ARZA/Israel Committee
Chaired by David Beale and Hedy Sussman

The ARZA/Israel Committee is Kol Tikvah’s connection to ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America) and Israel. Since 1978, ARZA’s mission has been to connect Reform Jews and the State of Israel and to make Israel fundamental to the lives and Jewish identities of Reform Jews. In addition, ARZA champions activities that further enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state by providing political and financial support to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) and its 25 member congregations in Israel, and to the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) in its struggle for religious rights for Progressive (Reform) Jews in Israel in addition to advocating for basic civil rights for all Israelis.

In the U.S., ARZA develops educational materials about Israel and Zionism for Reform congregations which are available on its website www.arza.org and which also include materials which allow Reform Jews to incorporate Israel in Jewish Holidays, trains Reform youth and college leaders in Israel advocacy, and organizes trips to Israel for individuals and congregations (including Kol Tikvah) while providing significant pre- and post-trip programming.

At Kol Tikvah, the Committee advocates for Israel by encouraging members to join ARZA, by sponsoring Israeli movie nights, discussions groups, educational activities such as the Modern Israel Seminar, speakers, Israel trips, and providing programming for Shabbat services, Yom Ha’Zicharon and Yom Ha’Atzma’ut.

Eligibility:   Every member of Kol Tikvah is welcome to join our committee. ARZA dues are $60.00 per year for either an individual or a household (two adults). Out of this amount $48.00 goes to support the mission of the national organization and $12.00 stays at Kol Tikvah to support our programming.