Vote Mercaz 2025

We need your support by voting for Mercaz, the Zionist organization of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in the upcoming World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections for delegates to the WZC. 

Dear B'nai Israel,

Voting began on Monday for the World Zionist Congress, a worldwide election of the Jewish people. You can find the longer message below from our B'nai Israel Co-Captains, so I will cut to the chase: It is critical that all adult members of our community vote in these elections. Details about the voting process and how much is at stake are written very succinctly below my signature. Mercaz (slate 17) is the party of the Conservative/Masorti movement. Not voting is not an option, as a non-vote amounts to a vote for the other side. Click here today to register and cast your vote.

Shalom,

Rabbi Michael Safra

How

Go online, pay $5 with credit card, and vote at https://www.mercazusa.org/votemercaz2025/

Further explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGWRp7_vZH8

Why

1. Voting for Mercaz is a vote for pluralistic (or “all-embracing” or “inclusive”) Judaism in the style of our Conservative synagogue.
2. Voting in the election is the most powerful opportunity to have your voice heard in Israel, make an impact in Jewish communities worldwide, and stand up for Zionism. The representatives who are elected — with one-third of them coming from the United States — will make key decisions on allocating over $1 billion annually to support the most pressing needs across Israeli society and the Diaspora. 
3. We, the Jews of the world, are the World Zionist Organization (WZO). The Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet), a subsidiary of the WZO, owns 13% of the land of Israel, and this land and other investments provide the more than $1 billion dollars annually that is used to support programs in Israel and around the world.  
4. “There are parties that want to use funding for religious pluralism, for Haredi institutions, for developing Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, for a two-state solution, and for just about every viewpoint in the Jewish world…The vote will influence decisions on everything from Israel’s post-October 7 rebuilding to Zionist education to security for Jewish institutions in the Diaspora to supporting vulnerable members of Israeli society. This is the opportunity for people to vote for what they think is important.” (https://www.timesofisrael.com/upcoming-wzo-election-sees-orthodox-liberal-struggle-opportunity-for-north-american-jews)
5. In the last election cycle, new parties formed for the specific purpose of combating Conservative and Reform Judaism in Israel and throughout the world. Specifically, they seek an end to women serving as rabbis, men and women praying together even in the egalitarian section of the Kotel, funding of non-Orthodox services or programs like egalitarian synagogues in Israel, non-Orthodox education programs, and pluralistic Jewish camping programs.

Who

To be eligible to vote in the U.S. election to the 39th World Zionist Congress, you must:

1. Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion) and 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
2. Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S. and maintain your primary residence in U.S. 
3. Accept the Jerusalem Program/Zionist movement platform (https://azm.org/wzo/jerusalem-program/)
4. Have not voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future Knesset election which may be held prior to July 28, 2025)

Click here to vote

The captains are seeking volunteers to help get out the vote. If you are interested, email Steve Hoffman.

Thank you for voting, B'nai Israel.

Sol Levy and Steve Hoffman
B’nai Israel Co-Captains for World Zionist Congress Election Campaign