Vote Today and Ensure the Future of Liberal Judaism

“I said:  ‘Listen, you rulers of Jacob, you chiefs of the House of Israel:  

 you ought to know what is right!’” 

Micah 3:1

Hey. It’s Micah again. You know, the “One who is like God.” I am the descendant of the one who wrote that biblical book about his life in the holy land of Israel. Well nowadays, Israel has real problems; enemies all around her, and within her too.

As Reform Jews we often think that our core values have little voice in Israel. Our Judaism honors religious diversity, women’s rights, and a responsible peace — all of which need better expression in the holy land of today. The solution to the problem is through ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. 

There’s an important election coming up in the World Zionist Organization, of which ARZA is a member. We can all help. You are eligible to vote if you’re over 18 and Jewish. You vote on the website. It only takes a moment. There is a $5 charge for those under 30 and a $10 charge for those 30 and older. (This money covers the cost of an outside organization hired to prevent fraud in the election.)

Why is the election important? The number of delegates to the WZC translates into money, and money translates into political influence. Because of its large number of delegates, ARZA has received $4,000,000 a year from the WZO since the last election. 

That money is used to support the cause of Progressive Judaism (the term used in Israel for Reform Judaism). Voting for ARZA will help ensure that liberal Judaism will have the funding necessary to continue working for democracy and equality. As the strength of the Progressive movement has grown, there is more equality and acceptance for Progressive Jews, for women as equals, and for the acceptance of converts to Judaism. Such advances have come through action in grassroots movements and by working through the Israeli courts. 

Micah is connecting you with the opportunity to impact what happens politically and socially in Israel, so that it can be a place that we all love and support. Take advantage!