Vote! - Chronicle Online/The WORD 03/13/2025

Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah

March 13, 2025

15 Adar 5785

Parashat Ki Tisa

Shushan Purim

Over the past 15 months or so, many of us have paid more attention to Israel than we ever did before. Perhaps, we have even felt more connected to Israel than at any other point in our lives. If that resonates with you, there’s something you can do to have a real impact on the country we love.

Every diaspora Jew can vote in the World Zionist Congress Election between now and May 4, 2025. Established by Theodor Herzl 1897, the World Zionist Congress is the Knesset of the diaspora, with elections every five years.  

There are four national institutions of the State of Israel, which enjoy a special protected legal status: the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and Keren HaYesod (United Israel Appeal). Together, they raise approximately $2.5 billion (yes, that’s a ‘B’) annually. The World Zionist Congress determines how to allocate that money just as the Knesset votes to allocate the money in Israel’s budget.

We want people who share our values making these decisions. We want the makeup of the World Zionist Congress to represent the diversity of the Jewish diaspora. When we don’t vote, other communities have outsized influence. This is especially important as Israel attempts to rebuild and recover after after 10/7. We want our sister communities to get their fair share of resources.

For our movement, the Zionist organization that represents us is called Mercaz. It is Slate #17. To read more about Mercaz and the World Zionist Congress, you can click here.  

If you’re ready to register and vote, you can use the QR code below or click here.

In order to minimize fraud and bot voting, there is a $5 registration fee. It’s a small amount to pay in order to help allocate $2.5 billion according to our values.

Shalom,

RAF.