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
Cast Your Vote Against Jewish Extremism
In Israel, Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance Day) is a sacred time to remember those who fell defending the country or in terrorist attacks. It’s a quiet, solemn day, observed by attending memorial ceremonies. Everyone stands in silence for the siren at 11 AM.
But this year, violent Jewish extremists desecrated the holiday by attacking the Reform synagogue in Ra’anana, Beit Samueli.
Left: Beit Samueli Reform synagogue; Right: Thugs clash with police and public outside the synagogue
The thugs, who objected to the screening of a joint Israeli-Palestinian ceremony in the synagogue, threw stones at people, cars and the building. Participants had to be escorted out under police escort.
The Exec. Dir. of the Reform Movement’s legal arm, the Israel Religious Action Center, was in a car whose window was smashed. She was taken to the hospital after being hit by a stone in the shoulder. Three police officers were also hurt.
Orly Erez-Likhovski, Exec. Dir. of IRAC, who was injured in the attack
This attack is part of a broader campaign by Jewish ultra-nationalists against liberal Jews and minorities. In a shocking comment on the attack, the Head of the Likud Party in Ra’anana posted: “I announce to the Left of Ra’anana that this is only the opening shot.”
You Can Make a Difference
You can take a concrete step to promote a tolerant Israel, where hateful extremists cannot terrorize peaceful Israelis. Vote for Reform / ARZA Canada in the World Zionist Congress election.
Voting Reform will provide power and funding to Reform leaders in Israel.
Pre-registration will start later in May and voting will take place June 5 to 15. It only takes 2 minutes and $2 to vote, but it affects the allocation of $1 billion per year.
Please look out for further information from ARZA Canada and from your synagogue, and plan to cast a vote.
L’Shalom
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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Hope and Strength – Finding Resilience in Community and Song
Concert in support of Peace of Mind Canada
Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 pm ET
Temple Har Zion, Thornhill
Temple Har Zion and Temple Emanu-El are jointly hosting a unit of Israeli soldiers from the Peace of Mind program.
This critical initiative makes an enormous impact on the lives of the brave veterans who have so selflessly given of themselves to defend Israel. Hosting a unit of released soldiers will provide much-needed therapy for these exceptional young men as they begin their journey towards healing their emotional/psychological battle wounds. This experience will also enrich the lives of our community as we come together in love and support for Israel's heroes.
To register – click here or here
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Israel Dialogues
Holy Blossom Temple – all sessions 12 PM ET
Thursday, May 22 – Ben Murane, Executive Director, New Israel Fund of Canada
Topic: Civil Society: From Progressive to Extremist in Israeli Society
Thursday, May 29 – Prof. Gabriel Ben-Dor, Professor of Political Science at the University of Haifa
Topic: Israel in a New and Uncertain Regional Strategic Environment: a Conversation
To register, click here
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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
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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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