You have until March 11, 2020 to cast your vote in the World Zionist Congress elections. Don’t miss the chance to have your voice heard in this important election affecting world Jewry and to help AMIT maintain its influence in key organizations in Israel!
Why is the WZC election important?
The vote elects 145 American representatives to the 38th World Zionist Congress – the largest delegation outside of Israel – and determines which group will have the greatest impact on setting future policy. The Congress also decides how $1 billion, which forms the budget of the World Zionist Organization, The Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemet (The Jewish National Fund), and Keren Hayesod, gets spent annually on what is deemed the priorities of Jews in Israel and the Diaspora.
“This election is a celebration of democracy in the Jewish community where Jews in the United States have a unique opportunity to express their views on important issues in Israel and affecting the Diaspora,” said Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement (AZM), which administers the vote.
Said AMIT President Audrey Axelrod Trachtman, who is among the candidates, “I believe that the leaders of AMIT have a strong role to play at the Congress, not only in shaping Israel’s Diaspora commitments, but also in working to find common ground on many of the divisive issues currently affecting world Jewry.”
AMIT is proud to be a leading organization in the OIC – Orthodox Israel Coalition (Slate #4). AMIT, partnered with Mizrachi, has played a key role in the World Zionist Congress for more than a century. AMIT’s leadership is in top positions on the slate of candidates, with Axelrod Trachtman in the number two position.
What is the OIC?
The OIC Coalition represents the voice of the U.S. centrist Orthodox community and Religious Zionism at the Congress, as well as in national organizations that impact Israel.
The major issues of concern to the OIC (Slate #4) include: expanding security funding and provisions to protect Jewish life at U.S. synagogues, yeshiva day schools, and Jewish community centers; combating BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions), and anti-Semitism with programs that empower students on college campuses throughout the U.S.; strengthening settlements in the Golan Heights, Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley; and increasing funding to perpetuate Torah values that enable more of children to study in gap year yeshiva/seminary programs and expanding the global network of shlichim, emissaries on behalf of Torah values.
“In a time of growing anti-Zionism, often connected to anti-Semitism, casting a ballot in this election is also a personal reaffirmation of Zionism and a way to show broad support for Israel,” said Block.
To cast your vote for Slate #4 (OIC) please use this link: www.ou.org/vote/AMIT/
