MAH HA-INYANIM? - WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Shalom Chaverim,

I hope you have been uplifted by your Seders, as we keep alive the story of freedom and our responsibility to one another. Next year, may we be together in person with our friends and families!

What's new in Israel?

In addition to post-vaccine freedom for many Israelis, the country has elected the first Reform rabbi to the Knesset in 73 years. This monumental achievement reflects the phenomenal growth and influence of the Israeli Reform and Progressive Movement (IMPJ) over the past decade. Life cycle ceremonies, worship, youth and young adult programs are accessible to Israelis from all over the country. More and more people are experiencing the gift of a spiritual community where they can feel authentic and accepted.

Unfortunately, there are forces in Israel who will do everything possible to discredit Reform as a legitimate expression of Judaism and fight the growing acceptance by the Israeli public.

We stand firm with our Israeli colleagues and partners in their fight to strengthen Reform congregations and the work of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) to build pluralism, equality and commitment to democracy in Israel.

POST-ELECTION ANALYSIS

All the parties have to play in the same sandbox. Why is it so hard?

Israel’s fourth election in two years has landed in a deadlock, again. Leaders are struggling to build any kind of coalition. But significant changes have occurred.

Likud loses seats: Election Results by the Numbers

Anti-Netanyahu bloc proposes government of healing: Possible cooperation for a government of healing?

Anat Hoffman and Rabbi Noa Sattath of the Israel Religious Action Center discuss the impact of the stalemate. View the recording here: https://youtu.be/MtLmDnMrK-w

UPCOMING EVENTS

Women of Reform Judaism present:

Israeli Cooking with Chef Paul Nirens

April 5 at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT. Register here

Paul Nirens will show us a foraging tour in Israel’s northern Galilee and then we will participate in a cooking workshop where we will have the opportunity to cook together with him. Listen to Paul here.

Understanding Israel: An Israeli Star's Guide to Her Complicated Homeland

April 6 at 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT Register here

Israeli actor and producer Noa Tishby (In Treatment) joins TV writer Gideon Raff (Hatufim, The Spy) in conversation to celebrate the launch of Tishby's new book.

B'Darkam - In Their Footsteps

Watch live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/438406423996129/

Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Israel Independence Day

April 15 to 17

Register Here

Register for Oneg Shabbat Friday April 16 at 9:30 ET: https://urj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqc-morzIrH9SJnmTb-RzXp-D4nnA0QOsS

View on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=arzenu

View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arzenu

Alone in the Desert - Israeli Music Series

Sponsored by WZO, CZF and ARZA Canada

An online contemporary Israeli music series, to explore the unexpected intricate messages of Israel’s music.

Wednesdays - 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT

April 28 -- I'm not a toy! The new voices of Israeli young women

May 26 -- Everything is Political: What between Israeli pop music and politics?

Being Jewish on Campus

Sponsored by CCRJ, ARZA Canada and StandWithUs Canada

Wednesday May 5 - 7:30 pm ET

Students from across Canada share their experiences in a moderated panel discussion.

Save the date - registration details coming soon

"The Promised Land": What on earth is happening now?

Webinar series on Israel with exceptional educator Paul Liptz

Lunch and Learn 12:30 - 2 PM ET

Wednesday May 12 - Ethnicity

Wednesday May 19 - Politics

Wednesday May 26 - Religion

Save the dates - registration details coming soon

Facing Our Jewish Future Together

Connections Virtual Conference

May 19 to 22

SAVE THE DATE - RISE FOR REFORM 2021

Thursday June 3 at 7:30 PM ET

Celebrate the special relationship of Canadian and Israeli Reform Jews!

Get ready for another fantastic musical program and fundraising campaign for the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism. We’ll bring together musicians and leaders to inspire you to support our Israeli partners who fight for pluralism, equality and democracy in Israel.

VIRTUAL ISRAEL TOURS

Holy Blossom Temple has recently travelled on some incredible virtual tours of Israel and we want to share them with you! Join Fig Trips as they expand their reach to make these tours available to other congregations and participants.

Join one of two special 3-day trips in April: https://www.fig-trips.com/webinar

Or create a Custom Virtual Trip for your congregation or group: booking@figtrips.com

HAVE TIME TO GIVE AND WANT TO MAKE A CONNECTION WITH ISRAELIS?

Skilled Volunteers for Israel

Tutor English to young adults seeking to improve their English for professional purposes. Skilled Volunteers for Israel’s new program, English B’Yachad (English Together) connects you with an Israeli student for online, one-on-one English language tutoring.

Read what Jo Meingarten, volunteer, says about working with her student “K”:

“With my practically nonexistent Hebrew, I was a little nervous about tutoring for English B’Yachad. However, I was ultimately matched with K., a lovely student whose spoken English is sufficiently sophisticated that we manage, with some humorous moments, to communicate well with each other.

In addition to being a thoughtful, kind person, K. is eager to improve her grammar and to learn and incorporate new vocabulary into her speech and writing.

I am delighted to have found such a motivated learner who appreciates my editing/teaching/HR background and genuinely look forward to our once-a-week Zoom get-togethers.”

Your opportunity to teach English online to Israelis.

https://skillvolunteerisrael.org/programs/online-volunteering-english-byachad/

May you find joy and freedom during this Passover holiday, and may we together share our story of hope with all who are in need.

Lee Weisser

President, ARZA Canada