News

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 [...]

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 [...]