November 14, 2025
Over the course of several weeks this spring, we encouraged voter turnout for the 2025 World Zionist Congress elections. You may recall that the World Zionist Congress and the World Zionist Organization are responsible for allocating $5 billion over the next five years.
While groups were traveling to Israel on the JewishColumbus 614 Mission trip, the WZC delegates were meeting in Jerusalem. Thousands of Jews, representing Jewish communities from all over the world, had gathered to set the agenda for the World Zionist Organization. The gathering in Jerusalem allowed for the establishment of coalitions and the Reform Movement partnered with other similarly aligned organizations, including Mercaz from the Conservative movement. My colleague in Columbus, Rabbi Hillel Skolnik—Senior Rabbi of Congregation Tifereth Israel and leader of Mercaz—delivered a remarkable address to the Knesset Committee on Aliyah, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs.
There has been widespread concern that, due to the voting outcome, the delegates representing the liberal Jewish circles (the use of liberal here is to denote, Reform, Conservative and other non-Orthodox organizations) would be far fewer. However, the results proved the opposite—these liberal Jewish circles will have more power and more funding than ever before. Some of the resolutions adopted include:
· Stopped funding for new settlements in Gaza
· Ensuring equal government protection for Reform and liberal synagogues in Israel
· Establishing a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the events of October 7
· Creating a national mental health taskforce for soldiers and victims of terror
· Expanding youth movements and Israel education in the Diaspora
· Halting settlement expansion in E1, staying on the path toward a two-state solution
· Supporting an equitable military draft for all Israelis
· Increasing access to the egalitarian section of the Western Wall
· Strengthening civil society, pluralism, and support for Holocaust survivors
We are deeply grateful for our delegates who spent the week in Jerusalem supporting Reform Jewish causes and helping to pave the way for Reform Jewish values to be present in Israel.
This week, I have been attending the Board meetings of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in New Jersey. Early in the week, we heard from Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. Anna shared that 6% of Israelis identify as Reform Jews, while 33% support the movement.
Over the past two years, Reform Rabbis have led Havdalah in Hostage Square prior to the rallies. The week after the hostages were released, the movement decided they would no longer need to lead Havdalah—yet people still came, searching for it. One of the leaders who attended the rally had brought his spice box, candle, and kiddush cup but left them in the car, just in case. People yearned for Havdalah. Many had never heard of Havdalah before October 7, but now saw it as an essential part of their expression.
This movement revealed something profound. Reform Jewish leaders have learned that there is a place for Reform Judaism in Israel’s public square.
The work of Reform Judaism is authentic, and Reform Jewish life in Israel is vibrant. As more people encounter it, more come to support it.
Thank you again to all who voted in the World Zionist Congress elections. On to 2030!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rick Kellner