Voting has commenced for the World Zionist Congress elections, allowing American Jews to shape Israel’s future. With $5 billion in funding and control of major Jewish institutions at stake, the election is marked by an ideological battle between liberal and Orthodox factions. As participation remains low, initiatives to increase voter turnout are essential to ensure representative outcomes.
Voting commenced on Monday for the election that allows American Jews to influence the future of Israel. This election, part of the 39th World Zionist Congress, is crucial as it will dictate the power dynamics within the legislatures of the Zionist organization established by Theodore Herzl 128 years ago.
The stakes are significant, encompassing $5 billion in funding for Jewish initiatives and control of institutions like the Jewish Agency, which is essential for immigration to Israel, and the Jewish National Fund, responsible for 13% of Israeli territory. Any Jewish adult in the United States is eligible to vote until May 4, provided they adhere to specific Zionist principles and pay a registration fee of $5.
A central theme of this year’s election is the intense ideological conflict between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, each aiming to influence Zionist institutions and their financial priorities. The election’s outcome will determine key issues such as religious pluralism, Jewish educational funding, settlement expansion, and relations between Israel and the Diaspora.
Rabbi Josh Weinberg, head of the Reform movement’s campaign, emphasized the significance of the election, stating, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.” He noted the existence of competing visions for defining a Jewish state and the Jewish identity, underscoring the power of public participation in shaping these discussions through democracy.
Weinberg’s Vote Reform slate is one among 21 lists contesting for the 152 American seats in the upcoming congress, a notable increase from the 15 slates in the previous election. The elected representatives will work alongside 173 delegates from other Diaspora communities and 200 representatives from Israel, elected through political party representation.
In the previous congress, the Reform slate gained a plurality of American votes, yet the rise of Orthodox slates like Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh shifted the balance towards the right. Eretz Hakodesh aims to continue its momentum from past successes, inviting supporters to join their initiatives.
Several of the new slates echo Eretz Hakodesh’s platform, affirming Orthodox values or pro-settlement politics. Notably, the Am Yisrael Chai slate is geared towards younger demographic groups, while the Israeli American Council slate caters to expatriates. Left-wing factions include the AID Coalition, which champions the Israeli protest movement, and ANU: A New Union, focusing on mobilizing young voters.
Although American Jews generally lean left, low voter turnout diminishes their congressional representation. In the last election, approximately 125,000 of nearly 6 million eligible American Jewish adults voted. Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, underscores the importance of participation, describing low turnout as a “shonda” that undermines the pluralism foundational to Zionism.
Hess aims to increase awareness of the election by engaging with congregations and community gatherings, emphasizing, “If the congress is called ‘the parliament of the Jewish people’ it should reflect the makeup of world Jewry.”
In conclusion, the ongoing election for the World Zionist Congress presents a pivotal opportunity for American Jews to influence key aspects of Israel’s future. With significant financial implications and ideological divides at play, the importance of increased voter participation cannot be overstated. Engaging in this democratic process is essential for ensuring that the diverse voices of the Jewish community are represented in shaping a collective vision for their identity and the State of Israel.
Original Source: www.jta.org
