For Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructing Judaism, there are three “B”s for being Jewish: believing, behaving, and belonging. Reconstructing Judaism has always put an emphasis on “belonging.” However, what does belonging mean or entail? Must one become a member of a synagogue in order to belong to the Jewish people? This year from March 10 to May 4 all Jews around the world, except for citizens of Israel who already vote for the Knesset, will have the opportunity to participate in an election for the Jewish people and to cast a vote for delegates to the World Zionist Congress, the “parliament of the Jewish people” that will meet in Jerusalem in October. Any Jewish person who is 18 or older and is a United States citizen or resident is eligible to vote. This is an opportunity for every Jew who lives outside of Israel to have an impact on Jewish communities worldwide and to have their voice heard on Israel’s future.
This will be the 39th Congress since the first one was convened in Basel, Switzerland in 1897 by Theodore Herzl himself! It was at that time that the delegates voted that the Jewish people should have a state of their own. Except for the war years, this Congress has met every five years since 1897. To vote is to be part of an unbroken chain going back 128 years.
What does Congress do? In practical terms, Congress will make key decisions on allocating 1 billion dollars per year over the next five years until the next Congress convenes. This money goes to advance a number of Jewish and Zionist causes such as supporting the most vulnerable members of Israeli society, rebuilding after the October 7 attacks, cultivating Jewish identity in Israel, facilitating Aliyah to Israel from around the world, fostering connection between Israel and world Jewry, and bolstering security at Jewish institutions.
In the next few weeks, as the election process begins, you will receive more information as to how to vote. The election is being administered by The American Zionist Movement (AZM). YOU DO NOT VOTE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL BUT FOR A SLATE. There are 21 slates representing diverse political beliefs. Reconstructing Judaism is part of one of them, the Hatikvah slate representing the Progressive Israel Network. Aaron Siff-Scherr (Rabbi Jodie’s son) is running on the Hatikvah slate and will speak to the congregation on Friday night, March 21, about this important election for the Jewish people.
Just as voting in November is part of citizenship in the United States, so too, voting in the World Jewish Congress election is part of membership in the Jewish people.
–Ruth Silverman, chair, RSNS Israel Engagement Committee, member, Joint Israel Commission of Reconstructing Judaism
Want more info?
-Here’s a fun video explaining the World Zionist Congress!
-Here are educational resources from our movement about the election.
-Come to Shabbat Services on Friday, March 21st, to hear Hatikvah Slate member Aaron Siff-Scherr speak about this important election!
