Rabbinic leader meets Herzog

IN Jerusalem to attend the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) 40th International Convention, a delegation of Australia’s Progressive Jewish leaders met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The Australians – who joined other Progressive leaders at the President’s Residence – included Rabbi Allison Conyer, chair of the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors of Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.

In the group were new WUPJ chair Phyllis Dorey, an Australian who now divides her time between Israel and Melbourne, Australian Reform Zionist Association president and Union for Progressive Judaism vice-president Helen Shardey, and Netzer Australia federal mazkir Avishai Conyer.

Rabbi Conyer told The AJN afterwards that the Israeli President “spoke about the importance of Israel–Diaspora relations to ensure a strong Israel for the entire Jewish people”.

“He acknowledged the impact of the ongoing demonstrations throughout Israel, as well as the most recent counter-demonstration in support of the controversial judicial reforms. He concluded with a message of hope that although there is tremendous division within the country, constructive conversations are happening under his auspices to find a compromise,” she said.

The rabbi said it is her fervent hope that “unity will indeed be realised b’karov b’yameinu – speedily and in our time”.

During the WUPJ conference, attended by more than 250 representatives from over 50 countries, delegates met with Rabbi Gilad Kariv, executive director of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism and an MK in the previous government.

“We pray for the Zionist vision of a Jewish homeland as a place of Jewish culture and inspiration, a place of justice, tolerance and solidarity.”

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