World Zionist Organization Elections

World Zionist Organization Elections are upon us until May 4th 2025 and as our synagogue captain I am here to convince you to vote for Mercaz Slate #17 (https://azm.org/wp-content/uploads/Mercaz-Two-Pager-1.pdf).

Here is a short video encapsulating what Mercaz stands for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhRXFQTJMXk

So the short version is it is important and our chance to make a difference in Israel and at home.  The platform has some great highlights:  Combating Antisemitism;  Educating on Zionism and Addressing Misinformation; Preserving a Pluralistic Jewish Society; Achieving Peace and Stability in the Middle East; and more check out the full link above.

It is easy: https://votemercazusa.org/ All you need is 5 mins and $5 per eligible voter. To qualify you must meet the following:

To be eligible to vote in the US Election to the 39th World Zionist Congress you must:

Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion)
Be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S.
Maintain your primary residence in the U.S.
Accept the Jerusalem Program (the Zionist movement platform)
Have not voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future Knesset election which may be held prior July 28, 2025)
Finally, you vote matters: https://www.timesofisrael.com/upcoming-wzo-election-sees-orthodox-liberal-struggle-opportunity-for-north-american-jews/

Ok now assuming you voted you could skip the rest, but I hope you continue reading my thoughts on why Israel matters here and now for us US Jews and  why now is the time to deepen our connection by voting in the WZO election and much more.

I have been lucky as a Liberal American Jew forge a deep connection with Israel, our Jewish homeland.  I grew up on stories of my Grandma Eda who among many amazing things in her life lived for a time in the early 1930s in the British Mandate of Palestine pre Israel where she helped found two Kibbutzim; drank guards under table to smuggle in Jews escaping Europe; and help write contracts for Jews to buy land.  In 2000 I took my first trip to Israel with Sharon who was born in Israel and met her maternal grandparents, survivors and refugees from Holocaust who came to Israel with nothing in the late 1940s.  On that first time and on our subsequent visits I met Sharon’s many cousins, aunt, uncles, and close family friends who have all been welcoming us and our children.  My children now regularly WhatsApp with their cousins and get live updates of highlights like family celebrations and scary news like incoming ballistic missiles from Iran.  More recently we hosted Ela, our temple’s Young Israeli Emissary who went on to serve in the army including in Gaza defending Israel.  And finally, every year at the end of the seder for my whole life I have uttered “Next year in Jerusalem”.

But enough about me let’s talk more about Israel our Jewish homeland mentioned thousands of times in our Torah.  Israel is the name of the land and its people the Jews aka us.  And now Israel that very same patch of land is again the home of only Jewish state.  It literally made a desert bloom (inventing drip irrigation).  Arab Muslims have full rights and serve in the government.  Druze serve with honor in the IDF.  Hebrew was revived as a spoken language.  There are over 100 amazing beaches, and its history is rich.  As a Jew new is a time to stand up loud and proud for Israel.  Do not be fooled when the protestors target Israel in NYC they are really targeting all Jews including us.  They would disenfranchise us from our only guarantee of safety.  When people complain that the IDF is a powerful force, ask them what would happen if the IDF put down its arms.  The answer is simple: the next Holocaust with 7 million Jews dead.  I for one am not going back to a world where we are weak and do not control our destiny.

Reflecting on Yom HaShoah I always believed that if only we had Israel, we could have prevented the Holocaust.  That 80 years ago if only we would have had a place to run to 6 million (⅓ of world Jewry) of us would have been saved.  Additionally, we would have our own army to fight to keep us safe in perpetuity.  Imagine the brave IDF defending the Jews in our homeland.  Image te jews of eastern Europe having a place to go to flee pogroms.  This was an amazing yet naive thought, and until now, I never stopped to think how the world would have treated Israel in the time leading up to and during the Holocaust.  How would all that Antisemitic hatred of the Jews be channeled towards Israel?  Now sadly I know.  I have now seen countries turn a blind eye to Jewish suffering and instead blame Israel for refusing to allow Jews to be the victim.  I am watching as the UN, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch unfairly focus on Israel with an impossible double standard.  The good news is we do have Israel, and it does save Jews we just need to fight to keep Israel.

Now 500+ days since October 7th on during the World Zionist Organization (WZO) Election we as Jews are bound to Israel’s destiny.  We are strong and prosperous people, survivors not victims who have picked ourselves up after each disaster and impossible odds to move forward (Kadimah).  Sadly, in some circles victimhood has become a badge of honor but as Jews we know better to be strong and control our destiny.  Our desire to live and thrive would be turned against us on college campuses around the world.  Israel and Jews are smeared as oppressors and our history is ignored because we had the audacity to as always bounce back and rise to new heights as a people.  Israel is a refugee nation accepting millions of Jews fleeing over 100 countries, but just as importantly it’s a high-tech first world amazing nation with equal rights for all citizens.  I do not apologize for Israel’s successes, I celebrate them.  Israel protects all its citizens (Jews, Druze, Christians and Muslims) from being victims investing billions in infrastructure from bomb shelters to Iron Dome.

So now for my first big ask: ask yourself what you can do for Israel?  Now is a time to stand up and do the hard tasks like engaging on social platforms and pushing back on lies!  Or just engaging, promoting and liking those that support Israel to increase their reach.  Tell your story about what is happening to your friends and acquaintances in Israel.  Pushback against one side ceasefires, counter the lies of BDS, and false accusation of genocide and apartheid.  Remain respectful and steadfast, do not engage in name calling but stand up for Israel and its right to exist.  Finally show your pride and put out an Israeli flag if you can.

And now back to my little ask: vote in our own special Jewish election.  For Israel’s sake please join me in voting for Mercaz in the upcoming WZO election. Why Mercaz? Because if they win enough votes delegates from our movement will go to Israel, including Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ; and Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, rabbi of Tifereth Israel in Columbus Ohio will travel to Israel to represent us as part of the WZO.  Second because Mercaz has a vision for a future of Israel and diaspora Jews worth supporting:

Rebuilding Israel in the aftermath of October 7 and Supporting Our Hostages: We will work to ensure the WZO and its affiliates help rebuild the communities devastated on October 7 and provide vital support to those who have been held hostage and their families.
Combating Antisemitism: We direct resources into our communities to combat antisemitism and provide education that addresses the root causes of hate.
An Equitable and Inclusive Democracy in Israel: We are committed to upholding democracy and civil rights for all in Israel and to including all Jews in the Zionist vision of a democratic Israel, especially with extremists seeking to take control and impose their will on us all.
Educating on Zionism and Addressing Misinformation: We promote understanding of the Zionist vision, dispel misconceptions about Zionism, counter anti Zionist actions, and challenge rhetoric that threatens Israel’s safety and security.
Preserving a Pluralistic Jewish Society: We envision a future where Jewish people of all backgrounds can realize the dream of a secure, pluralistic and democratic Israel with fair treatment of Jews and non-Jews who call Israel home, regardless of beliefs, gender or sexual orientation.
Strengthening the Bond Between American Jews and Israel: We claim space for Conservative/Masorti Jews in the Zionist future and bring more resources into our communities to connect the next generation with Israel and their Jewish identity.
Funding, Resources, and Support for Conservative/Masorti Movement’s Values: We advocate for funding to enrich Jewish life in the U.S., including synagogue programming, comprehensive Israel education through Ramah and USY, and more. We will fight to secure government recognition of all streams of Judaism, implement the Kotel Agreement and oppose all attempts to restrict the Law of Return.

Achieving Peace and Stability in the Region: We stand in support of the vision of an Israel integrated within the region and at peace with all its neighbors, including the Palestinians.
Let me translate with Mercaz we will fight for an Israel that will include Jews of all types.  We will also work to build stronger Jewish communities here at home. And finally we will hold open a door for peace in the future should the chance ever arise.

As I said earlier it’s easy: https://votemercazusa.org/ All you need is 5 mins and $5 per eligible voter.

Am Yisrael Chai

-Josh Kesselman