News

"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 the country? The presenters for the evening will be Yair Lootsteen, chair of the Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and Rabbi Lea [...]

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 the founding member of Nashot HaKotel, known as Women of the Wall. IRAC has brought about significant legal achievements for the Progressive movement in 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 which was decisive. No matter what your political persuasion, you no doubt will be hoping that there will be agreement between the parties, about the way [...]

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 of the Internet, we still show the determination to “Never Forget”. To pass on to each generation the stories of the suffering of past generations [...]

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 are grateful. We know that this experience will bring us even closer and help us give more meaning to our Jewish and normal lives. Meanwhile [...]