Canada. It is that simple and that important. Your membership is OUR voice in Israel.

The cost of membership:

As an affiliate of the Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC) and the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), ARZA Canada is committed to the ideals of progressive Zionism. ARZA Canada represents the Reform Jewish community on issues that impact Israel and Zionism.

We strive to engage our congregations and members through education, programming, advocacy, support for study in Israel and promotion of travel to Israel.

Per adult

$18

Per student

$5

JOIN ARZA CANADA

Useful links:

jewishfederations.org

irac.org

Israel - now is the time

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