The Blogs: Zionism is non-denominational

Zionism is non-denominational: Vote Kol Israel in the 39^th World Zionist Congress

Theodore Herzl’s Zionism was a response to the challenges faced by the global people of Israel following 2000 years of exile. The Zionist revolution, launched in the first World Zionist Congress in 1897, was part psychological revolution and part political revolution for the Jewish people seeking to alter the Jewish experience of being a minority people in exile and to introduce the notion of national self-determination. Herzl affirmed the importance of Jewish emancipation not just for Jews when he stated that “…the world will be liberated by our freedom…” (Der Judenstaat, “The Jewish State”).

The Rabbis and Cantors of Kol Israel

We are the Rabbis and Cantors of the Kol Israel slate, with backgrounds in all denominations. We have made the decision to support and join Kol Israel in the upcoming 39th World Zionist Congress; an intentional decision to join a pluralistic slate bringing together the diversity of Am Yisrael, from all denominational and non-denominational affiliations, and political views. At a time when Jewish identity and Israel connectivity is at its lowest in recent memory, we believe that many Jews seek to be involved in a space that is conducive to their overlapping social group identities that does not conform to any one particular movement or, in this case, Zionist political faction. This is where Kol Israel comes in.

We believe that all political factions have legitimacy, and we pray that every Jew outside of Israel finds their place in the Zionist political sphere, and votes; for the stakes are higher than you think. As high as a billion dollars per year for five years that needs to be allocated where the Jewish People need it most. Now is the time to vote!

Why Should You Get Involved Now?

For far too long, legacy slates that make up most of the 152 person USA delegation to the World Zionist Congress have made the system work for their own interests, not the interests of the Jewish People as a whole. Decades after that first Zionist Congress, today’s Zionism seeks to write its next chapter. Kol Israel is launching this next chapter of the global Zionist movement.

Kol Israel is Am Yisrael

Kol Israel is here to reclaim and to fix the movement, reclaiming it for all of Am Yisrael, all of the Jewish people.

An old-new political party of the World Zionist movement, we make up the diverse tapestry of Am Yisrael. We are secular and we are orthodox. We are reform, and we are conservative. And we are right, left & center. We are the common denominator of the global Jewish people representing communities across the globe. Not wedded to any one particular movement or ideology, we embrace the concept of clal Yisrael, of Jewish unity and peoplehood.

The Kol Israel slate is the heir to the mantle of the General Zionist movement of Theodore Herzl and his pragmatic and centrist approach to the concept of a homeland for the Jewish people. Unlike many of the other parties, Kol Israel is not affiliated with any Israeli political party, nor with any particular religious movement. Our candidates are strong, proud Zionists, truly representative of Klal Yisrael, the entity of the Jewish people.

We are especially excited to be a part of a team that includes so many young people – not just young people, but leaders who are strong courageous activists on their college campuses, who have taken risks and bravely fight antisemitism and anti-Israelism.

Our Commitments

Kol Israel is a diverse group of Zionist organizations, leaders, and activists who have put religious and political differences aside in this time of crisis, for the good of all our people. Kol Israel’s commitments include the following:

Strengthen the bonds between Jews in America and Israel by investing in revitalizing Zionist youth movements, educational programs, summer camps and international college programs in Israel, that will build lasting personal relationships and a new global Jewish citizenry.
Combat Antisemitism by playing offence as well as defence; on college campuses, online and on the streets. Investing in education, legal tools, social media campaigns, self-defence, and dealing with the growing threats in K-12 education.
Empower diverse Jewish voices that are under-represented in the Zionist movement and create more active engagement with Israel.
Advance new and bold Zionist ideas by creating an Office of Zionist Innovation (OZI) to provide mentorship, support and funding for new initiatives.

Please refer to the Kol Israel website for more information: https://kol-israel.org/

To vote you must be Jewish, 18 years old, and currently live in the US. You can be a US citizen or hold a US green card. Before you vote, please note that a $5.00 voter registration and verification fee is required. Elections will continue until May 10.

The stakes are high, a billion dollars per year over five years, because Am Yisrael Chai is a way of life.

We, the undersigned Rabbis and Cantors, support Kol Israel:

Matthew Abelson

Randy Brown

Adina Frydman

Rosette Haim

Barry Rosekind

Leor Sinai

Michael Stanger

Stuart Weinblatt

Alison Wissot

Morris Zimbalist