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Remember Coles at Sandy Bay for all your Kosher goodies!
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What is ARZA?
ARZA, the Australian Reform Zionist Organisation, promotes Progressive Zionist activities to
the Australian Jewish community and helps to foster understanding between Israel and
Australia with the aim of closer links between the two countries.
ARZA is an affiliate of the Union for Progressive Judaism. ARZA is a member of ARZENU –
which was founded in 1980 as an "ideological grouping" or Brit Olamit within the WZO.
ARZENU represents the interests of these groups and of Reform and Progressive Judaism
worldwide in the governing bodies of the WZO and in the Jewish Agency for Israel – and its
influence can be seen in an excerpt of the revised Jerusalem Program
The Revised Jerusalem Program (2004)
Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a
unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted
in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.
This addition to the Jerusalem Program is an important step towards making Judaism relevant and
meaningful to many people in Israel for whom it is no longer a meaningful part of their lives. It is
hoped that that this addition to the Program will encourage the State of Israel to take the necessary
steps needed to recognise the need for and encourage the growth of the blossoming Reform and
Conservative Movements.
ARZA Australia takes an active role in promoting the recognition of Progressive
Judaism in Israel and around the world, and is proud to have played a part in the
acceptance of the revised Jerusalem Program.
For more information about ARZA Australia, contact Ian Samuel, Acting President
on samuelis@bigpond.net.au
The Jerusalem Program
Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the
State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of
the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.
The foundations of Zionism are:
1. The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the
State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;
2. Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli Society.
3. Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society
with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish
people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the
world.
4. Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and
Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;
5. Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation,
representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations
of anti-Semitism;
6. Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism.
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