Voting Commences for World Zionist Congress: A Defining Moment for American Jewry

Voting has started for the 39th World Zionist Congress, allowing American Jews to influence Israel’s future. Approximately $5 billion in funding and leadership over key organizations is at stake. The election features 21 competing slates with significant participation from both liberal and right-wing factions amid concerns over low voter turnout. The outcomes will impact vital issues related to Jewish identity and policies.

Voting has commenced for the election of delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress, providing American Jews with a unique opportunity to influence the future of Israel directly. This election will affect the distribution of over $5 billion allocated for Jewish causes and will dictate the leadership of quasi-governmental organizations such as the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund, which holds significant land within Israel.

Eligible voters, defined as any Jewish adult residing in the United States, may cast their ballots until May 4, provided they adhere to a set of Zionist principles and pay a registration fee of $5. This election features an intense ideological rivalry between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, as both aim to determine the governance of Zionist institutions and their fiscal strategies at a critical point in Israel’s evolution. Key areas influenced by the election results encompass religious pluralism, Jewish education financing, settlement activities, and relations between Israel and the Diaspora.

Rabbi Josh Weinberg, leader of the Reform movement’s “Vote Reform” slate, emphasized the importance of this election, remarking, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.” He highlighted the competition among various interpretations of Jewish identity and the implications of democracy in these discussions.

In total, there are 21 slates competing for 152 seats allocated to American Jews in the upcoming congress. This figure marks a significant increase from the 15 slates that contended five years ago. The elected representatives will join 173 members from abroad and 200 representatives from Israel, who are selected based on their political parties’ parliamentary strength. The Reform slate previously captured a plurality of American votes, but the 2020 elections were notably defined by the gains made by Orthodox factions.

The Eretz Hakodesh slate aims to consolidate its position in the current race based on its prior successes. “We invite all who share our values and beliefs to join us and witness the remarkable impact we have made in recent years,” stated the slate following an interview decline.

Several new slates are emerging this election with platforms inspired by those of Eretz Hakodesh, primarily emphasizing either Orthodox religious traditions or pro-settlement policies. The Am Yisrael Chai slate appeals to younger voters, while the Israeli American Council slate targets Israeli expatriates. In contrast, the left has formed the AID Coalition to represent supporters of recent protests against Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, and ANU: A New Union is focused on mobilizing youth for progressive causes.

Despite the left-leaning tendencies of the American Jewish community, low voter turnout has historically hindered proper representation in the congress. In the last election, only 125,000 of the nearly six million eligible American Jewish adults participated; this marked a notable increase from the prior election but fell short of historical highs in voter turnout.

Yizhar Hess, the World Zionist Organization’s vice chairman, criticized the low turnout as a significant shame that undermines the diversity inherent in Zionism. He is dedicated to promoting awareness for the election, aiming to engage Jewish communities through congregational discussions to encourage participation. “If the congress is called ‘the parliament of the Jewish people,’ it should reflect the makeup of world Jewry,” Hess asserted, emphasizing the necessity for diaspora involvement in representation.

The ongoing election for the World Zionist Congress represents a crucial moment for American Jews to influence both the governance of key Zionist organizations and the future of Israel. Voter engagement is needed to ensure representation reflects the diversity of the Jewish community. This election highlights competing ideological frameworks between liberal and right-wing factions, each seeking to assert their vision of Jewish identity and priorities. The outcomes will have lasting implications on various pivotal issues within Israel and the broader Jewish community.

Original Source: www.jta.org