Association of Reform Zionists of America
Equality. Democracy. Pluralism. Israel.
What is ARZA?
The Association of Reform Zionists of America is the Israel arm of the Reform Movement, representing our community to the Zionist National Institutions.
ARZA’s Mission is two-fold: to center a connection to Israel in the American Reform community, and to strengthen our Movement on the ground in Israel.
Equality. Democracy. Pluralism. Israel.
What’s New
A Reckoning for Liberal Zionism
מַה־נּוֹרָא הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה אֵין זֶה כִּי אִם־בֵּית אֱלֹהִים וְזֶה שַׁעַר הַשָּׁמָיִם׃ (בראשית כח:יז) “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven.” (Genesis 28:17) The Hebrew word נורא (nora) can be interpreted in multiple ways. Literally, it means awe-inspiring or trembling. But […]
In the Land of Radical Acceptance
Friday November 18, 2022 – כ״ג חֶשְׁוָן תשפ”ג גֵּר־וְתוֹשָׁ֥ב אָנֹכִ֖י עִמָּכֶ֑ם תְּנ֨וּ לִ֤י אֲחֻזַּת־קֶ֙בֶר֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם וְאֶקְבְּרָ֥ה מֵתִ֖י מִלְּפָנָֽי” (בראשית כג:ד)” “I am a resident alien among you; sell me a burial site among you, that I may remove my dead for burial.” (Genesis 23:4) Too often the lessons we glean from the legacy […]
Fear and Trembling
Friday November 11, 2022 – י״ז חֶשְׁוָן תשפ”ג By now, the Israeli election results are old news as many in the U.S. have moved on to the now-passed midterm elections. The Israeli political parties have begun the ritual and obligatory sit-downs with President Herzog to endorse their preferred party head to form a coalition. […]
The Long Road Ahead
Friday November 4, 2022 – י’ בחשוון תשפ”ג Late Tuesday night Itamar Ben Gvir took to the stage, flanked by a security detail, with a gloating smirk, as he began to speak. Almost in competition with the roaring chants of his devotees and acolytes, transforming the party’s headquarters into a soccer stadium feeling, he belted […]
Enough with the Irrigation System
Enough With Cherry Tomatoes and Drip Irrigation: Let’s Take a new stance on Israel – post election 2022 By Shimon Smith Good morning Israel – you have a new government! When Israel’s President Isaac Herzog recently acknowledged concerns over far-right parties rising to power, but said that Israel-Diaspora ties can weather it, I say no. […]