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
TAMAR event update
Dear friends, Following our previous update about the launch of Tamar in Australia with the first Melbourne gathering, we are thrilled to update on the first Tamar event that took place in Sydney. Please find below an update from Avishai Conyer who is leading, among other things, the Tamar initiative in Sydney. ARZA is working in collaboration with other leading organisations to support and promote this great initiative to engage [...]
Launch of TAMAR in Australia
Dear friends, On the eve of Purim, ARZA is happy to share with you the launch of TAMAR in Australia. “Tamar, Tnuat Magshimim Reformit, is a global platform for engaging Progressive Jewish young adults – college students, young professionals and young families, ages 18-35 years old – looking to build and strengthen Progressive Jewish connections and communities.” Anyone interested in hearing more about it is welcome to contact us. [...]
UIA Progressive Appeal 2024
The Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) is proud to partner with the UIA in responding to the crisis in Israel. We hope you will take the opportunity to meet and be inspired by Rabbi Yael Vurgan, and to support her work and the many other projects supported by the UIA Progressive Appeal. […]
Why Does UNRWA Still Exist?
The UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) was founded in 1949 as a temporary organisation to settle Arab refugees after Arab countries declared war on Israel in 1948. Another temporary organisation that was formed soon after was UNKRA (United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency) with the mandate to settle refugees from the Korean conflict. The reasons for these two temporary organisations was that [...]
Beit-Haam Swords of Iron War
Dear friends, We are happy to share with you the booklet Iron Swords, carefully prepared by the Department of Diaspora Affairs in the World Zionist Council. Using videos, items from the press and websites, this booklet helps to broaden the scope of relevant topics and raise basic and relevant questions. We invite you to choose the sections that interest you the most, and devote time and thought to them. We also encourage you to [...]
UPJ Israel Solidarity Trip 3-10 May 2024 Announcement
Dear Friends, We are very excited to launch our first ever UPJ Solidarity Mission to Israel (See flyer). October 7 changed the lives of every Israeli, and it also changed us in the Diaspora. One outcome from this experience has been the re-connection of Israeli’s and Diaspora Jewry. Our shared destiny and the importance of supporting each other in these challenging times has not been more apparent than it is [...]