“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!
Pets are adorable, it’s a fact of life. That is, if they are
cared for. Imagine a little, perfect Golden Retriever puppy…cute, right? Now
that same puppy is homeless and neglected with matted fur, gravel imbedded in
his paws and crying. That is where Happy Tales Humane steps in. 
