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
Solidarity and Resolve at a Critical Crossroad
Dear Friends, Over the last 12 hours, we have witnessed yet another critical and defining crossroad for Israel and the wider region. Following the collapse of the most recent round of negotiations, the United States and Israel have carried out pre-emptive targeted strikes against strategic targets under the operation named Lion’s Roar. The danger to the Israeli home front is immediate and acute, and the implications of these developments are profound. In light of these [...]
When the Threat Hits Home – Identity, Propaganda, and the Stakes of Silence
Dear ARZA friends Today we cover 4 topics: 1. When the Threat Hits Home -Identity, Propaganda, and the Stakes of Silence This piece is an attempt to connect the dots between history and what is happening in our schools and universities today. By looking at insights from major thinkers like Dan Senor, Aviva Klompas, and David L. Bernstein, a worrying pattern emerges: The West is repeating a dangerous form of psychological [...]
Courageous Leadership: The Missing Link in Israel’s Arab Crime Crisis
Dear Friends and Partners in our Australian Progressive Jewish Community, In these early months of 2026, our connection to Israel feels more vital—and perhaps more complex—than ever. As Progressive Zionists in Australia, we are bound by a vision of an Israel that is both a secure homeland for the Jewish people and a sanctuary of justice for all its citizens. Today, that vision is being tested by a profound internal [...]
From “Yid” to “Zio”: Why President Herzog’s Message Matters for Australia Now
As the Israeli presidential jet touches down in Australia this week, it brings with it more than just the weight of diplomacy. President Isaac Herzog arrives at a moment of profound vulnerability and historical reckoning for the Australian Jewish community. Coming just months after the horrific December massacre at Bondi Beach—an event that claimed 15 lives and shattered our collective sense of safety—Herzog’s visit is, fundamentally, an act of “Mishpacha”. [...]
Reflections from the World Zionist Congress
Reflections from the World Zionist Congress: Israel at a Crossroads Friends, I want to begin by thanking our community for entrusting me with the privilege of representing us at the World Zionist Congress. Standing among hundreds of representatives from Jewish communities around the globe — debating the future of our people with passion and purpose — I felt strongly that I was not there alone. I was there carrying all of [...]
2025 AGM
ARZA Australia convened its 2025 Annual General Meeting on 27 November, providing an opportunity to reflect on a significant and productive year for our organisation and our global partners. A central focus of the recap was the World Zionist Congress 2025, where ARZA and its associated organisations achieved important outcomes. These included progress on measures to enhance security for Liberal Jewish communities in Israel, advancing transparency in equal-opportunity budgeting within the National Institutions, and reinforcing [...]