Israel is our Jewish homeland, a center of Jewish culture and spirituality, an innovative start up nation, and a democratic oasis in the Middle East. Encounters with Israel deepen Jewish identity and our sense of Jewish history. Or Ami travels to and supports Israel and Israel engagement.
We are committed to presenting a multiplicity of perspectives on Israel that reflects the wide spectrum of Jewish opinions and connections with our Holy Land and its government. Or Ami learns from many different pro-Israel organizations including: AIPAC, ARZA, Israel 21C, Stand With Us, Hiddush, Shalom Achshav, Rabbis for Human Rights, Women of the Wall, J-Street, Jewish National Fund, Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, Israel Religious Action Center, World Zionist Congress, Jewish Agency for Israel and more. Hearing a wide variety of opinions helps us create balanced engagement with Israel.
We encourage deep involvement with Israel on multiple levels and in multiple ways.
AIPAC: Or Ami actively participates in AIPAC, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, which works to help make Israel more secure by ensuring that American support for Israel is strong. Working closely with members of Congress, the White House, Pentagon and State Department officials, AIPAC emphasizes the importance of decisions made that could affect America’s policies in the Middle East and Israel’s future. AIPAC can also be found on 100’s of college campuses teaching students how to answer Israel’s detractors and how to use their political involvement to build support for Israel among their campus leaders. Delegation leader Patti Jo Wolfson would love to help you get more involved.
ARZA: We actively support ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. 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. Pledge to register for the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections.
Teen Travel to Israel: Our teens travel to Israel during the summer through NFTY in Israel, and spend semester in Israel on NFTY-EIE High School in Israel. 11th and 12th graders go on March of the Living to Poland and Israel with the Los Angeles delegation.
Birthright: Our rabbis can grant priority trip selection status to our college students (and former B’nai Mitzvah) on the URJ Kesher Birthright trip. Each trip is 10-days and absolutely free. Eligible participants are Jewish young adults, ages 18-26, and seeking a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Israel. URJ Kesher is part of Reform Judaism, and we provide inclusive, open-minded Israel experiences. Contact Rabbi Kipnes for priority placement.
Or Ami regularly travels to Israel on delegations led by Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Cantor Doug Cotler. Read about previous Or Ami trips to Israel then consider traveling with us in July 2016.