Reform Zionism
Encyclopedia
Reform Zionism, also known as Progressive Zionism is the ideology of the Zionist arm of the Reform
or Progressive
branch of Judaism
. The Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) is the American Reform movement's Zionist organization. Their mission “endeavors to make Israel fundamental to the sacred lives and Jewish identity of Reform Jews. As a Zionist organization, ARZA champions activities that further enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state.” ARZA was founded in 1978 as an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism
(at that time called the Union of American Hebrew Congregations). The organization's founding Executive Director was Rabbi Ira Youdovin, succeeded by Rabbis Eric Yoffie
, Ammiel Hirsch, and Andrew Davids. In Israel, Reform Zionism is associated with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
.
Traditionally, Progressive/Reform Jews rejected Zionism since Jewish nationalism seemed to conflict with the universalistic ideology of the early Reform movement. However, with the establishment of the State of Israel, many Progressive/Reform Jews saw a need for a Jewish national home in the Biblical Land of Israel. In 1978, ARZA began working to conceptualize a Zionism that took the universalistic ideals of Reform Judaism, as well as the particular needs of all Jewish people, into account. In 1997, ARZA significantly shifted thinking regarding the acceptability of Zionism within the Reform Movement through the acceptance of the Miami Platform of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
(CCAR).
The Miami Platform makes the distinction between Medinat Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. The platform says, in part,
Through the ideal of Tikkun Olam
(healing the world), Reform Zionism sees the role of the State of Israel
as the means by which the messianic era can be achieved, by acting as a "light unto the nations", a national example of ideal prophetic principles of justice and peace. For the Reform Zionist, this means that by working to make Israel a better place, one can lead the world in working towards a state of perfection.
Due to this, the Reform Zionist movement is heavily involved in social activism in Israel. As a religious, rather than political, ideology, Reform Zionism and its organizations do not see themselves as inherently political, and do not align with any Israeli political party or movement.
, which includes branches in many countries across the world.
and Kibbutz Lotan
in the Arava
. There is a Reform Zionist agricultural community in the north called Har Halutz
.
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
or Progressive
Progressive Judaism
Progressive Judaism , is an umbrella term used by strands of Judaism which affiliate to the World Union for Progressive Judaism. They embrace pluralism, modernity, equality and social justice as core values and believe that such values are consistent with a committed Jewish life...
branch of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. The Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) is the American Reform movement's Zionist organization. Their mission “endeavors to make Israel fundamental to the sacred lives and Jewish identity of Reform Jews. As a Zionist organization, ARZA champions activities that further enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state.” ARZA was founded in 1978 as an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
(at that time called the Union of American Hebrew Congregations). The organization's founding Executive Director was Rabbi Ira Youdovin, succeeded by Rabbis Eric Yoffie
Eric Yoffie
Eric H. Yoffie is a Reform rabbi, and president of the Union for Reform Judaism , the congregational arm of the Reform movement in North America which represents an estimated 1.5 million Reform Jews in more than 900 synagogues across the United States and Canada...
, Ammiel Hirsch, and Andrew Davids. In Israel, Reform Zionism is associated with the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is the organizational branch of Progressive Judaism in Israel. It currently has around 30 communities around the state of Israel including two kibbutzim, Yahel and Lotan, Israel....
.
Traditionally, Progressive/Reform Jews rejected Zionism since Jewish nationalism seemed to conflict with the universalistic ideology of the early Reform movement. However, with the establishment of the State of Israel, many Progressive/Reform Jews saw a need for a Jewish national home in the Biblical Land of Israel. In 1978, ARZA began working to conceptualize a Zionism that took the universalistic ideals of Reform Judaism, as well as the particular needs of all Jewish people, into account. In 1997, ARZA significantly shifted thinking regarding the acceptability of Zionism within the Reform Movement through the acceptance of the Miami Platform of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Central Conference of American Rabbis
The Central Conference of American Rabbis , founded in 1889 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in the United States and Canada, the CCAR is the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world....
(CCAR).
The Miami Platform makes the distinction between Medinat Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. The platform says, in part,
During two millennia of dispersion and persecution, Am Yisrael [people of Israel] never abandoned hope for the rebirth of a national home in Eretz Yisrael. The Shoah [Holocaust] intensified our resolve to affirm life and pursue the Zionist dream of a return to Eretz Yisrael. Even as we mourned for the loss of one-third of our people, we witnessed the miraculous rebirth of Medinat Yisrael, the Jewish people's supreme creation in our age.
Centuries of Jewish persecution, culminating in the Shoah, demonstrated the risks of powerlessness. We, therefore, affirm Am Yisrael's reassertion of national sovereignty, but we urge that it be used to create the kind of society in which full civil, human, and religious rights exist for all its citizens. Ultimately, Medinat Yisrael will be judged not on its military might but on its character.
While we view Eretz Yisrael as sacred, the sanctity of Jewish life takes precedence over the sanctity of Jewish land.
Through the ideal of Tikkun Olam
Tikkun olam
Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world." In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam originated in the early rabbinic period...
(healing the world), Reform Zionism sees the role of the State of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as the means by which the messianic era can be achieved, by acting as a "light unto the nations", a national example of ideal prophetic principles of justice and peace. For the Reform Zionist, this means that by working to make Israel a better place, one can lead the world in working towards a state of perfection.
Due to this, the Reform Zionist movement is heavily involved in social activism in Israel. As a religious, rather than political, ideology, Reform Zionism and its organizations do not see themselves as inherently political, and do not align with any Israeli political party or movement.
Youth
The Reform Zionist movement has an international youth wing, represented by its youth movement, Netzer OlamiNetzer Olami
Netzer Olami is the worldwide youth movement of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and is affiliated to Arzenu . "Netzer" is an acronym in Hebrew for Reform Zionist Youth , and Netzer Olami means 'Global Netzer'...
, which includes branches in many countries across the world.
Affiliated communities in Israel
There are two Reform Zionist Kibbutzim in Israel, Kibbutz YahelYahel (kibbutz)
Yahel is a Reform kibbutz in the Arava or Arabah in the Negev desert in the southern part Israel, 60 miles from the city of Eilat. It is the first kibbutz founded by the Reform movement.The name of the kibbutz is symbolic and means " will put up a tent"...
and Kibbutz Lotan
Lotan (kibbutz)
Lotan is a Reform kibbutz in the Arabah Valley in the Negev desert in southern Israel. It was founded in 1983 as Yahel Bet by twenty Israeli and twenty American youths. The current name derives from "one of the sons of Seir". The kibbutz currently serves as location for eco-tourism and...
in the Arava
Arabah
The Arabah , also known as Aravah, is a section of the Great Rift Valley running in a north-south orientation between the southern end of the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea and continuing further south where it ends at the Gulf of Aqaba. It includes most of the border between Israel to the...
. There is a Reform Zionist agricultural community in the north called Har Halutz
Har Halutz
Har Halutz , officially known as Halutz is a communal settlement in the central Galilee in northern Israel. Har Halutz is located in the rocky terrain of Gush Tefen and belongings to the Misgav Regional Council....
.
See also
- ArzenuArzenuArzenu is an organization for the political representation of Reform and Progressive Religious Zionist communities in Israel and fourteen other countries. It was founded in 1980 as a Brit Olamit in the World Zionist Congress, and is affiliated with the Netzer Olami youth organization....
- Israel Movement for Progressive JudaismIsrael Movement for Progressive JudaismThe Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is the organizational branch of Progressive Judaism in Israel. It currently has around 30 communities around the state of Israel including two kibbutzim, Yahel and Lotan, Israel....
- World Union for Progressive JudaismWorld Union for Progressive JudaismThe World Union for Progressive Judaism describes itself as the "international umbrella organization for the Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist movements." This overall Jewish religious movement is based in about 40 countries with more than 1,000 affiliated synagogues...
- Netzer OlamiNetzer OlamiNetzer Olami is the worldwide youth movement of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and is affiliated to Arzenu . "Netzer" is an acronym in Hebrew for Reform Zionist Youth , and Netzer Olami means 'Global Netzer'...
- Ze'ev Jabotinsky