[WUPJ Press Release] Progressive Jewish leaders from across the globe will convene in Jerusalem beginning May 3 as The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) opens Connections 2023, its biennial conference.

The four-day event, WUPJ’s first large in-person gathering since the pandemic, represents the unity and strength of the Progressive Jewish Movement at a time of multiple challenges — from working to maintain and grow Israel’s democratic and pluralistic nature, to responding to Jewish communities in crisis, such as in Ukraine.

“Connections 2023 is a unique opportunity to continue to build and strengthen the extended family of Progressive Jews around the world,” said WUPJ President Rabbi Sergio Bergman, who will deliver a keynote address outlining his vision of Progressive Judaism for the 21^st century and beyond. “We will advance the enduring Progressive values that are at the heart of our Movement and that fuel and guide our communities, practice and world view.”

More than 250 Progressive Jewish leaders from WUPJ’s seven global regions will attend Connections 2023, structured this year on the innovative “unconference” model, stressing conversations and collaborations as well as exposures to Progressive Jewish values playing out across Israeli society.

“I’ve been blessed over the years with meeting so many incredible people, committed and passionate Progressive Jews who care about the world we live in and one another,” said Carole Sterling, WUPJ Chair. “Connections will be like a large, loving family reunion as we come together after all this time to explore our future amid our various perspectives, and the community and global challenges that we face.”

Connections 2023 will take place not only during Israel’s 75^th anniversary year, but also with the debate over Israeli judicial reform and the threat to Israel’s democratic and pluralistic values raging throughout Israeli society and the Diaspora. WUPJ delegates will pray together at the egalitarian section of the Western Wall and visit the Israeli Knesset with the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) to meet with MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv (Labor) and MK Idan Roll (Yesh Atid) to discuss the current situation and exchange thoughts on preserving and growing Progressive Zionism.

Delegates will also be at the Supreme Court of Israel for talks with IRAC Director Orly Erez-Likhovski exploring legal and political issues that the Progressive Movement is engaged in in Israel, and how the Movement can actively shape Jewish inclusive life and identity.

Site visits by delegates to venues throughout Jerusalem will illuminate the application of Progressive Jewish values to address some of the most pressing issues in Israel and beyond.

For example, participants will visit Yad Vashem to learn how communities can combat antisemitism, Mount Herzl to discuss Progressive Zionist activism, the Blender Innovation Center of Hadassah College to examine how support of social entrepreneurship and collaboration can help diverse populations thrive, and the Muslala Artists Collective, a community of artists, to absorb how art and creativity generate sustainable change.

Other topics to be explored at Connections 2023 include young leadership, Jewish Effective Giving, Relational Judaism, women’s leadership, Progressive Jewish education, and community response to the crisis in Ukraine, among others.

Connections 2023 marks the 50^th anniversary of the relocation of WUPJ’s international headquarters to Beit Shmuel in Jerusalem, and the reopening of the venue.

“It is my hope that Connections really is an expression of worldwide Progressive Judaism and that we feel our unity in our diversity as we come together in Jerusalem and mark together 75 years of the State of Israel and our 40th Connections conference,” said Rabbi Stacey Blank, WUPJ Director of Education and Leadership Development.