Israel
Young Adults and the Boycott Bill
“Recently the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, passed an egregious bill which declared any support for a boycott of Israeli products illegal. On the surface this bill seems to be aimed at Arab States and misguided leftists. However the inclusion of products produced on the west Bank and other aspects of this Bill make it clear that the intent is solely to stifle dissent whether internal or external.
The article is an excellent response to this heinous attempt by some misguided MK’s to protect Israel. Please take the opportunity to read the article and educate yourself about the Boycott Bill. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/josh-d-scheinert/israel-boycott-law_b_905807.html
Rabbi Garten
Quilt delivery in Israel
Dateline Sderot – OneFamily Fund and the gift of quilts from Temple Israel (pdf)
Today we delivered the quilts to Harel Moyel to go to the needy families in Jerusalem. Also delivered were baby bibs and pacifiers as well as about 40 small stuffed toys.
Harel was most appreciative. As you know, he thinks the quilts are really something special and offers more than just warmth to babies but also support from Jews half way around the world to families in Israel.
He sends many, many thanks to all the people on the 'quilting crew' and the support of Temple Israel.
Annette Paquin
ARZA CANADA
ARZA Canada: Shana Tova from Rabbi Garten
I often speak with you about what it means to wear the title Jew. Many have forced us to wear a badge and with that badge defined who we are. You and I live in a society and a world where for the most part we can define what it means to be Jewish. Whatever that title means to us it does not include burning Mosques for political purposes. We know all too well about “burnt Synagogues.” I forward to you this important information from ARZA CANADA and once again encourage you to support voices of liberal religious life in Israel by becoming a member of ARZA CANADA.
See you in “Shul!”
Rabbi Steve Garten
Dear Friends,
ARZA Canada joins with other branches of the Reform Movement to condemn the very disturbing events that occurred this week. The mosque in the Bedouin village of Tuba-Zangaria was set on fire in a suspected "price tag" attack by settlers angry with Israeli policy. The entire interior of the mosque went up in flames causing heavy damage, and holy books inside the mosque were burned. Graffiti with the words “price tag” was found on the wall of the mosque Zangaria. Please circulate this message so that, as a community, we can be informed and show our concern about this event by supporting the citizens of Tuba-Zangaria. President Shimon Peres condemned the arson attack on the mosque, branding it an immoral and illegal act that contradicts Jewish values and is a source of shame for the State of Israel. “This is a difficult day for the entire Israeli society, not only the Arab sector,” Peres said. The president noted the importance of the time in which the attack took place, the Ten Days of Atonement between Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). "This is a time for reflection, in which we should condemn such acts among us," Peres said. "acts that sabotage our relationship between us and our neighbors and between the different religions living in Israel.” Speaking for our Movement, the President of the Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Eric Yoffie said, "We condemn these acts of hatred in the strongest possible terms. They are inexcusable and do not reflect Jewish values at any time, and are especially reprehensible during these, our high holy days. We stand by the State of Israel in her commitment to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice swiftly and to provide safety and religious freedom to all Israeli citizens." Anat Hoffman, Chair of IRAC (the Israel Religious Action Center, the Reform advocacy group in Israel) stated "We are the only Jewish movement in Israel leading a tenacious struggle against this injustice. A delegation of Rabbis from our movement is being formed at this very moment to visit the village. But today, so near to Yom Kippur, we must do more. We must offer real practical help in repairing the mosque. We must help the community buy new carpets to replace the ones that were burnt. We must help them buy new Qua’rons to replace the many that were lost. We must help clear the damage caused by the fire, clean the site and repair the mosque. We have connections in the village and we know that the aid we will give will get to the right place." Now is the perfect time to demonstrate that we can help build a more inclusive, pluralistic, democratic Israeli society, especially in the face of criminal actions against an Israeli place of worship. Join ARZA Canada and Reform Jews around the world, in raising money to help refurbish the desecrated mosque.
Go to www.arzacanada.org to donate online. Click on the Donate button and then choose Israel Religious Action Center from the drop down with the notation "Tuba Zangaria Mosque Fund" in the comments section. Or send a cheque made out to: Canadian Friends of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (CFWUPJ) with the notation "Tuba-Zangaria Mosque Fund". 3845 Bathurst St. Suite 301Toronto, ON M3H 3N2
G'mar Chatima Tova
Les Rothschild
President
ARZA Canada
Why Join?
- Arza is the Reform movement’s Zionist voice. Arza Canada is our Canadian entre into the Israeli society.
- Arza and Arza Canada support the Reform Movement in Israel. Why is that important?
- The Reform movement is the leading voice for social justice in Israel. Reform Rabbis began and lead Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel. The Reform Movement’s Israel Religious Action centre defends and supports thousands of displaced immigrants and those denied status by the chief Rabbinate. The twenty-five Reform congregations have 10,000 Israelis “affiliated” with them. They are the touchstone to religious life for another 50,000 Israelis. They operate nearly 60 preschools and eight elementary and high schools.
Reform Judaism and not political parties will help to build an Israeli society dedicated to the principals of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Reform Judaism will demonstrate to secular Israelis that Jewish values, Jewish customs, Jewish celebrations do not require an abdication of modernity. Reform Judaism in Israel is about building a better future for all the citizens of Israel and all its neighbors.
Please take a moment and in honour of Yom Ha’Atzmaut JOIN ARZA CANADA!!!
Please send a cheque payable to ARZA Canada for $36,
ARZA Canada
3845 Bathurst Street, Suite 301,
Toronto, Ontario M3H 3N2
or go online to arzacanada.org and you can register your membership online. You will be enrolled as a member of ARZA Canada for one year. This appeal replaces the previous notation that was sent with the dues billing.
