I have also written of our national affiliate,the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). For the past several years, our major focus here in the Brattleboro area has not been on national issues but rather has been on our own local needs--notably, buying our land and creating the first temple in our region. During this time, we have also focused on the larger, yet still immediate, community. Mainly thanks to the efforts of our spiritual leader, Jim Levinson, we have been a part of, and supporter of, the Brattleboro area interfaith community. Our local interfaith community reflects the world community and is not isolated from issues that are discussed and fought over around the world. Our interfaith community is a model of what can be accomplished by people of good faith who have the energy and desire to work together to promote what any one group working alone cannot.
It is important to note that not only does BAJC participate in public interfaith events, but also Jim is often called upon at times of conflict to educate, mediate and bridge differences on a less public basis. We are all proud of the respect that is afforded Jim Levinson in the interfaith community of our region.
As part of our larger focus, especially relating to URJ, I would like to introduce ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, which is a separate entity affiliated with URJ but not funded by it.
Without endorsing any particular Israeli government, its mission is to connect Reform Jews and Israel. Fitting into the model that I have discussed previously, ARZA focuses on two agendas: First, it promotes efforts to make Israel important in the lives and identities of Reform Jews in America. It provides educational materials to individuals and congregations, travel to Israel (featuring a new, modestly priced two-week package with a Reform/Progressive flavor), and opportunities for advocacy, all from a Reform Zionist perspective.
Secondly, ARZA utilizes the efforts of progressive Reform Jews in America to influence societal issues in Israel. It is a funding source and supporter of the Israeli Religious Action Center (IRAC), which litigates in Israel to expand the rights of Israeli Jews who are neither secular nor Orthodox. ARZA also funds and supports other efforts in Israel to promote social and legal equality for progressive Judaism in Israel.
ARZA has programs in the US as well as in Israel, including an adult education curriculum on Israel. In June ARZA is sponsoring a forum in Washington D.C. that relates to the question of Israel and Iranís nuclear weapons program.
The cost for membership in ARZA is modest. If you wish to know more, please be in touch with Faith or me, or check the web: www.arza.org.
B'Shalom,
Paul
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