Connections 2025: Four Unforgettable Days, One Global Family
Jerusalem, October 2025 — Dozens of Progressive Jews from around the world gathered in Jerusalem for Connections 2025: four unforgettable days of learning, celebration, and unity that marked the beginning of the centennial year of our movement and the reopening of Beit Shmuel, our global home.
“By gathering in Jerusalem, we are not just returning to our historic home; we are reaffirming our shared commitment to the spirit of Israel’s Declaration of Independence – a vision of justice, equality, and peace. This moment reminds us that our greatest strength lies in our connections: to one another, to our values, and to the future we are building together.”
Rabbi Sergio Bergman, WUPJ President
A Pre-Conference of Inspiration
The Clergy Kallah pre-Connections gathering was a unique moment that brought Progressive rabbis and cantors together to foster collaboration, engage in thoughtful dialogue, and reinforce regional and professional networks. It set the tone for the inspiring days that followed at Connections 2025.
Wednesday, October 22 — Tikkun Atzmi (Repairing Ourselves)
The conference opened with energy and excitement at Beit Shmuel: a home brought back to life thanks to the generosity and vision of its dedicated donors. Without their support, this warm and welcoming space would not have been possible. Delegates explored the renewed building, reconnected with old friends, and joined the first workshops on leadership, identity, and renewal, setting the tone for four unforgettable days of connection.
That evening, Israel Story: “Jerusalem of Gold / Iron” filled the Hirsch Theater with laughter, reflection, and emotion.
Thursday, October 23 — Tikkun Kehilati (Repairing Our Communities)
The second day of Connections 2025 began at sunrise, as members of the WUPJ delegation joined the Women of the Wall for Rosh Chodesh prayers at the Western Wall — a moving expression of faith and equality.
Later that morning, participants gathered on Beit Shmuel’s rooftop terrace for a joyful Shacharit service and celebration of adult B’nei Mitzvah.
“Shacharit at Beit Shmuel was a truly magical experience. The view of the Old City added an extra layer of beauty to the prayers. The music was uplifting and enhanced the spiritual atmosphere, making the whole service even more special. It was an unforgettable experience of both strong connection and shared joy.”
Eszter Spitzer, WUPJ ILC member, GLF 2025 participant and Vice President of Bét Orim Reform Jewish Congregation, Hungary
The Tikkun Talks highlighted the creativity and commitment of Progressive leaders around the world.
Daniel Schaban (Germany) shared lessons from youth leadership in “Bonfires, Bonds and Big Ideas.”
Kelly James (South Africa) spoke about empowering future leaders through mentorship in “Empower, Lead, Transform.”
André Liberman (Latin America) explored cross-border collaboration in “Puentes de Futuro.”
Mikhail Kemerau (Belarus) and Golda Tsydylenko (Ukraine) reflected on building prayer leadership amid challenge.
Rabbi Rinat Safania (Israel) brought the perspective of “From Shoham with Love.”
And Elon Cohen (France) and Bea Rubinsztain (Brazil) closed with “From Local to Global,” showing how Netzer and Tamar are shaping Zionist leadership worldwide.
“The Tikkun Talks were a fantastic session, following an “unconference” style, with presentations and discussions shared among regions and initiatives. The Tikkun Talk by Kelly James from South Africa, about the leadership training program, was particularly interesting, as we’re developing a similar course in Latin America.”
David Britva-Beraha, Executive Director of the UJR-AmLat
The day concluded joyfully with an Open Mic Night at Kehilat Har El, where participants shared songs, stories, and laughter late into the night. Netzer and Tamar filled the space with pure energy: singing, dancing, and unfiltered joy.
Friday, October 24 — Tikkun Am (Repairing Our People)
Friday began with a moving Shacharit at the Egalitarian Kotel.
“Shacharit at the Egalitarian Kotel was like an island of wholeness in the midst of a divided world. Why be separated by a mehitza when we are one Jewish people, each of us made in the same image of God, no matter which gender? Being there gave me a sense of belonging, and gratitude that, as a Reform/Progressive Jew, I can worship with my family, my entire family. For we are, indeed, a close-knit and loving family in the WUPJ and among our sister organizations.”
Dimitra Dimopoulou, Member of the WUPJ International Leadership Council
Throughout the entire Connections, workshops and roundtables offered a rich exchange of ideas and best practices, bringing together educators, rabbis, and community leaders from around the world. Each session fostered collaboration and creativity, inspiring participants to strengthen their local initiatives. It was a true reflection of our movement’s diversity and shared purpose.
The day concluded with a musical Kabbalat Shabbat under the Jerusalem sky.
Saturday, October 25 — Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World)
The final day captured the essence of Progressive Judaism in action. The Torah Exchange and Global Call for Action reminded us that our mission continues far beyond these four days.
The Closing Ceremony and Havdalah filled Beit Shmuel with light, hope, and music — marking not an ending, but a beginning.
Netzer and Tamar Veida Olamit: A New Generation Leading Forward
After the amazing experience we had at Connections, all the representative leaders of the various Tamar and Netzer sniffim from around the globe gathered together in Nes Harim for our Netzer and Tamar Veida Olamit.
During these three packed days, we met incredible people, like Ittay Flescher, who grew our hope for a peaceful future, Yonatan Glaser, whose insights as one of the founders of Netzer Australia made us think about what our leadership is like and where it can bring us, and Carmel and Zohar from the Israeli Religious Action Center, who showed us how important it is to keep working to make Israel the democratic and pluralistic place we know it can be.
But most importantly both movements, Netzer and Tamar, spent hours discussing our values and structures in the Asseifa meetings of the movements.
The Netzer Asseifa ended with a whole new Hanhaga structure, that we hope will make every snif feel valued, and make our movement stronger and better. After an incredibly long Asseifa, Tamar Olami officially passed its new Mission and Vision and leadership structure proposals — a monumental moment in the movement’s history.
Carrying the Light Forward
As we return home — from Costa Rica to Singapore, from South Africa to Poland — we carry the same spark of connection that illuminated Jerusalem throughout Connections 2025 and the Netzer and Tamar Veida Olamit.
The music, the laughter, the countless hugs and smiles — all created an atmosphere of pure joy and belonging.
For many, it was their very first Connections experience; for others, a long-awaited reunion. But for everyone, it was proof that our shared vision is alive and thriving — a movement full of warmth, purpose, and youthful energy.
Together, we continue to repair ourselves, our communities, our people, and our world.