Israel

This is an archive of less frequently used content from www.JRF.org, a website which no longer exists. The new online home of the Reconstructionist movement is www.JewishRecon.org.

Israel@jrf

We invite you to enrich your connection to Israel. This section provides resources for learning about current issues and contemporary culture, implementing programs in your community, traveling to Israel with other Reconstructionists and making personal connections with the people of Israel. Our aim is to provide educational opportunities and a Reconstructionist approach to important issues.

Check out resources about Israel from the Online Resource Center These resources include articles, lesson plans, bibliographies, Israeli Independence day rituals, community discussion guides and much much more!

Read updates on situation in Gaza: http://jrf.org/node/2755

Here are a few of our favorites:

JRF Statement on the Israeli Rotem Conversion Bill Moving Forward

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July 20, 2010

Dear Friends,

 Israeli Prime Minister Netenyahu has come out against bringing the Rotem conversion bill to the Knesset this session. While there is no absolute certainty the bill will not return in some form in the future, we wanted to express gratitude to all of you who sent e-mails, faxes, or made calls to lobby against this divisive bill. Working together with the Conservative and Reform movements, North American Federations, and as members of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, along with so many progressive Jewish organizations, we made our voices heard.

 For more information about JRF's statements and positions on Israel, please visit  http://jrf.org/israel/statement-and-resources.

 

On Conversion, Alienating Israel's Friends
PM says opposes conversion bill

Conversion bill debate heats up
URJ Resources on the Conversion bill
Conversion Bill Background from The Forward

   read more »

Joint Press Release: A Statement Critical of the Conversion Bill

Read the July 17, 2010 Statement on the Conversion Bill from JRF

 

IN WAKE OF ROTEM/AYALON MEETINGS WITH JEWISH LEADERS IN NEW YORK
CONSERVATIVE, REFORM AND RECONSTRUCTIONIST MOVEMENTS
RELEASE STATEMENT CRITICAL OF THE CONVERSION BILL

 

Statement Reflects United Stance on Proposed Legislation


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACTS:
Conservative: Shira Dicker at 917.403.3989, shira.dicker@sd-media.com
Reform: Kate Bigam at 202.398.2800, kbigam@rac.org
Reconstructionist: Yael Ridberg at 917.287.4207, yridberg@yahoo.com or Carl Sheingold at 215.885.5601, csheingold@jrf.org
 
April 30, 2010 (New York, NY) -- Israeli Knesset Member David Rotem, author of a proposed bill dealing with conversion in Israel, met this week with leaders of the North American Jewish community to discuss the bill’s possible ramifications. Following a series of discussions with Rotem, the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements together issued the following statement:  read more »

Women of the Wall

HaKotel L’Kulam — The Western Wall Should Be For All

A Statement in Support of the “Women of the Wall”

  
Social action based on Jewish ethics is a central part of Reconstructionist community activity. In Israel and North America, Reconstructionists actively support The Women at the Wall, who advocate equal worship rights for men and women in Israel.

           

 

The Reconstructionist Movement supports the efforts of the Women of the Wall.      read more »

Jerusalem Bombings, March 2011

With sadness we share the news of today’s bombing in Jerusalem, which has taken one life so far and injured many. We share the condemnation of the attacks and the prayers of healing for those injured, and of consolation to the families of those who have lost loved ones and pray the recent increase in violence and attacks will bring all parties back into peaceful dialogue and not instigate further loss of life.  read more »

Want to go to Israel?

Join the “Roots, Rocks & Writings” Israel Encounter this summer, from July 23rd-August 4th, sponsored by JRF Congregation Oseh Shalom and Rabbi Doug Heifetz.

Experience the Land of Israel as the ultimate guide to the Jewish past, and the texts of our ancestors as a guide to the Land. This trip is perfect for first-time Israel travelers and repeat visitors seeking to deepen their experience of Jewish history, texts and antiquities. 

Pluralism Challenged in Israel- Act Now!

 

 See also Joint Statement on conversion bill: http://jrf.org/joint-statement-on-conversion-bill

 read more »

Dear Rabbis, Cantors, Staff, Lay Leaders, and Members of JRF Communities,

We write to you today because of a very serious threat to religious pluralism in Israel, resulting from a rapidly developing parliamentary situation there. As many of you probably already know, the Knesset may vote very soon on legislation that would make important negative changes to the laws governing conversions in Israel and to the Law of Return.

JRF joins with Reform Movement in Condemning Attacks against New Israel Fund

JRF joins with Reform Movement in Condemning Attacks against New Israel Fund
 
February 11, 2010 - In response to the recent attacks against the New Israel Fund, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation joins with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in issuing the following statement:
 
"We express our alarm at the recent attacks in the Israeli media against the New Israel Fund (NIF).  Together with so many in the U.S. and Israel, we know the New Israel Fund as a respected organization with a long, accomplished history of defending human rights, civil liberties, religious pluralism, and social justice.  Its efforts have helped make Israel a more equal, more just, more fair and more compassionate society.
 
In their twisted attribution of blame for the Goldstone Report to the NIF, these attackers are trying to delegitimize the New Israel Fund in much the same way that the Goldstone Report is being used to delegitimize Israel in the eyes of the world.  It is ironic, to say the least, that those pointing to the danger of the Goldstone Report are using the same tactics of half-truths, hyperbole and sweeping generalizations they criticize in it to delegitimize the New Israel Fund.
 
NIF's support and training for those in Israel who fight for women's rights, civil rights, religious rights, consumer rights, environmental protection and civil liberties should be a source of pride for all those committed to Israel's social well-being.  This effort to tarnish this respected organization with guilt by association ill-serves the interests and values of Israel and the Jewish People."

JRF Statement and Resources in Response to Events in the Middle East

Welcome to the JRF Statements and Resources page for events in the Middle East.

JRF has added a diverse array of resources to the rich collection of materials relating to Israel already on the website. We hope these resources will assist in understanding the issues and in promoting dialogue within your communities.  read more »

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