The 2020 World Zionist Congress elections are here! This election is your opportunity to make progressive American Jewish voices heard in Israel, and to give support to progressive Israelis who are fighting for democracy, equality, and renewed peacemaking in their beloved country.

Reconstructing Judaism is partnering with the Union for Reform Judaism in support of the ARZA slate in this important election.

If you’re 18 or older and a Jewish-American, you are eligible to vote.

Voting is happening online now, and continues until Mar. 11, 2020.

Now is the time for you to visit www.zionistelection.org and follow the steps to cast your vote. The whole process takes 90 seconds, though it does include a series of steps. It’s worth the effort!

Click here for step by step voting instructions, or click on the image below to  see a one-minute long YouTube video that takes you through the steps:

 

 

 

WHO IS ARZA & WHAT IS THIS ELECTION?

Every 5 years, Jews outside of Israel vote for slates (similar to parties in a parliament) that represent very different values about what kind of Israeli society we seek to help create. ARZA is the name of the slate the Reconstructionist and Reform movements are jointly running in the 2020 World Zionist Congress election. This is the second time our two movements are running a joint slate.

The WZC directs close to $1 billion annually in funds that go to different kinds of projects & initiatives involving Israel. In 2015, our slate did well, and we were able to work with other progressive slates to steer funds away from the settlements and into projects supporting civil society, democracy, Jewish pluralism, peacebuilding, LGBTQ rights, and more.

 

WHY IT MATTERS THAT YOU VOTE IN THE WZC ELECTION

The World Zionist Congress makes decisions about how close to $1 Billion is spent annually. If you’re a Jewish American who is over 18, you have a say in how that money gets spent.

When progressive slates (like ARZA) do well in these elections, more of that money is spent on things like:

• Supporting Jewish religious pluralism in Israel
• Youth programs for Arab and Jewish kids to learn and grow together
• Ecological and environmental initiatives
• Civil society & shared society programs that build bridges across ethnic and religious divides
• LGBTQ positive programs
• Peacebuilding projects

Just as important, we can work to thwart efforts by right-wing slates to direct those funds into projects over the Green Line in the settlements.

This election is your opportunity to make progressive American Jewish voices heard in Israel, and to give support to progressive Israelis who are fighting for democracy, equality, and renewed peacemaking in their beloved country.

 

OUR PLATFORM

WE BELIEVE IN: 

Religious Equality:

We envision and work for an Israeli society in which all Jewish denominations are treated fairly and with respect — a society in which all of us are seen as Jews, regardless of our interpretation of texts and traditions. We also see an Israel in which people of all genders can pray, work and live together as equals deserving of the same respect and honor. 
   
Combatting Racism, Discrimination, and Hatred:

Religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and all other members of Israeli society deserve to be treated with full equality under the law, civility, dignity, and respect.

Security in the Region:

The pursuit of peace, security and stability for Israel, the Palestinians and the surrounding region remains our hope and goal.

Two States for Two Peoples:

We know that although the road may seem long, we are committed to building the path to peace based on a Two-State Solution. We believe that Two States for Two Peoples is essential for the security and stability of both Israelis and Palestinians.

 

OUR SLATE PLEDGES:  

• To advocate for government recognition and social acceptance of the many diverse expressions of Jewish religious identity, so that all such expressions are recognized as legitimate and equal under law.    
• To support governmental and societal initiatives that seek to pursue at Two-State Solution and a long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians.    
• To influence the National Institutions (World Zionist Organization, Jewish National Fund, Jewish Agency for Israel, etc.) in support of a strong shared society and democratic civil society in Israel. 
• To assure that liberal streams of Judaism are provided equal financial support and resources in the Jewish State, ensuring that our movements in Israel and all Jewish denominations in Israel remain strong, vibrant, and growing.  

 

Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., President, Reconstructing Judaism, talks about why she is proud to be voting for ARZA

 

 

 

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How to Vote

1. Visit www.zionistelection.org. Click on “Register and Vote.”

2. Complete the online registration form. During this step, you’ll be asked how you want to receive your personal verification number – by text (SMS) or email.

3.  Look for your personal verification number, which you’ll receive by text or email. Enter your verification number and click “submit.”

4. Follow the instructions to make a one-time online payment of $7.50 to defray the costs of running the election.

5. Look for another email or text providing you with another special code number – your PIN number for voting. (This is a DIFFERENT number than the one you received earlier.) Once you’ve got your PIN, you can click the link to proceed to your ballot.

6. Enter your email and PIN number and click “submit.”

7. Choose the slate you want to vote for and click “submit.”

8. Review your ballot, and if it’s correct, click “vote.”