Voting Commences for Influential Election of World Zionist Congress

Voting has begun for the 39th World Zionist Congress, enabling American Jews to influence Israel’s future amid key ideological battles. With over $5 billion in funding and control over institutions like the Jewish Agency at stake, the election’s outcomes will significantly impact religious pluralism and settlement policies. Despite historical low turnout rates, efforts are underway to increase participation and ensure a representative congress.

Voting has commenced in an election that allows American Jews to significantly influence the future of Israel. The election for the 39th World Zionist Congress is crucial for determining the legislative power within a Zionist organization established by Theodore Herzl 128 years ago. With over $5 billion in funding for Jewish causes and control of key institutions like the Jewish Agency and Jewish National Fund at stake, this election bears immense importance.

Adult Jews residing in the United States are eligible to vote until May 4, provided they embrace certain Zionist principles and remit a $5 registration fee. Central to this election is a vigorous ideological contest between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, each intent on shaping the direction and financial priorities of Zionist institutions during a critical juncture in Israel’s history. Issues such as religious pluralism, funding for Jewish education, settlement expansion, and Israel-Diaspora relations will be influenced by the election outcomes.

Rabbi Josh Weinberg, leading the Reform movement’s liberal slate, characterized this election as pivotal, stating, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people… a democratic process can help decide some of those things.” The Vote Reform slate is one among 21 competing lists for the 152 seats designated for American Jewry, indicating a notable increase from the previous election’s 15 slates. The victors will work alongside representatives from Jewish communities globally and representatives chosen by Israeli political parties.

In the last election, the Reform slate captured a plurality of votes, though the right-wing Orthodox lists had a significant impact. The Mizrachi slate, representing Modern Orthodoxy, and Eretz Hakodesh, a new haredi Orthodox list, notably shifted the balance towards the right-wing faction. Eretz Hakodesh aims to further its influence in this election and emphasizes its achievements in recent years without participating in interviews.

Amidst 21 slates, several new entries echo the values and stances of Eretz Hakodesh, focusing on Orthodox religious practices and pro-settlement policies. Among them, Am Yisrael Chai aims to engage college students and young professionals, while the Israeli American Council slate targets expats, and Beyachad is designated for Russian-speaking Jews.

Conversely, the left has its own representation with the AID Coalition, which supports the Israeli protests against Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration. Another left-wing slate, ANU: A New Union, concentrates on attracting youth voters. Despite the overall left-leaning inclination of American Jews, past low turnout rates threaten adequate representation, highlighted by the fact that only 125,000 of nearly 6 million voted in the 2020 election.

Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, lamented the low participation, calling it a “shonda” and a danger to Zionism’s pluralistic roots. He is actively working to raise awareness around the election in various community settings, arguing, “If the congress is called ‘the parliament of the Jewish people,’ it should reflect the makeup of world Jewry.” Through these efforts, he aims to encourage diaspora Jews to voice their opinions in this crucial electoral process.

The election for the 39th World Zionist Congress underscores the significant opportunity for American Jews to influence the future of Israel. With critical issues at stake such as funding allocations, settlement policies, and religious pluralism, the ideological battle between liberal and right-wing factions will markedly shape the outcomes. Although voting participation has historically been low, awareness efforts are being mobilized to ensure diverse representation within the congress. The outcome will carry implications not only for American Judaism but also for the broader Jewish global community.

Original Source: www.jta.org