SOS (Save our Synagogues) from Israel

The Reform Movement in Israel (called the IMPJ, Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism) is in trouble. They do not have the same strength of numbers that we have in America. They do not operate in a cultural environment that is as open and pluralistic as America's. They do have the same long history we have. They also have a financial crisis spurred by the dollar's collapse vis-a-vis the shekel. During our temple trip to Israel we spent two Shabbat evenings with IMPJ congregations - services and dinners with their members. We learned how much they offer Israeli society and how far they've come in the past few years. They seemed confident and strong. The shifting financial markets and their impact on the IMPJ comes at a time when we were just about to soar. Please read this letter from several Reform movement leaders and help if you can:

July 23, 2008 20 Tamuz 5768

As leaders of Reform Jewry we need your help to save the future of the Reform Movement in Israel.

With the dramatic fall of the U.S. dollar in the last few months, the IMPJ, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, finds itself in a financial crisis. Through no fault of its own, the IMPJ has 2 million fewer shekels than originally budgeted, representing more than 30% of its funding. To stay afloat, the IMPJ has had to lay off half its staff and has drastically cut back on its operations.

The timing could not be worse. Never before in Israel’s history has the Reform Movement been so strong and vibrant. With almost thirty congregations now flourishing in Israel, its own Reform youth movement, two kibbutzim, the Har Chalutz community in Northern Israel and its own Religious Action Center, the Reform Movement has become, according to a recent Israeli survey, the movement that 34% of all Israelis identify with the most (compared to 23% for the Orthodox).

This is why we need your help. Unprecedented in our Movement’s history, every major North American Reform organization is working together to save the IMPJ. As chairpersons and presidents of these organizations we have pledged to raise $500,000 over the next six weeks to help the IMPJ over its immediate financial crisis. As someone equally concerned about our Reform Movement in North America and throughout the world, we are asking you to quickly respond to this email with your own gift that will be immediately sent to underwrite IMPJ’s budget and to alleviate IMPJ’s financial crisis.

Please consider a one-time gift of $500. Please take a moment to make this gift online at our secure site: http://gm-link.com/tm.asp?c=40681&i=149865&u=. Canadian residents click here for a tax receipt form. Together, we can secure the years of hard work and the solid foundation that has been laid for the Reform Movement in Israel.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Peter Weidhorn, Chairman Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President Union for Reform Judaism
Barbara Friedman, Chair Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institue of Religion
Rabbi David Ellenson, President Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institue of Religion
Rabbi Peter Knobel, President Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Steven Fox, Executive Vice President Central Conference of American Rabbis
Steve Bauman, Chairman World Union for Progressive Judaism
Rabbi Uri Regev, President World Union for Progressive Judaism
Rabbi Robert Orkand, President Association of Reform Zionists of America
Rabbi Andrew Davids, Executive Director Association of Reform Zionists of America
Joan Garson, President ARZA Canada
Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel, Executive Director ARZA Canada
Union for Reform Judaism www.urj.org/give