Joint UPJ – ARZA Australia Announcement
Under a joint agreement, UPJ and ARZA – have agreed to offer a free membership of ARZA -Association of Reform/Progressive Zionists of Australia.
This is in recognition of the financial pressures currently being faced by members of our congregations and also in recognition of the importance of the Progressive Movement of Australia being strongly represented at the World Zionist Congress, when it is held in Israel, either in person or remotely. We are also working closely with our Coalition Masorti partners in this endeavour.
We believe this is a very exciting decision, and one which we hope all our congregational members will strongly support. It means that your voice will be heard by the world Progressive Zionist Movement and help shape Israeli political and economic policies and the challenges facing the Jewish people.
Our Progressive Zionist views support religious equality for all streams of Judaism, a pluralist society, peace, social justice and Tikun Olam in our Jewish Homeland.
With your support, we can continue to add to our magnificent achievements in Israel and ensure the voice of Progressive Judaism continues to be heard in Israel and around the world.
WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM AND PROGRESSIVE ZIONISM
Helen Shardey
ARZA Australia President
UPJ Vice President
David Knoll AM
UPJ Co-President
Brian Samuel OAM
UPJ Co-President
News and Events
Interview with Rabbi Lea Mühlstein
"It’s difficult to have a conversation right now about Israel without the topic of annexation coming up. But what exactly is it and what does it mean? How does it differ from the current situation? How does it differ from the situation in Gaza and other parts of the West Bank? What does it mean for Palestinians? What does it mean for Israelis? Will it change how Britain’s Jews (or other Diaspora Jews) view [...]
You’ve Made a Difference
Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, speaks about the achievements of ARZA in Israel. As ARZA and the UPJ continue to work together as a united Progressive Jewish family, building the ARZA Australia membership for the World Zionist Congress, we are delighted to bring to you a wonderful video clip from Anat Hoffman. Anat is the Executive Director of IRAC, the Israel Religious Action Centre. She is also [...]
A New Government for Israel
In this week of memory for Israel’s fallen and celebration for the independence of our Jewish homeland, all at a time when the world is in crisis, a new government has finally been formed in Eretz Yisrael. The formation of a Unity Government, which is supposed to see the Prime Ministership of the Holy Land change from one to the other in 18 months time, has been a fraught process, involving three elections, none of [...]
Commemorate and Celebrate
The Union for Progressive Judaism joins with ARZA Australia, the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors (ARC) and Netzer, to encourage you to commemorate Yom HaZikaron (honouring Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror) and to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s 72nd birthday). […]
Commemorating Yom HaShoah
I write this message after attending an online service commemorating Yom HaShoah, while sitting in my living room. On this day we remember the annihilation of some 6 million Jews including one and a half million children. It is very strange, not to be going to Shul or the Robert Blackwood Hall for such a remembrance. But it does demonstrate that whether we can join with our communities in person or through the wonders [...]
One Thing
The Progressive Jewish Community in Australia has been very appreciative of the wonderful efforts of our Shuls and the Union of Progressive Judaism for connecting us together through digital Pesach services, Shabbat services and the beautiful Comfort and Healing service on Sunday night. While we have missed our usual family and friends Seders in person, we have been able to celebrate the Exodus and our Freedom in a very different way. For this we [...]