Shalom Chaverim/Chaverot,

As we prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, we look for sparks of light…and for miracles in our time.

The light for my personal Hanukkiah comes from our friends and colleagues in Israel who are providing support for all those impacted by the war – Jews, Arabs, Bedouin – at this time of crisis. Their hands-on relief efforts are bringing light to this dark time. All Israelis are hurting, and I am so proud of my Israeli colleagues for their steadfast help to all who are in pain.

Two Israeli rabbis, both named Yael, no longer have a home base. They now must travel around the country to visit their congregants. Thousands of displaced Israelis need comfort and spiritual support. Increasing numbers of Israelis are turning to our Reform congregations to pray and to be part of bereavement circles. 

Rabbi Yael Vurgan, far left

In the south, Rabbi Yael Vurgan visits the members of her congregation Sha’ar HaNegev, whose communities were destroyed by Hamas on October 7. Near the border with Lebanon, Rabbi Yael Karrie visits congregants evacuated from the northwestern Galilee in the face of rocket fire from Hezbollah.

Havadalah service at a rally for the hostages

In cities and towns across Israel, Reform rabbis are holding Havdalah services on Saturday evenings at rallies for the hostages. More and more Israelis are experiencing egalitarian and joyous Jewish services.

Rabbis are also holding activities to strengthen interreligious dialogue at a time when mistrust of ‘the other’ is high. Many candle lighting events are planned to celebrate Hanukkah and other faith-based celebrations.

Rabbi Miriam Klimova, Kehilat Shirat HaYam

In Haifa, congregation Shirat HaYam has been welcoming Ukrainian and Russian olim for several years, offering studies in Judaism and opportunities for worship and community-building. Since the war started between Ukraine and Russia, refugees from both countries have found solace in this Reform community.

Can you imagine having just arrived in Israel in recent months from the war in Ukraine, only to face a second round of trauma — and in the place you thought of as a safe haven?

Says Ninoska, age 34, from Odessa: “It’s really hard because we are still new here and everything is up in the air once more. We have no stability and the nightmares of war have returned for me and my children. Really, the Shirat HaYam community is like a breath of air for us, like oxygen. The rabbi and the Jewish life give us hope. We are completing our formal conversion, and we are excited to join the Jewish people and stand together.”

 Orly Erez-likhovski, CEO of the Israel Religious Action Center

The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) – the legal arm of the IMPJ — continues to monitor infringements on women’s rights. Since the summer, there has been more awareness of the need to fight for women’s rights, because the current government did not intervene when women were asked to change their seat on a plane or bus because of their proximity to an ultra-Orthodox man, which is illegal.

Female combat unit

A surprising result of the war is that increasing numbers of Israelis recognize the effectiveness of women in combat roles in the IDF. Women have demonstrated amazing acts of bravery. Watch this video to hear how 20-year-old soldiers rescued communities on October 7.

What is ARZA Canada doing?

Here in Canada, in addition to supporting our Israeli partners, we will be hosting two leaders of the IMPJ, Anna Kislanski and David Bernstein. They will be coming to Toronto for a short stay on their way to Washington for a URJ/ARZA gathering.

Personally, I am visiting several of our Reform congregations to speak with our members. And, our ARZA Canada Advocacy Task Force has been meeting to strategize how to reach out to the Canadian government and other leaders. More on this later… 

What now?

Anna Kislanski at a rally to bring home the hostages

According to Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), “We need to expand our message of pluralism into more schools; we need to educate for democracy. We also want to reach out to the moderate voices within Orthodoxy to work with us against the policies of the current government. And we want to continue our dialogue with Arab Israelis.”

It is not easy in this climate to raise a voice for shared society, but the IMPJ is determined to do so.

Help the IMPJ share light in these dark times