We are doing something unprecedented and need your help. The Israeli Army (IDF)A?has asked BINA** and Beit Tefilah Israeli (BTI) , one of KBYa??s associate congregations, to expand a newly created Kabbalat Shabbat program for the Israel Defense Forces officer training school. For progressive Judaism in Israel this opportunity is a precedent setting opportunity.
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Between 12-15 times a year, IDF officer courses and divisions, involving 3-4,00 soldiers, will be brought to Tel Aviv to experience a progressive Shabbat service, complete with a new progressive prayer book. We plan to give this prayer book as a gift to every soldier.
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Beit Tefilah Israeli (BTI) needs to gear up to handle this dynamic initative. A? They are a small congregation and they cana??t do this alone. A? BTI spiritual leaders and musicians, a progressive prayer book, and a Shabbat service will, for the first time ever, bring liberal Jewish Shabbat services to the IDF!
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Can you help us with this important project?
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| CONTRIBUTE to the BTI Soldiers Siddur Project All contributors of $50 or above will receive the new BTI Tel Aviv Prayer CD** Give 10 Siddurs — $50
Sponsor 25 Siddurs — $125 Sponsor 36 Siddurs — $180 Sponsor 72 Siddurs — $360 Sponsor 100 Siddurs — $500 Sponsor 200 Siddurs — $1,000 |
**The BTI Tel Aviv Prayer CD was recently released and contains the music of the BTI service at the Tel Aviv Port.
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Contributions by check canA?be mailed to:A? KBY Congregations Together, PO Box 23170, Brooklyn, NY 11231A? (Please note in the memo field: the Soldiers Siddur Project)
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BTI needs to redevelop their siddur to meet the armya??s requirements, to redesign the graphics and print 3,000 prayer books for the next year.A?A?The project will cost $15,000.
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Why is this project so very important? In Israel nearly every youth serves in the army. A? Exposing Israeli soldiers to progressive Judaism through an Israeli institution as ubiquitous as the IDF is an opportunity that cana??t be missed. This is a chance to help redefine progressive Judaism in the eyes of Israelis where only an Orthodox approach has State sanction.
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The Orthodox delegitimation of the Reform and Conservative Movements in Israel once seemed complete, blocking progressive Jewish movements from the heart and mainstream Israeli society. But, something is changing.A? Many Reform and Conservative synagogues are blooming, and new and exciting unaffiliated indigenous Israeli liberal Jewish communities are emerging, attracting thousands of secular and traditional Israelis.
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Really, can you help? A? Write me with any questions to Jeff Macklis:A? jeffm@KBYonline.org
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** BINA Center for Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture, supported by the Jewish Federations of LA, San Francisco, NY, Chicago, the Tel-Aviv Municipality, the Jewish Agency and others.