Why are Reform institutions in Israel important to us?

As appears online on reformjudaism.org

On a recent visit to the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa, I was reminded yet again about how the vibrant Israeli Progressive Jewish community is the proverbial jewel in the crown of the Jewish state.

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By Rabbi Ofek Meri , 6/26/2019 –
Three years ago, Rabbi Reuven Samuels, z”l, one of the giants of our generation, left us. Not only did he teach me the essence and essentials of education, liberal Judaism, and the deep connection between them, but during 25 years of devoted service to the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa, Israel, he was instrumental in founding Reform Judaism in Israel.
When I started working at the Leo Baeck Education Center 30 years ago, I was excited to be associated with an institution that expresses “community” through Torah, avodah (worship), and g’milut chasadim(acts of loving kindness) – and not only as a Jewish, educational, and social vision but also as an organizational structure that melds an educational community center with a synagogue.

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Dear Friends,

In a few days we will celebrate Passover, the holiday of freedom. Passover reminds us that the foundation of our lives, as set forth in Jewish tradition and culture for 3,000 years, is our freedom.

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By Rabbi Ofek Meir from reformjudaism.org

Tu BiShvat is known as the Jewish Arbor Day, and as such, it’s the time each year when Israeli schoolchildren plant trees. Perhaps it’s no coincidence, then, that it was a teacher, Ze’ev Yavetz, who instituted the custom of planting trees on Tu BiShvat…