ARZA

While the world is desperately trying to deal with the spread of COVID-19, scientists are working to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus that can be adapted to be suitable for humans. It has been reported that the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute, with funds from the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology and with Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture has achieved a scientific breakthrough that may well lead to the rapid creation of a vaccine. This is according to the MIGAL research institute’s website. While some believe that such a quick outcome is unlikely, the mere fact that Israel believes [...]

As we celebrate the Jewish holiday of Tu BiSh’vat or the New Year of Trees, we think of new beginnings, strong growth and the fruit of our labors being our reward. The sense of new beginnings does remind me of the emergence of the State of Israel from its ancient history with Judaism at its core. As Alex Ryvchin said in writing about Zionism (it) achieved the unprecedented return of an ancient, persecuted, scattered people to the land of their forebears and the restoration of their political independence. So this was to be the fruit born out the ideal [...]

The role of the Progressive Jewish Movement world wide in supporting the Progressive movement in Israel is fundamental to the recognition of Progressive/Reform Judaism in the State of Israel, our Jewish homeland. This has been brought home with the recent IRAC announcement that for the first time in Israeli history, the Israeli government will fund Reform and Conservative rabbis in cities and metropolitan areas. While sadly the salaries allocated to Progressive and Conservative Rabbis is only a portion of what the Israeli Government pays individual Orthodox Rabbis, it is still a step in the right direction and establishes a [...]