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Union for Reform Judaism

IMPJ on the Brink
July 23, 2008
Israel | Podcasts (3 comments)

The fall of the U.S. dollar in the last few months put the IMPJ, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, into a financial crisis. RJ.org spoke with Peter Weidhorn, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Union for Reform Judaism, as he and the other major North American initiated a major campaign to raise $500,000 in the next six weeks. To learn more about how you can help please visit the Union's IMPJ Emergency Campaign site today.




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Comments

Dave said:

If it really is the ISRAEL Movement for progressive Judaism, then why should the fall in the US dollar matter?

If however its just a recipient of US reform money and has no real support in Israel, then why should it exist?

Elliott said:

The majority of the donations that support the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism and the Israel Religious Action Center come to the Movement in dollars. While the percentage of the budget funded from Israeli donations continues to increase, the majority still comes from abroad. These overseas contributions include donations from the United States, Europe, Australia and organizations including the Union for Reform Judaism

Unlike the orthodox community which receives government funding, the Reform Movement is entirely responsible for its own funding. As the Movement continues to grow so do the needs and demands for additional funds. The wonderful news is that there has been a commensurate growth in Israeli philanthropy and connection with the Movement.

M. B. said:

Although non-Orthodox Jews comprise more than 70 per cent of Israel's population, only a tiny percentage of the budget for Jewish culture and education goes to Reform, Conservative and other non-Orthodox denominations. Many Israeli Jews are so alienated by the Orthodox that they reject Judaism entirely. Reform and Conservative Jews are still not allowed to marry or divorce according to their religion or decide who is a member of their faith due to the grip on power of the Orthodox. Without a Reform option, there is a significant likelihood of Judaism fading away in Israel.

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