January 20, 2019, Sh'vat 5779
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Going from Strength to Strength--2018 to 2019
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I'm excited to send our first newsletter of 2019.
Following 2018, a year with lots going on in Israel (and not all of it good), it's a special pleasure to start 2019 with important and impactful changes and some real encouraging news.
First, we want to let you know that long-time and highly-valued board trustee,
Heidi Schneider, has been elected to Chair of the Board of the Masorti Foundation.
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To her 25+ years of work on behalf of Masorti/Conservative Judaism here and in Israel, she brings the passion of someone who has chosen Judaism. A former litigator and a public speaker, she is an ardent Zionist, seeker of social justice, and fearless truth teller.
Rabbi Robert Slosberg
, immediate past Chair, says: “
The Foundation is in good hands with Heidi; she’s a leader of great integrity, matching her words and beliefs with action.
”
Rabbi Harold Kravitz of Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Minneapolis, pictured here with Heidi, says:
“
Heidi has been a trusted partner, a warm and true friend.. I’m proud and delighted at her elevation...Heidi’s vision for building a thriving future for modern religious streams in Israel is exactly what’s needed—with her dynamism and spirit, she’ll be unstoppable.”
Read more about Heidi's accomplishments
and what she plans to bring to her leadership of the Foundation.
I also want give a grateful thanks and acknowledgement for the hard work and dedication of
Rabbi Bob Slosberg
as Chair and look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of the Board.
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Gideon Aronoff
Executive Director
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Celebrating Change, Honoring the Pas
t
Tu B'Shevat this year, in a happy coincidence, falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Our values of pluralism would certainly have been celebrated by Dr. King. And on a holiday celebrating renewal and growth, we're pleased to honor Dr. King by reflecting on Masorti values.
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This is a love story..
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In January, Park Avenue Synagogue chose to celebrate its 136th birthday with a mission to Israel.
They gifted themselves--450 strong members and clergy-- with the trip. And they gifted Masorti Israel with a Torah for use at the egalitarian Kotel.
It was a fabulous celebration with speeches by Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and Dr. Yizhar Hess and of course joyous dancing and singing. Click on the picture for a video and participate vicariously in the simcha.
And read all about the mission here.
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Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove's Impassioned Sermon:
"Are we a nation or a religion?"
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This thoughtful sermon on a topic freighted with meaning for Israelis and for Diaspora Jews, was published by the New York Jewish Week.
Rabbi Cosgrove delves deeply into the different and sometimes divided perspectives.
It's a powerful and inspiring read.
Says Rabbi Cosgrove: "
We work for the day when American Jewry and Israeli Jewry are able to retrieve a common language, a day when we acknowledge our shared past and shared destiny..."
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Rabbi Cosgrove with Dr. Yizhar Hess, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel
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To All Our Wonderful Donors
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You Help to Build the Israel of Our Dreams
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The Foundation had a break-out year in 2018!
Donations are up dramatically, our social media following is growing and we're anticipating an even better 2019. We hope to go from the strength to strength,
מֵחַ֣יִל אֶל־ חָ֑יִל,
building more kehillot, supporting Abayudaya Jews, protecting the rights of the disabled to participate fully in Jewish life, and helping to create a generous, welcoming Judaism in Israel.
It's thanks to you that Masorti in Israel can do the vital work of building a democratic, pluralistic home for all Jews --one that is consistent with traditional Jewish observance and with modern Israeli life.
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Nerya Knafo,
Jewish Pluralism Watch
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It's Election Time in Israel & We're Hopeful--Real Change May Be Coming
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"Once kingmakers, Israel's religious parties may face political extinction." So says Haaretz in a recent article about the upcoming elections in Israel. It continues, there is reason for optimism: a public opinion poll shows 69% of Israelis do not want Ultra-Orthodox parties as part of the next government.
It's an encouraging article for Masorti Israel and we're so pleased that Jewish Pluralism Watch Director, Nerya Knafo, was quoted at length.
Read it here.
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The Masorti Flower, Perach Ha Masorti, the name of our newsletter, reflects a teaching by Chaim Nachman Bialik about the flower, seed and fruit of Agada and Halacha
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Read it here
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