Voting Commences for World Zionist Congress: A Crucial Choice for…

Voting has begun for the World Zionist Congress elections, allowing American Jews to influence Israel’s future. The election determines funding and authority over significant Jewish institutions. Key ideological battles exist between liberal and right-wing factions, with critical issues such as religious pluralism and settlement policies at stake. Low voter turnout poses a challenge for representation, underscoring the need for greater engagement among the diaspora.

Voting has commenced for the World Zionist Congress elections, enabling American Jews to influence the future of Israel directly. This election for the 39th World Zionist Congress will affect the legislative authority of a significant Zionist organization established by Theodore Herzl 128 years prior. Key issues at stake include the distribution of over $5 billion in funding for Jewish causes and the control over quasi-governmental agencies like the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund, which holds 13% of Israeli land.

Any adult Jew residing in the United States may participate in the election until May 4, provided they adhere to a set of Zionist principles and pay a registration fee of $5. Central to this year’s election is a significant ideological dispute between liberal factions and right-wing Orthodox groups, each vying to influence Zionist institutions and financial priorities during a crucial period in Israeli history. The election’s outcome will shape critical topics such as religious pluralism, funding for Jewish education, settlement policies, and Israel-Diaspora relations.

Rabbi Josh Weinberg, leader of the reform movement’s Vote Reform slate, asserts, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. There are multiple competing visions over what it means to have a Jewish state and essentially to be Jewish. We can help decide some of those things through a democratic process.”

The Vote Reform slate is among 21 lists competing for the 152 seats allocated to American Jews in the incoming congress, marking a significant increase from the previous election’s 15 slates. The victors will collaborate with 173 representatives from other Diaspora communities and 200 representatives chosen by Israeli political parties based on parliamentary seat distribution. The Reform slate captured a plurality in the preceding election while the last election was notably influenced by the rise of Orthodox factions.

Both Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh, groups tied to Modern Orthodoxy and haredi Orthodox Jews respectively, shifted the balance of power towards a right-wing majority. Eretz Hakodesh, aiming to build upon their success, expressed their invitation to allies: “We invite all who share our values and beliefs to join us and witness the remarkable impact we have made in recent years.”

Several new slates focus on varying demographics, such as Am Yisrael Chai, representing college students, and the Israeli American Council slate for Israeli expats, along with Beyachad for Russian-speaking Jews. The left is represented by AID Coalition, supporting the Israeli protest movement, and ANU: A New Union, which focuses on youth engagement. Although American Jews generally have left-leaning tendencies, low voter turnout remains a concern, with only 125,000 voting in the 2020 elections from nearly 6 million eligible.

Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, decries low participation as a “shonda” that undermines Zionist pluralism. He aims to promote awareness for the elections by engaging with congregations and gatherings in hopes of encouraging greater participation. “If the congress is called ‘the parliament of the Jewish people’ it should reflect the makeup of world Jewry,” he remarks, emphasizing the necessity to amplify diaspora voices in the election process.

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The elections for the World Zionist Congress represent a crucial opportunity for American Jews to shape the future of Israel. With key financial and institutional influences at stake, the ideological conflicts between liberal and right-wing factions are expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome. Voter participation remains a pressing concern, demanding increased engagement among American Jews to effectively represent their diverse voices within the congress.

Original Source: www.jta.org