Thank You for Helping Israelis – Target Exceeded!
Shalom Chaverim,
We’re happy to report that, thanks to you and the Canadian Reform community, we exceeded our fundraising target for Israel’s Reform movement (IMPJ), as it works hard to help Israelis affected physically and emotionally by the war with Iran and Lebanon.
Our target was $30,000, and we received over $40,000 in donations for the IMPJ. Thank You!
These funds are already being used to help Israelis. IMPJ serves as an anchor for thousands of Israelis, continuing to act, even under fire, evacuation and disruptions. This, too, is Zionism: a commitment to Israel, to one another, and to the ongoing work of rebuilding and sustaining a shared society.
IMPJ communal event in a bomb shelter
And here’s an example of the IMPJ’s work in the north, still under fire from Hizbollah missiles.
Going Above and Beyond
On Oct. 7, 2023, Rabbi Yael Karrie was serving Sha’ar HaNegev, in the Gaza envelope. Following the massacre, she spent months helping the members of her community, who were spread across the country in temporary housing.
Now Rabbi Karrie lives in the north, where she serves communities along the Lebanese border. Her new reality is ongoing disruption and uncertainty. Her goal is to be present wherever she’s needed, even when that means lying on the ground, covering her head alongside strangers during a siren.
Rabbi Yael Karrie
In recent weeks, she led Shabbat gatherings in bomb shelters in multiple kibbutzim, as well as holiday services and Beit Midrash sessions for all ages in protected spaces. “The gatherings are essential. Without routine or stability, coming together offers grounding, connection, and a sense of not being alone.”
IMPJ rabbis often serve as first responders, sustaining community life under pressure and ensuring it does not disappear, even under strain. This is Israeli reality, shaped by urgency and resilience, and supported by strong partnerships.
Thank you for your contribution to this critical work.
You can donate to our Israeli Reform brothers and sisters any time, by clicking here.
L’shalom,
Judith Wiley and Jeff Denaburg
Co-Chairs, ARZA Canada
Upcoming Events:
Israel in Depth – Reform Day of Learning
May 17, 2026 from 12 to 5 PM ET on zoom
This is an opportunity for congregational lay leaders and professionals to hear from experts, ask big questions, and connect with others who are working in similar spaces. This half-day training was developed for this moment, to address the challenges and responsibilities facing the Jewish community in a post-October 7 world.
This session will draw on material created for the ARZA Canada curriculum for Israel – Navigating Shared Spaces.
The speakers will include:
- Rachel Goldberg-Polin
- Dahlia Sheindlin, renowned political strategist and public opinion researcher
- Lesley Litman, project manager of ARZA Canada’s Navigating Shared Space curriculum
This is an opportunity for those seeking deeper grounding, moral clarity, and leadership and educational tools for engaging Israel in a complex time through a Reform Movement lens!
For more information, click here.
Register here. Cost is US$36.
New podcast – Israeli Puzzle
Israeli Puzzle is a new podcast series offers insights into Israel and Israeli history. Its goal is to provide important information that isn’t widely known, in an entertaining format.
We are grateful for our sponsors
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Volunteer Opportunity with ARZA Canada
ARZA Canada seeks a new board member to serve as Treasurer.
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.
Follow us on Facebook/ARZACANADA
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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Israel in Depth – Reform Day of Learning
May 17, 2026 from 12 to 5 PM ET on zoom
This is an opportunity for congregational lay leaders and professionals to hear from experts, ask big questions, and connect with others who are working in similar spaces. This half-day training was developed for this moment, to address the challenges and responsibilities facing the Jewish community in a post-October 7 world.
This session will draw on material created for the ARZA Canada curriculum for Israel – Navigating Shared Spaces.
This is an opportunity for those seeking deeper grounding, moral clarity, and leadership and educational tools for engaging Israel in a complex time through a Reform Movement lens!
This is an online program. Register here
Register here. Cost is US$36.
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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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