MERCAZ USA Newsletter — Fall 2005

Background to the Zionist Congress Elections

• What is Zionist Congress? In 1897, Theodore Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress. Since then, the Jewish People have convened successive Congresses of the World Zionist Organization, the equivalent of an international Jewish Parliament. In June 2006, the 35th Zionist Congress will take place in Jerusalem.

• How is the Conservative Movement Involved? The Conservative Movement is represented at the Zionist Congress by MERCAZ Olami, our Zionist political organization, with chapters around the world. The largest branch is MERCAZ USA.

• How are Congress Delegates Chosen? Elections are held to select the more than 300 delegates who represent Diaspora Jewry who join an Israeli delegation of nearly 200. We in the United States send the largest delegation, outside of Israel, of 145 delegates.

• How had MERCAZ Done? In the last two Zionist Congress elections in the United States, in 1997 and 2002, MERCAZ USA maintained its position as the second largest American Zionist organization, receiving about 25% of the vote. Nevertheless, this percentage is smaller than the number of Conservative Jews in the United States.

• Why Should You Get Involved?

Demonstrate Pride in Conservative Judaism: Conservative Jews are second to none when it comes to supporting Israel. The Zionist Congress elections give Conservative Jews an opportunity to proudly stand up for Israel in a way that reflects our pride in our Movement.
Shape the Jewish Character of Israeli Society: Since Jews in the Diaspora cannot vote in Israeli elections, the Zionist Congress elections is our one opportunity to impact Israeli
society. The fight for religious pluralism has come as a result of decisions at previous World Zionist Congresses. Help us continue the work to strengthen Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shape it as an exemplary society.
Secure Communal Funding for the Worldwide Conservative Movement: Since the WZO controls 50% of the Jewish Agency, success in the WZO elections translates to success in affecting the allocations of the Jewish Agency and its more than $300 million annual budget.

• For the Conservative Movement, MERCAZ representation in the WZO brings more than $2.2 million annually in direct allocations and indirect program subsidies. This funding
supports Masorti institutions in Israel such as the Schechter Institute, TALI Schools, Masorti congregations and Ramah/NOAM camps and represents a significant part of Masorti Judaism's annual budget.

• In addition, Jewish Agency funds support Conservative Movement programs, such as USY's NATIV Year Course, Ramah Seminar and the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, as well as providing shlichim and teacher training for our youth programs and day schools.

For further information about the Zionist Congress elections or voter registration, contact the MERCAZ office at 1-888-99-MERCAZ or info@mercazusa.org or visit the MERCAZ website www.mercazusa.org.

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