Voting is underway for the World Zionist Congress, which will influence critical issues affecting Israel’s future. American Jews can vote from March 10 to May 4, selecting among 21 slates that represent diverse political and ideological factions. The outcomes will have implications for over $5 billion in funding and important voter representation. High participation is essential to ensure diverse representation in the congress.
Voting for the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) opens, allowing American Jews to influence Israel’s future. This election is critical, with control over $5 billion in funding and key quasi-governmental organizations like the Jewish Agency at stake. Eligible Jewish adults can vote from March 10 to May 4, given they adhere to certain Zionist principles and pay a $5 registration fee.
The election encapsulates a deep ideological divide between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, impacting significant issues like religious pluralism, Jewish education funding, settlement policies, and relations between Israel and the Diaspora. Rabbi Josh Weinberg articulates the stakes, highlighting the election’s relevance to the identity of Israel and the Jewish people.
There are 152 seats for American Jews in the upcoming congress, a significant increase from previous elections. The winners will join 173 representatives from other Diaspora communities and 200 representatives from Israel, chosen based on parliamentary representation. Among the diverse slates participating in the WZC election are:
– Achdut Israel: Focuses on supporting Israeli troops and global Jewish community empowerment post-Hamas attack.
– AID Coalition: Aligns with protest movements resisting Netanyahu’s government, advocating for community recovery and democratic safeguards.
– Aish Ha’am: Promotes Orthodox Judaism and Jewish unity, featuring candidates with notable political involvement.
– American Forum for Israel: A pro-settlement slate emphasizing Torah principles and maintaining a political stance aligned with Israeli right-wing parties.
– Am Yisrael Chai: Represents young Jews with a focus on pride in Jewish identity and advocacy.
– ANU: A New Union: A left-wing coalition prioritizing the two-state solution and a pluralistic vision for Israel.
– Beyachad: Aims to unify Russian-speaking Jews and connect them with their heritage.
– Dorshei Torah V’Tzion: Advocates for liberal Orthodox values across various social issues, led by prominent religious figures.
– Eretz Hakodesh: Promotes traditional religious values and had a strong showing in the last election, challenging Reform Judaism’s influence.
– Hatikvah: Focused on religious pluralism and protecting democratic norms in Israel, backed by several liberal Jewish organizations.
– Herut North America: Emphasizes unapologetic Zionism rooted in revisionist Zionist ideals.
– Israel365 Action: Advocates for exclusive Israeli control and opposes Palestinian statehood.
– Israeli American Council: Represents Israeli immigrants advocating for Jewish rights.
– The Jewish Future: Centers around centrist liberal Zionism with connections to major philanthropic figures.
– Kol Israel: Aims to enhance Israel-Diaspora relations and tackle antisemitism through innovative ideas.
– Mercaz USA: The Conservative Movement’s representation, emphasizing inclusion and diversity.
– Orthodox Israel Coalition – Mizrachi: Focuses on religious Zionism with strong ties to Modern Orthodox Judaism.
– Shas Olami: Voice for Sephardic Orthodox Jews, supporting traditional education.
– Vision: Represents young Jews opposing the two-state solution, focusing on Jewish identity.
– Vote Reform: Secured the largest votes in the prior election, promoting a vibrant pluralistic society.
– ZOA Coalition: A right-wing slate opposed to Palestinian statehood and supportive of Jewish rights.
The right-wing presence has grown, with Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh gaining significant seats, influencing the WZC’s balance for the first time. Voter turnout remains a concern, as only a small fraction of the U.S. Jewish population participated in past elections. To remedy this, Yizhar Hess emphasizes the importance of a reflective congress, engaging audiences to boost awareness and participation in the electoral process.
The World Zionist Congress elections are significant for American Jews, offering a platform to influence Israeli policy and community priorities. With diverse slates reflecting various ideological perspectives, the election presents a crucial moment for engagement and advocacy. Despite challenges like low voter turnout, the desire to shape the future of Zionism and Israel galvanizes the Jewish community to participate actively in democratic processes.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
