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AZM Organizations March in the 2013 Celebrate Israel Parade

DSCN0100With banners waving and signs held high, hundreds of people proudly marched with the American Zionist Movement and the World Zionist Organization at the 2013 Celebrate Israel Parade on June 2. Every year, more than thirty thousand people march in the parade to show their support of and love for Israel, and hundreds of thousands of spectators crowd sidewalks to cheer for their communities.

This year, AZM and WZO brought many of their constituents together as a “cluster,” with representatives from member organizations Amit, Ameinu, Mercaz, Hashomer Hatzair, and Habonim Dror as well as area synagogues Or Shalom, Hebrew Tabernacle, and Congregation Habonim. Hadassah, Young Judaea, ARZA and B’nei Akiva followed, making a delegation of upwards of 1,000 Israel supporters. In keeping with the Parade theme of “Picture Israel,” AZM members carried signs in the theme of “Visualizing Israel,” each featuring elements of how Israel has contributed to the Jewish community and to the world at large. Phrases included “Realizing Jewish Values,” “The Zionist Dream – Now a Reality,” “Using Science to Benefit All Humankind,” “Developing High-Tech Education” and more, visually unifying the group and underscoring the message.

While waiting to march on the parade route, the AZM contingent and passersby were treated to several performances by the Tzofim Friendship Caravan, a summer delegation of Israeli teenagers who travel around North America and promote Israeli culture through music and dance.

 

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Hebrew Strengthens Jewish Identity

AlephHebrew is a key to fully understanding and appreciating Israeli culture. With that in mind, the World Zionist Organization and its American affiliate, the American Zionist Movement, are creating ways to bring American Jews closer to the Hebrew language. Model programs are being developed, including using the language to teach about aspects of Israeli society and culture. Three pilot programs will be launched, one in Chicago and two in New York, and will target young professionals and young families. These conversational and thematic programs will serve to engage constituents through immersion in Hebrew as well as through experiential activities. Other types of programs are also being explored, such as yoga in Hebrew and Hebrew mifgashim (encounters), social settings where people with Hebrew knowledge interact, play board games, eat and drink while “exercising” and “strengthening” their Hebrew – and their confidence.

AZM and WZO are also working to create a Hebrew Council, an umbrella organization for the various organizations, institutions, foundations and educators who teach or care about Hebrew. The Council will provide support and leadership to those involved in the strengthening of the language and who work to ensure its continuity.

There’s a rich history of how Hebrew words relate to Zionist concepts. Tzedakah, hesed, tikkun olam, am segullah, aliyah, and shalom are just a few of the myriad words and phrases that define who we are with meanings and associations that cannot be fully appreciated in translation. Learn more about their relationship with Zionism through Ivrit Tzionit (Zionist Hebrew – the Jerusalem Program), an AZM and WZO unit that delves into the roles of Hebrew and Zionism in our future.

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Advocacy Training Seminar to be Held this June

flagsThe American Zionist Movement is partnering with MERCAZ, the Conservative Movement’s Israel advocacy arm, to sponsor special training seminar for a core group of Zionist and Israel Advocates .

The two day seminar will take place Sunday and Monday, June 9-10, at the Heritage Hotel, located in Southbury, CT.   The American Zionist Movement, working in cooperation with Mercaz, the World Zionist Organization and the Israeli Embassy, is now accepting applications from members of its organizations who wish to become local trainers or activists in the Israel advocacy field.

Participation in the Israel Advocacy Training Seminar is designed to provide key leadership with the resources, knowledge and skills to work with others in chapters, Jewish institutions and their local community to project Israel and Zionism in a positive light.   Participants will be expected to familiarize themselves with certain requisite materials in advance of the program in order to guarantee a common baseline of information.  In addition, all participants in the seminar will be invited to be involved in follow-up activities to insure continuity.

The application process requires at least one recommendation from another community leader who  can attest to the participant’s’ abilities and appropriateness for this particular program.

The cost of the 2-day seminar is $180, which includes 1 night accommodations (double occupancy) and 4 kosher meals (Sunday lunch, Sunday dinner, Monday breakfast, Monday lunch).

There is also be a reduced “walk-in” fee for local residents. Travel costs are extra; however, there may be some travel scholarships available depending on need. (Separate application required.)

Those not accepted for this initial seminar will be placed on a priority list for subsequent workshops.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining in this effort, go to http://azm.org/advocacy-reg

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Astrith Baltsan Performs “Hatikvah”

Jaws dropped and tears ran as renowned Israeli concert pianist and music scholar Astrith Baltsan delved into the surprisingly storied history of Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, at a performance on April 10. Using slides, musical interludes and short videos, Baltsan narrated Hatikvah’s roots and its role in Israel today.

In her multimedia presentation, Balstan broke down Hatikvah into three parts: melody, lyrics and orchestration. Each element of the song, she said, proved the strength and unity of the Jewish people. She also detailed the histories of those involved in creating the song, and shared her research into those backgrounds.

The more than one hundred audience members were all astonished and fascinated by Hatikvah’s past. “Astrith was an outstanding storyteller, and by looking at the pictures and movies of our Zionist history we remembered and fell in love with Hatikvah,” said Marlene Post. It’s a meaningful and captivating experience, agreed Mindy Stein. “[We felt] the undying hope, through years of exile, to be a free people in our land!”

“Hatikvah” was sponsored by the American Zionist movement, the World Zionist Organization and the Consulate General of Israel in New York.

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Asthrith Baltsan Presents “Hatikva” in New York City

This program is now fully subscribed and we cannot accept more reservations.

If you would like to hear Astrith Baltsan, and enjoy her entire 90 minute Hatikva program, we suggest you take advantage of her

April 11th performance of Hatikvah: Hope Reborn

Temple Israel
7:30 PM
112 E. 75th Street

To purchase tickets, please call: 212.415.5500

Or visit:  http://www.92y.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=91544

 

 

 

 

Take a mesmerizing journey on April 10th through the background and history of Israel’s national anthem, HaTikva.  Through a multi-media presentation, pianist Asthrith Baltsan reveals Hatikvah’ s past and its path to becoming the song of the Jewish People.

Register today

 

flyer for Hatkiva program

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Learn Some Hebrew Words and Roots;Learn About Zionism As Well

IvritZionit

This unit was written by Dr. David Breakstone
in association with Rabbi Miles B. Cohen
This publication is not going to make anyone fluent in either the Hebrew language or Zionist ideology. It does aim, however, to convey the vital importance of both to the future of the Jewish people.

Just as fidelity to the Hebrew language was a key to our redemption from Egypt (Midrash Vayikra Rabba 32:5), so, too, was it a key to our survival throughout the long exile from our homeland. Dispersed to the four corners of the earth, our diligence in continuing to study and pray in Hebrew united us in a collective bond to our common inheritance and its values. Tzedakah, hesed, tikkun olam, am segullah, aliyah, and shalom are just a few of the myriad words and phrases that define who we are with meanings and associations that cannot be fully appreciated in translation. And then a century ago, by virtue of the assiduousness of our forebears throughout the generations, the early Zionists were able to revive Hebrew as a dynamic language enabling those returned onto Zion to conjoin not only with their heritage but also with one another. Enlarging the circle of those able to do so is fundamental to the Zionist vision, predicated as it is on the unity of the Jewish people.

 

Naturally, then, this conviction is integral to The Jerusalem Program, the ideological foundation of the Zionist Movement. It consists of a basic statement of principles to which all who would call themselves Zionists are bidden to agree, a unifying statement pulling together into a single force those holding a broad spectrum of diverse beliefs and ideologies but who together comprise a single, cohesive World Zionist Organization. It also establishes the tone and direction of Zionism today, as subscribing to it not only affirms one’s belief in the right of the Jewish people to a state and homeland of its own, but also expresses our hopes and aspirations for the society we would wish to create there, as well as for the relationship we would like to see develop between the Jewish state and the Jewish people everywhere.

 

In creating this unit, then, the World Zionist Organization and its affiliate, the American Zionist Movement, hope to stimulate those using it to engage in a deeper exploration of the ideological underpinnings of Zionism and the richness of the Hebrew language, and to see both as treasures to be embraced and embedded in their own lives.

 

CoverZionistHebrew Intro The lessons of עִבְרִית צִיּוֹנִית – Zionist Hebrew are designed in a modular fashion so that they may be used in a variety of venues, ranging from a 10-minute opening of a meeting or event to a series of 45-minute sessions. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 1 Learn about the meaning of Tokhnit תָּכְנִית in The Jerusalem Program. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 2 Learn about the meaning of Ahdut אַחְדוּת in The Jerusalem Program. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 3 Learn about the meaning of Aliyah עֲלִיָּה in The Jerusalem Program. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 4 Learn about the meaning of Hevra חֶבְרָה in The Jerusalem Program. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 5 Learn about the meaning of Lashon לָשׁוֹן in The Jerusalem Program. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 6 Learn about the meaning of Hagannah הֲגַנָּה in The Jerusalem Program. Read more
CoverZionistHebrew Lesson 7Learn about the meaning of Yishuv יִשּׁוּב in The Jerusalem Program. Read more

 

 

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Monopolity: The Fun Game of Israeli Politics

Do Israeli politics confuse you?  Do you understand what happened in the elections and why?
Who won and who is Yair Lapid, anyway ? What is a coalition negotiation?monopolity-2-6

The WZO: Department of Diaspora Activities presents Monopolity- a life-size game board and simulation of the political parties and issues in Israel today.

Monopolity is a fun, inter active game that explores the complexities of the Israeli Society and Knesset! Using the game, you can debate and discuss some of the major issues in Israeli society: State vs. Religion, Peace & Security , Immigration, the Israel-Diaspora relations, to name a few.  It  is suitable for a wide variety of venues and groups, including Hillels, youth movements, congregations, Jewish Day Schools and supplementary schools, and other Jewish communal settings for adults as well as students.

The 2013 Israeli elections that took place last month create a great opportunity to educate, learn, and stay up to date with the current political realities in Israel. In that light, the WZO has prepared a special Monopolity supplement that simulates the ongoing process of coalition building and government formation. This activity will help participants understand the meaning of the election results and connect to the political negotiations that are occurring in Israel right now.

By ordering the kit, you will receive the board game, information cards, game pieces of real Israeli party leaders, fake money, dice, and leader’s guide.

If you order Monopolity now for your community, you will receive the supplemental activity for FREE!

In addition, the WZO can work with you to train you for facilitation or can help you find a facilitator for your program. (dependent on location, there may be a cost)

Special AZM 25% discount: The original price of the kit is $120.00 plus shipping. The special AZM discount price is only $90.00!

Purchase today on PayPal 

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DONATE NOW: Purim 2013 Heads South to Ashkelon and Beyond

Dear Friend:

This winter brought an historically large blanket of snow to Jerusalem and northern Israel. The Kinneret reached record levels.

IDF Soldiers in front of large mound of snow

IDF soldiers in the snow

 

As we view these positive images, let’s not forget that it was just a few short weeks ago that Israeli children in the southern part of the country were terrorized by missile attacks numbering in the hundreds. Many lived in safe rooms and shelters for close to two weeks.

There was no school to attend.  The sanitary and living conditions were primitive.  And the rockets kept coming. Yet the children found it within themselves to stand up to the attacks and resumed their lives as soon as they were able. It takes a special strength to do this: Jewish strength supported by a Zionist spirit.

As American Jews and Zionists we can reward and strengthen that resolve through the AZM Purim Connection. Each year we send mishloach  manot (the traditional Purim gift of sweets and other goodies) to Lone Soldiers, to the frontlines of the IDF and to children facing unusual struggles or challenges during the year, like those in Ashkelon and other southern communities.

With your purchase of mishloach  manot  for a child or soldier you create an indelible memory of the gift from abroad. You demonstrate your solidarity, your caring and your connection to the people of Israel.

For $36, $54,  $108 or more you can participate in the Purim traditional custom mishloach manot and at the same time stand in support and solidarity of our fellow Jews in Israel. Please consider your tax-deductible donation to the 2013 American Zionist Movement’s Purim Connection 5773. You may send a check or make your gift on our web site: www.azm.org/purim2013.

Zionists are the activists who act. Make a difference. Bring a smile to a young Israeli face. Act now and support the Purim Connection. It is a perfect activity for a religious school or day school class. There are lots of ways to help, taking the first step is vital. Do it now.

Please make your gift by February 22, 2013.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, President

Karen J. Rubinstein, Executive Director

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Mark Tisha b’Av With A Zionist Perspective

Tisha b’Av and Zionism

Romans Sacking JerusalemThe observance of Tisha b’Av Saturday night July 28 and Sunday, July 29, gives us the opportunity to focus on the connection between the destructions of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem and, thus, our connection to the Land of Israel.  Zionism arose out of the longing of exiled Jews for their Homeland.  Our leaders kept the exiles focused on what they had lost and have not let them forget. And we did not forget.  We returned from exile to Eretz Yisrael many times, building a country 2,000 years later.

The American Zionist Movement and the World Zionist Organization presents this series of readings that emphasize the connection of Zionism to the messages of Tisha b’Av.  Despite the proximity to 9 Av, please add them to your readings this year or use them in your private contemplation. In every case, please disseminate them to your members as soon as possible.

May the fast for those who so choose be an easy one.

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Purim 2012 Brings Gifts and Goodies Front-line Soldiers and Children

The 2012 Purim Connection was another stunning success with lots of thank yous coming in from across Israel.

AZM with help from AMIT, Mercaz,  and many individuals and synagogues across the country brought Purim joy to schools in Kiryat Malachi, soldiers in the front line units across the country, and to many Lone Soldiers (IDF soldiers who serve without the support of their families.)

 

An important part of our Purim Connection is the role that young Jews studying or volunteering in Israel play in the packaging and delivery of the Purim mishloach manot. This year’s volunteers from Magshimey Herut, Habonim-Dror and the kibbutz ulpan program were all on extended stays in Israel as part of  MASA Israel Journey programs.  Among the volunteers to AZM’s Purim Connection were: Raphael Falk,  Andrew DuFour,  Benjamin Scholom, Brett Godette, Yossi Cohen,  Izzy Eisen,  and Eugene Kikoin.

One of the Lone Soldiers, Gidi, who received an AZM Purim package posted on the Kehillat Netzach’s Facebook Page, expressing his happiness and gratitude. When you see comments like these you know how important it is to participate in these programs:

 

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