Founded by Theodore Herzl in 1897, the World Zionist Organization created the ideological and practical infrastructure for the modern State of Israel. With delegates from all religious and ideological streams of Judaism, the World Zionist Congress - the governing body of the World Zionist Organization - creates the policies and distributes funding for Zionist organizations in Israel and around the world. The World Zionist Congress, the only body in which all of World Jewry is represented democratically, meets every four years in Jerusalem to determine policy and choose the leadership of the Jewish Agency, Keren Hayasod, KKL/JNF and the World Zionist Oranization, decisions that influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and paid portfolios.
Running under the banner "Vote Torah," the Religious Zionist Slate is a party in the World Zionist Congress comprised of delegates from America's foundational religious Zionist organizations who provide a religious voice for world Jewry by championing programming and policies that promote Jewish unity and continuity as well as the preservation and enrichment of Torah values and Jewish life in Israel and around the world.
With every national election, Israeli citizens cast their votes to seat a new Knesset, the men and women who will chart a new path for the State of Israel. By voting in the upcoming elections for the World Zionist Congress, North American Jews will also have a voice in deciding Israel's future as well as the future of Jewish life globally.
With 145 delegates, the American delegation to the World Zionist Congress is the largest delegation from outside of Israel. The decisions reached by the World Zionist Congress influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for religious day schools and camps in Israel and America, as well as youth and outreach programs in Jewish communities around the world.
Additionally, the Israeli government turns to the World Zionist Congress to understand the "American perspective" on Jewish life issues. This is one of the many reasons why a strong religious Zionist voice in the World Zionist Congress is so critical.
Yes. The number of seats held by each party/slate in the World Zionist Congress determines the staffing of the Jewish Agency, Keren Hayasod, KKL/JNF and the World Zionist Organization (i.e. number of actual board members and their politics). Additionally, the delegates of the World Zionist Congress decide on the policy directions for each of the aforementioned organizations. Budget allocations are a direct result of these policy decisions, and billion dollars for educational and Jewish communal programming is up for grabs.
Because votes translate into policy decisions and funding, absolutely every vote counts.
Just as religious Israelis vote for Members of Knesset who will defend Torah values in all matters of state, religious Zionists in America also have a voice in deciding Israel's future by casting votes for the delegates who will best represent their views in the World Zionist Congress.
By voting for the Religious Zionist Slate, you will seat delegates who will focus on:
The Religious Zionist Slate seeks to strengthen Israel's "Jewish soul" by:
The Religious Zionist Slate is comprised of delegates from America's foundational religious Zionist organizations, including World Mizrachi, AMIT, Bnei Akiva, the Orthodox Union, the Rabbinical Council of America, the National Council of Young Israel, Torah Mitzion, Religious Zionists of America, Touro College, and Yeshiva University.
You are eligible to vote if you are:
Voting is as easy as 1-2-3:
(1) LOG ON to VoteTorah.org, click on one of the "Vote Now" buttons, and follow the links to register and vote via the American Zionist Movement's dedicated voting system;
(2) DONATE $10.00 to the American Zionist Movement to complete your registration ($5.00 if you are under the age of 30);
(3) VOTE for the Religious Zionist Slate
The donation/registration fee can be paid via credit card, PayPal or check. This year's streamlined system allows users to register and vote in a single online session. If you encounter any difficulties during the voting process, please contact us at .
