By Andy Siegel
Hatikvah – Israel’s beloved national anthem – literally means “the hope.” And as Jews in our homeland and across the world grapple with the many challenges to Israel, I like to think it’s often the hope that helps pull our emotions forward. But as we know, especially in times of crisis, we want to do more than just hope, we want to get involved and make our voices heard loud and clear.
Every five years, diaspora Jews are provided an opportunity to turn that hope into influence through the World Zionist Congress elections. The WZC – established in 1897 by Theodore Herzl – is a legislative body that provides Jews from around the world a voice in determining policies and decisions in Israel.
About one third of the delegates to the World Zionist Congress are determined by the votes of American Jews, with this year’s election’s taking place between March 10 and May 4. The elected officials help determine where roughly $1 billion in funding will be assigned, across areas like development and public policy. I am proud to serve as Temple Beth El’s captain as we raise awareness for WZC and ensure voting is accessible for our congregants and all Jews over 18 who wish to participate in the election.
My hope for Israel is that it is a safe and secure home to all Jews, which is why I am supporting ARZA (the Association of Reform Zionists of America) and voting Reform. When I first went to Israel, a friend said, “Look around! For the first time in your life, pretty much everyone you see will be Jewish.” I traveled with my wife, our daughters and my mother-in-law, and know that this remarkable feeling of belonging would not have been as powerful if they did not also feel that same sense of inclusion. I am voting Reform at the WZC because I want our homeland to be a welcoming home – one that opens its arms and embraces all Jews regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, patrilineal descent, pathway to Judaism or how they choose to recognize and observe our traditions. In my mind, if you’re Jewish, you’re Jewish – especially in Israel.
Once voting begins on March 10, Temple Beth El will be providing myriad ways to support our congregants’ desire to have their voices heard. Voting is both online and through paper ballots and TBE will have stations set up at services to make it easier to participate. Whether congregants are voting from home, at temple or through mail-in ballot, our hope is to enable this mitzvah as best we can.
The Reform movement’s platform in the WZC speaks to the values I hold in my heart and my sense of Judaism. I believe in a strong and secure state intent on providing equal rights and recognition for all Jews. Being Jewish is both a gift and a responsibility and the WZC elections afford us a chance to exercise our rights to support Israel in the hope of a bright future for our homeland and our people.
