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The Forward invited the 15 parties contending for the World Zionist Congress elections, which end March 11, to write an article about why readers should support them. Eight responded by our deadline (we’ll happily publish the others; contact [email protected]). The parties are presented in alphabetical order.

The American delegates to the Congress help allocate nearly $5 billion to Jewish organizations and programs in Israel and around the world. Read more about the election process here.

Below is an op-ed provided by Orthodox Israel Coalition

Among the many priorities of the Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC), is our commitment to sending “shlichim” or emissaries to Jewish communities around the world. They go as teachers and rabbis, enhancing the lives of all Jews in every community they serve. In some of those locales, they might be the only rabbi in a community, providing lifecycle, prayer and pastoral counseling services.

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The OIC has been in existence almost since the beginning of the Zionist Movement, nearly 123 years ago. Mizrachi was actually formed in 1902 as a faction within the growing World Zionist Organization that fused both religious and secular Jewish voices on the importance of the spiritual and religious component of Jewish life in a Zionist organization.

Our coalition is unique as it represents a partnership between the leading Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist organizations across the United States including the Religious Zionists of America (RZA), AMIT, the Orthodox Union (OU), Yeshiva University (YU), Bnei Akiva, the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), Young Israel, Touro College and Torah Mitzion. As a coalition between all of these groups, the OIC serves as a Modern Orthodox voice at the World Zionist Congress for Modern Orthodox and Religious Zionist groups from the United States.

The OIC on the ballot in the AZM elections is part of the global Mizrachi Movement representation in branches in almost every country around the world coming together as a representation of religious Zionism – a dual commitment to Torah and Israel, to our faith and values as part of the Zionist identity and destiny. Our core values and aspirations are that the Torah of Israel, the Land and State of Israel and the Jewish people combine together as a powerful and positive light of Sanctifying the Name of G-d in the world and being a source of universal blessing.

The Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC) aims to ensure that its delegates in the World Zionist Congress fulfill the following dual mission: To represent our values in an impactful way in the positions in which they serve and to ensure that they loyally represent their electorate, by fighting for our values and faith both within Israel and the Diaspora.

The World Zionist Congress is the nexus where Israel and Diaspora Jewish relations come together in a mutually symbiotic and complimentary way with a deep sense of collective camaraderie and mutual responsibility for each other. The OIC (Slate #4) aim to play our part – proactively and passionately. To learn more, please visit our website.

Rav Doron Perez, Chief Executive of Mizrachi World Movement

View the slates

American4israel

Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)

Hatikvah

Israel Shelanu

Kol Yisrael

MERCAZ

Orthodox Israel Coalition

Zionist Organization of America

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