We invite you to engage your congregants and your community to vote in the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections.

Transcription

1 Dear Congregational Leader, We invite you to engage your congregants and your community to vote in the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections. Voting will run January 13 th - April 30, Your support is essential and the time for action is now! We are providing the enclosed congregational election guide to help you plan your congregation s election campaign. This guide supplements additional information which is available on ARZA s election website There are three things that we suggest you do to engage your congregational community. 1. COMPLETE FORM: Complete the form that is included in this packet and return it to ARZA. This form will help us specialize resources for you and allow us to assist you throughout the campaign. Please this form to ARZA at WZC2015@arza.org 2. CREATE AN ELECTION TEAM: Create your congregational election team and appoint your election team chair. The primary goal of the election team will be to inform, engage and activate your congregants to ultimately vote. The easiest way to do so in your congregation will be to engage leaders to serve on your congregation s election team. Please appoint one or two people to lead the team and engage others to serve on the Team. The materials that follow will help guide this process. 3. PLEDGE TO VOTE: Pledging is essential to our campaign for two reasons. The first is there are academic studies that have shown that the act of writing a pledge to vote increases the likelihood that the individual will vote. The second is that the vote pledge gives the campaign the ability to educate interested individuals about the election and remind them when voting begins. 4. GETTING PEOPLE TO VOTE: Agree to continually remind people and ensure there are computer/tablets at Oneg Shabbat and all congregation events throughout the voting period (January 13th April, 2015.) We look forward to working with you on this important effort. Please feel free to contact us at WZC2015@arza.org with any questions, suggestions or if you would like to discuss your congregation s campaign work. Chazak V Amatz, Rabbi Bennett Miller Michael Laufer Rabbi Joshua Weinberg Chair - ARZA Chair ARZA Campaign President - ARZA

2 CONGREGATION ELECTION GUIDE This guide includes the following materials that will help your Congregation Election Team inform and activate your congregants.! Congregation Information Form! Timeline Worksheet! ARZA/WZO Talking Points! Vote Pledge Card Info! Steps for a Successful Campaign! Outreach Recommendations! Congregation Election Team 1-Pager! What is ARZA?! Sample agenda for first campaign! WZO A Brief History committee meeting! Sample Bulletin articles ADDITIONAL INFORMATION " Campaign website ( Our website makes it easy for individuals to pledge to vote and provides information about the election, campaign updates, and more. Please direct your congregants to this site. The site also includes digital resources that can be used by your staff and leadership to create content on your own website and in your congregation s bulletins, s and social media. These digital resources can be found at: toolkit/ " Social Media Follow us on and like us on Facebook facebook.com/reformjews4israel. Invite your friends to join us on social media! " NFTY Campaign. Anyone 18 or over by June 30, 2015 is eligible is vote. NFTY regions across the US will be engaging all eligible high-school students and their extended networks. Also, NFTY members will be important volunteers throughout the campaign. Please involve your NFTYites in the campaign; they will be invaluable resources and volunteers. " Make a Minyan. Ask your leadership to take on the responsibility of obtaining pledges to vote and votes from 9 other people. By making a minyan they will increase your congregation s vote, and we will be even more successful. " College Campaign ARZA is also targeting college and university students around the country to get young people involved in the effort. We are looking for college students to be ARZA ambassadors on their campus and for students to be contacted on their campus. Please WZC2015@arza.org with the names and address of your college students. The ARZA-WZC Election campaign: ARZA is managing this election campaign on behalf of the entire Reform movement. Our leadership group consists of Michael Laufer (Campaign Chair), Philip Meltzer (Campaign Vice-Chair), Ilana Kaplan (Campaign Manager), Rabbi Josh Weinberg (ARZA President) and Rabbi Bennett Miller (ARZA Chair). Our leadership group meets regularly with representatives from the various institutions of the Reform Movement. Throughout the campaign, congregational election team leaders will receive information from the ARZA campaign leadership team and have opportunities to interact with campaign leadership. If you have any questions or wish to contact any member of the leadership team please feel free to e- mail Ilana at ikaplan@arza.org or Michael at mhlaufer@rhodalee.com

3 THIS FORM TO ARZA at Can also be completed online at Congregation Name Clergy Point Person I will institute a Make a Minyan campaign throughout the board and professional staff of the congregation. Election Team Chair: This person will head the election team at your congregation. NAME: PHONE: ( ) - Vote Pledge Card Request: Obtaining pledges to vote within the congregation is a key component of the campaign until voting begins on January 13 th. If your congregation does not already have vote pledge cards we can mail them to you. Amount requested: Mailing address: To whose attention should this be mailed?: REQUEST FOR SPEAKER: Would you be interested in a member ARZA, URJ, and IMPJ leadership to speak about the campaign if available. YES, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A WZO ELECTION SPEAKER MONTH: (November April)

4 ELECTION FAQs What is ARZA? ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, is the Zionist arm and voice of the Reform Movement and an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, serving 1.5 million Reform Jews in North America. ARZA is the vehicle for the collective participation of American Reform Jews in the Israel engagement agenda with an emphasis on advocacy, travel, and Zionist education in America. Our mission is to make Israel fundamental to the sacred lives and Jewish identity of Reform Jews. A Zionist organization, ARZA unconditionally supports Israel and champions activities that further Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state. How does ARZA help Reform Judaism in Israel? ARZA provides the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) and the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) with financial support generated through membership dollars. ARZA facilitates the first hand experiences of 3,500 Reform Jews who travel to Israel each year. ARZA represents Reform Judaism in the World Zionist Organization thereby providing a strong voice for Reform Jews in America and Israel in this worldwide organization. What is the World Zionist Organization? The World Zionist Organization (WZO) was founded by Theodor Herzl at the First Zionist Congress in Basel in Today it chooses representatives for The Jewish Agency for Israel, the Jewish National Fund, and other affiliates. The WZO utilizes the World Zionist Congress to establish its policies and internally elect leadership to the bodies which define executive policy, departmental direction, and budget decisions. (For more information and a brief history see included document.) What is the World Zionist Congress? The Zionist Congress is the World Zionist Organization s supreme institution and legislative body. The Congress meets every four years in Jerusalem. The Congress is the only body in which all of World Jewry is represented democratically. It determines policy, designates its course of action and chooses the leadership of the World Zionist Organization. These decisions influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and paid portfolios. The Congress also makes decisions which affect the status of Reform Jews in Israel and across the world, and the funding available to Progressive Jews in Israel. What is Reform Jews 4 Israel? Reform Jews 4 Israel is a campaign to encourage American Reform Jews to vote in the upcoming World Zionist Congress Elections. Voting begins on January 13, 2015 and runs until April 30, ARZA is providing the leadership for and managing this campaign on behalf of the Reform movement. ARZA s efforts are supported by the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the American Conference of Cantors, Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion, all of the other Reform movement s family of organizations and affiliates. Pledge to Vote at Why is this important? The American delegation to the Congress is the largest delegation from outside of Israel, with 145 delegates. The decisions of the Congress influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and the Reform movement currently receives over $5 million each year. Because the election is held every 4 years, the impact of the election could impact over $20 million for Reform institutions in Israel and the United States. In addition, the Congress will help determine the leadership of the major global Jewish organizations, budgetary decisions, and policy in Israel and worldwide.

5 VOTING FAQs Why should I vote? A successful election in which ARZA, on behalf of the Reform movement, receives a significant majority of votes and therefore delegates to the WZC, is the single most effective way for the Reform movement to influence policy and shape the society of Israel. The election determines the Reform movement s influence within Israel institutions, government bodies and provides the Reform movement with the ability to influence important policy appointments. In addition, as mentioned, the election impacts that amount of funding that the Reform movement receives in Israel and the diaspora. The Reform movement seeks a democratic Israel which respects and supports all expressions of Judaism, which respects and guarantees women s rights and which strives to obtain a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. A successful election is our best means to assure the realization of the Reform movement s goals. Therefore, your vote is critical to the success of the overall election. How do I vote? To be eligible to vote you must register and vote between January 13 April 30, Registration and voting can be done on the election website in one session or can be accomplished by completing a paper registration and ballot. Who is eligible to vote? To be eligible to register you must be: 1. At least 18 years old by June 30, Identify as Jewish 3. A citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America How much does voting cost? $10 for age 30+, $5 for those This charge is to cover the cost of elections. All payments can be made online on the secure voting site or by check. Where do I go to vote? You can vote online from January 13, 2015 to April 30, PLEDGE TO VOTE ONLINE AT We will notify you when voting begins. Do I need to register in advance? No, unlike previous elections registration and voting are completed all in one session. Do I need to be a member of ARZA to vote? NO! Any American Jew of age can vote. One does not need to be affiliated with a synagogue, an organization or ARZA. How can I do more, I want to help? Everyone can do more to help. 1. Make a Minyan Find 10 Friends, Colleagues, Family Member, etc and have them pledge to vote. Most importantly when making a minyan make sure to find one person out of the ten who will promise to in turn make another minyan. 2. Work with your Congregation s ARZA Election Team. Talk to your Rabbi or President about joining the team. If your congregation does not have a team formed yet, offer to lead it. 3. Join our Social media program. Like us on Facebook /ReformJews4Israel and Follow us on Tweet about the campaign. Post about it on Facebook and tag your friends.

6 Steps to a Successful Campaign **6 Easy Steps for Organizing your Synagogue** STEP 1: FORM A CONGREGATION ELECTION TEAM The ELECTION TEAM s mission is to plan and organize all of your congregation s efforts to inform and activate your community to vote in the upcoming election. Team members will be important advocates and volunteers at all congregation activities including committee meetings, onegs, religious school drop-off and pickup, etc. See the enclosed document entitled - ARZA Congregation Election Team Role. Teams should represent the congregation s various constituencies and cohort groups including but not limited to Rabbi, Cantor, President, WRJ, Temple Youth Group, MRJ, Board, Religious School Community, Early Childhood Program, Day School, any other cohort group (such as seniors, young professionals, 20s/30s, etc.) and Staff. Optimally, a member of your clergy will actively serve on your team along with your president or other senior lay leader of the congregation. STEP 2: APPOINT ELECTION TEAM CHAIR Designate a Congregation Election Chair to lead effort and be the main contact with the regional ARZA campaign team. STEP 3: HOLD AN INITIAL TEAM MEETING See sample agenda on next page STEP 4: CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAMPAIGN PLAN How are you going to reach every congregant? We want to use every opportunity possible to get votes pledged and then converted to votes when voting opens. Use the timeline included in this packet to customize your own plan. For ideas for events/activities to ensure a successful effort, see following pages. The #1 rule in campaigns is if it s not written down, it does not exist. STEP 5: GET STARTED Beginning the vote pledge program in your congregation. Follow the suggestions in our Vote Pledge Card Info. STEP 6: SHARE YOUR SUCCESS The ARZA campaign needs the completed paper Vote Pledge cards returned on a monthly basis to support the campaign. They can be entered on our web form, scanned or mailed back to ARZA. Please also participate in our regular conference calls to troubleshoot and share good ideas.

7 ARZA Congregation Election Team Role Goal: Educate and motivate congregation members so that they vote in the AZM/WZO election for the ARZA slate. Composition: Teams should represent the congregation s various constituencies and cohort groups including but not limited to Rabbi, Cantor, President, WRJ, Temple Youth Group, MRJ, Board, Religious School Community, Early Childhood Program, Day School, any other cohort group (such as seniors, young professionals, 20s/30s, etc.) and Staff. Optimally, a member of the clergy shall actively serve on the team as well as the president or other senior lay leader of the congregation. One or two people should be appointed to lead the team and be the conduit of communication between the congregation team and the ARZA election team. The team shall: 1. Have computers/tablets available for voting at temple events and, if appropriate for your community, at onegs between January 13 and end of April, 2015 along with volunteers who will help individuals vote. 2. Distribute and collect Vote Pledge cards at Shabbat services, events, committee meetings, and throughout the offices of the Temple until December 15 th. 3. Have computers/tablets available for voting along with volunteers who will engage parents during Religious School drop off and/or pickup. 4. Have computers/tablets available for voting at board and committee meetings along with volunteers who will help individuals vote. 5. Educate and promote the elections to relevant constituency groups within the synagogue. 6. Assure that election educational and promotional materials are included within congregational electronic media including s, website, social media pages, etc. ARZA will provide all necessary text, images and video materials. 7. Reference the enclosed Timeline as a guide to schedule all of the above-mentioned activities. 8. Ensure that there are regular announcements and articles in the temple bulletin between December, 2014 and April, (Sample announcements and articles will be provided.) 9. Assure that informational materials are available and distributed at Shabbat services, meetings, and educational programs. This material will be provided bv the ARZA Campaign. To be done January- April. 10. Distribute paper registration forms which the campaign will provide for those unable to vote online.

8 Sample Agenda for Campaign Team Meeting Date I. Introductions (5 minutes) A. Have everyone introduce themselves. B. Outline the goals/aims of the meeting and decisions that need to be made. C. Show the Election video II. III. IV. Campaign Overview (10 minutes) A. The Rabbi, board president or invited speaker should outline the campaign and provide motivation about why this election is so important. B. Review Question/Answer sheet and Talking Points sheet Team Roles A. Appoint ARZA Election Team Chair (if needed) - This person should be responsible for working with ARZA campaign team, holding regular meetings, and leading the campaign effort in your synagogue. B. Assign roles and responsibilities to the election team members C. Identify any other individuals/groups that need to be represented on the team Brainstorm on ways to reach maximum engagement. A. Determine organizing methods/activities and assign numerical goals to each one. B. Create a broad plan that is customizable for each cohort group to conduct vote pledge and voting program internally. V. Fill out timeline worksheet. A. Assign a person to coordinate election events at each upcoming event. This person is responsible for making sure materials are ready and available and securing volunteers. VI. Set next meeting time.

9 TIMELINE Key dates and activities have been filled in. Use this sheet as a guide, but fill in the rest according to your synagogues individual schedule and demands. The timeline should include planned activities to accomplish all of the stated goals in the Election Team Role document. In order to ensure that the election campaign reaches out to as many people as possible it is helpful to create numeric goals for each event accounting for likely attendees. This way in-congregation campaign events can be maximized to target different groups. Always keep your goal in mind. Keep in mind that this form should be personalized to fit your congregation. Date Event November, 2014 Opening of Religious School Pledge Drive Temple Bulletin piece discussing the importance and December, 2014 impact of the election 12/16-12/24 CHANUKAH January, 2015 Temple Bulletin piece explaining how to vote 1-Jan-14 FAST OF TEVET Jan-14 Voting Opens for WZO Elections February, 2015 Temple Bulletin piece promoting the livestream event February, 2015 Congregant to Congregant Phone Banks Begin 2/3-2/4 TU B'SHEVAT 2/14/15 Campaign Livestream Event March, 2015 Temple Bulletin piece encouraging those who have voted to promote the elections to others 3/4-3/5 PURIM April, 2015 Temple bulletin piece wrap-up of the elections, final push 4/3-4/11 PASSOVER 4/15-4/16 YOM HASHOAH 4/21-4/23 YOM HAZIKARON & YOM HAATZMAUT 30-Apr-14 Voting Ends for WZO Elections Estimated Votes/Pledges Person Responsible

10 ARZA Vote Pledge Info Sheet Thank you for joining in the ARZA World Zionist Congress Election by agreeing to distribute our vote pledge cards in your congregation. The vote pledge cards are essential to our campaign for two reasons. The first is there are academic studies that have shown the act of writing a pledge to vote increases the likelihood that the individual will vote. The second is the vote pledge cards give the campaign the ability to educate interested individuals about the election and remind them when voting begins. We know every synagogue is different, below are some recommendations on how the vote pledge cards are being distributed and collected in different ways. Distribution Methods Inserted in the prayer books Individually placed on the seats Hand-distributed when people enter/exit Dedicated election pledge table at congregation events Placed on materials table in the synagogue entrance Collection Methods If your congregation will be having the vote pledge cards completed in the synagogue, we recommend that they be collected in the synagogue. If the vote pledge cards are collected by the congregation it is much more likely that all completed cards will be returned to ARZA. Below are some recommendations for collection. Marked baskets/voting bins at synagogue exits Place marked bin in a public high-traffic area in the synagogue where congregants can return completed vote pledge card Place marked bin at congregation events/shabbat Onegs Once pledge cards are collected, please mail them to ARZA with a first-class stamp. Make sure that you collect and send in pledge cards on a regular basis we recommend at least every month, or every other week. Our address: ARZA 633 3rd Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017

11 ARZA WZO ELECTION OUTREACH RECOMMENDATIONS 1.) Sermons: It is very effective for the Rabbi to use a Friday night or Saturday morning service to give a sermon about the election encouraging individuals to vote. (Until Jan 13) There should be a group of volunteers on hand to pass out vote pledge cards and collect them that same evening or morning. We also recommend that you have tables at the Oneg Shabbat after the service that contain written materials about the campaign and which are staffed by volunteers and members of the election team. Do not let people leave the synagogue with card in hand. Have the members fill it out then and there so that we know that the form will end up back to ARZA and not the garbage. (Jan 13-April 30) We also recommend that you have tables at the Oneg Shabbat after the service that contain electronic voting devices, paper registration forms and written materials about the campaign and which are staffed by volunteers and members of the election team. 2.) Announcements from the Pulpit: In addition to sermons, regular announcements about the campaign are helpful for follow up. All announcements should encourage individuals to visit the campaign website ReformJews4Israel.org 3.) Bulletin/Newsletter: Place a full page article highlighting the campaign and a web address in synagogue publications. Camera Ready copy will be provided to make this easy. 4.) Mailings to Congregants: For those who may not be comfortable voting online, send out a specific mailing including the Dear Congregant letter to be provided later along with paper registration forms (which will be provided when available). Ideally, this would be a stand-alone mailing so that the campaign gets the focus it deserves. 5.) Phone banks: Conduct organized campaign phone-a-thons where volunteers call other members to encourage voting once voting has opened. Get their address and send them information on how to vote..then follow up to make sure people have voted! 6.) Synagogue programs and events. Person to person efforts are the best way to guarantee that a member completes their vote pledge and then votes. We suggest building as many of these events into your plan as possible and use holidays and gatherings as opportunities to focus on the election. Have a house/synagogue party around the Campaign Livestream Event on February 14 (or the recorded version later). More information on this will be provided later. 7.) Be Creative. You know the best ways to reach members of your own congregation. Be sure to assign numerical pledge/vote goals to all events so that you are able to create a campaign plan that aims at engaging the full congregational membership.

12 What is ARZA? ARZA strengthens and enriches the Jewish identity of Reform Jews in the United States by ensuring that a connection with Eretz Yisrael is a fundamental part of that identity. ARZA develops support for and strengthens the Reform movement in Israel and promotes advocacy for a Jewish, pluralistic, just and democratic society in the State of Israel. ARZA links the people and institutions of the Reform Movements in Israel and the United States, informed by a love of Israel and a belief in K lal Yisrael Jewish peoplehood. ARZA works in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and their affiliates. ARZA represents United States Reform Jews in national and international Zionist organizations.

13 The World Zionist Organization: A Brief History The Jewish striving to return to Zion -the Land of Israel - began when the Jewish People were exiled from their country by the Romans. Throughout the centuries they continued to return to their homeland. Despite successive conquerors and rulers, they maintained their bond with the land, some always living in it, the rest preparing for it and yearning for the day they could again be free people on their own soil. The striving took concrete form in 1897 when the World Zionist Organization was founded at the First Zionist Congress, convened by Theodor Herzl at Basle. The purpose of the organization was "to obtain for the Jewish people a publicly recognized, legally secured home in Palestine." The Zionist movement proposed to transform both the Jewish People and the Land of Israel. It aimed at revitalizing a land which had been lain waste by neglect and warfare. It strove to convert an oppressed minority, remote from the land and from basic occupation, into an independent people living on its own land and working it. The struggle for a publicly recognized Jewish State achieved its first success with the issuing of the Balfour Declaration in 1917, proclaiming Great Britain's support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish People." Five years later, in 1922, the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine gave international sanction to the declaration and charged Great Britain with carrying it out. But the World Zionist Organization did not wait for official recognition before it began to take practical steps. As early as 1905 it established the Jewish National Fund to acquire land upon which the growing number of pioneers could settle. In 1909 the first all- Jewish city, Tel Aviv, was founded, as was the first Kibbutz, Degania - the pioneer of Israel's collective settlement movement, which was to become a household world all over the world. Over the years the total number of agricultural settlements of different types grew from 22 in 1899 to 707 in 1970 and their inhabitants from 5000 to 272,000. The Mandate for Palestine recognized the World Zionist Organization as "an appropriate Jewish Agency" to advise and work with the government of Palestine in all matters concerned with the establishment of the Jewish National Home. Immediately after the British capture of the country in 1917, a Zionist commission arrived in Palestine to act as the liaison between the British and the Jewish community. Headed by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, later President of the World Zionist Organization, the commission soon became the Palestine Office of the WZO. In 1921 the twelfth Zionist Congress elected a Zionist Executive to replace the Palestine Commission and eight years later the Jewish Agency for Palestine was formally constituted as the representative of the WZO in Palestine. The President of the WZO was also the president of the Jewish Agency. During the three decades of British rule in Palestine, the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency built a state-within-a state. In the country, educational, social and health institutions were created; abroad, Jewish and non-jewish public opinion was mobilized, immigrants were trained in preparation for settlement and funds were raised to support the immigration and settlement of Zionist pioneers. On the political scene, there was a constant struggle with the British to allow the aliyah of Jews seeking refuge from persecution and to allow the purchase of land for reclamations. Moreover, the Jewish community in Palestine was forced to defend itself against the attacks of the Arabs who surrounded them. The centuries old struggle of the Jewish people to reclaim independence came to a climax on May 14, 1948 with the partition of the State of Israel. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the World Zionist Organization, was elected the first President of Israel; David Ben Gurion, Chairman of the Jewish Agency, became the country's first Prime Minister; other leaders took up leading positions in the new government. At the same time the World Zionist Organization continued its traditional search for peace with the Arabs. As early as 1919 Dr. Weizmann signed an agreement with Emir Feisal for cooperation between the Arab National Movement and the Zionist Movement. The Zionists stretched out their hand to the Arabs but the Arab extremists rejected the plea for peace. After three wars- 1948, 1956 and the need for a just and honourable peace between Jew and Arab is as vital as ever for both peoples in order to enable them to realize their legitimate national aspirations.

14 Sample Temple Bulletin Articles Below are three different length articles for inclusion in synagogue bulletins. Feel free to personalize these as you wish, but please make sure to include the URL (and if possible hyperlink) to The website also provides digital tools that include campaign banners and logos that can accompany the articles. 155 Words Cast a Vote for Reform Values in Israel The 2015 World Zionist Congress elections are vital to the future of progressive Judaism in Israel. ARZA, representing Reform Judaism, is asking every American Jew who holds the values of religious pluralism, gender equality and support of the peace process dear to stand with us by voting for the ARZA slate in the upcoming elections. Your support is important and you are encouraged to do three simple things: Pledging: Take a moment to pledge to vote for ARZA-Representing Reform Judaism in the upcoming WZC elections at Tell your friends and family to pledge their support, too. Spreading the word: Teams are forming in congregations across the country to get out the vote. Contact XXX if you would like to volunteer for [CONGREGATION NAME] s team / if you are interested in spear-heading [CONGREGATION NAME] s campaign team. Voting: Register with the American Zionist Movement and vote for ARZA-Representing Reform Judaism between January 13 th and April 30 th. 633 Words Cast a Vote for Reform Values in Israel (To be published only prior to Jan 13) As Jews, lovers of Israel and unconditional supporters of Israel s right to exist, we are well aware of the many serious challenges confronting Israel today as well as the threats faced by the Jewish people everywhere. In addition to the existential questions confronting the state, as Reform Jews, we are also faced with serious questions concerning societal and institutional values. Questions like: Will Israeli society and institutions respect and fairly treat all denominations, regardless of level of observance? Will gender equality be the norm where men and women can pray and live as equals? Will we see lasting peace with security and stability for the land and people of Israel? These are serious questions that not only affect our relationship with Israel, but which will shape the soul of the country in the years to come.

15 [CONGREGATION NAME] is committed to not only supporting our brothers and sisters in Israel but to also help shape its future. Together, we have an opportunity to advocate for an Israeli society that represents our values and clearly puts forth our vision for Israel a vision in which the ideals of pluralism, equality and peace are accepted. TO BE SUCCESFUL, WE NEED YOUR HELP and YOUR PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT!! Next year, in October of 2015, the World Zionist Congress (WZC) will convene in Jerusalem. This Parliament of the Jewish People will debate and make decisions about critical issues that shape Israel and influence whether it will fulfill the dreams of its founders a pluralistic and democratic Jewish State. You have a critical voice in that discussion. How? In the upcoming election, you have the opportunity to vote for the ARZA slate thereby assuring that ARZA s delegates represent our values in the United States delegation to the WZC. The delegation from the United States is determined by an election conducted by the American Zionist Movement (AZM), an election which will take place from January 13, 2015 until April 30, Voting is easy and can be completed online or by paper ballot. All Jews over the age of 18 (as of June 30, 2015) can vote. One need not be a member of any other organization or Jewish institution in order to vote. These elections are the strongest way for US Reform Jews to promote and encourage the progressive ideals of social justice, equality and democracy in Israel and help build the kind of Jewish state we all know is possible - a Jewish state that holds true to the ideals of religious pluralism, the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel, women s equality in all areas of life, democracy, and a solution to the ongoing conflict. The election is also important because the composition of the WZC has both financial and policy implications in Israel, as resources are allocated based on the number of seats a party holds and the policy positions of those parties. ARZA, representing Reform Judaism, is asking every American Jew who holds these values dear to stand with us. Here is what we hope you will do in the coming weeks: Pledge: Take the pledge to vote for ARZA-Representing Reform Judaism at Pledging to vote is easy and the website provides important additional information. Spread the word: Please encourage others to pledge to vote - family, friends and fellow congregants. If you are interested in helping our campaign activities, please contact XXX. Vote: Vote for ARZA-Representing Reform Judaism at between January 13 th and April 30 th. Voting is easy and quick. Because the election itself is self-financing, the cost for voting is $10.00 for those over age 30 and $5.00 for those 30 and under. The future of K lal Yisrael is in our hands. Let us join with Reform and progressive Jews across the country and make sure that our voices are heard.

16 607 Words Cast a Vote for Reform Values in Israel (To be published after Jan 13) As Jews, lovers of Israel and unconditional supporters of Israel s right to exist, we are well aware of the many serious challenges confronting Israel today as well as the threats faced by the Jewish people everywhere. In addition to the existential questions confronting the state, as Reform Jews, we are also faced with serious questions concerning societal and institutional values. Questions like: Will Israeli society and institutions respect and fairly treat all denominations, regardless of level of observance? Will gender equality be the norm where men and women can pray and live as equals? Will we see lasting peace with security and stability for the land and people of Israel? These are serious questions that not only affect our relationship with Israel, but which will shape the soul of the country in the years to come. [CONGREGATION NAME] is committed to not only supporting our brothers and sisters in Israel but to also help shape its future. Together, we have an opportunity to advocate for an Israeli society that represents our values and clearly puts forth our vision for Israel a vision in which the ideals of pluralism, equality and peace are accepted. TO BE SUCCESFUL, WE NEED YOUR HELP and YOUR PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT!! Next year, in October of 2015, the World Zionist Congress (WZC) will convene in Jerusalem. This Parliament of the Jewish People will debate and make decisions about critical issues that shape Israel and influence whether it will fulfill the dreams of its founders a pluralistic and democratic Jewish State. You have a critical voice in that discussion. How? In the upcoming election, you have the opportunity to vote for the ARZA slate thereby assuring that ARZA s delegates represent our values in the United States delegation to the WZC. The delegation from the United States is determined by an election conducted by the American Zionist Movement (AZM), an election which will take place from January 13, 2015 until April 30, Voting is easy and can be completed online or by paper ballot. All Jews over the age of 18 (as of June 30, 2015) can vote. One need not be a member of any other organization or Jewish institution in order to vote. These elections are the strongest way for US Reform Jews to promote and encourage the progressive ideals of social justice, equality and democracy in Israel and help build the kind of Jewish state we all know is possible - a Jewish state that holds true to the ideals of religious pluralism, the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel, women s equality in all areas of life, democracy, and a solution to the ongoing conflict.

17 The election is also important because the composition of the WZC has both financial and policy implications in Israel, as resources are allocated based on the number of seats a party holds and the policy positions of those parties. ARZA, representing Reform Judaism, is asking every American Jew who holds these values dear to stand with us. Here is what we hope you will do in the coming weeks: Vote: Vote for ARZA-Representing Reform Judaism at between January 13 th and April 30 th. Voting is easy and quick. Because the election itself is self-financing, the cost for voting is $10.00 for those over age 30 and $5.00 for those 30 and under. Spread the word: Please encourage others to vote - family, friends and fellow congregants. If you are interested in helping our campaign activities, please contact XXX. The future of K lal Yisrael is in our hands. Let us join with Reform and progressive Jews across the country and make sure that our voices are heard.