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

Article by Dr. Yizhar Hess, WZO Vice-chair and Senior Representative of MERCAZ Olami at WZO

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.

It is in the shadow of this historic moment that the World Zionist Congress will convene next week in Jerusalem. At this Zionist Congress, the first since October 7th, we will not only remember that day and those we have lost in this horrific war. We will come together as Jews from Israel and around the world and make decisions that will have a significant tangible impact on the Israel, Israeli society, and Jewish world that will emerge in the shadow of these difficult two years. These decisions will be made by the delegates elected by Jews who voted in elections for the Zionist Congress in countries around the world these past few months. 

What is at stake? How the major institutions controlled by the Zionist Congress will work and spend their funds in shaping the future of Israel and the Jewish world over the next five years. How do we make sure KKL/JNF will invest significantly and in the best possible way from its nearly $2 billion annual budget in aiding recovery and rebuilding in Israel’s north and south? How do we make sure narrow political interests don’t impede this process? Ultimately, allies of extremists like Itamar Ben Gvir have a very different notion of what KKL/JNF’s priorities should be after October 7th. When it comes to the Jewish Agency, how do we strengthen its programs that combat antisemitism and educate the next generation of Jews in communities around the world? And at a time when the unity of the Jewish people is paramount, how do we ensure the largest nonprofits in the Jewish world promote a pluralistic vision where every Jew has a seat at the table? This is no longer just a moral issue, but a tangible one. We are too small a people to succeed when divided, and a Jewish state that doesn’t truly embrace and include every Jew will be less capable of meeting the huge challenges we face. 

As the senior representative of MERCAZ, the global Masorti/Conservative party at the Zionist Congress’s National Institutions, all these are among our top priorities. It’s why we’re standing up with our expanded representation – MERCAZ grew its representation in the Congress in these elections by 15% – to make sure communities and institutions from every stream – Conservative, Reform, and Orthodox – have access to the resources they need to stand up for Israel, combat antisemitism, and educate the next generation. It’s why we’re taking a clear position alongside other liberal, centrist, and progressive forces that extremists who reject the very foundations of Zionism – Israel as a Jewish and democratic state that’s a welcoming home for every Jew – shouldn’t be given legitimacy and with it, the chance to impugn Zionism’s reputation. Also, given the extensive cheating by far-right and ultra-Orthodox forces that marred the recent Zionist Congress elections in the United States and elsewhere, MERCAZ and its partners will propose a series of constitutional amendments aimed at ensuring the integrity of future elections. 

When the elected representatives of Israeli and Diaspora Jews convene at the Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, they will be putting the stamp of their constituents – Jews from every community and stream around the world – on what Israel and the Jewish world will look like for years to come. In an unmistakable display of Jewish peoplehood, they’ll be shaping the next chapter in our shared history. And with the immense challenges we face, and billions of dollars and key policy decisions at the largest institutions in the Jewish world on the line: the stakes are very high. We and our liberal, progressive and centrist allies at this Congress will stand up for Jewish communities around the world and fight to make sure the Israel that emerges from the horrors of the past two years is stronger, more united, and true to its values as a Jewish and democratic state. 

Originally published on The Times of Israel