ARZA Canada Week 2026:
Ensuring Inclusion in Israeli Society

November 27 – December 5

ARZA Canada is delighted to bring two distinguished rabbis to Canada this fall from the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism. Their presence in our congregations strengthens the ties of Reform Jews to Israel and to our shared values.

“Education for a Liberal Jewish Identity in Israel”

For many years, the state education system has sought to foster a shared national identity—alongside separate educational frameworks for the Ultra-Orthodox and religious sectors—yet it has failed to adequately address the development of a diverse and egalitarian Jewish-Israeli-Zionist identity. Rabbi Yael will discuss efforts to strengthen Jewish identity within Israeli schools---including the contribution of the Reform Movement, with the goal of building a diverse, strong, and thriving Israeli society.

• Friday November 27 – 6:15 pm, Kabbalat Shabbat Temple Israel Ottawa
• Saturday November 28 – 10:15 am, Shabbat morning services and 1 pm – talk after lunch, Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom Montreal
• Friday December 4 – 6 pm, Kabbalat Shabbat, Temple Kol Ami, Thornhill
• Saturday December 5, 8:30 am - Chevrat Torah and 10 am, Shabbat morning services, Temple Sinai Toronto

(Rabbi Yael will also meet with the staff and students of Leo Baeck Day School, the Reform Rabbis of Greater Toronto, and the Reform Educators of Greater Toronto.)

Check your synagogue’s calendar for further details and registration.

“Homeward Bound – 20 years of building a community and fighting for home”

Bavat Ayin, the Reform congregation in Rosh Ha'ayin, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It's been both a magical and a challenging twenty years – creating a vibrant community where more and more people feel at home, while simultaneously fighting for our right to have our own home. As the city grows and more land allocations are made to Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox synagogues, the allocation for Bavat Ayin remains on hold. We continue to rent space in a community centre for worship, holiday gatherings and life cycle events, while at the same time we long for a home of our own.

Rabbi Ayala will discuss the challenges faced by diverse streams of Judaism in Israel and how the Reform movement is actively changing Israeli society from within.

• Friday November 27 – 8 pm Kabbalat Shabbat, Solel Congregation Mississauga
• Saturday November 28 – 10:30 am Shabbat morning services, Temple Emanu-El Toronto
• Sunday November 29 – 10:30 am, Am Shalom Barrie
•  Sunday November 29 – 7-9 pm, Anshe Shalom Hamilton
• Wednesday December 2 – 6-7 pm (teens) and 7:30- 8:30 pm parents, Shaarei Beth-El Oakville

Check your synagogue’s calendar for further details and registration.