When I visited Kfar Aza in November 2023, one of the most haunting images was the
trees of the attacked kibbutzim. Surrounded by the military protecting the now-empty
buildings, the fruit had fallen to the ground and was slowly decaying. We have been
through many difficult days since then, but we have also seen flowers and fruit bloom
again throughout Israel, reflecting the resilience of the Jewish people and the State of
Israel and giving us hope. At Shaaray Tefila, we celebrate those flowers and our
connection to Israel in our Kalaniot garden, in our prayers, in our schools, and in so
many of our activities and actions.

This week, we celebrated Tu Bishevat, the New Year of the Trees. Once again Israel is
beginning to bloom with new growth and new life. As we hope and pray that more
hostages come home (and that they will find healing in mind and body), the children of
Northern Israel prepare themselves for their schools finally to open in March, and
people are slowly returning to the communities of the Western Negev.

Tu Bishevat marks another anniversary date in Israel – the first meeting of Israel’s
parliament, the Knesset, was held on Tu Bishevat. February 14, 1949 to be precise. The
meeting was held in the buildings of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem, Israel.
On Tuesday, I will be flying to Israel to participate in meetings as a member of the Board
and Executive of the Jewish Agency. In those meetings I represent you, in my role as
the co-chair of ARZENU, the global Reform Movement’s political voice in the National
Institutions of Israel. These organizations, which include the Jewish Agency, the World
Zionist Organization, and KKL-Jewish National Fund, have been the voice of diaspora
Jewry in Israel since long before the founding of the State. Today, they continue to
oversee significant financial (over $1billion/year), policy, peoplehood and land-related
efforts alongside the Israeli political system.

The elections for the World Zionist Congress take place every 5 years – and in the
United States we will be voting March 10-May 4, 2025. You will be hearing more about
the election and how you can vote online over the next few months. As the elections
begin, the people of Israel are taking notice (https://www.timesofisrael.com/upcoming-
wzo-election-sees-orthodox-liberal-struggle-opportunity-for-north-american-jews/) – they
see what we hope to achieve and they also see those who are organizing to undermine
the legitimacy and the voice of the Reform Movement. Those who are trying to roll back
gains for religious pluralism and equal rights, and to strip our Israeli clergy – especially
our women rabbis – and our Reform communities of their rights. Our campaign will help
ensure that Israel reflects our Reform Jewish values and is a place where our children
and grandchildren will always be safe and welcome.

At the intersection of the anniversary of the founding of the Knesset and the holiday of
Tu Bishevat, you have an opportunity this year, and a role to play in making Israel bloom
again, by raising your voice and voting.