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Last month, I had the privilege of attending the most recent gathering of the World Zionist Congress (WZC) after months of hard work in Germany. The congress reflected the character of our people: always engaged in debate, seeking creative solutions, and eager for good food. 

Article | Food, Zionism and identity: a spicy melting pot at the World Zionist Congress

When I chaired New North London Synagogue (NNLS), I was often pushed to pick a side—“our side.” My response was often that I wasn’t sure, or that both sides in an argument had valid points. To this, I was often told: “That’s not proper leadership,” and that if I wasn’t with them, I was against them. But for me, that kind of binary thinking isn’t the solution.

Article | My experience at the World Zionist Conference

I must confess that I was unprepared for the depth of emotion that washed over me as Mercaz delegates began arriving in Israel—delegates coming from more than twenty countries, M’arbah Kanfot Ha Aretz, from every corner of the world. To see them step onto this sacred soil with purpose and conviction. And with a deep appreciation that the Masorti/ Conservation world spans the globe. 

Article | From the Four Corners of the Earth

The 39th World Zionist Congress officially started Tuesday morning with greetings from the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel, and the chair of the Congress, Rabbi Lea Mulstein. The message was one of unity. While the factions differ on many issues, and the upcoming debates may be heated, we were reminded that everyone at the Zionist Congress shares a love of Israel and the Jewish people.

Report | World Zionist Congress, Day 1

In just a few days, Masorti/Conservative delegates from our movement’s MERCAZ slate
will join hundreds of others from around the world in Jerusalem for the World Zionist Congress. Our delegates come to Jerusalem not only as representatives of 2 million Masorti/Conservative Jews around the world, but as partners in the sacred task of helping shape an Israel that reflects our values.

Article | Masorti/Conservative Jews set Agenda in Jerusalem

Recent days have been some of the most emotional and memorable in Israel’s history. The return of our living hostages and what we hope will ultimately be the first steps for the end of the longest war in Israel’s history as well as historic change in our region marks not only a tremendous moment for Israel. While so much remains to be done, including the return of all of our hostages who remain in Gaza, recent developments have set the stage for Israel to move into the process of national rebuilding, recovery and healing after October 7th.

Article | Shaping Israel and the Jewish World’s “Day After”

Once every five years, Diaspora Jews vote for “britot” (parties) within the World Zionist Organization (WZO). People often ask, “Why bother voting? What difference does it make which brit I vote for?”

To provide answers, each of the various britot makes the case for supporting its place on the slate of options. The following is a case study that lays out the impact of supporting Mercaz, the worldwide Conservative/Masorti movement.

Article | The impact of voting Mercaz in the World Zionist Congress elections

Article | The impact of voting MERCAZ in the World Zionist Congress elections

There are days when one can feel that they have been part of great things and other days where one is overwhelmed by the futility of our actions to stop those bent on destroying our way of life.
Yes, it sounds dramatic, but over the course of the last three weeks we have seen both ends of these emotions.

The largest MERCAZ-Canada delegation ever attended the WZO’s Extraordinary Zionist Congress to mark the 75th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel in Jerusalem

By Stanley Greenspan, President, MERCAZ Canada

The largest MERCAZ-Canada delegation ever attended the WZO’s Extraordinary Zionist Congress to mark the 75th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel in Jerusalem 

The Legal Significance of Israel’s Declaration of Independence

Israel’s Declaration of Independence

In clear message to the Government of Israel, World Zionist Congress passes unprecedented set of resolutions promoting liberalism and pluralism, opposing “judicial overhaul” and harming Law of Return

While an exuberant Minneapolis delegation celebrated together Israel’s 75th anniversary, I had a parallel journey in Jerusalem as a delegate to the World Zionist Congress on April 19-21. As a delegate, I followed in the legendary footsteps of Theodor Herzl who convened the first World Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland in 1897. One hundred and twenty-six years later, the World Zionist Organization continues to be an important institution, a voice for Jews around the world. Crucially, the World Zionist Organization also governs how money is allocated by the Jewish Agency for Israel.

A Minneapolis View On The World Zionist Congress

By Heidi Schneider, former president of Masorti Foundation

The real drama these days: The Zionist movement almost split

World Zionist Congress

Op-eds, information and update on the The World Zionist Congress

Article | Food, Zionism and identity: a spicy melting pot at the World Zionist Congress

November 10th, 2025

Article | My experience at the World Zionist Conference

November 6th, 2025

Article | From the Four Corners of the Earth

November 4th, 2025

Report | World Zionist Congress, Day 1

October 30th, 2025

Article | Masorti/Conservative Jews set Agenda in Jerusalem

October 24th, 2025

Article | Shaping Israel and the Jewish World’s “Day After”

October 21st, 2025

Article | The impact of voting MERCAZ in the World Zionist Congress elections

January 31st, 2024

The largest MERCAZ-Canada delegation ever attended the WZO’s Extraordinary Zionist Congress to mark the 75th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel in Jerusalem

May 23rd, 2023

In clear message to the Government of Israel, World Zionist Congress passes unprecedented set of resolutions promoting liberalism and pluralism, opposing “judicial overhaul” and harming Law of Return

May 23rd, 2023

A Minneapolis View On The World Zionist Congress

April 23rd, 2023

The real drama these days: The Zionist movement almost split

November 10th, 2020

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