THE Igniting the passion to connect with Jewish values, with each other, and with our world.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 5780 OICE CONGREGATION RODEF SHOLOM • SAN RAFAEL, CA Make Your Voice Heard in Israeli Democracy—Vote in the WZC Elections In November the non-orthodox streams of Ju- join forces with the Israeli politi- Uri Regev visited our daism, continue to undermine the cal parties that reflect our values: congregation and democratic values and institutions helping to influence Israeli society reminded us that as of , and discriminate against in matters of conversion, marriage progressive living Arab citizens of Israel. We join our and divorce that doesn’t involve the in America we still Israeli partners in the Israel Move- chief rabbinate, egalitarianism at have the opportunity to ment for Reform and Progressive the Western wall, LGBTQ+ rights influence Israeli democ- Judaism in demanding that the and gender equality, and influenc- racy. You’ll likely recognize Rabbi government represent all of Israel’s ing the passing of anti-racist and Regev’s name. We may know him citizens.” Rabbi Jacobs speaks these anti-poverty laws. The representa- best at Rodef Sholom for being the words with deep love for Israel. tion has also enabled us to ensure proud father-in-law of Rabbi Lara that more than $4 million a year is and grandfather of Noah, but he is The concerns Rabbi Jacobs men- being directed to the Israeli Reform also an internationally renowned tions and others may prompt us to Movement. By comparison, the Is- leader and advocate for the liberal distance ourselves from Israel. And raeli government annually provides movements of Judaism in Israel and we empathize with this response. nearly 4 billion NIS ($1.1 billion) around the world. When Rabbi Uri But at Rodef Sholom we call on our to Orthodox and Haredi institutions Regev shares with us ways to impact community to look for ways to con- in Israel. A strong election turnout religious pluralism and progres- tinue to engage deeply with Israel for ARZA among North America’s sive values in Israel, we listen. One as we continue to do with our own Reform movement will ensure that major opportunity we have to make country in moments of pain or deep financial resources will continue to our voices heard is to vote in the disagreement. We choose activism flow to progressive Jewish institu- upcoming WZC elections. Between and involvement in the democratic tions in Israel. It also will allow us January 21 and March 11, 2020, process to make our values known. to fill leadership positions in some the Reform Movement throughout of Israel’s national institutions the Bay Area and around the world So how does voting in the WZC including the Jewish Agency for is mobilizing to get out the vote elections help? The WZC, also known Israel, and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael for ARZA. We at Rodef Sholom as the Parliament of the Jewish – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF). will participate as a community in People, comprises 500 delegates this effort. It is the only democratic and meets in every five In this way we can work towards opportunity we have to influence years. It enables delegates to exert building a democratic society in Israeli society as we continue our ideological influence on both Israeli Israel that truly reflects the Jewish efforts towards equality, pluralism society and the global Jewish agen- values we hold dear: pluralism, and tolerance. da, as well as allocate financial and equality, economic justice, human other resources to various organiza- rights and peace. In the Reform Jewish community tions—including the Reform Move- across the country we have many ment—in Israel. Friday, January 24 | 6:15 Shab- questions and concerns about Is- bat services followed by adult rael’s direction. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Currently the United States has 145 dinner. Israeli Democracy and the head of the Union of Reform delegates, the largest single delega- the WZC Elections: Why Your Judaism, speaks often for our tion outside Israel. Thanks to a ro- Vote Counts. $25, rsvp at www. movement’s concerns saying recent- bust turnout in the 2015 elections, ly: “We have deep concern that the 56 of the 145 delegates (39 percent) rodefsholom.org/rsvp current government (in Israel) will represent the Reform Movement. To learn more, visit ARZA’s deepen the discrimination against This representation allows us to website: www.arza.org