Hear Our Voice

For far too many Jews, Jewish families and those who love them, “Israel” has become a highly polarizing issue.  Positions driven by “survival instincts” set against the horrific history of anti-Semitism weigh heavily against positions driven by the “Prophetic vision” mapped out by Israel’s Declaration of Independence.  While the two shouldn’t have to be set against each other, too often politics favors the poles.  Many Jews (and Jews-adjacent) have either “made camp” at one pole or the other, and even more have walked away.  None of us can responsibly engage in either one.  The act of favoring one extreme argument or its antithesis, draws on the same fear-inspired drive that too often leads to the marginalization of the powerless. 

As much as I wish I did, I don’t have a magic wand to solve the internal or external problems in the state of Israel.  I’m not at all convinced I even know exactly what that looks like.  However, I do know that once every four years, all Jews throughout the world are invited to vote their conscience in the World Zionist Congress elections. The delegates and the bodies they form at the World Zionist Congress determine the leadership and influence the policies of Israel’s National Institutions: the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (JNF) and Keren Hayesod – which together allocate nearly $1 billion annually in funding in support of Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

Every self-identified Jewish adult of 18 years of age or older can sign up on line and participate in these elections.  I am personally a strong advocate of ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America), and as a former colleague of mine on the ARZA slate this term and whom many of you know, Rabbi Samantha Kahn, has written:

If the Reform Slate gains enough votes, we can influence the disbursement of millions of dollars and put leaders in place that will enable us to ensure that decisions about government and public spending over the Green Line, including land purchases, reflect Reform Judaism’s values and positions.

This is the way we can continue to build a democratic society in Israel that truly reflects the Jewish values we hold dear: pluralism, equality, economic justice, and peace.

Yes, we care for this foundational work of equality within the Jewish community. This is our chance to combat the discrimination the Reform Movement faces in Israel. Together we can grow our Reform Movement and work towards making progress on the issues we care about. (To read her entire article, click here.)

Click World Zionist Congress elections to learn about all 16 slates, as well as to register and  vote.  You must be at least 18, self-identify as Jewish and pay a $7.50 registration fee.  It's very simple and takes less than 3 minutes to complete.  At the end of the day, what matters more than anything is NOT that you vote how I may suggest, but that you vote, period.  You have the opportunity to make your voice known in a meaningful and powerful way. 

On February 21, I hope you will join us when CSK-er, Allan Van Fleet, the current Chair of the Houston chapter of the American Jewish Congress, will share why he is so passionate about voting in the World Zionist Congress elections.  He will speak a few minutes that night on his passionately liberal support of the State of Israel as we celebrate Shabbat.  Please join us.