ARZA Executive Board Member Elected President of American Zionist Movement William Hess of New Orleans to Serve Two Year Term as Head of Zionist Organization
Newark, New Jersey—October 22, 2007—William Hess, vice-president of the Association of Reform Zionists of American, was elected to serve as President of the American Zionist Movement today. Mr. Hess will succeed W. James Schiller as President of the organization.
“The selection of Bill Hess as the new president of the American Zionist Movement represents the continued strength of the Reform Movement within the Zionist world over the past decade and a half and the deep commitment to Israel that Bill and the Reform Movement have towards Israel,” said Rabbi Andrew Davids, executive director of ARZA after the election results were announced.
In his acceptance address, Hess outlined a vision for the American Zionist Movement that included an emphasis on outreach, increased youth participation and a stronger emphasis on Aliyah. “We will continue building bridges between every group in the American Zionist Movement. We are adding value to Jewish life and the future of the Jewish people,” stated Hess.
In addition to being an active officer on the ARZA Board, Hess is a board member of the Union for Reform Judaism, former president of the Union for Reform Judaism’s South West Council as well as former chair of its Israel Education Department and is a member of Zionist Organization of America board. He is also a past president of Temple Sinai of New Orleans. Hess and his wife, Susan, live in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The American Zionist Movement is a coalition of groups and individuals committed to Zionism: the idea that the Jewish people, is one people with a shared history, values and language. AZM is the American affiliate of the World Zionist Organization and the Zionist Federation in the United States.
ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, is the Zionist arm and voice for the Reform Movement in the United States. ARZA endeavors to make Israel fundamental to the sacred lives and Jewish identity of Reform Jews. As a Zionist organization, ARZA champions activities that further enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state.
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