ARZA Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that works to represent the views and values of Progressive Jewish Zionists. We work to ensure that Israel lives in peace and security as promised in its Declaration of Independence. We work to strengthen the Progressive Movement in Israel, Australia and worldwide.
Why Join ARZA Australia?
YOU SHOULD JOIN ARZA BECAUSE:
- ARZA (Australian Reform Zionist Association) represents the views of the Australian Reform (Progressive) movement relating to social policies in Israel
- These include trying to break the monopoly of the orthodox rabbinate on matters like civil marriage and divorce, equality for women, access to the Kotel, and state salaries for Progressive rabbis
- ARZA does this by sending delegates to participate in the meetings of the World Zionist Congress, which represents the diaspora in Israel and has considerable influence with members of the Knesset
- ARZA has strength in Israeli forums because of its weight of numbers. Our voting power is directly related to the number of members we have.
- If we can build our membership numbers, we will increase our influence
- ARZA also gives financial support to Australian youth through grants to Netzer and young people undertaking leadership studies and training
- ARZA does not get involved in internal Israeli politics or its foreign affairs.
- Membership fee is only $18 per person a year. This is less than a cup of coffee a month.
- ARZA membership is strongly supported by the Moetza, the association of Australian Progressive rabbis, and by your own synagogue Board
Please add $18 for each person over 18 years of age in your family to your synagogue membership invoice and help us to keep the Progressive voice strong in Israel.
News and Events
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 us. Our tradition teaches that [...]
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 [...]
World Zionist Congress Recap
Reform Zionism Prevails: A Bold Stand at World Zionist Congress The 39th World Zionist Congress has just concluded in Jerusalem, the largest in history, drawing hundreds of delegates from Israel, the United States, and Jewish communities around the world. ARZA was represented by Ayal Marek, Michael Penny, and Liora Conyer. Delegates gathered to debate and vote on a wide range of pressing issues impacting the future of Jewish life globally. At stake was the [...]
Stop the Extremism
The Stakes For Progressive Jews Have Never Been Greater […]
A Moving Story From October 7
A call for action Last week I participated in a very moving event at TBI with Noam and Gali Tibon who shared their incredible story driving to the Gaza envelope on October 7th in an attempt to save their son, daughter in law and toddler grandchildren. More on their incredible story can be found here: https://abcnews.go.com/International/year-after-attack-israeli-couple-recounts-oct-7/story?id=114518255 […]
Hostage return
Hostages Release The people of Israel have been on an emotional roller coaster over the past few weeks with the release of hostages. Their families, who have been going between hope and despair for 16 months – demonstrating, advocating, and pressuring the Israeli government through any avenue they could, and meeting with leaders around the world to pressure Hamas – have finally managed to find some comfort with the release of their loved ones. [...]