This week was the opening of the 2025 World Zionist Congress Elections. On the show, I welcome Rabbi Josh Weinberg to talk about the meaning of this momentous opportunity to support Israel. Rabbi Weinberg is the URJ Vice President for Israel and Reform Zionism and the Executive Director of ARZA. Please listen to have your voice heard and direct more than $1 Billion of funding for Israel.

The World Zionist Organization (WZO) and the World Zionist Congress (WZC) are central nongovernmental institutions in Israel. While not a part of the Israeli government, “The Parliament of the Jewish People” represents a variety of Israeli political parties, their platforms and visions for Israeli society.

The WZO was founded by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland in 1897 at the first World Zionist Congress. Even though they predate the State of Israel, the country’s founders knew that to succeed it had to be a project of the entire global Jewish People. They baked the WZO and WZC into the Democratic process of Israel as the one way for Diaspora Jews to have a say in the important Issues facing the Jewish People and Jewish State.

Often called “The Parliament of the Jewish People,” the WZC convenes every five years to bring together representatives from Jewish communities around the world to decide on key issues affecting the Jewish people in Israel and globally.

The Congress elects the leadership of the WZO, sets policies, and influences the allocation of significant funding of about $1 billion annually.

VOTE HERE: www.azm.org

LEARN ABOUT THE REFORM MOVEMENT SLATE HERE: https://www.vote4reform.org/

Check out this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGWRp7_vZH8&t=10s

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Edited by: Alex Wolf

Original Music Composed by: Dan Hacker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media. Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show.

And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

In honor of Thanksgiving last weekend, we are talking about food in on the show this week. Today's episode of Waking Up To Life brings Marcia Nodel who is "in a pickle". Her company Marcia's Pickled Munchies has won awards and has been featured in several national media sites. www.marciaspickles.com I am excited to share the story of how her entry into a food competition changed the trajectory of her life. Not only are the pickles tasty...her story is scrumptious. Join me as we hear her story of "waking up to life"!!!

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media. Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show.

And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

Jason Plotkin has served as the Executive Director at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield since 2022. In this role, he has helped to manage the business operations of the congregation with a focus on engagement. Outside of his professional work, Jason is a husband and father. In today's episode, we welcome Jason to share the story of his son's adoption and the enlightenment that has brought to the family. Join me as we hear his story of "waking up to life"!

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

Alex Wolf is the Audio and Production Engineer at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. What's more interesting is that he grew up in the West Bloomfield Bubble. Today's conversation dives into the process Alex went through to understand the impact of this protective space in his life. The result is an amazing perspective on life. Join us as we learn from his experiences and "Wake Up To Life"!

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

Ross Klar is the Youth Programming Director at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. In this episode we welcome him to the show to share his life altering decision to change course in his life and career. Facing the roadblock of being rejected from a graduate school opportunity, he shifted gears...and Temple Israel is the beneficiary. All of us can learn from his experience. Join me as I listen to Ross "wake up to life"!

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

Meet Max McColl! Max is a survivor of a traumatic brain injury caused by an accident in the City of Detroit. His remarkable recovery is a miracle in a multitude of ways. But his life after the accident is so much more than that. Today we welcome Max McColl to the show as he shares his transformation to Light From Darkness. Join me for a conversation with one of the most inspirational young men I have ever met.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

On today's show, I am excited to welcome Lauren Sallen Deitch who is the CEO and Founder of Atlas College Marketing. It all started with trips to the ice cream store with her father...but led to life altering insight.

Now, Lauren applies all of the lessons she learned from her father to a thriving business and her personal life. These simple Daddy Daughter Dates were the foundation of great success!

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod

To start this new season, we are excited to welcome Dan Hacker to the show. Dan is a former EDM performer, a former Monday Night School student at Temple Israel, and the editor of this podcast. He also composed the music for the show!

Join me in hearing about his transition from a typical professional path at college to a career on the music stage. Dealing with expectations, anxieties, and self-doubt, Dan shares an inspiring story of personal growth.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and follow Temple Israel on social media to stay up to date on Waking Up To Life.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM

Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod