Our movement around the world is busy preparing for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. Plans call for special activities which can take place in kehillot, as well as organized programs for Masorti /Conservative groups visiting Israel, with the opportunity to meet Masorti Israelis and become familiar with Masorti institutions in Israel. MERCAZ USA and the Conservative Movement in North America has established a website to keep people informed of activities for Israel's 60th. "The Road To Sixty", produced by the Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism, is a program of study and celebration that can be downloaded from the site: http://www.israelanniversary.org A calendar of Movement Israel events, social action projects, and travel options to Israel can also be found here.
MERCAZ delegates to 2006 World Zionist Congress pray at Kotel Ha'Masorti (Robinson's Arch) in Jerusalem
The Israel Commission of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism wants all of us to know more about the real Israel, the country where real people live and what it's really about. They are offering an online magazine called Today's Israel. Click on the link to read news of the Conservative/Masorti movement and learn more about that's happening in Israel: http://uscj.org/todaysisrael/
The Department of Zionist Activities of the World Zionist Organization, headed by Dr. David Breakstone (who is also Senior International President for Masorti Olami and MERCAZ Olami), has begun a blog in honor of Israel's 60th. "The Persistence of Vision" brings together five authors with different perspectives on the meaning of Jewish statehood. They are united by the belief that vision has always constituted the heart of the Zionist enterprise, and that it continues to beat vigorously today. They reflect on the significance of 60 years of Israel, how the reality compares to the 2000-year-old dream, and the challenge of working towards fulfillment of the promise. This blog is intended to stimulate six months of heightened reflection on the meaning of Zionism, and the relationship of Jews everywhere to the Jewish state. The goal is to make the 60th celebration of Israel not only joyous, but infused with substance as well. http://www.israelatsixty.org.il/
We look forward to continuing to update you on special programs and events for Israel's 60th.
