World Zionist Congress Election

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WZC?
•    The World Zionist Organization (WZO) and the World Zionist Congress (WZC), founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897, are democratic nongovernment institutions that set policies and programs for Israel and world Jewry. 
•    Jewish communities worldwide vote in the WZC election for Zionist organizations to represent them in the WZC, the “Parliament of the Jewish People” which meets in Jerusalem every 5 years.
•    ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, represents the US and Canadian Reform Movement in the WZC. To learn more about ARZA’s Platform and Slate, visit www.vote4reform.org
•    The WZC elects the leaders of the Jewish National Institutions in Israel such as Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and Keren Kayemeth L’Yisrael (KKL), an Israel Jewish National Fund. The WZC allocates about $1 billion annually. 
•    Voting in the WZC elections is the only way for Reform Jews to have a real impact on the Jewish people in Israel and Jewish people globally.
•    Official platform of WZC is, “Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.”  

What is at stake in the 2025 WZC Election?
•    Our representation in the WZC helps protect fundamental rights for all Israelis and Reform Jewish communities. 
•    The Reform Movement is the largest Jewish denomination in the US, but only a minority in Israel (8%) due in part to the lack the government funding that Orthodox communities receive.

How does your vote for Reform Judaism support Reform Judaism?
•    WZC allocates funds ($20 million over 5 years) that help Reform congregations and communities in several ways. 
•    Supports Reform rabbis and congregations in Israel, offers humanitarian aid, inclusive housing for people with disabilities, and programs that empower women.
•    Fights discrimination among marginalized groups of Israeli society through the Israel Religious Action Center, representing up to 500 people a year in court.

Who is Eligible to Vote?
•    Voters must self-identify as Jewish, reside in the US, be age 18 or older, and agree with the Jerusalem program (the official platform of WZC).

How to vote?
•    Voting will take place from March 10 to May 4, 2025. Voting will be online or by paper ballot returned through US mail. A $5 registration fee is required to vote to cover the costs of voting.
•    Members of the Temple Emanu-El WZC election campaign will be at the Oneg Shabbat with computers and tablets to assist members in online voting.

For more information please contact Marc Silverstein.