Voting Commences for World Zionist Congress: A Pivotal Moment for American Jews

Voting for the 39th World Zionist Congress has begun, providing American Jews an important platform to influence Israel’s future. The election will determine leadership affecting financial allocation and key institutions. An ongoing ideological struggle between liberal and right-wing factions intensifies the stakes, as voter turnout remains a critical concern for representation.

Voting commenced on Monday for the 39th World Zionist Congress, providing American Jews with a unique opportunity to influence Israel’s future. This election will determine the balance of power in a Zionist organization founded 128 years ago. Control over more than $5 billion in funding for Jewish causes and authority over key semi-governmental bodies are crucial aspects at stake in this election.

Any Jewish adult residing in the United States can participate in the vote until May 4, provided they adhere to Zionist principles and pay a registration fee of $5. This year’s election is marked by a significant ideological clash between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, each vying to influence the direction of Jewish institutions and financial priorities during a critical time for Israel.

Rabbi Josh Weinberg, leading the campaign for the Reform movement’s liberal candidates, emphasized the election’s significance, stating, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.” He highlighted the varying interpretations of what it means to embrace a Jewish state and identity.

Among the 21 slates contending for the 152 seats allotted to American Jewry, the Vote Reform slate aims to build upon its prior success. The previous election in 2020 was notably influenced by the rise of Orthodox slates like Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh, which shifted the congress’s majority towards the right-wing bloc, marking a pivotal change in its dynamics.

Eretz Hakodesh seeks to expand its influence based on previous accomplishments, inviting supporters to witness their impact in recent years. Numerous newly formed slates share similar views regarding Orthodox religious values and pro-settlement politics, with a focus on various demographic groups.

For instance, Am Yisrael Chai targets college students and young professionals, whereas the Israeli American Council slate serves Israeli expatriates. The AID Coalition represents left-leaning Israeli ex-pats who have actively participated in protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, while ANU: A New Union targets young voters from the left.

Despite a general left-leaning sentiment among U.S. Jews, turnout remains low, with only 125,000 participating in the last election compared to nearly 6 million eligible voters. The historical participation peaked in 1987 with about 211,000 voters, indicating a need for increased engagement.

Yizhar Hess, the vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, criticized the low voter turnout. He regards it as a “shonda,” jeopardizing the pluralism foundational to the Zionist movement. He aims to raise awareness about the election by directly engaging with various Jewish communities over the upcoming months, advocating for broader representation in the congress.

In conclusion, the ongoing election for the World Zionist Congress presents American Jews with a critical opportunity to shape the future of Israel. With over $5 billion in funding and control over significant quasi-governmental organizations at stake, participation in the voting process is crucial. The ideological battle between liberal and right-wing factions reflects broader issues impacting pluralism and representation within the Jewish community, underscoring the necessity for increased voter engagement to influence critical decisions.

Original Source: www.jta.org