World Zionist Organization Congress and MERCAZ
Common Questions and Some Answers

Why should I vote? Shouldn't we leave Israeli elections/politics to the Israelis?

  • The WZO Congress vote is not an Israeli election. The vote does not effect Knesset or internal Israeli political affairs.

  • Try to compare it to NGOs, like ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Urban League, Habitat for Humanity — these groups may have political interests, but they are also trying to affect the fabric of society in a larger, non-political way

  • Think of it as World Jewish Elections. All Jewish issues are addressed. This is the only democratic congress of all Jews — don't you want to be part of that?

  • Do you support Israel? Donate money? Where do you think it goes? This is your chance to get a say in where the money goes. The Congress of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) sets the agenda and gives orders to the Jewish Agency, its executive branch.

  • Your vote will influence how many delegates are assigned to the party you choose, thereby giving it more influence in choosing the Congress' resolutions.

  • Resolutions are of three varieties: financial (how much money should go in particular directions), political/social, and operational (how the WZO and Jewish Agency should operate, e.g. future elections, jobs, organization's constitution).

  • Topics for resolutions include education of Jews everywhere, values Jewish people would like for Jewish state, physical, financial, social, political well-being (security) of State of Israel.

  • Examples from 2002 Congress: Solidarity with State of Israel, victims, army in midst of violence; Affirmation of Israel's dual Jewish & Democratic nature; Value of Aliyah; Struggle against Racism, Anti-Zionism, Anti-Semitism; Klal Israel, Jewish Unity (These expressions of solidarity and affirmation are often backed up with commitments to financial support, new programs, etc.)

Will my one vote make any difference?

  • There are 500 elected delegates to the WZO Congress. In 2002, Israel sent 200 delegates and USA sent 145, as the largest (of 40) Diaspora community; those 145 were divided into 11 different parties.

  • Fewer than 89,000 Americans voted in 2002 for the 34th Congress. That means that approximately 600 people's votes determine whether a delegate is sent to one party or another (though other factors are also at play). Compare that to the 2004 US presidential election, in which nearly 120 million people voted for 1 of 2 people.

Why should I have to pay to vote? That doesn't sound very democratic!

  • It's affordable. It's designed that hopefully everyone will be able to participate.

  • Full-time students pay only $5 to register.

  • Elections cost money. Here in the United States, our yearly state and federal taxes provide the funds for all elections. For the WZO Congress, our registration fees cover the costs of the election.

  • Better to fund these elections with voter fees than to divert community funds to cover these costs. Would you prefer that the money be diverted from donations to Jewish Agency? Educational programs? New Olim? Special projects?

Why MERCAZ? Aren't there more important issues in Israeli society? There are so few Conservative Jews in Israel anyway!

  • Votes affect size of delegation. Size of delegation affects amount of influence to make Jewish Agency spend money in particular areas.

  • Conservative/Masorti Movement does not receive state support. It operates largely on donations.

  • Past funding recipients for "American" programs: Conservative Yeshiva; NATIV; Team Israel Missions; promoting Aliyah to Conservative Jews; shlichim in America.

  • Past funding for Israeli programs: rabbinical program at the Schechter Institute; Midreshet Yerushalayim; Marom (like Koach); Ramah in Israel; Noam (like USY).

  • Not just "Conservative": outreach program for increasing pluralism and tolerance in Israeli society, TALI Educational Fund, Special Needs Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.

  • Past funding for international programs: Masorti "Lehrhaus" and kindergarten in Berlin, Germany; Conservative congregations in Europe & South America; Bar/Bat Mitzvah family education program; Shlichim everywhere.

  • Allows Conservative/Masorti ideology to help determine operations and decisions of World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency; consider: pluralism, feminism, commitment to Jewish values, Tradition & Change.

  • In 2002 we formed coalition with Green Zionists Alliance; with our help, much progress was made in environmental activities, especially through JNF.

  • We stand for Conservative/Masorti values. We won't misrepresent you. We avoid taking stands on political issues which are not particular to Conservative Judaism.

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