Dear Temple Sinai Members and Friends,
As all of us as Americans know, regardless of which side of the aisle we sit, democracy can sometimes be very frustrating and exasperating. Regardless of how things might seem to be going, one thing with which we are still blessed is the power of the vote. By voting, we can hopefully make a difference and enable our opinions and voices to be heard.
As much as this is true as Americans, so too is it true for us as Jews. Between March 10 and May 4th, the World Zionist Congress is holding its elections to elect representatives to the World Zionist Congress. As Jews, we have the right to vote in the WZC elections to elect representatives that will actually affect the budget in the State of Israel, in addition to effecting policy in the State.
Our reps can:
- Fight for government recognition of the many diverse expressions of Jewish life, including that of the Reform Jewish movement in Israel.
- Assure that the Reform movement in Israel receives its proper financial support!
- Advocate that the government of Israel does all it can to arrange a ceasefire and bring back the hostages, as well as work for a true peace with its non-Jewish neighbors.
There are literally 22 slates running for seats at the 39th World Zionist Congress. Some of these are:
REFORM
SHAS
Kol Israel – Standing Together to Strengthen Israel and the Jewish People
ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION (OIC) – MIZRACHI: On the Frontlines for Israel’s Future
Israel365 Action – Vote AGAINST the two state “solution” and FOR Judea and Samaria!
Am Yisrael Chai: Investing in Jewish leadership, fulfilling our destiny
ERETZ HAKODESH: Protecting the Kedusha and Mesorah of Eretz Yisrael
AID COALITION (America-Israel Democracy): The Israeli-American Voice to Rebuild Israel
MERCAZ USA: The Voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism
The Jewish Future — Centrist Liberal Zionism
Please join me and vote. It’s really quite simple. First, to be eligible to vote in the US Election for the 39th World Zionist Congress you must:
-Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion)
-Be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
-Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S.
-Maintain your primary residence in the U.S.
-Accept the Jerusalem Program (the Zionist movement platform)
-Have not voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future Knesset election which may be held prior July 28, 2025)
If you can answer yes to all the above, go to ARZA.org. This will direct you to the WZC website where you will register. The registration fee is $5.00. You will then receive an email with a PIN and then follow the instructions as to what to do next.
If you wish, Vote Reform. Please note, you are obviously free to vote for any other one of the slates, if you feel their ideology is more in keeping with yours. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE REFORM. The freedom to vote is what is at stake here, and this is the chance to effect Jewish destiny by your vote.
This Thursday at 3 pm will be my next class for this spring. This one will be on the Haggadah. I will take the students into those parts of the Haggadah that you probably skipped over because they were not very understandable. I will also tell those in attendance, in person or on Zoom, how to run a meaningful and enjoyable Seder in less than one hour and how to get everyone back to go to the end of the book.
We certainly had a wonderful Women’s Seder to which this year men, including myself, were invited. Great job to all who made the event so special, instructive, fun and inspiring.
Let us all look forward to the Seder on Saturday night April 12th. I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait.
Shabbat Shalom,
Your Rabbi Steve