News from Kol Ami

Shalom,

I have now been living and working in Canada for four months and I have four more months to go. I am so happy to feel and see the love of Canadian Reform Jews to Israel. It is inspiring and it fills my heart with joy. I have been meeting many many people and feeling the love and support to Israel.

This is great and amazing, BUT I feel and think, we have a problem. Being a supporter of the State of Israel is very important. Knowing whom to support and how, is what makes a real difference. ARZA Canada (and The Israeli Reform movement it supports) is more than another Zionist organization. It is a cause we should all support and believe in.

We can make a real difference. We can help shape the Jewish character of the State of Israel.

Issues of religious pluralism, recognition of conversions and weddings, Rabbis’ salaries, Women of the Wall and more, are issues that we can influence by supporting ARZA Canada. This should be the mission of Reform Jews regarding Israel. This is not less (and I as one who served and serves in the IDF, think even more) important than supporting the IDF. It already has an enormous budget.

Israel is a successful country. We have an army, we have hospitals, we have agriculture and hi-tech, and so much more. We have made tremendous progress in the almost 70 years since the creation of the State.

But, in the issue of religious pluralism we are way behind the other areas we have made progress in. The issue of making sure Reform Jews in Israel and around the world receive rights and are recognized as a legitimate stream of Judaism is urgent. Reform Jews in Israel must have the same rights as Reform Jews in Canada. For this to happen, Israeli Reform Judaism must be recognized as a religious stream with the same legal rights as the Orthodox.

I am asking you all to recognize the urgency of this matter. This is not different than when we hear of Israel needing our help on one issue or another. The past has shown that you rally around Israel in times of crises and I am sure you will do this in the future. But now, for us to continue to develop a pluralistic and egalitarian country we need your help.

We (ARZA Canada, IMPJ) are pioneers. We are struggling for recognition. The chance to be a Chalutz, a pioneer, helping to build the country physically was 70-80 years ago. Now we are the Chalutzim influencing the spiritual and moral aspect of Israel. Come, join us, be a pioneer, make a change.

I call upon you, be a member of ARZA Canada, be a pioneer and help make Israel an even better country than it is now. Please make a donation to IMPJ through ARZA Canada by clicking here.

Benjie Gruber