Leading Israel's Jewish Renaissance Strengthening Israeli Democracy
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Leading Israel’s Jewish Renaissance Strengthening Israeli Democracy 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Kislev 5777 - December 2016 Written by: Yonatan Melamed Design: Anat Lustinger and Idit Yatzkan In 1958 Kehillat Har-El, the first Reform congregation a year and a half, the IMPJ established the DOMIM- been working hard to ensure that the resolution is in Israel, was established in Jerusalem. 50 years later, aLike – Israel-Diaspora Relations project, initiating indeed implemented. The Israel Religious Action Executive the Israel Reform Movement celebrated a Jubilee over 100 partnerships between Israeli and overseas Center (IRAC), the social and public advocacy arm to its formation. Over this time, it has become congregations and communities. Over the past year of the IMPJ, has been at the forefront of a number of a leader of Jewish renaissance in Israel. Today, as well, the "Yachdav" School-to-School partnership crucial Supreme Court petitions, including the law the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive program has grown tremendously and now partners on Mikvaot (ritual baths) and Kashrut. Summary Judaism (IMPJ) has 46 congregations spread across between almost 100 classrooms in Israel, North the country, from Rosh Pina in the North to the America, Australia and Europe. We invite you to join Keren b'Kavod, the IMPJ Fund for Humanitarian Arava in the South. At the end of May 2016 we this unique program and help build a greater bridge Assistance and Social Responsibility, continues to spent a weekend celebrating the 22nd IMPJ Biennial between Israeli and diaspora students. provide assistance to thousands of Israelis from all Convention at Kibbutz Shefayim, and brought walks of life. Since Operation “Protective Edge” over together 1,500 Israeli Reform Jews for a weekend This past year has also proven crucial in terms of the summer of 2014, Keren b’Kavod has been a of learning, singing and celebrating together, and public advocacy. At the end of January, a historic leader in organizing respite and assistance programs this past High Holy Day season, we had over 60 decision was made by the Israeli government, for residents of southern Israel. minyanim spread out across the country. following three years of negotiations involving the Reform and Conservative Movements, Women of None of this could take place without the hard The 2016-5777 Annual Report highlights our the Wall, the Jewish Agency For Israel (JAFI) and work of our rabbis, community leadership and achievements over the past year in establishing the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), members all across the country. We are especially new congregations, spreading pluralistic education, making Azarat Yisrael, the egalitarian section of the grateful for the continued partnership and support developing young Reform leaders, providing Kotel, a State-recognized and funded plaza. Since of our friends overseas, who share our vision for a religious and life-cycle services to an increasing then, the Reform Movement and its partners have democratic and pluralistic Israel. number of Israelis, engaging in social and public action and making Israel a truly democratic society. After years of effort, two of our congregations – Kehillat “Yedid Nefesh” in Carmiel and Kehillat “Birkat Shalom” in Kibbutz Gezer, have completed constructing their permanent congregational buildings. This is an unprecedented accomplishment, giving credence to the growth and strength of the Reform Movement in Israel. Thousands of Israelis continue to turn to the IMPJ for their life cycle events, with over 500 Reform wedding ceremonies for couples from all walks of life, officiated over the past year. In cooperation with the Israeli government, 4 5 CONGREGATIONS – KEHILLOT The State of Israel will act in accordance with the Kehillat “bRosh Pluralisti” – Rosh Pina Vision of the values laid down in its Declaration of Independence: Harrarit Community Initiative as a Jewish state, embracing all forms of Jewish Kehillat “Yedid Nefesh” – Carmiel north. 13 Israel Movement religion and culture, fulfilling the moral and Kehillat Har Halutz universal values of Judaism, and serving as Kehillat “Emet v’Shalom” – Nahariya Megiddo Community Initiative democratic state, protecting individual human Kehillat “Ohel Avraham” – Haifa for Reform & dignity, equality and religious freedom, promoting Kehillat “Or Haddash” – Haifa pluralism, communal life, social and environmental Kehillat “Shirat HaYam-Carmel” – Haifa Kehillat “Ma’alot Tivon” – Kiryat Tivon Progressive responsibility, and committed to all of its citizens Beit Hashita Community Initiative regardless of religion, creed, race, gender or sex. Kehillat “Sulam Ya’akov” – Zichron Ya’akov Judaism (IMPJ) Kehillat “Tfillat Ha’Adam” – Cesearia center. 18 Mission of the Israel Movement for Kibbutz HaMa’apil Community Initiative Kehillat “Natan-Ya” – Natanya Reform & Progressive Judaism Kehillat “HaSahchar” – Even Yehuda for the State The Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Kfar Yona Community Initiative Jerusalem Judaism, having earned significant recognition as Kehillat “Ra’anan” – Ra’anana region 7 of Israel and a leader of the spiritual, intellectual, educational Kehillat “Sha’arei Kedem” – Hertzliya Kehillat “Darcei Noam” – Ramat HaSharon and public discourse in Israel and in the Reform Kehillat “Bavat Ayin” – Rosh Ha’Ayin Israeli Society and Progressive Jewish world, will act as a religious Kehillat “Brit Olam” – Kiryat Ono and social movement, for all ages, dynamic and Kehillat “Achvat Yisrael” – Rishon l’Zion Kehillat “Kodesh v’Hol” – Holon sustainable, working throughout Israel and amongst Kehillat “Beit Daniel” – Tel-Aviv a broad sector of Israeli audiences. Kehillat “HaLev” – Tel-Aviv Kehillat “Mishkanot Ruth” – Jaffa Principal Task Kehillat “Yuval” – Gedera Kehillat “Birkat Shalom” – Gezer south. 6 To significantly increase the numbers of Israelis Kehillat Shoham who enjoy experiences identified with Reform Kehillat “Yozma” – Modi’in and Progressive Judaism, in a way that promotes Kehillat “Kamatz” – Mevaseret Zion long-term identification with the values of the Kehillat “Har El” – Jerusalem Kehillat “Kol HaNeshama” – Jerusalem movement, and connection with the movement’s Kehillat “HaDror” – Jerusalem congregations and activities. Kehillat “Mevakshei Derech” – Jerusalem Kehillat “Achva b’Kerem” – Jerusalem Kehillat Tzur Haddasah Kehillat Sha’ar HaNegev Ashdod Community Initiative Arava Community Initiative Kehillat “Ramot Shalom” – Be’er Sheva Kibbutz Yahel 6 Kibbutz Lotan 7 Message from the IMPJ Chairperson Dear friends, years. This provides us with more access to publically funded Mikvaot (ritual baths), women are (KKL) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). These communities and people around the country, prevented from worshiping in accordance with our latter funding sources are challenging to secure, We are delighted to present you with the 2016-5777 additional visibility and potential for growth in tradition at the Kotel, our rabbis are, for the most as politics are very often involved. We will have to Annual Report of the Israel Movement for Reform numbers. The challenge here is meeting the needs part, not funded by the State, and these are just a continue working closely together to ensure that and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). The report provides for the essential professional and lay leadership. The few examples. While this may sound quite bleak, Reform-originating monies go primarily to serve an insight into the depth and breadth of IMPJ’s Hebrew Union College (HUC) has been instrumental we do have to also consider the achievements our public causes. Our efforts have also resulted in work in Israel. in helping us by increasing the number of rabbinical we have made in courtrooms, municipalities and government funding, increasing yearly, to support students and adapting the educational program to the government, with the indefatigable attorneys of the rabbinical salaries in regional councils. Recently I am confident you are well aware that these needs of the IMPJ and the Israeli audience. Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) at the forefront. we have also initiated an effort to create revenue- achievements are accomplished despite the difficulties We focus on these issues strategically, continuously yielding projects which will further enable us to fund we face. The challenges of the IMPJ are threefold: We must continue at a rapid growth rate in order to learning from successes and failures. our programs. growth, recognition and funding. We have to make continuously expand and deepen our roots in Israel. consistent and lasting inroads on every one of these This growth was demonstrated recently at the IMPJ All of this requires significant funding. Our 2016 We are deeply grateful for your friendship and fronts. This is why six years ago our board embarked on 2016 Biennial Convention, attended by some 1,500 budget now stands at NIS 25 million, which is an relentless support of the IMPJ. We look forward to development of the 2020 strategic plan, defining our people who enjoyed a rich and multifaceted program increase of close to seven million NIS over the past seeing you with us here in Israel, and visiting you in vision, mission and main goals. I believe we have made in a familial atmosphere. Our next biennial is planned two years. We have succeeded in reaching this your communities around the world. significant progress and must continue our thrust in for June 1st-2nd 2018, and will coincide with Israel’s amount through support from the World Union these