Reform movement in Israel – keeping
busy these days
“G-d will give strength to the people-G-d will bless all people
with peace”: IMPJ Continues its Emergency Effort
Wednesday,
July 23, 2014
The
war has gone on for two weeks now with a heavy toll of deaths, and injuries in
Israel’s effort to defend the cities, towns and rural settlements in the south.
The IMPJ is continuing its mobilization to bring relief to the people living
under fire. In the last few days and planned till the end of this week we will
continue to focus on the following specific spheres of intervention:
Volunteering
in Shelters and Emergency Facilities throughout the south- Up to now over 200
volunteers have lead activities in shelters, community centers, and other
locations in cities and regional councils throughout the south. These
volunteers lead activities and hand out “Activity” packages that include games,
books, and interactive fun experiences. Where needed we are also handing out
“Food and Hygiene Packages” in shelters. Our volunteers have worked directly
with over 1500 people. We will be continuing to facilitate volunteers from IMPJ
congregations, mechina alumni (those that haven’t been drafted), and others
from our institutions. We have already handed out close to 2000 activity
packages.
Recreation
and Relaxation Days for Children and Families at our centers in Haifa,
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv- Starting this past Thursday and scheduled to continue
every day until the crises ends, we are bringing children and families from
areas of missile bombardment to our centers for fun and relaxation. Four of
these days have already taken place at the Leo Baeck Campus in Haifa with
around 50 children each day including a day with Bedouin children from the
Negev this past Sunday. Starting later this week groups will be hosted in Beit
Shmuel in Jerusalem and in Mishkanot Ruth of Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv.
Hosting
of Families with special needs in our Movement Locations- Families with special
needs children and adults from areas impacted by the crises have a more urgent
need to be taken out of the constant sirens, moving to shelters, and pressure.
Therefore our two Reform Kibbutzim along with Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv and Beit
Shmuel in Jerusalem will be hosting special needs families from weak economic
backgrounds. Up to now we have arranged for 100 such families to be hosted and
this number will be increased over the next few days.
Cultural
and Spiritual Care in Frameworks for Emotionally Challenged- The IMPJ was asked
by the Ministry of Health and by many municipal welfare departments to bring
educators, cultural coordinators and song leaders to closed frameworks for
Emotionally Challenged people to help them deal with the crises. We created
three teams of Rabbis, song leaders, and facilitators for this purpose and have
begun daily visits to facilities in Kiryat Gat, Beer Sheva, Kiryat Malachi, and
Ashkelon where we lead cultural events, singing, and discussions to help
relieve stress and build resilience.
It
is important to note that in addition to all of the activities listed above
that we are involved in our congregations and communities also have to cope
with the situation. This is especially true of our communities in Gedera, the
Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, and in Beer Sheva. All of these communities
are dealing themselves with the stressful and dangerous situation every moment
of the day and night. A good example of this is the activity of our student
Rabbi in Sha’ar HaNegev Yael Karrie who every day leads activities with
elderly, participates in the regional emergency center, has reached out to
Bedouins in Rahat, lead Shabbat services and is a model for initiative and
tireless effort during the crises.
We
want to make special mention of the support from our communities throughout the
world and the fact that our North American partners from the URJ and all the
other arms of our movement are partners in the JFNA “Stop the Sirens” campaign
which is providing the IMPJ with funds to help us carry out all the activities
described above.
We
continue to pray for peace.
Letter
from the Leadership of the Israel Reform Movement to the new President of the
State of Israel Reuven Rivlin
Thursday,
July 24, 2014
26
Tamuz, 5774
July
24, 2014
Mr.
Reuven Rivlin
President
of the State of Israel
Your
Excellency President Rivlin
Re: Congratulations on
your Presidential Inauguration
In
the name of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), its
communities, rabbis, leaders and friends, we wish to congratulate you on being
sworn in to the distinguished position of President of the State of Israel. Our
heartfelt congratulations to you and your family; we pray that your presidency
fulfills your expectations, together with the expectations and hopes of all
Israeli citizens and world Jewry of all different groups and communities.
We
have no doubt that the joy of this occasion is tainted by the difficult events
the country has been facing in recent weeks. The distress of residents in
southern Israel, together with those across the country, the intense fighting
of IDF soldiers, and above all – the unbearable pain felt by the families of
those killed, surely darken the festivity of the occasion. However, these
events also help make clear the importance of this office and its contribution
to the sense of civil and national strength and social solidarity. The fact
that the changing of the guard in the president’s office is taking place in the
midst of battle and war signifies the strength of Israel and its sovereign,
democratic institutions.
It
is in light of this, and the important official and educational role you now
hold as president, that we turn to ask that you already begin restraining the
negative winds blowing in the “Israeli street” in recent weeks from different
directions. These winds carry with them tempestuous, violent, and in many
cases, racist messages, and are harming the tenuous and complex fabric of
relations between the Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. The harm this is
causing is felt within the Jewish public and in the freedom of public discourse
– the breathing air of a democratic society. We regret that these winds express
themselves not only in the margins of public discourse but rather in all of its
spaces and arenas – from leading websites to the Knesset building and the words
of its members.
Throughout
your entire tenure as Chairman of the Knesset, before and after you waved the
flag of Israeli democracy with parliamentary pride and courage. We have no
doubt, that alongside the difficult task of consoling mourning families and
strengthening the spirit of Israeli citizens, you have the power to contribute
greatly in setting both value-based and public “red lines” which are not to be
crossed even in complex and difficult times. We believe that in light of these
moment’s challenges, this is the time to strengthen the democratic spirit of
Israeli society, and insist on instilling the “basic principles of justice,
freedom, and peace in the vision of the prophets of Israel,” as stated in
Israel’s declaration of independence. We know that you hold these tasks dear to
your heart, and we therefore ask that you work to achieve them from the
beginning of your service in this prestigious office.
Together
with millions of friends in Reform and progressive communities around the
Jewish world, in the name of G-d we congratulate you: “Blessed is he who
shares his wisdom with those surrounding him.” “May God give strength to his
people, may God bless him people with peace” (Thilim 29)
Wishing you great success,
|
Reuven
Marko
Chair
of IMPJ Board of Directors
|
Rabbi
Gilad Kariv
Executive
Director, IMPJ
|
Rabbi
Prof. Yehoyada Amir
Chair
of MARAM – The Israel Council of Reform Rabbis
|
Copies
