World Zionist Congress Election: A Crucial Moment for American Jewish Participation

The 39th World Zionist Congress election is underway, with a focus on increasing voter turnout in U.S. Jewish communities. Leaders are encouraging participation, as previous turnout was significantly low. Voting is online at zionistelection.org until May 4, requiring a $5 fee. This election features a record 21 slates, representing diverse Jewish movements, and is crucial for shaping the future of Jewish life and funding worldwide.

The voting period for the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) has commenced in Houston and across the United States. Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, aims to enhance voter turnout in the Jewish communities. The election runs from March 10 to May 4, following an unsatisfactory turnout of just 124,000 ballots in 2020. Remarkably, the Pew Research Center reported that 5.8 million Jewish adults reside in the U.S., indicating that previous participation constituted less than 3% of eligible voters.

The current election allows for online voting via zionistelection.org, which features a video that simplifies the registration and voting process. A nominal fee of $5 is required to help cover election expenses. In Texas, approximately 176,000 adult Jews were noted by the Pew Center in 2020, yet only 2,054 participated in the last WZO election, representing under 1% of the eligible voter population.

To promote greater engagement, Hess plans to visit Houston during Shabbat weekend, March 21-23. He will attend services at Congregation Or Ami and Congregation Beth Yeshurun, emphasizing the importance of increased participation for the benefit of American Jews. Hess expressed his hope that enhanced turnout will lead to a significant increase in funding for Jewish programs across the nation.

The WZC, known as “The Parliament of the Jewish People,” allocates around $5 billion every five years to global Jewish organizations, determined by elected delegates. This year, 525 delegates will be appointed, with 152 from the U.S., 200 from Israel, and the remainder from other parts of the Diaspora, chosen either by popular vote or community leadership.

Voter eligibility criteria include being Jewish, at least 18 years old by June 30, 2025, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and residing primarily in the U.S. Voters must also endorse the Jerusalem Platform and must not have participated in the November 2022 Knesset election.

The WZO features a record 21 candidate slates, representing a broad spectrum of Jewish beliefs and practices. These include ultra-Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements, along with various other perspectives, ensuring comprehensive representation. A key concern among American Reform and Conservative Jews is the recognition of their religious practices in Israel, especially regarding marriage, conversion, and divorce.

Delegates from these movements intend to collaborate for increased pluralism within Israel, promoting the acceptance of their authority in religious matters. This election holds significance for American Jews’ input on Jewish standards, particularly in light of recent events.

Rabbi David Lyon, a candidate from the ARZA (Reform slate), emphasized the importance of American participation: “Our vote… makes an impression on the lives of Jews from all Jewish streams in Israel.” For voting details, individuals are encouraged to visit zionistelection.org.

In addition, fifteen candidates from Houston are participating in this election, representing a diverse array of beliefs and traditions. This year’s unprecedented number of competing slates illustrates the variety within the Jewish community. Notable candidates include Rabbis David Lyon, Gideon Estes, Aryeh Wolbe, and others. Those interested in voting are once again directed to zionistelection.org for more information and to cast their votes.

The 39th World Zionist Congress election presents a crucial opportunity for American Jews to engage in shaping the future of the Jewish community. With a current push led by leaders like Yizhar Hess, the aim is to significantly boost voter turnout compared to previous years. As constituencies rally for representation and recognition of diverse Jewish practices, the outcomes of this election could influence funding and policy decisions critical to Jewish life. Participation in this electoral process is essential, allowing voices across the spectrum to be heard in matters impacting Jewish identity and unity.

Original Source: jhvonline.com