The Zionist Congress begins tomorrow, but nonetheless today was our first day of all day meetings. The pre-Congress caucus met at the Hebrew Union College campus. There is a lot to say already but is is late Jerusalem time (and even later for my jet-lagged brain), so let me just share some headlines now, which maybe I will have time to chew on later.
ARZA-Canada is part of the larger movement, ARZENU (International Federation of Reform and Progressive Religious Zionists). We heard reports from the state of Reform Zionism around the world (struggling in Switzerland, blossoming in Australia and so forth).
Of great interest is the fact that ARZENU is now in alliance with both Israel's Labour party and Meretz (which together are the two most progressive Zionist parties in Israeli politics). Collectively, they form the largest caucus at this World Zionist Congress. Rabbi Gilad Kariv, the leader of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, was clear that the alliance of these three progressive Zionist forces will be a powerful combination to renew the flame of a progressive Zionism that promotes democracy, Zionism and a state of Israel as a vital force for Jewish renewal.
More tomorrow....
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