Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism

Leading Israel’s Jewish Renaissance Strengthening Israel’s Democracy Annual Report 2010-2011 June 2011 Table of Contents

A Message from IMPJ’s Executive Director and Chairperson 6

Bringing Progressive Judaism to Communities Around Israel 8 Galit Cohen Kedem – Building Community 11 Rabbi Benjie Gruber – Bringing Judaism to the Arava 12

Bringing Children, Teachers and Parents Closer to Progressive Judaism 14 Frida - It’s Not Just About Training 15 Jacob - School to School Hosts 15

Promoting Social Justice in Israel - Strengthening Israel’s Democracy 16 Tamar Chinn, Telem Co-chair 16 Neta Ravid – a personal story 19

Developing the Next Generation of Leaders 20 Beit Midrash Baderech 22

Progressive Judaism and the Jewish Life Cycle 24

Enriching Israeli Culture with Progressive Values 26

Financial Overview 27

IMPJ in Numbers 27 written and prepared by: Pamela Deutsch Graphic Design: Stephanie & Ruti Design Thank You! 28 Vision of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism for the State of Israel and Israeli Society

The State of Israel will act in accordance with the values laid down in its Declaration of Independence: as a Jewish state embracing all forms of Jewish religion and culture, fulfilling the moral and universal values of Judaism, and serving as the center for the Jewish people from all over the world; and as a democratic state, protecting individual human dignity, equality and religious freedom, promoting pluralism, communal life and social and environmental responsibility, and committed to all of its citizens regardless of religion, race, gender or sex. Mission of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism will act as a religious and social movement, for all ages, dynamic and sustainable, working throughout Israel and amongst a broad sector of Israeli audiences, having earned significant recognition as a leader of the spiritual, intellectual, educational, and public discourse in Israel and the Reform world. Principal task To increase significantly the numbers of Israelis who enjoy experiences identified with Reform Judaism, in a way that promotes long term identification with the values of the movement, and connection with movement communities and activities.

4 A Message from IMPJ’s Executive Director and Chairperson Dear Friends, In recent years a window of opportunity has opened for the Reform Movement in Israel. For the first time in its history and in the history the State of Israel , IMPJ has a real chance to sow deep roots in the Jewish homeland. We, in Israel, are witness to a Jewish renaissance that we have been dreaming of for years. More and more Jews are showing interest in their Jewish identity, in Jewish tradition and in Jewish culture. Reform and Progressive Judaism offers Israelis an opportunity to become acquainted with answers they are looking for in a manner that is accessible and friendly for Hebrew speakers; through a religious and social movement that works in the fields of community life, education, and social justice. This report proudly reflects the growth of the movement; its congregations, schools, kindergartens, achievements in the field of social justice and the variety and depth of its outreach. Alongside our joy at our successes, we are well aware of the need as a movement to be involved in cultivating and protecting the democratic and progressive character of the State of Israel. As we celebrate our growth and development, we need to face the fact that there are forces within Israeli society who are actively trying to undermine the democratic values that we take pride in, making ill-use or the first time of the name, Judaism. While striving for the enrichment of Jewish life in the Israeli Society, the IMPJ in its history and is constantly involved and active in protecting and defending the democratic, liberal, law abiding nature of our Jewish state. in the history the The challenges are overwhelming and can’t be addressed by our small movement F without the joint efforts of Reform, Progressive and Liberal Jews all over the State of Israel , IMPJ world. We are connected and together we have tremendous influence. The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism sees itself as the global ambassador has a real chance to of progressive, reform and liberal Judaism, the major faction of Jews worldwide, in the Jewish homeland. We have seen in the last year the influence we wield sow deep roots in the when working together. We are grateful to our supporters around the world and invite you to continue Jewish homeland. fulfilling the Zionist dream by building together with us a vibrant Progressive, Liberal and Reform Movement in Israel for the benefit of the Jewish State and future generations.

Sincerely, Rabbi Gilad Kariv Yaron Shavit Executive Director Chairman

6 Bringing Progressive Judaism Making Progressive to Communities Around Israel Judaism an Accessible Option

Progressive congregations throughout Israel are the backbone of the Progressive Looking ahead movement. While the synagogue is the center of these congregations, many Women of Reform We expect to expand the satellite model to other strong congregations progressive congregations function more like community centers. The range Judaism (WRJ) of services provided by many of these congregations includes Batei Midrash including Shoham (a satellite congregation of Yozma in Modi’in) and the he Israel Twenty four congregations in Israel now for adults, formal and informal education for children and families, holiday Krayot. have women’s groups which have joined celebrations, youth groups, and more. Movement for We expect to expand our partnerships with regional councils to the Lower WRJ-Israel, an affiliate of WRJ. The mission Like Progressive communities throughout the world, every Israeli congregation Galilee, Galilee Panhandle and Western Galilee, and by doing so increase the of WRJ-Israel is threefold: strengthening is committed to programs of social justice and welfare, each reaching out to Progressive presence of the Progressive Movement in the periphery. of individuals as Jewish women in Israel those in need around them. The elderly, new immigrants, distressed populations, T (personal growth and development in and children and youth at risk are some of the groups cared for and supported Judaism has taken Promoting Equal Funding for Rabbis a Jewish environment), strengthening by our congregations. In Israel, the Ministry of Religious Services allocates funds for clergy salaries. community and congregation, and a leading role in reaching out beyond the community to The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism has taken a leading role in ensuring Allocations to date have been limited to orthodox and ultra orthodox rabbis. the State of Israel and globally. that every Jewish citizen in Israel will, be able to choose from different styles In order to ensure the vision of greatly increasing our constituency, we need of Judaism. ensuring that every funds to pay the salaries of young Rabbi’s willing to hold positions in peripheral Each woman’s group is free to devise locations. Over the last several years, more and more young Israelis see serving as their own programming. Some examples New communities Jewish citizen in Progressive Rabbis, educators and community workers as their chosen profession. include bat mitvah programs for mature The number of young people being trained in the Rabbinical and education Over the last 18 months, since September 2009, we have added 9 new women, text study, and Jewish film nights Israel will, be able to programs at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem is growing measurably. Our community initiatives to the 25 existing congregations. Our goal in the next with facilitated discussions. In addition, ability to reach additional communities is dependent not only on having available decade is to double number of Israelis who identify with the Reform Movement. Israel’s 24 women’s groups are twinned choose from different manpower, but also on our ability to get public funding for these professionals, From now until 2020 we expect to add 2 or 3 new communities each year. with more than 50 WRJ Sisterhoods in and thereby equalizing government funding for non-orthodox rabbis. North America. Using Skype, groups of Our new communities are based on three different models. styles of Judaism. The IMPJ’s legal and advocacy arm, the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), 5-10 women in Israel and North America, has made great strides on this issue through its precedent setting Israeli facilitated by two teachers, are employing In communities where there has been no Reform congregation to date, we The Torah: A Women’s Commentary work with local leadership to create new initiatives. In the last year, new Supreme Court case on behalf of Rabbi Miri Gold. As a result, the State of Israel is now holding formal negotiations with the IMPJ regarding equal funding for (produced by WRJ) to build partnerships congregations have been created in Holon, Gedera, Even Yehuda, and through text study. Larger groups are a third progressive community has been initiated in Haifa for Russian its rabbis. Negotiations are on still ongoing, however, funding for our Rabbis appears to be achievable goal. celebrating holidays together. A very speakers. successful Tu B’shvat seder was held jointly We are encouraging large Reform communities to create satellite communities. by Kehillat Mevakshei Derech, in Jerusalem In Tel Aviv the Beit Daniel congregation has two new satellites, one in Jaffa Increasing Accessability and Temple Beth David in Commack, NY. and one in the center of the city. Kol Haneshama has a satellite congregation In this day and age, providing services to additional communities is not limited in Kiryat Yovel, Jerusalem operating in conjunction with Tali Bayit Vegan to providing them with a Rabbi or educator. We are also using technology to Looking forward: (which expanded to the Stone School in Kiryat Yovel this year). increase accessibility to Progressive and egalitarian Judaism. One of the leading An eight week leadership course will We are assisting regional councils in meeting the demand created by the Jewish examples of this strategy over the past year, is our new website designed to be offered in the fall funded by the Beit Renaissance now occurring in Kibbutzim throughout Israel. This creative offer materials for celebrating Jewish holidays. The site speaks to all age groups, Berel Foundation. This unique course initiative operates in partnership with the regional councils assisting highlights family education, and includes a variety of sources and articles. will empower women not just as leaders, kibbutzim in the periphery to celebrate Shabbatot, Hagim, Bnei Mitzva In the last year 100,000 Israelis have visited the site and downloaded materials. but enable them to bring an awareness celebrations, and more. This model is active in the Sha’ar Hanegev and of Jewish values to community forums in Arava regions. http://www.hagim.org.il/ which they are active.

8 I Bringing Progressive Judaism to Communities Around Israel 9 Galit Cohen Kedem Building Community

For Galit, a third year rabbinical student, the new Reform community in Holon is all about building community. Galit, was raised in a secular family in Tel Aviv, and over the years has been involved in a number of programs that bring Jewish culture to secular Israelis: at first she studied in the Beit Midrash at Beit Shmuel, then worked as a counselor for Jewish Identity seminars for religious and secular youth at Gesher, as a community organizer at Beit Tefila Yisraeli, and eventually as the coordinator for the Reform community in Tsur Hadassah. Two years ago, Galit moved with her husband and young family to Holon with the idea of bringing Liberal Judaism to the social periphery. “Many people don’t realize that Holon is a very mixed community with a very varied population.” In Holon, Galit started working as a community organizer for the Holon Community and Recreation Network, seeing in her position an opportunity to learn more about her new home. Today, after a year of informal activity, Holon’s new Reform congregation, Kodesh Vechol, has the support of IMPJ and works in cooperation with the Holon municipality and the Holon Community and Recreation Network. Meeting on we are a new a regular basis at one of the local community centers, the community involves two age groups; young couples with young children who grew up in traditional model focused or secular families and young retirees who are mostly interested in learning groups and cultural activities. on building an We are beginning to build a core group of volunteers and regular attendees. We have already celebrated 2 britot and a wedding…we are a new model focused urban community, on building an urban community, increasing Jewish solidarity and enhancing Israeli and Jewish culture. increasing Jewish solidarity and enhancing Israeli and Jewish culture.”

10 11 Rabbi Benjie Gruber live on 12 kibbutzim, 5 moshavim, an army base and a few other settlements. What Bringing Judaism to the Arava has emerged from his meetings and his work is that people are interested in Israeli culture and that there is an interest in Speaking to Rabbi Gruber, one gets the feeling that he has found his rabbinical learning more about Judaism. niche. Not so easy to do when your family abounds with rabbis – very different rabbis. Benjie’s grandfather was a Reform Rabbi in Columbia, South Carolina, Benji, who does not wear a kippa most of his father is a Conservative Rabbi and a professor of Bible Studies at Ben Gurion the time, does not look like what people University, his younger brother is a Habad congregational rabbi outside London, expect a rabbi to look like and is in great and his older brother is a Secular Humanistic Rabbi in Texas. demand. “I was raised as a modern orthodox Jew, “ says Benji who was born in 1975 and He teaches at a local high school, at the made aliyah with his family to Beersheva in 1980. “I attended state religious pre-army mechina in Hatzeva, and is the schools, attended a yeshiva high school, and was one of the founding members main teacher for Beit Midrash Baderech. of the hesder yeshiva in Yerucham.” He is a regular lecturer in the officer’s It was during an extended stay in Portland, Oregon, that Benjie discovered training course at the Ovda air force base. liberal Judaism. “Every week I would attend services at a different synagogue.” He teaches regularly scheduled classes in Following his two years in the US and his work as a Jewish Agency emissary parshat hashavua and Talmud at Yotvata, in different parts of the FSU, Benjie returned to Israel, attained a BA in Jewish Yahel and Grofit. philosophy at Hebrew University, and met Tovi. Tovi, a social worker by training, had a dream of volunteering in Africa. A six month stint in Malawi gave Benji Rabbi Benjie is also in demand at a much clearer idea of what he wanted to do with his life. Becoming a rabbi ceremonies. They may be weddings at would allow him to combine his love of education and working with people Timna or in Eilat, or bar and bat mitzvah with his need to be involved in tikkun olam. ceremonies at kibbutzim and at isolated settlements. Benjie was accepted at HUC and combined his rabbinical studies with a Master’s in Jewish philosophy from Hebrew University. During his studies he did practical work at Congregation Mevakshei Derech in Jerusalem and at IRAC, and taught Jewish studies at the IDF Institute for Jewish Studies. When I looked at the map of Even before being ordained, Benjie was approached by Kibbutz Yahel and the Reform congregations around Movement about serving as one in a long line of rabbis for the kibbutz. Benji Israel, I realized that with the became a long distance rabbi like most of his predecessors, but after a year and exception of Yahel and Lotan, there were a half he approached the kibbutz and the movement about actually moving to no Reform communities in southern Israel, Yahel. They were very excited about the idea, and in August 2010, the Gruber not even in Beersheva or Eilat. Working in family - Rabbi Benjie, Tovi, and Yair and Ella (6 and 4) moved to Yahel in the the Arava has given me the opportunity Arava. to work, live and study with people who For the last year, Benjie has been listening and learning. As he works with are discovering new aspects of their other kibbutz members in the cow shed, as he meets with people of all kinds Jewishness... sharing my knowledge of - businessmen in Eilat, the head of the regional council, the director of the Judaism with those who want to learn community center… more.” The area north and south of Yahel and Lotan contains 3000-4000 people who

12 I Bringing Progressive Judaism to Communities Around Israel Bringing Children, Teachers and Parents Freida Closer to Progressive Judaism he IMPJ It’s Not Just About Training In order for Freida to join the New Moons and Values program, she (along with Education the 35 other applicants) underwent a complex selection process including a Our 50 nursery schools/kindergartens are community-based, operating personal interview and a meeting with an acceptance committee. “This program within and alongside IMPJ congregations, creating constant opportunities Department is not just about training these women,” says Yael Katz, Director of the IMPJ for children and parents to become acquainted with the synagogue, to meet T Education Department. “This unique 18 month pilot program is designed to the rabbi, to participate in broader communal activities, and to experience strives to ensure empower and enrich these participants as educators and as people. Most of from the earliest age the sense of completeness and stability that comes from the women participating in the program do not have an academic education Jewish community. that Jewish tradition and are viewed by many as babysitters. Upon completion of this program, not In our 8 schools, Progressive Judaism is part of the core curriculum. These only will the women have taken part in writing a workbook that contains a schools foster pluralism and equality, providing educational continuity for and heritage are an year’s worth of lesson plans for bringing Jewish content to their work in daycare progressive families. and afterschool programs, but they will also have the ability to teach and share integral part of our with their colleagues what they have learned. In fact, they have all committed to doing so.” What’s New : contemporary Jewish am very distanced from Judaism, I The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism won a tender put out by the Holon only know what I learned in school Community and Recreation Network (a municipal subsidiary) to provide the - Israeli identity. which wasn’t very much. If I can staff of early childhood and afterschool programs with training that enables the learn, then I can pass on that knowledge,” staff to bring Jewish content into their programs. Jacob says Freida. For the first time the Ministry of Education has approved curriculum developed Looking Ahead: by the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism for 6th graders in Israeli School to School Hosts state-secular schools. The program, Israeli Culture, exposes pupils to Jewish Our current strategy is to open additional knowledge, traditions and experiences from an egalitarian and progressive kindergartens and nursery classes, One of the most personal outcomes of the School to School program has been point of view. At this critical age, when children are preparing for Bat and Bar particularly in areas which currently lack the efforts made by the Israeli participants to host members of their partnered Mitzva celebrations, the pupils learn, for the first time, that girls — just like the Progressive Judaism alternatives. schools: During Passover vacation, Jacob, a fourth grader from the Congregation Beth Elohim Religious School, and his family were hosted by children from boys — can have an aliyah to the Torah and fully participate in all aspects of In Jerusalem, we are making a strategic the celebration. The Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism is one of the six Ma’aganim School at Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael. During the course of the visit, move to strengthen progressive education. which included lunch in the Kibbutz dining hall, a tour of the kibbutz, its fish organizations whose curriculum was approved by the Ministry. The program In cooperation with the municipality, we will is currently being marketed and will be taught in dozens of schools during the ponds and beach, the children were surprised to learn that Jacob’s grandfather, be opening 3 new nursery/kindergarten Paul Cowan, had been a volunteer on Ma’agan Michael in 1962. 2011-2012 school year. classes for the coming school year. In cooperation with the Center for Educational Technology, the education The fifth graders of the Weizman School in Nahariya have a surprise for Y, when Significant expansion of the School to he comes to celebrate his bar mitzvah in Israel. Y, who attends the Avodat department had developed a new website aimed at enhancing Jewish School programs, not only to more schools, th th Shalom Religious School in Bergen County, New Jersey, aside from his aliyah at Peoplehood among 5 and 6 graders. The School to School website provides a but also to additional countries. unique platform for children in Israel and the United States to meet and discuss the Kotel, will be celebrating his Bar Mitzva Nahariya style, at a party hosted by items of personal interest through forums and social networks. Currently 25 We are currently working with the Ministry pupils from the Weizman School. schools are participating in this pilot project. The project will be expanded of Education to expand the Israel Culture globally in the future. curriculum to 5th graders.

14 I Bringing Children, Teachers and Parents Closer to Progressive Judaism 15 Promoting Social Justice in Israel Tamar Chinn, Strengthening Israel’s Democracy Telem Co-chair

The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is committed to the vital Jewish As one of the Telem co-chairs, Tamar Chinn, tradition of social justice, care and solidarity for our own communities as well 17, was getting frequent phone calls from as for those who live among us. fellow Telem members asking how the youth group could best help those in need Keren B’kavod – The Fund of the Progressive Movement in Israel for Social of assistance after the fire in the Carmel. Responsibility is the humanitarian arm of the movement. Its work is based Within a short time, Telem volunteers were on 4 important values; the ethics according to Judaism of giving tzedakah, busy packing boxes of goods donated to providing aid to all sectors, community involvement, and empowering people Keren B’Kavod. By Tuesday, when the so that a chain of giving is created, i.e. recipients become involved in giving situation had calmed down a bit, a van with themselves. ten Telem volunteers was off to Nachsholim The Fund, originally part of the Israel Religious Action Center, provides not only where families evacuated from Beit Oren humanitarian aid such as food and medicine, but also develops education and and Ein Hod were staying. community empowerment programs. An example of such a program is the family empowerment program operated in Jerusalem which provides Ethiopian families with financial assistance and workshops aimed at increasing their “It seemed we got to Nachsholim parenting and coping skills. just at the right moment,” says Tamar. “The parents were just What’s New: about to go into their first meeting with The fire in the Carmel forest highlighted the ability of Keren B’kavod to respond the social workers and psychologists about immediately to calls for assistance. Within 12 hours of the fire breaking out, putting their lives back together, and there the Fund was on the scene providing residents and emergency personnel with we were, ready to take their children off their hot meals. As the days went on, Keren B’kavod provided additional assistance hands for a few hours. It was a lot of fun, the such as volunteers. Assistance from the Fund did not stop here. Now the Fund kids were cute and some of them were really maintains contact with the welfare authorities in order to provide assistance little. As we were leaving some of the parents where needed. came up to us and told us how helpful it was to have four hours of quiet. We were there just when the parents needed us.”

17 16 I Promoting Social Justice in Israel Strengthening Israel’s Democracy Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) Building Global Partnerships Neta Ravid Founded in 1987 with the goals of advancing pluralism in Israeli society and for Progressive Zionism defending the freedoms of conscience, faith, and religion, IRAC is the public and A personal story legal advocacy arm of the Reform Movement in Israel. Focusing on the issues of The IMPJ is a key player in the global Neta, a Jerusalem resident, needed to travel to Arad in January of 2011. religion and state, IRAC uses litigation, legislation, public policy and advocacy partnership of Progressive Zionist and The only direct bus available between Jerualem and Arad is a segregated to advance civic equality. Jewish movements around the world. “mehadrin” bus leaving from a Haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem. That This partnership is active within the Zionist evening, Neta and a male friend were the first ones on the bus. They sat in Today IRAC is considered one of the preeminent civil and human rights institutions, i.e. Jewish Agency, World the front. After a few minutes Haredim began boarding the bus and when organizations in Israel. Employing the spiritual energy and humane worldview Zionist Organization and Jewish National they saw Neta and her friend sitting in the front, they began to shout at her of Progressive Judaism., it is the leading Jewish organization that advocates on Fund, as well as in other arenas promoting friend that ‘she’ needs to sit in the back. It wasn’t limited to one critic, but many behalf of a broadly inclusive Israeli democracy. progressive Zionist values, strengthening and most of them were men. It was a demeaning and humiliating situation. the status of Israel among the nations Neta got very upset and asked them: “Why are you talking to him rather than and bolstering Israeli democracy. Over to me?” She was totally ignored, and the Haredim continued to repeat their What’s New: the course of the year, Israeli reform demands. Eventually, she remained seated in the front of the bus, but not and progressive leaders take part in before she had to remind her critics that “We are not living in Iran, and ‘she’ Stopping Gender Segregation international and national educational can speak for herself, this is my place and I am not moving.” events geared towards creating a As we approach IRAC’s 25th anniversary, the Center continues to lead the public strong vibrant relationship between the Neta thought that she was living in a modern country. She is currently a and legal effort to promote gender inequality and to protect the status of progressive community in Israel and in doctoral student and as far as she is concerned the world is an open book women and their equal role in Israel. the Diaspora. and there are no limitations. This incident caused her to feel that her freedom During the past year, the Israel Supreme Court published a groundbreaking and that of many others was in danger. “The minute a woman is asked to Segregation of women for funeral services at The strength of this partnership was remove herself from the public sphere such as a bus, there is no stopping decision against, purposeful gender segregation on public transportation. evident during this past year as the Reform a Netanya cemetery This decision stated that public transportation companies may not encourage this kind of phenomenon. A look at the pashkevil (public notices put up in Movement in Israel, together with our Haredi neighborhoods) hammers home this point.” or impose gender segregation in any way. The result of this decision is that partners, successfully blocked conversion it prevents the expansion of gender segregation to other public and private legislation that would have prevented Neta shared her experience with her friends and together they decided services. IRAC has a large number of volunteers who continue to monitor the recognition of non-orthodox conversions that complaining about the situation just wasn’t enough. Because this situation on the ground. in Israel. Together with the Conservative phenomenon is increasing at a very rapid pace it is important for those who want to oppose it to move quickly as well. They decided that as a group they Movement, Jewish Federations of “My goal is to raise awareness North America and the Jewish Agency, will ride these segregated buses and sit in the front. (The area usually limited among both Haredim and the Social Justice Programs in the Planning: progressive and reform communities to men.) secular public to the dangers of throughout the world led the effort L’Taken Social Justice Seminars – expanding to Israel the training seminar Having heard that the IRAC is also fighting this phenomenon, Neta to convince the Israeli government to extremism and the behaviors extremists model developed in the US for educating young adults and teenagers about contacted the Center. It was an auspicious overture as following the withdraw its support of this controversial allow themselves in order to enforce social change through legislation and other means. victory in the Supreme Court against segregated buses, IRAC wanted to legislation. Unfortunately, the legislation ensure that the verdict was enforced and to work towards changing social their views. It is these behaviors that may Shared Futures - an initiative to bring together Israeli Arabs and Jews to discuss remains on the Knesset backburner and norms. IRAC is experienced in running campaigns; together with Neta and eventually lead to limited freedoms for all the joint future of the two communities in the state of Israel while recognizing the movement continues to keep its level her friends, they will work to change to change the way the public deals of us,” says Neta. the sensitivities and needs of each. This initiative is particularly important as of awareness on high. with this situation. we are witness to growing tension between the communities.

18 I Promoting Social Justice in Israel Strengthening Israel’s Democracy 19 Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

The IMPJ is committed to cultivating young Israeli citizens who acknowledge In parallel, through MASA, Kibbutz Lotan is and celebrate their Jewish identity, are dedicated to living in a State of Israel offering young adults from the Diaspora, which is both Jewish and democratic, and are willing to take an active role in programs of varying lengths. Participants the advancement of Progressive Judaism in Israel. develop practical skills through hands-on work in Lotan’s environmental education Noar Telem is the IMPJ’s youth movement, providing year-round experiential center, organic gardening, and alternative/ activities for children from grades 3 to 12 focusing on Jewish tradition and natural building projects, which are culture, social justice, equality, and democracy. At a national level activities complemented by classroom sessions in include seminars, tours, and summer camps. ecological design, permaculture, gardening The IMPJ Mechina, combines rigorous Jewish studies with leadership training theory, and community building. and the intense experience of living in a close community. Located in Jaffa, a Participants are also interwoven into the diverse neighborhood whose residents include Jews from an extremely wide daily life of the kibbutz, a community based range of religious and ethnic backgrounds, as well as Muslim and Christian Arabs on the principles of liberal, egalitarian and migrant laborers from around the world, participants put Jewish values Judaism. into practice by working in local community service projects. Participation in the Mechina allows participants to defer their military service by a year, during Looking ahead: which they develop interpersonal and leadership skills which enhance their ability to contribute in a significant manner to the Israel Defense Forces. Expanding our strategic programming with the Scout movement and other Israeli What’s New: Zionist youth movements. Noar Telem opened three new branches this year in Kibbutz Yahel, Tsur We hope to make serious strides towards Hadassah, and Kibbutz Gezer. the completing the construction of the Mechina building within the next year. Even more exciting is the development of a new educational model. This pilot project, developed in cooperation with the Leo Baeck Education Center and the Israeli Scouts Movement, brings elements of progressive Jewish education to The Campus for Jewish the Israeli Scouts movement. Peoplehood The plans for the Mechina’s permanent home have been approved and we are Begin planning the creation of a Negev now seeking partners to help us initiate and complete the actual building. campus for young adults from Israel and A pilot post-army program, Beit Misrash Baderech located on Kibbutz Yahel, is a the Diaspora, which will further Jewish 6-8 month program combining agricultural work, Jewish studies, volunteering Peoplehood through a consortium of in social projects, and the experience of living in a community. Twenty five programs focusing on Jewish studies and participants joined this year’s program and for most it was their first contact social and ecological activism. with progressive Judaism.

20 I Developing the Next Generation of Leaders Beit Midrash Baderech

Alon, originally from Hod Hasharon, age 23 “I began my participation in Beit Midrash Ba’derech the day after I finished my army service. It was a period when I wanted to work, learn, and live in a community. Being part of a community was really important to me and the Our group was experience of living on a kibbutz was very significant. It was amazing how the presence of 20 young people really brought new life to Yahel. made up of As we were the first participants in the program, we were given a lot of freedom and were very active in deciding what kind of activities we wanted. When we really special people first arrived, it was a very busy season in the kibbutz and we were all working 10- 12 hours a day. Later on when things calmed down, we worked 8-10 hours a day. and it was the group From the beginning we had a weekly shiur with the Rav of the kibbutz. I was not a part of the Reform Movement before this program and knew nothing about that really made the what the Movement does in Israel. Rav Benjie started teaching us about Judaism from the very beginning and as he did not make any assumptions about what program.” we knew or didn’t know it was very meaningful. I especially connected with his encouraging us to write our own prayers. We had weekly lessons given either by Yaya, the project coordinator, or by one of the group on Israeli and Jewish culture and a weekly lesson about the Arava, with each session being given by a guest lecturer. Once a month we had a Shabbat together with lectures on a different topics such as the political left or gender and we had 3 field trips which were also devoted to specific topics. Our group was made up of really special people and it was the group that really made the program. I am going to spend the summer working as a coordinator for Havaya (the Israeli Reform Movement’s summer camp), and then we’ll have to see what comes next.”

22 I Developing the Next Generation of Leaders Progressive Judaism We are being pushed into one and the Jewish Life Cycle eform In the last decade, reform and progressive communities throughout Israel have framework become the leading alternative to the orthodox establishment at some of the communities most important moments in the lives of Israeli families. are well known Reform communities are well known throughout the country as centers for In Israel we do life cycle events and for providing the ability to celebrate Jewish life in an R as centers for life egalitarian, open-minded pluralistic, and welcoming way. not have the For example, in Ra’anana the Reform congregation celebrates the Bnai Mitzva cycle events and for of 200 families a year. The rabbinical clergy of Beit Daniel perform more than 200 weddings annually. providing the ability freedom to And yet the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, working together with other progressive movements, continues to face legal and legislative barriers to celebrate Jewish life choose how to providing religious services. Since the creation of the State of Israel, the orthodox establishment has had in an egalitarian, open- a full monopoly over marriage and divorce of Jewish citizens and over burial we marry, our despite Knesset legislation to the contrary. IRAC is leading the public effort to minded pluralistic, and change existing legislation in the area of marriage and divorce by coordinating the Israeli Forum for Freedom of Choice in Marriage. During the first 6 months welcoming way. only option is of 2011, IRAC and the Forum launched a campaign placing this issue once again on the public agenda, promoting new legislation and taking the initial steps the oppressive toward petitioning the High Court of Justice over the issue. Personal Status Conversion Classes Though IRAC has won recognition for Reform framework of the In the last 10 years, as a result of the High Court of Justice ruling, the State of and Conservative conversions, many new Israel recognizes Reform converts in Israel as Jews. Hundreds of Israelis, who olim, especially converts, still have difficulties Chief Rabbinate have converted under the auspices of Reform communities around Israel, are when seeking Jewish status recognition for now being registered and recognized by the government as Jewish. Together themselves, their spouses, and their children. with our congregations, the Movement operates 10 conversion courses around Government-sanctioned rabbis often refuse the country, three of which opened during the last year. These courses serve to provide services, such as marriage, to mainly Russian speaking Israelis and foreign born spouses of Israeli citizens. those without an Orthodox conversion. In addition, many infants and young children, adopted by Israelis in foreign IRAC’s Legal Aid Center for Olim (LACO), an countries, are converted by the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. As a expert at immigration rights in Israel, offers result of devoted efforts by Reform rabbis and the Israel Religious Action Center, pro-bono legal aid to new immigrants, with in 2010 these courses received government funding for the first time. a special focus on assisting converts.

24 I Progressive Judaism and the Jewish Life Cycle Enriching Israeli Culture Financial Overview IMPJ in Numbers with Progressive Values The IMPJ budget for 2010 was $5,892,133 (US$ = 3.6 NIS) Over the last several years there has been increasing interest in Judaism in the general public. This has translated into increased demand by the Israeli public Expenses 35 congregations and communiy for books on Jewish topics and many more outlets for Progressive Rabbis to centers throughout Israel put forth their views and/or serve as educators reaching a broad and varied 50 kindergartens in 12 cities population through extensive media exposure. 70 reform rabbis ordained in Israel Publishing 100 reform rabbis in Israel All of the Israeli publishing houses have new titles that reflect a broad spectrum of approaches to Judaism. In the last year, one of the leading publishing houses, 500 young people have participated Yediot, has published 3 books by Progressive Rabbis. Two Israelis have had books ooking ahead in our pre-army mechina published: Harav Dr. Dalia Marks is the author of the book, “When I Sleep and 800 weddings have been performed When I Wake: on Prayers between Dusk and Dawn” and Professor Yehoyada by movement-affiliated rabbis Amir is the author of “A Small Still Voice.” In addition, Rachel Adler’s book, we expect to “Engendering Judaism” has been translated into Hebrew. 1000 campers participate annually in publish two to our summer camps programs In parallel, the IMPJ has reached an agreement with the Kibbutz Meuchad L 3000 bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies publishing house to produce a new line of books which will present the Israeli four books a year, and public with original progressive writings. In the coming months, two books were held during 2010 will be published. One contains original writings of four movement rabbis by doing so create 10,000 families are affiliated with IMPJ on the role of water in Jewish tradition and in contemporary Jewish life. The communities and educational second is a translation of Professor Rabbi Eugene Borowitz book, “Renewing a Jewish book shelf, Income institutions the Covenant.” Looking ahead we expect to publish two to four books a year, and by doing so making works on the 40,000 Israelis define themselves as create a Jewish book shelf, making works on the Jewish renaissance, progressive reform Jews based on data thought and Jewish literature accessible to all Israelis. collected by the Central Bureau of Jewish renaissance, Statistics In the Media progressive thought 50,000 people have visited our holiday website The appearance of progressive Israeli rabbis in the media is now increasing at a steady rate. For example, during the last year Reshet Beit, the leading radio and Jewish literature 500,000 NIS has been allocated by the station in Israel, has added programming before every Jewish holiday to include Government of Israel for a Progressive Rabbi who speaks about ideas for celebrating the holiday, the accessible to all conversion classes between 2006-2010 spiritual meaning of the holiday, and its significance in our lives today. Israelis. Op-eds by Reform Rabbis in response to current events appear with increase 2.5 million NIS has been invested by the Israeli freqency in Israel’s leading newspapers such as Maariv, Yediot, Haaretz, Ynet, the government in building reform Jerusalem Post and Haaretz in English. synagogues over the last 4 years

26 I Enriching Israeli Culture with Progressive Values 27 Thank You! The achievements detailed in this report, along with many others since the founding of the Israel Movement of Progressive Judaism, would not have been possible without the support and generosity of our donors in Israel and abroad. We wish to acknowledge the support of the following major donors who contributed to IMPJ during 2010-2011. (in alphabetical order)

Aidekman Family Foundation Rabbi Daniel Freelander Rabbi Amy & Gary Perlin Kathryn Ames Foundation Friends of Progressive Judaism, Great Britain Pratt Foundation ARZA - Association of Reform Zionists of America, Dennis Gilbert Progressive Trust, Keren Hayesod-UIA, Australia Canada and the Australian Progressive Community Didi Gilbert ARZA - Association of Reform Zionists of America, Bonnie and Bennett Rechler USA Gimprich Family Foundation Daniel Reich ARZENU - International Federation of Reform and Gold Family Foundation Righteous Persons Foundation Progressive Religious Zionists Rhoda & Richard Goldman Fund Leif Rosenblatt Avi Chai Foundation The Donald Gordon Foundation Rosenzweig Coopersmith Klau Foundation Claudia Bach Jewish Agency for Israel Betty & Arthur Roswell Philip & Muriel Berman Foundation Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Foundation Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties John Roth Central Synagogue, New York, New York Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Shannon Family Cohen Family Foundation Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County Shapiro Foundation Ruth & Harvey Cohen Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund Robert Sillins Foundation John & Noleen Cohen Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Temple Israel of Ottowa Metropolitan Chicago Naomi & Nehemiah Cohen Foundation Union for Reform Judaism Sue & Jim Klau Community Synagogue, Rye, New York UJA-Federation of New York Peachy & Mark Levy Congregation Beth Am, Los Angeles, California UJA/Federation Westport-Weston-Wilton- Lorri Lokey Norwalk Shoshana & Jay Dueck Steve Lurie United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, New Isabel P. Dunst Jersey MAZON Eder Foundation Westchester Reform Temple Memphis Jewish Federation Einhorn Family Women of Reform Judaism Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Lois and Richard England Family Foundation Funds World Union for Progressive Judaism Edith Everett Minneapolis Jewish Federation Finchley Reform Synagogue, London Ministry of Education and Culture In addition, IMPJ would like to express our deep appreciation to all those donors who wish to FNZ Foundation Ministry of Immigration and Absorption remain anonymous. Ford Israel Fund New Israel Fund

29 28 Support US

Please support our efforts to lead Israel’s Jewish renaissance and strengthen Israel’s democracy by making a contribution towards our work.

Tax-Deductible Donations Tax deductible donations to IMPJ may be made via the following organizations:

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FPJ - Funding Progressive Judaism in Israel, Europe and The Former Soviet Union

PO Box 3998 For more information about how Gerrards Cross SL9 1AS you can get involved, please Great Britain contact: (440) 7765 55 2830 www.fpjie.org.uk Chen Abrahams Director of Development UIA Progressive Trust Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism 7 Ocean Street 13 King David Street, Jerusalem 94101 Woollahra NSW 2025 Israel Australia Tel: +972-1-6203489, Fax: +972-2-6203446 (02) 93287644 Email: [email protected] www.arza.org.au To join our mailing list please email Canadian Friends of the WUPJ [email protected] Canadian Council for Reform Judaism 3845 Bathurst Street, Suite 301, Toronto Direct Donations Ontario, M3H 3N2 To donate to IMPJ directly, please send a check to IMPJ at the address above. World Union for Progressive Judaism 633 Third Ave. 7th Floor New York, NY 10017 (212)452-6530 www.wupj.org Thank you! For more information about IMPJ and to find out how you can get involved, please contact:

Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism 13 King David Street, Jerusalem 94101, Israel Telephone: 02-6203448 Fax: 02-6203446 E-mail: [email protected] www.reform.org.il