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Learn MorePluralism Programs
40% donations allocated
U’Faratzah Program
Since 2010, the IMPJ’s U’Faratztah develops and nurtures new, thriving congregations – mainly in the North and South – enabling Israelis to practice Judaism with openness, dignity, and belonging. These congregations foster vibrant communities of young families and individuals yearning for pluralistic, egalitarian Jewish life.
These congregations include Shaar HaNegev serving the Kibbutzim around the Gaza strip, Poteach Shearim serving Kiryat Shmona in the upper Galilee, the Reform congregation of the Mate Asher Regional Council along the border with Lebanon, and a brand-new congregation being developed in the Eshkol Region, located in the northwestern Negev.
The Eshkol Region includes many kibbutzim that were brutally attacked during the Oct 7th massacre, such as Be’eri, Nir Oz and others, and their need for a spiritual and communal center is urgent. Rabbi Yael Schweid, a clinical psychologist with expertise in trauma, is already working in the region.
Within these four communities, the IMPJ rabbinic and professional staff are enabling Israelis to process trauma, strengthen identity, and uphold Jewish culture and values through a progressive and egalitarian Jewish lens. IMPJ communities serve as spiritual havens and communal anchors, supporting families, young people, and seniors alike as they seek healing, connection, and renewed hope in the aftermath of deep national trauma.
The Centre for Life Cycle Services and Public Outreach
The IMPJ is launching a Centre for Life Cycle Services and Public Outreach that will directly serve over 15,000 Israelis through 3,500 lifecycle events annually, with a focus on making egalitarian Jewish religious and life-cycle services accessible to the general Israeli public. While the initiative emerged from the needs revealed in the aftermath of October 7th, its scope extends to all Israelis seeking meaningful and inclusive Jewish experiences. This includes secular, traditional, and religiously unaffiliated families and individuals from across the country who are looking for accessible, pluralistic ceremonies, spiritual guidance, and community connection.
By establishing a Centre for Life Cycle Services, egalitarian and pluralistic Jewish life will be made accessible to all Israelis. It will raise awareness among the public while expanding access to meaningful life-cycle ceremonies, pastoral support, and community rituals that reflect the diversity of Israeli society
IMPJ’s Pre-Army Leadership Academy – Telem Mechina
In Israel, the need for inclusive and effective Jewish leadership has never been more pressing. The IMPJ’s Mechina program plays a pivotal role in cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, equipping young Israelis with the tools they need to make a tangible impact on both Israeli society and the broader Jewish world.
IMPJ’s Mechina is grounded in liberal Jewish values, which prepares participants to make ethical and moral decisions during their army service in the complex situations they may encounter. The IMPJ’s Mechina is the most volunteer oriented and active pre-army academy within Israel. Located in Jaffa, a mixed Jewish-Arab city, as well as in South Tel Aviv, Mechina participants work with asylum seekers, new immigrants, some of the most vulnerable populations. The Mechina was established over 20 years age and graduates 40-70 participants each year who are shaped by progressive Jewish values on their way to becoming Israel’s future military and civic leaders.
Fair Society Programs
20% donations allocated
Israel Religious Action Centre (IRAC)
The Israel Religious Action Centre (IRAC) is the legal and public advocacy arm of the IMPJ, raising a progressive Jewish voice advocating for pluralism, social justice, and equality for all sectors of society.
IRAC strengthensד Israel’s Democracy by working to fend off attempts intended to either restrict the authority of the Supreme Court and the attorney general, curtail the activities of human rights organizations, restrict the rights of either Arab citizens of Israel, liberal Jews, immigrants and converts, women and the LGBTQ+ community, or generally harm freedom of expression and pluralism.
IRAC reinforces gender and LGBTQ equality, playing an active and leading role in battling attempts by religious extremists to limit the participation and visibility of women in the public sphere, as well as combatting discrimination against the LGBTQ community in all spheres of society.
IRAC supports religious pluralism by working towards the equal treatment of liberal Judaism and advocating for IMPJ rabbis, congregations and educational programs to receive government funding equal to their Orthodox counterparts. This includes promoting equality and freedom of religion on the municipal level through community organizing of IMPJ congregations, legal tools and public campaigns.
Through the Racism Crisis Centre, IRAC is fighting racism using various public, legal, and advocacy tools wielded to advance racial equality, combat hate and racial discrimination and to offer Israeli society a vision of shared society.
Lastly, IRAC’s Legal Aid Center for Olim (LACO) is the only program of its kind. It offers vulnerable immigrants the best immigration lawyers in the country and other forms of support to navigate the red tape of governmental bureaucracy, effectively replacing frustration and hopelessness with a sense of promise, opportunity, and dignity.
Shared Society Programs
20% donations allocated
IMPJ Keren B’Kavod Program
Keren B’Kavod serves as the IMPJ’s arm for social justice and humanitarian aid. Keren B’Kavod makes a profound impact on vulnerable communities across Israel through its many programs. One example includes Women’s Empowerment Circles. This program brings participants together for training and ongoing mentoring while developing a vital support network.
Keren B’Kavod and the IMPJ also developed Bayit B’Kehillah, an initiative to offer a place to call home for young men and women with disabilities. The pilot, which opened with two apartments, successfully created two safe and nurturing homes: one for young men with disabilities and the second for young women. It provides them with the opportunity to live independently while being incorporated into a supportive local congregation. Ultimately, additional group homes will be opened over the next decade. Progressive Judaism, grounded in the belief that every person is created B’Tselem Elohim (in the image of G-d), affirms the equal worth of all individuals and creates space for meaningful, accessible Jewish engagement. For adults with disabilities, this can be not only spiritually life-changing, but also socially and emotionally.
Finally, in response to rising racial tensions caused by the outbreak of war, the Keren B’Kavod reinforced and expanded shared society initiatives, including its particularly impactful “Meeting Neighbours” program. The program brings Arab and Jewish families together for monthly multigenerational meetings. Sessions, co-moderated by Jewish and Arab professionals, alternate locations between Arab and Jewish towns and cities. Participants dive into deep dialogue that explores their similarities and differences with a delicate exploration of sentiments within Israel’s current reality. In addition, the encounters include lectures, workshops, interfaith cultural tours, and other shared experiences.
Hapoel Jerusalem Neighbourhoods League
Hapoel Jerusalem’s unique flagship community program since 2009. The program consists of setting up football teams in schools across the different neighbourhoods of Jerusalem. The teams practice twice a week, and the participating children attend a weekly educational centre, where they receive support in their schoolwork and additional educational curricula. Once a month all teams come together for a joint tournament. The league is unique in that it brings together children from all of Jerusalem’s diverse backgrounds – Jewish and Arab, religious and secular, children from affluent neighbourhoods and those from less fortunate economic backgrounds. The league includes more than 50 teams with a total of about 750 children. Significantly, the league includes both boys’ and girls’ teams.
In addition, a program for the Kiryat Yearim Youth Village which is a ‘last chance’ boarding school for boys and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, including many who are children of immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Hapoel Jerusalem leads a football program within the village, emphasizing values of teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship. The program is managed by Lior Huja, a former Hapoel player whose career ended abruptly at an early age following a severe injury, and who serves as an outstanding role model for the children. The program has been credited by school leaders for a distinct reduction in violence in the village and increase in graduation rates.
Caring Society Programs
20% donations allocated
WUPJ Ukraine Fund
At the onset of the devastating war, the WUPJ initially concentrated on urgent rescue operations, including providing buses and other critical services to evacuate those in need. As the conflict has dragged on for more than two and a half years, the focus has shifted from immediate rescue to sustained relief efforts. These ongoing initiatives now include distributing food vouchers, supplying medicines, and offering essential medical assistance.
WUPJ funding includes support to run summer camps. These camps are invaluable to participants— mothers, children, and youth—as they provide a space to come together, feel connected, and understand that they are part of a larger Progressive Jewish family.
Since the conflict began, the WUPJ has remained steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that Jewish Holy Days and Festivals continue to be celebrated across our communities, despite the hostilities and ongoing attacks. Progressive congregations in Ukraine have been able to hold both online and in-person services to mark these festivals, even amidst the threat of missiles and drones.
IMPJ Ukrainian congregations in Ashdod, Ramat Gan and Haifa
The IMPJ reaches thousands of Israelis from Russia and Ukraine who have sorely needed support and assistance. This population includes many who fled the war in Ukraine and political instability in Russia. After escaping violence in their countries of origin, they arrived in Israel only to face continued upheaval. They came to Israel to find their Jewish home and connect with Jewish identity, choosing pluralistic Judaism for various reasons including world view and values, but also because the Rabbinate does not officially recognize them as Jewish.
In the last two years, a new Russian and Ukrainian congregation was established in Ashdod. With Shirat HaGan supporting Ramat Gan and surrounding area, and Shirat HaYam supporting Haifa, that makes three congregations now supporting the Russian and Ukrainian immigrant community in Israel. Additional services and programs are provided in cities with significant Russian speaking populations including Netanya and Be’er Sheva. The IMPJ is now responsible for 15% of all state recognized Jewish conversions in Israel.