The WZO Congress Elections and Allowing Reform Judaism to Take Over

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Imagine, chalila, the Kosel being run by a  “Rabbi Jill” –  a Reform Rabbi.  Imagine further the majority of Jewish money being given to institutions that are anti-thetical to Torah-true Judaism.  And yet, all this can happen if we do nothing – a shaiv v’al taaseh, so to speak. 

Centuries ago, Jews were often kidnapped and money had to be raised for their ransom.  The halacha was that it was permitted even on Shabbos, as indicated in the Ramah (306:14).  This is permitted even if there is no actual danger to life, but there is a spiritual danger in that the child will be raised in a non-Jewish religion where there will be constant violations.

There is a current situation that may be analogous to the case of the Ramah.

In order to understand that situation – some background is necessary.

The World Zionist Congress is a body of 532 people from Israel and from Jewish communities throughout the world.  Israel has 38% of the Congress, the USA has 29% of the Congress and the rest of World Jewry has 33%.  It used to be only 500 elected members, but in 2001 – they added another 32. These delegates are elected every five years.  The elections decide the leadership of four main organizations that control the purse strings of much funding. Some say that it is to the tune of two billion dollars a year. The organizations (and the leadership positions) that will be determined by the elections are:

1. The World Zionist Organization
2. The Jewish Agency for Israel [half from WZO and half Jewish Federations of North America]
3. The Jewish National Fund – Keren Kayemet l’Yisrael – KKL
4. Keren Hayesod United Israel Appeal.

America has 152 delegate slots of the 532.  Back in 2015, there were 57,000 votes.  In 2020 there were 123,575 votes.  Arza (Reform Movement) got 22,800 votes  in 2015– the most; and in 2020 got 31,483 votes and got 39 seats.  The Conservative Movement slate called Merkaz USA got approximately 10,175 votes in 2015 and in 2020 they got 14655 votes and 18 seats.  Mizrachi got about 9800 votes in 2015 and in 2020 got 21,692 votes and 27 delegates. And Eretz HaKodesh which didn’t start until 2020 got 20,045 and 25 delegates.

If American Bnei Torah were to vote, as Rav Chaim Kanievsky zichron tzaddik v’kadosh livracha paskened to do – the dangerous threat of Reform Judaism, Wokism in Eretz Yisroel, and all the other apikorsisha “isms” would be severely diminished.  The largest slate of the delegates is a Reform Jewish organization that supports many projects that Orthodox Jews would deem antithetical and anathema to Torah Judaism.   Arza supports the movement to take away the Kotel from Orthodox Jewish administration.

It would be particularly sad if the great talmid chochom, Rav Shmuel Rabinovitch, the Rav of the Kosel and a mechaber sefer extraordinaire, were to be replaced with “Rabbi Jill.”

It would also be sad if Israel’s public school curriculum would continue to be written by proponents of Reform Judaism rather than those who have been trained in Kiruv Rechokim.  Imagine what an infusion of some of the ten billion dollars over the next five years would do to Kiruv.

This author believes that the two cases, that which is discussed in the Ramah and the current WZO election are analogous.  There are also some five different factors at play here.

1. First and foremost, there is the issue of Pikuach Nefesh – which also applies to people in spiritual danger. The Torah tells us v’chai bahem – and we shall live by the Torah – not die by them. Saving life is a fundamental Mitzvah.
2. Lo Saamod Al Dam Rayacha – There is a negative Mitzvah of not standing idly by your brother’s blood as well. This is mentioned in Shulchan Aruch (CM 426:1) and in the Rambam. Collectively, if we can stop the funding of the promotion of an anti-Torah agenda and replace it with a Torah-true one, we can ensure that we do not stand idly by our brother’s blood.
3. Lo Suchal l’hisalaym – There is yet another negative commandment associated with the positive commandment of Hashavas Aveida, and that is the verse in Dvarim (22:3), “You cannot shut your eyes to it.” This verse comes directly after the Mitzvah of Hashavas Aveidah. The Netziv (HeEmek Sheailah) refers to this Mitzvah as well.
4. V’Chai Achicha Imach– The Sheiltos (Sheilta #37), based upon the Gemorah in Bava Metziah 62a, understands these words to indicate an obligation to save others along with you. The Netziv in his He’Emek She’ailah understands it as a full-fledged obligation according to all opinions. He writes that he must exert every effort to save his friend’s life – until it becomes Pikuach Nefesh for himself.
5. V’Ahavta l’Rayacha Kamocha – The Ramban, Toras haAdam Shaar HaSakana (p42-43) understands the verse of “and love thy neighbor as yourself” as a directive to save him from danger as well.  This would apply to danger from spiritual enemies as well. Even without the Ramban, however, it is clear that defending and protecting someone from spiritual danger is a fulfillment of this Mitzvah.

Yes, there are Gedolim who say not to vote in the WZO election.  But there is such a thing as a Minchas Aisav.  And shaiv v’al taaseh can result in catastrophic new realities.

TORAH WORLD HAS THE NUMBERS

Money matters in influencing reality.  The WZO election deals out nearly 2 billion dollars every year.

Those that urged frum Jews to vote in the election were Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatzal – the Sar haTorah, Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l and lbc”l Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky shlita.  Numerous Poskim have said that there is no issue in voting.

There are other Rabbonim that feel that some of the declarations made in registering to vote run counter to a Torah perspective in that it does not identify Hashem as controlling events but rather attributes everything to man.  With due respect, this author believes that a careful reading of the acceptance of the Jerusalem Program merely states that this is what some of the proponents of Zionism believe – which is, in fact, true. 

Thus, the animadversions [pikpukim] of those that oppose signing on due to concerns of kefirah are not an issue – when one carefully analyzes the wording. Helping Klal Yisroel is also “National Service” as seen in Rashi Brachos 35a. Making Brachos does this as well.

THE REFORM ARE RUNNING SCARED

The Reform movement are well aware that all that is necessary for their agenda to be replaced is if the Torah community would wake up and vote. It is for this reason that the credit card that is used for the $5 fee to vote is limited to only 3 people per household. Chareidim have more children and this is their way of limiting the frum vote.

ORTHODOX ARE NON-ENTITIES

There is another issue as well.  American Torah Jews are essentially non-entities when it comes to dealing with secular Israel.  If Torah observant Jews voted on who would be the delegates – the concerns of Torah Jewry would be taken into account more.  Why should we not empower Asra Kadisha?  Why should we allow for archaeological digs to trample upon Kvarim?  Why can’t we allow for more kavod HaMais in contemporary funerals?

Obviously, when Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatzal issued a ruling, there is no need for a to back up his position.  However, we do need encouragement to make it happen.  The recommended slate is for Eretz HaKodesh and voting can take place here.

To vote – go to eretzhakodesh.org, click on the vote button and follow the instructions there

The author can be reached at [email protected]