URJ - World Union and ARZA

Rabbi Miri Gold, a Reform rabbinic colleague, is recognized by her community, her congregation and the local regional council but is still not recognized by the State of Israel because she is a woman and an ordainee of the Hebrew Union College. In addition to raising awareness about this injustice, the Israel Religious Action Center needs your signatures on the petition to demonstrate to the Israeli government that the current situation is unacceptable to Jews around the world. In the past year, we have seen tremendous advances for the Reform Movement in Israel thanks to the cooperative efforts of organizations across the world. Our recent successes - such as the unprecedented presentation by the Israeli government of four new synagogue buildings for our Movement in Israel - have shown us that Reform advocacy efforts through the World Zionist Organization make a significant impact for Reform Judaism in Israel. Below is a link for the petition to support the case of Rabbi Miri Gold, a case that demands the government of Israel to recognize Reform rabbis.

Please start out the New Year by joining me in signing this petition:
www.irac.org>

May this year be a year for equality, for justice, and for peace, in Israel and across the world.

Rabbi Melanie Aron

Minutes of PCW Regional Boards of WUPJ & ARZA 9/21/08, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette

Pacific Central West Regional Boards of World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) and Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)

September 21, 2008 10:30 – 12:30 Elul 21, 5768

Temple Isaiah, Lafayette

Attendees: Rabbi Aron, Pres., Shir Hadash; Cherie Half, VP, Beth Am, Steve Bauman, Beth Am, Mark Travis, Sinai, Ron Lezell, Sha’ar Zahav, Carol Catinari and Ned Cohen, Or Rishon, Sy Lenz and Gili Drori, Shir Shalom, Fae Asher, Emanu-El SF, Florence Silver, Beth Torah, Susan Mautner and Rabbi Graetz, Isaiah, Nancy Lazarus and David Siegel, Beit Haverim, Jerry Rabinovitz, Temple Israel Alameda, Mark Usatin, B’nai Tikvah Our region does not have regional director support.

ãD’var Torah – Rabbi Aron urged assistance in providing a connection to Judaism for the Jews of Former Soviet Union (1/2 million in Russia, ½ million in other Russian speaking states, ½ million in U.S. and 1 million in Israel). They won’t accept Orthodoxy; in the FSU Chabad’s budget is 50 times that of the WUPJ’s. Referred to article, “ Progressive Judaism and Russian Speaking Jewry,” by Gregory Kotlyar in the CCAR Journal: A Reform Jewish Quaterly.

ãWUPJ Board meeting: (see info at www. wupj.org - we were reminded of the extensive information available there)

ãReport on WUPJ activities – Steve Bauman: The Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, Hebrew Union College, WUPJ, ARZA are looking at long-range plans to raise funds as one, for Progressive Judaism in Israel, FSU, Germany and other locales. A current URJ fundraising drive has raised $300K of a $500K goal. In Israel, the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism’s success is way ahead of our ability to fund it; this success including receiving land from the government for 6 synagogues. To meet their current demand, including rabbinic salaries, another $2.5 million annually would be needed on top of their current $2.5 million budget. The International Humanitarian Awards dinner in NYC last week was successful, raising approximately $1 million.

Note: with all the acronyms, it was agreed that it would be desirable to provide our Board members with a list of acronyms for our organizations.

ãVisit to our region of FSU representatives overlapping with the URJ Regional Biennial in Santa Clara (Feb. 6-8, 2009) – Cherie Half: A handout of brief bios of the 4 young leaders of our Movement from the FSU was distributed. Together with Alex Kagan of Israel, Alexander Haydar, Evgenia Rozental, Irina Belskaya and Alla Mittelman will visit Pittsburgh, Pa. and our region. They will be in our region approx. two days before and following our URJ biennial where they will be provided a prominent spot. Brainstorm catchy workshop panel name for URJ conference. Mileage is needed – contact Cherie Half (cghalf@comcast.net) if you have mileage you or your congregants can donate. They will be paired off for visits to our region during their visit. If your congregation can host them and use their visit to promote the WUPJ in your congregation, contact Cherie. We are hoping to be able to send a pair of speakers to each of the sub-regions in our area.

ãReports on Twinning efforts – Cherie handed out examples of programs supporting Poltava done at Beth Am. Susan Mautner described Isaiah’s support and connection with Tzur Hadassah, distributing their newsletter and other correspondence. In response to Gili Drori’s hope for some small support from Shir Shalom, joining together with Isaiah or another local Reform synagogue’s twinning effort was thought to be a great idea.

ãEncouraging Congregational Involvement – Travel: encourage your congregants to visit Progressive Temples around the world when they travel – the list of all these congregations is available on the World Union’s website, Rabbi Aron will send everyone something which may be useable in your Temple newsletter.

At Chanukah this year, dedicate one night to supporting the WUPJ and / or ARZA – example: sponsor a kid in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus for summer camp – to attend the WUPJ’s summer camp (through Netzer Olami).

ãWUPJ International conference – Mar. 18-22, 2009 in Jerusalem – Come! Beth Am will be having a trip to Ukraine, including Kiev and Poltava in March 2009, with possible connection to WUPJ conference in Jerusalem – contact Cherie for info.

ãARZA Board meeting:

ãARZA info at www.arza.org – we were reminded of the extensive information there, including programs for adult learning that can easily be downloaded)

ãARZA builds commitment to Israel within Reform congregations, through education and human connections to Israel. This includes the One Heart / One Home adaptable curriculum.

ãMembership: “Check Off” is encouraged – dues $36 for adult, $10 for student appear on membership dues statement with ability to opt out. An ARZA alternative is the ability for a congregation to be a member of ARZA whereby all congregational members become members of ARZA; this is at a prorated lower individual membership rate; if interested contact ARZA NY office.

ãARZA Travel is new and improved with new level of customer service.

ãARZA Exec. Director, Rabbi Andrew Davids will be leaving his position.

ãPromoting Israel at congregations -- Israeli films were mentioned by several attendees as particularly effective. Besides their general availability, films and TV series (a great one is A Touch Away) may be available by contacting the Jewish Agency Shlicha in San Francisco: Adi Fargon adif@sfjcf.org 415-369-2865. Our local Bureau of Jewish Education Library www.bjesf.org 415-567-3327 has an extensive collection and recently produced a Summer 2008 newsletter on book and film related to Israel @60. Amy Kronish the wife of an Israeli Reform rabbi is available to consult and speak about Israeli film as well amykronish@gmail.com She has completed an extensive review of Israeli films at www.israelfilm.blogspot.com

ãWork with High School students to prepare them for college campuses “packing for college”; work with Hillels, utilize good speakers including Consulate, JCRC. It was felt desirable to create a list of “ways to bring Israel programming to congregations and build a deeper connection to Israel” – one possible area of posting such would be on our page on the regional URJ website.

ãPossible performance of Dai (one woman Israeli show) in Bay Area to coincide with URJ Biennial – there was concern that this may not be the appropriate way to bring Israel to the Biennial; while good theater, the subject of terrorism may be a downer.

ãPossible booth at next year’s Israel in the Yerba Buena Gardens in SF – would likely need to partner with URJ or other congregation. Date of such is unknown (not found on websites, but it’s usually around Yom Ha’atzmaut). Basically would just need materials and all day staffing; cost is unknown, but thought to be ~ $500.

There has been a vague message from the ARZA NY office of a possible fundraising event in the Bay Area, the professional assistance to come from the NY office. At this point, nothing is known on intent or practicality.

ãNext Meeting: will be at the URJ Regional Biennial in Santa Clara Feb. 6-8, 2009.

Thanks to Rabbi Graetz and Susan Mautner for their wonderful hospitality at the beautiful Temple Isaiah.

L’shana Tova.