Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN ISRAEL (Report sent around 2nd January 2012)

The letter below was sent to me by the Reform Movement. As I receive lots of e mails of this type I thought that I would contact a relative in Israel in order to get her take on the situation. The response from my relative follows the letter.

Dear friends of IRAC Rosie, a teacher who lives in a small town in the Negev desert, is a single mother who lost her father at the beginning of the year. The family decided to bury him in the nearby town of Ofakim. Rosie spent the night writing a eulogy for her father that she was going to read at the funeral

We are delighted to welcome the release of Gilad Shalit.

Chief Executive, Ben Rich, of the Reform Movement says: "Redeeming the captive is one of the most important Mitzvot (duties) for Jews, for which we are willing to take extra-ordinary steps.

"Gilad Shalit’s illegal detention has been a potent symbol of the paralysis of the Middle East peace process.

"At this time of Chag (festival) and of new beginnings, his release - and the willingness to negotiate and compromise which it demonstrates - should mark the beginning, not the end, of a new peace process based around justice for all, a two state solution and the rule of law."

The Arab Upheaval

Please find below some background information mixed with personal observations on the tumultuous events of the past few months that rocked the Arab world, and whose implications will reverberate for decades.

No think tank, analyst or expert managed to anticipate or predict the remarkable events of the past six months and most of the pundits are unsure as to the final outcome of such unprecedented uprisings.

President of the Board of Deputies, Chief Rabbi, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Fifty-five years ago as Sir Winston Churchill concluded a speech here at the Guildhall, he is reputed to have turned to my Mother, who was to speak after him, and provided one of those examples of what happens when the microphone has inadvertently been left on… The entire gathering heard him say: “Poor you, it’s your turn now!”.

Well, now it is my turn, and I cannot tell you how touched and delighted my wife and I have been by the warmth of your welcome this evening, nor by the honour you do me in asking me to speak at this immensely important and significant event to mark the 250th anniversary of the Board of Deputies.

JERUSALEM — A struggle for the character of the Western Wall, this city’s iconic Jewish holy site and central place of worship, is under way, and it is being fought with prayer shawls and Torah scrolls.

£40,000 Awarded To Reform And Liberal Religion Schools

Thursday, 12 March 2009

As part of a UJIA and Leo Baeck College 2008 Cheder Challenge, over £40,000 was distributed to 53 Reform and Liberal chadarim throughout the country. Chadarim were asked to submit a project that they wished to conduct in 2009 and for which they needed extra funds. Each cheder applying automatically received £500, with the possibility of an extra £1,000 dependent on criteria including creativity, innovation and best practice. All projects were required to have a teacher training element.

By MATTHEW WAGNER

An update from OneVoice, a grassroots movement which has taken a bold approach to engaging Palestinians and Israelis in greater civic involvement.

There's news on a new campaign for teenagers, youth leadership programmes, efforts to engage civil society in Gaza and events that have taken place here in the UK.

The Imagine 2018 Campaign

This exciting programme offers 21-26 year olds (20 yrs for students applying for UJS trips) an inspiring free ten day educational trip to Israel. It is open to those who have not been on an organised programme in Israel (for more information on how 'organised programme' is defined please contact the UK birthright israel coordinator). Places are limited.

Taglit-birthright israel is the most extensive philanthropic Jewish outreach programme ever to target Jewish young adults.