Voting for the World Zionist Congress has commenced, allowing American Jews to influence Israel’s future. The election will determine power dynamics within the congress and control over significant funding for Jewish initiatives. Key ideological conflicts between liberal and right-wing factions are at play, impacting religious and political issues. Voter turnout remains a concern, with calls to enhance participation to ensure representation of diverse Jewish perspectives.
Voting has commenced in an election granting American Jews a unique opportunity to influence the future of Israel. This election for the 39th World Zionist Congress will determine the distribution of power within a legislative body established by Theodore Herzl 128 years prior. It encompasses significant financial implications, with oversight of $5 billion directed towards Jewish initiatives and authority over quasi-governmental bodies such as the Jewish Agency, integral to immigration, and the Jewish National Fund, which oversees 13% of Israel’s land.
Eligible voters, defined as any Jewish adult residing in the United States, can partake in the election from now until May 4. Voters must endorse Zionist ideals and pay a nominal registration fee of $5. Central to this election is a vigorous ideological contention between liberal factions and right-wing Orthodox groups, each aiming to influence the policies and financial allocations of Zionist institutions at a crucial juncture in Israel’s narrative. The outcome of this election is poised to affect concerns such as religious pluralism, financing for Jewish education, settlement expansion, and relations between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.
Rabbi Josh Weinberg articulates the significance of this election, stating, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.” He emphasizes that through the democratic process, voters can collectively shape vital issues pertaining to the essence of Jewish identity and governance in Israel. The Vote Reform slate contends for representation among 21 lists competing for 152 seats designated for American Jewry, a notable increase from the previous election’s 15 slates.
The last election saw the Reform Movement obtain a plurality of votes among American Jews; however, a surge of Orthodox factions notably defined the previous congress’s balance of power. Noteworthy victories by the Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh slates altered the congress’s dynamics, granting the right-wing bloc a slim majority. Eretz Hakodesh aims to leverage its previous successes into continued influence in the current election cycle.
Among the nine newly introduced slates, several align with conservative religious or pro-settlement ideologies. For instance, Am Yisrael Chai focuses on engaging college students and young professionals, while the Israeli American Council identifies with Israeli expatriates’ interests. The candidacy of the AID Coalition slate, representing Israeli expatriates, champions the recent protest movement challenging the Netanyahu administration.
Despite a general left-leaning inclination among American Jews, low voter turnout remains a concerning factor, impeding adequate representation within the congress. Given nearly six million Jewish adults in the U.S., participation in the 2020 elections reached only 125,000, although this figure marked progress from prior turnouts. Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, labels this low turnout a “shonda,” or shame, and aims to elevate participation by reaching out to congregations and community gatherings, asserting, “If the congress is called ‘the parliament of the Jewish people’ it should reflect the makeup of world Jewry.”
The election for the World Zionist Congress offers American Jews a pivotal opportunity to influence Israel’s future and partake in a crucial ideological struggle between liberal and right-wing factions. The stakes include significant financial control and policy direction on key issues affecting Jewish identity and governance. Increasing voter participation is vital to ensure that the congress reflects the diverse perspectives within the Jewish diaspora, underscoring the importance of every voice in shaping the future.
Original Source: www.jta.org
