I've learned over the last few years that I would not do well as an analyst. When I try my hand, like the talking heads on the television, to reason and rationalize why this political cause has interest, or this candidate doesn't have support-I'm always wrong. I'm not very good at it closer to home, either. I can't ever fathom why some programs at Temple gather significant crowds or, why others don't. However, what I am pretty good at is figuring out trends. And I see a trend that is very disturbing: in the Reform movement, serious, active political and social support for Israel seems to be waning.
I can do what I profess to be bad at, and make some educated guesses as to why-- Perhaps it is the complexity of the political situation. Perhaps it is that it is so far away from Israel-and living in our bubble, running to work, home, spending time with family, volunteering-doesn't leave us much time for world interest. Truly, I'm not sure. But I can assure you, that while tourism is recovering-for example, our missions are growing, and our young people are going to Israel in droves-political activism and knowledge, on the part of adult Reform Jews, seems to be waning.
Let me be clear in this statement: My information is gathered from what I see around me, and so few of us know the history of Israel, or can even begin to grasp the basics of the complexity of the Middle East situation. Additionally, many couldn't tell you about even two of the wars Israel has fought; describe the way the government is structured; or share a basic understanding of the current middle east crisis. We have had little interest in the past, at Temple, for example, when we've offered lectures about Israel. Only recently has a group convened to talk seriously about some of the issues-and it is less than 30 people strong.
Right now, in January, 2006, I would like to be proven wrong. For helping to support Israel, without leaving our homes, has never been more important. Becoming involved in Israel is crucial.
Let me start with a bit of a history lesson, about an organization called the WZO, or the World Zionist Organization. It was founded by Theodor Herzl at the First Zionist Congress in Basel Switzerland in 1897. The purpose of the organization was "to obtain for the Jewish people a publicly recognized, legally secured home in Palestine." The Zionist movement proposed to transform both the Jewish People and the Land of Israel. It aimed to revitalize a land which had been somewhat ruined by neglect and warfare. It strove to convert an oppressed minority into an independent people living and working on its own land. As early as 1905 it established the Jewish National Fund to acquire land for the growing number of pioneers to settle and cultivate. In 1909 the first all-Jewish city, Tel Aviv, was founded, as was the first Kibbutz, Degania - the pioneer of Israel's collective settlement movement.
The Mandate for Palestine recognized the World Zionist Organization as "an appropriate Jewish Agency" to advise and work with the government of Palestine in all matters concerned with the establishment of the Jewish national home. Immediately after the British capture of the country in 1917, a Zionist commission arrived in Palestine to act as the liaison between the British and the Jewish community, headed by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, later President of the World Zionist Organization. In 1929 the Jewish Agency for Palestine was formally constituted as the representative of the WZO in Palestine. The President of the WZO was also the president of the Jewish Agency.
During the three decades of British rule in Palestine, the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency built a state-within-a state. Educational, social and health institutions were created within the country. Abroad, Jewish and non-Jewish public opinion was mobilized, immigrants were trained in preparation for settlement and funds were raised to support the immigration and settlement of Zionist pioneers. On the political scene, there was a constant efforts to influence the British to allow the emigration of Jews seeking refuge from persecution and to allow the purchase of land for reclamations.
The centuries old struggle of the Jewish people to reclaim independence came to a climax on May 14, 1948 with the partition of the State of Israel. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the World Zionist Organization, was elected the first President of Israel; David Ben Gurion, Chairman of the Jewish Agency, became the country's first Prime Minister; other leaders took up principal positions in the new government.
At this point, let me stop with our history lesson-for through this brief snapshot I believe you can see the crucial role that the WZO held in truly blazing the trail for the creation of the State of Israel. Today, the WZO still forms the backbone for The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Jewish National Fund (JNF), the Israeli arm of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA), and smaller affiliates.
The World Zionist Congress is the World Zionist Organization's supreme legislative body. The Congress meets every four years in Jerusalem. The Congress, comprised of many delegations from around the world, has a 145 member American delegation, is the second largest delegation-second only to Israel's. The Congress is the only body in which all of World Jewry is represented democratically. It determines policy, designates its vision for the next four years, and elects its institution functionaries and supervisors. These decisions influence hundreds of millions of dollars. The Congress, in making decisions that affect Israel, necessarily affects the status of Reform Jews in Israel.
You may be asking: Very interesting, but what does this have to do with me?
And the answer: Everything.
Because YOU can vote for a slate to be elected during the World Zionist Congress, thereby effecting the flow of millions of dollars, as well as enormous political influence.
That's right: YOU vote in the World Zionist Congress.
If you are 18, and you believe in the Jerusalem Program, which states: “The task of Zionism is the consolidation of the State of Israel, the ingathering of exiles in Eretz Israel, and the fostering of the unity of the Jewish people”, then you are eligible to vote.
To vote, you must register. At this point, registration is ONLY open through the internet, to those that have access to e-mail. To register, simply go to www.votereformjudaism.com, and follow the instructions. It will take about 7 minutes, and costs 7.00.
So, let's assume you register to vote. And you get an election packet sent to you by email. It will have a number of slates from which to choose. Our choice, as Reform Jews, is the ARZA slate.
ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, is the Zionist arm of the Reform Movement and an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, serving 1.5 million Reform/Progressive Jews. ARZA was established in 1978 after nearly 50 years of growing identification by Reform Jews with the State of Israel.
For American Reform Jews, ARZA is the vehicle for participation and focus on Israel, with an emphasis on advocacy, travel, and Zionist education in America. Importantly, ARZA also champions activities that further enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state. In other words: ARZA is a tangible expression of the connection of Reform Jews in the United States with their fellow Jews in Israel.
ARZA is a proud member of ARZENU, the umbrella organization of Reform and Progressive Religious Zionists. ARZENU represents the interests ARZA, and other constituent groups at the World Zionist Organization.
By voting in the World Zionist Congress elections for the ARZA slate, you help ensure that our Reform brothers and sisters can continue to receive support. The help is tangible: since the last election, the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism-the name of the Reform body in Israel, has received 10 million dollars from the WZO. These funds are crucial to the survival, and growth, of progressive and pluralistic Judaism in Israel. As you may, or may not, know, Reform Rabbis are not always completely recognized for their abilities, nor do Reform Congregations receive the same benefits from the government that traditional counterparts accept. Voting for the ARZA slate in the WZO elections is our single best chance to empower a voice for Reform Jews in Israel.
The WZO has long worked to ensure that Israel, first a dream now a reality-is the best it can be. Helping to create infrastructure, jobs, social and education, its accomplishments are extraordinary.
As a democratic body, let us make sure that the WZO continues to represent the needs of all Jews. Please register to vote. Vote to make Israel a place for all Jews, for all to learn and grow, where all can be supported. Voting in the 2006 WZO elections shows your support for Israel and you don't ever have to leave your home!
E-mail Rabbi Bergman Vann
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