“May it be God’s will that all of the saplings produced by your roots become just like you:” (Ta’anit, 5b; 12)

Dear Friends,

The month of Shvat and the holiday celebrated during it signifies the Zionist aspiration of translating the longing for a return to Eretz Yisrael into a pioneering effort of building and planting trees in the Land of Israel. In 1949, the Constituent Assembly (the first Knesset) had its first meeting on the 15th of Shvat, connecting the holiday of Tu B’shvat with the historical connection of the Jewish people to Eretz Yisrael and to sovereign life in the State of Israel. The holiday also serves as a bridge between the historical heritage of the Jewish people and our longing for our ancient traditions, and our aspiration for living in a democratic state, centered on values of human dignity, freedom, and equality.

Appropriately, on the note of “building up the State of Israel”, elections are currently underway for the World Zionist Congress (WZC). The elections for the World Zionist Congress take place once every five years. Held from January 21 thru March 11, 2020, the WZC elections provide the opportunity for all Jews to have their voices heard in Israel. Click here to register and vote!

A vote for the “Vote Reform” slate in the WZC elections is a vote for the work that the Israel Reform Movement is doing here on the ground and for those same values, shared and reflected by Reform Jewish communities around the world.

Now more than ever we must heed the lessons of our past. Today, as we celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shvat, the important task of building up the State of Israel is laid out not only before the Reform Movement in Israel, but before the entire world Jewry as well. Another way to build up the State of Israel is to plant trees. Click here or see below for information on how to partner with Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael to plant trees in Israel in honor of Tu B’Shvat.

In the spirit of Tu B’shvat, which signifies the tie between all Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael, we call on you, our friends and partners from around the world, to work with us to ensure that the seeds we have sown will blossom and bloom. One day, those seeds will grant us with the sweet fruits of progress.

Wishing you a happy Tu B’Shvat,

Rabbi Gilad Kariv
IMPJ President & CEO

Between January 21 and March 11, 2020, American Jews can vote for the Jewish future in Israel and around the world.

Make sure your point of view is represented in the next World Zionist Congress. By voting you will be able to choose one of the many slates representing diverse political beliefs, religious denominations and cultural traditions. The 152 delegates elected from the United States will join hundreds from Israel and around the world at the 38th World Zionist Congress in October 2020, the international “parliament of the Jewish people”.

The World Zionist congress to make decisions and set policies regarding key institutions that support global Jewish life and which allocate nearly $1 Billion annually to support Israel and World Jewry (including the World Zionist Organization, Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Agency for Israel).

With more slates and candidates than ever before, American Jews have a rare opportunity to make a direct impact on the future direction of Israel and diaspora affairs.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

In honor of Tu B’Shvat, KKL-JNF has launched a campaign to plant 100,000 trees in southern Israel to help rehabilitate burnt forests and create a green shield against attacks from Gaza.

This is an opportunity to donate trees for only NIS 18 each instead of the regular price of 36 NIS. In return, you will receive a personalized digital certificate that you can dedicate to someone special.

Looking Towards the Future, Planting Green Today is a special promotion for two weeks only, from January 30 to February 13, 2020.

What a great way to fight climate change without getting muddy feet!
Join us – the trees that KKL-JNF will plant on your behalf are a powerful statement for nature conservation and environmental restoration as the path to a greener and healthier future. Together, we will make the world a better place!

Click Here to Plant Your Tree Today!

Israel Movement for Reform & Progressive Judaism
13 King David St.
Jerusalem, Israel
94101