The 36th World Zionist Congress runs from June 15 to June 17, 2010. Rabbi Danny Allen, Executive Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), is in Jerusalem attending the Congress. Below is the first of his dispatches from the meeting.

Monday June 14,2010
Jerusalem

Patience and perseverance fully describe the ARZA day of preparation for the opening of the World Zionist Congress Tuesday. Our delegation is the largest element of the world ARZENU group that is here. ARZA and the other ARZA's from around the world form the largest single Zionist party at the WZO Congress.

Meeting on the beautiful Hebrew Union College campus in Jerusalem we discussed many subjects including the essence of Reform Zionism. Rabbi Stanley Davids and Rabbi Gilad Kariv, the Executive Director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, led the intense discussion. The conclusion of a core meaning of Reform Zionism was summarized thusly "The Torah speaks of human beings created in the image of God. It does not say Jewish human beings but human beings."

We also spent time in committee meetings preparing for the upcoming resolutions session of the Congress. Several resolutions are attempting to lesson the WZO commitment to the pluralism of the Jewish world. Our folks are ready for this fight.

Dining alfresco in serenity on one of the terraces of HUC, sharing a light dinner with friends, old and new, from IMPJ congregations, being led in singing by members of the IMPJ youth, one can hardly imagine that Israel lives in a tough neighborhood. Your ongoing support of ARZA is a key factor in the ongoing success of the congregation and programs of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.

The day began at 8:00 am with the final meeting concluding at 10:30 p.m. Congress opens tomorrow. More to come.

From Jerusalem,

Danny

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