World Zionist Congress Elections

arza button previewOn March 17 of this year, elections will be held in Israel to elect a new Knesset to decide who will lead the next government. While we will not be able to participate in that election (although I’m certain many of us have strong opinions on what we would like to see happen), there is another election that we can participate in and that I urge you to participate in: the World Zionist Congress elections, whose polls opened January 13, 2015 and close April 30, 2015.

The Congress, which takes place every five years, determines many important issues in the State of Israel, including how funds are distributed through the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish National Fund. This is our opportunity as Reform Jews to have a significant say and to influence decision making. This election can help determine funding for Reform institutions in Israel and help fund programs and institutions that support a progressive, democratic, pluralistic, multicultural, multi-ethnic Israel.

To be eligible to vote you must register and vote online before April 30. The easiest way to register and to vote is to click on the button above and cast your vote for ARZA: REPRESENTING REFORM JUDAISM.

To vote you must be 18 by June 30. 2015, Jewish, and a citizen of the United States.

There is a fee to cover administrative costs of the election: $5 for those ages 18-29 and $10 for those who are 30 and older. This is an investrnent in the future of Reform Judaism in Israel.

These elections are the strongest way for US Reform Jews to promote and encourage the progressive ideals of social justice, equality and democracy in Israel and help build the kind of Jewish State we all know is possible. Please, go to the ARZA website and vote.

Rabbi Jeffery Bennett new message24