Voting has begun for the 39th World Zionist Congress, allowing American Jews to influence Israel’s future. The election features a significant ideological battle between liberal and right-wing factions and will determine key funding distributions and organizational roles. With low historical voter turnout, the engagement of the Jewish community is critical to ensure diverse representation in this pivotal election.
The elections for the 39th World Zionist Congress have commenced, providing American Jews with a unique opportunity to influence the future of Israel directly. Established by Theodore Herzl 128 years ago, this legislative authority oversees significant funding—over $5 billion for Jewish causes—and quasi-governmental institutions like the Jewish Agency and Jewish National Fund, which owns 13% of Israeli land.
Voting will be open until May 4, allowing any Jewish adult residing in the United States to participate, provided they accept specific Zionist principles and pay a $5 registration fee. This year’s election emphasizes an ideological struggle between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, crucially affecting issues such as religious pluralism, Jewish education funding, settlement policies, and Israel-Diaspora relations.
Rabbi Josh Weinberg, head of the Reform movement’s candidacy campaign, articulated the gravity of this election, stating, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.” He underscored the competition among various interpretations of Jewish identity and statehood, which the democratic process can influence.
The 21 slates competing in the election include Weinberg’s Vote Reform slate, which aims to secure one of the 152 seats allocated to American Jewry. This election features a significant increase in participating slates compared to the last one, which had 15. The winners will collaborate with 173 representatives from Diaspora communities and 200 representatives from Israeli political parties, determined by parliamentary seat allocation.
The previous election saw the Reform slate garner the plurality of American votes, while the 2020 election was notably shifted by the rise of Orthodox slates, particularly Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh. Eretz Hakodesh, a new coalition from the haredi Orthodox community, seeks to expand its influence in this election, inviting like-minded individuals to join their cause.
Emerging slates are also gaining traction, often aligning with Orthodox values or pro-settlement politics. For instance, Am Yisrael Chai targets college students and young professionals, while the Israeli American Council slate focuses on Israeli expatriates, and Beyachad caters to Russian-speaking Jews. On the left, initiatives like AID Coalition represent Israeli expatriates supporting the recent protest movement against the Netanyahu government, while ANU: A New Union seeks to mobilize younger voters.
Despite a generally left-leaning American Jewish population, low voter turnout remains a concern. Only 125,000 of nearly six million Jewish adults participated in the 2020 election, though this was an improvement from 56,000 in 2015. Historically, the highest turnout reached 211,000 in 1987. Yizhar Hess, vice-chairman of the World Zionist Organization, lamented this low turnout as a “shonda,” impeding the pluralism upon which Zionism is built. He is dedicating efforts to increase awareness about the election across various community gatherings.
The elections for the World Zionist Congress represent a critical moment for American Jewry and its connection to Israel’s future. The contest, shaped by ideological factions, will influence key issues and funding allocations crucial for Jewish communities. Increased participation is vital, as historically low voter turnout challenges representation. The outcome will significantly impact the direction of Zionist institutions and the preservation of Jewish identity.
Original Source: www.jta.org
