Staying Connected

I've grown up in a Jewish community that has constantly been involved in the progression and support of Reform Judaism within the United States as well as Israel. One organization that has been brought to light these past few years in ARZA which stands for the Association if Reform Zionists of America. ARZA's platform advocated religious pluralism, gender equality, and represents United States Reform Jews in national and international Zionist organizations. Fortunately my connection to this organization goes beyond just hearing about it through the news because my Rabbi, Bennet Miller, is actually a chair of the corporation. I've heard him make speeches and talk about ARZA in the past, but never before have I been able to relate and connect with the goals and motives behind the organization until now, being in Israel itself. I am able to connect on a greater level to the intentions of the group because almost all of them relate to my life here in Israel and the lives of the people who surround me. The topics of religious equality have come up a significant amount since I've been in Israel for one, the Israeli government pays the salaries of 260 rabbis, 256 are Orthodox, 4 are Reform and only 3 are women. Marriage equality is another issue because only 20% of Orthodox Jews live in Israel, but marriages are only seen as being legal if they are controlled and conducted by the Orthodox establishment. Throughout the trip, our group has been present for the events that have taken place at the Kotel, specifically with Women of the Wall. We have been a witness to the progression and transformation of women equality and prayer at the wall in particular last week when for the first time in history, a full Torah and service was conducted on the women's side. This event and women's equality as a whole has played an important role in my life and is definitely a reason for my support of ARZA in their desire to gain equality at the Western Wall. It makes me happy to know that the experiences and events that I've been a part of miles away from home still has an impact to what is happening back in New Jersey.