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.
ARZA 2024 • Now More Than Ever
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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Judith Wiley and Jeff Denaburg
Co-Chairs, ARZA Canada
What can I actually do to help Israel?
Shalom Chaverim,
The State of Israel is now governed by religious and ultra-nationalist extremists. They’re undermining equality for women and minorities, and spending millions to subsidize Haredim and settlements. Israel needs more Reform Judaism.
Can I do anything to help?
Yes, you can. There is a “Parliament of the Jewish People” that has significant decision-making and financial power. It’s called the World Zionist Congress (WZC). The WZC controls the allocation of over $1 billion annually, and makes important decisions, such as land use in Israel and the territories.
The First Zionist Congress, held in Basel, Switzerland in 1897
Liberal Jews in the diaspora have no influence on the Knesset, but we do have strong representation in the WZC, thanks to the efforts of the Reform movement in Canada and around the world. This has resulted in new Reform communities in Israel and support for our social action work, including the success of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC).
But in recent years extremist groups have been increasing their influence in the WZC, to roll back the progress we’ve made, and steer the country on a path towards gender segregation, discrimination, and annexation of the West Bank.
The 26th World Zionist Congress, held in Jerusalem in 1964
The WZC is elected every 5 years, and there’s an election this year.
Every vote for Reform/ARZA Canada in the election, helps the Reform faction gain positions and influence in the WZC.
So please plan to vote in the upcoming election in Canada.
Here are the details:
- Voting in Canada will take place from June 5 to 15.
- Pre-registration will begin about May 1.
- All Canadians (and permanent residents) who self-identify as Jews, 18 years of age or more, are eligible to vote.
- Everyone must register and vote. That is, there is no automatic voting for members of a Zionist organization or synagogue.
- Voting will be digital. You’ll soon receive a link or QR to register, from your synagogue and from ARZA Canada.
Thank you for contributing to this important mission.
Judith Wiley and Jeff Denaburg
Co-Chairs, ARZA Canada
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Upcoming Events
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Digital Leaders for Progressive Judaism
The World Union For Progressive Judaism is offering a program to develop “Digital Leaders”, who will learn about the values of progressive Judaism and how to share them on social media. The program includes leadership training with time in Israel.
Click here for more information.
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Yom HaAtzmaut celebrations
A Taste of Israel
Wed. April 30 at 6:30 PM ET
Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
Celebrated chef Tomer Markovitz, owner and chef at Romi’s on St. Clair West in Toronto, will be cooking up a classic Israeli feast with a modern flourish. Together we will eat a delicious meal, learn about a major election coming up in Israel, and explore Chef’s Tomer story. What is it like to be a proud Israeli, serving up a taste of Tel Aviv in Toronto? What makes Israeli cuisine unique and special?
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Yom HaAtzma’ut – Israel at 77
Thursday, May 1 – 6 PM MT
Temple Beth Ora, Edmonton
Shuk, Dessert, Photobooth, Face Painting, Prizes, Danving, Games, DJ, Crafts
The event will take place at Beth Israel Synagogue in Edmonton
For tickets: https://jewishedmonton.regfox.com/2025-yom-haatzmaut
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Kvelebration – Celebrating Jewish Music
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM PT (10:30 PM ET)
Temple Sholom, Vancouver
A Gala Concert of Jewish music, featuring the Reform Cantors and Cantorial Soloists of Canada.
Tickets are $36 in person, $18 virtual. Proceeds will go to ARZA Canada.
To register, click here
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Israel Dialogues
Holy Blossom Temple – all sessions 12 PM ET
Friday, May 2 – Ambassador (ret’d) Scott Proudfoot, former Canadian representative to the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA Advisory Commission
Topic: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: a Canadian diplomatic perspective
Thursday, May 8 – Dr. Michal Hautel-Radoshitzky, Senior Advisor and Program Director, MIND Israel - Advanced Strategic Thinking
Topic: Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Israel’s Legitimacy Challenges on the Global Stage
To register, click here
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Yom HaAtzma’ut – Israel at 77
Thursday, May 1 – 6 PM MT
Temple Beth Ora, Edmonton
Shuk, Dessert, Photobooth, Face Painting, Prizes, Danving, Games, DJ, Crafts
The event will take place at Beth Israel Synagogue in Edmonton
For tickets: https://jewishedmonton.regfox.com/2025-yom-haatzmaut
Podcasts
Miriam Pearlman, immediate past president of ARZA Canada, discusses the impact of Israel’s new government with fellow leaders in a Canadian Jewish News Daily podcast:
About ARZA Canada
Travel to Israel
Arza Canada Privacy Policy
The Privacy Commission of Canada states the following:
Non-profit organizations are not subject to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) when they do not engage in commercial activities.
The following activities are not considered commercial and are not subject to PIPEDA:
- collecting membership fees
- compiling a list of members’ names and addresses/email addresses
- mailing out newsletters
As you know, ARZA Canada represents Canadian Reform Zionists with members in all of Canada’s Reform congregations. Though independent of the sister organization, ARZA, in the United States, it is an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC). We are writing to address how ARZA Canada maintains its membership records, and in particular its commitment to the privacy of our members.
Accurate membership records are important to the entire Reform Jewish Community of Canada given that the size of our membership determines our influence on Zionist policies in Canada and in Israel. ARZA Canada members come through congregational solicitation and activism, and so annually it is provided lists of its members from Canadian Reform congregations such as yours in order to confirm individual memberships. This is deeply appreciated.
ARZA Canada has strong privacy practices to ensure the confidentiality of this membership information. It is used by ARZA Canada to communicate with our members and engage them in the activities of ARZA Canada, including joint programs with RJCC and our congregations.
For more please click here.
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