Pro Zion update - 7th February including Leeds Report

Dear Members,
Even with the threat of snow looming over us, there were over 60 people
at the 2008 Mervin Elliott Memorial Lecture took place in Leeds, last
Sunday 3rd February. Rachel Liel, the Director SHATIL, the New Israel
Fund's empowerment and training centre for social change organisations
provided a thought-provoking address. There was also plenty of time for
questions fielded by both Rachel, and Ellen Goldberg, Executive Director
of New Israel Fund UK, former Associate Director of New Israel Fund in
Israel. I want to give a big thank you to Rachel, Ellen and the New
Israel Fund for providing such inspiring content. I also want to give
thanks to Anna Dyson and Sinai Synagogue for hosting the event and
successfully doing a lot of the organisation. For a full report please
see attached.

We have two other articles of interest for you this week. The first
highlights two programmes that the IMPJ run for young people. 'Project
Mechina' runs as a Shnat Shirut (year of service) for young Progressive
Jews, between High School and the Army. From personal experience of
meeting a couple of Mechina groups, I can attest to the fact that it is
an inspiring programme run for and by inspiring people. The Young Adult
Forum is a framework for young adults in the 20-30 range that provides
opportunities for those who wish to explore and develop a pluralistic
way of life. Again, this is a great programme run by the IMPJ achieving
a lot of success.

Just when we thought that Rabbi Marmur's reflections on Israel Society
could not get any more profound and thoughtful, the piece attached this
week proves that we were wrong. Arguing that Israeli Society suffers
from ADHD (Attention Deficiency and Hyperactivity Disorder), he gives an
analysis of the different ways in which the religious has combined with
the political. He offers us a less well known interpretation of this as
a way to calm the suffering.

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to a campaign to increase
awareness about genocide. The World Museum Liverpool produced an
impressive display "Respectacles" to mark Holocaust Memorial Day that
powerfully and emotionally succeeded in transmitting its vital message,
"Imagine...Remember...Reflect...React". The campaign believes the
display should continue and the petition supports Liverpool Town Hall's
and the City Council's efforts to identify a suitable display site and
urges all relevant authorities to assist them.
Please find the petition at

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/14ALL/petition.html

Please be in touch with news as usual. Shabbat Shalom,

Charlie Gluckman and all at Pro Zion