MERCAZ/Masorti was proud to bring our largest ever delegation to the 39th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, and that team made its voice heard in historic and impactful ways that will shape Israel and the Jewish world for years to come. MERCAZ USA had 20 delegates (15 of whom are members of our board) and 8 alternates, representing many arms of the Movement in the US who came together under our banner.
In the Congress’s committees and plenary, we passed resolutions that put world Jewry on record on some of the most pressing challenges facing Israel and the Jewish people. Calling for an impartial, apolitical State Commission of Inquiry into the events of October 7th – because Jews everywhere deserve answers regarding our people’s biggest disaster since the Holocaust. Calling for an equal, fair enlistment law in Israel. Demanding equal treatment and infrastructure at the Egalitarian Kotel. After all, with the immense challenges Israel and the Jewish people face, we need every Jew engaged, respected, and included – and that type of real unity requires embracing real Jewish pluralism in the Jewish state.
While the political situation at the national institutions continues to play out following the two week extension of the Congress, we anticipate being able to announce a series of major achievements soon, in line with our promises throughout the 2025 campaign, that will strengthen Masorti/Conservative communities and advance our shared values and interests in Israel and across the Jewish world. We also want to make crystal clear: Given the importance of the national institutions’ work at this pivotal moment for Israel and the Jewish people, we will continue to oppose the inclusion of provocateurs like Itamar Ben Gvir and Yair Netanyahu in leadership roles at these institutions. We will continue to fight for efficient, properly run institutions that serve Israel and the Jewish people.
You and your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues are invited to register for a special Zoom on November 23rd at 11:30 a.m. EST where senior MERCAZ leaders will dive into more detail on the Congress and MERCAZ’s historic achievements. We hope to see you there!
Of course, MERCAZ’s efforts have not been limited to the Congress’s political mechanisms themselves. On Monday, senior Masorti/Conservative leaders represented our movement and its nearly 2 million members at an important hearing of the Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee on Masorti and Reform communities’ strong bonds with Israel. Our president, Rabbi Hillel Skolnik addressed the Committee:
We are grateful to MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv for convening this important gathering. We also stood up loudly and publicly against the participation of Zionist Congress delegates from ultra-Orthodox slates in an anti-IDF demonstration in Jerusalem: because those flown to Israel on the Zionist Movement’s dime should not be participating in anti-Zionist activity. Period.
As noted above, political work following the physical meeting of the Congress continues, and we will continue to update you on MERCAZ’s accomplishments. All of this work and what is still to come is possible because of YOU. Your hard work and dedication during MERCAZ’s historic campaign effort that made our success possible. We look forward to continuing our work together at this critical moment for Jews in Israel and around the world.
Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, President, MERCAZ USA
Sarrae Crane, Executive Director, MERCAZ USA
Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin, President of MERCAZ Olami
Rabbi Mauricio Balter, Executive Director of MERCAZ Olami and Masorti Olami
Dr. Yizhar Hess, Vice Chairman of the WZO and senior representative of MERCAZ at the National Institutions