WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION CONGRESS
October 20-22, 2020
The First Zionist Congress was the inaugural congress of the Zionist Organization (ZO) held in Basel Switzerland, from August 29-31, 1897. Two-hundred and eight delegates and twenty-six press correspondents attended the event. It was convened and chaired by Theodor Herzl, founder of the modern Zionism movement. The Congress formulated a Zionist platform, known as the Basel program, and founded the Zionist Organization. It also adopted Hatikvah as its anthem.
“Every now and then in this arena of historical forces a great historic opportunity presents itself – as in the Jewish legend, according to which once every year the Heavens open for a single moment and your every wish is granted.” David Ben-Gurion, Jan 19th, 1933
While this Congress did not quite live up to Ben-Gurion’s quote, it was the first virtual Congress and with the hope of a special Congress in Jerusalem next year. So, as we all say, “Next Year in Jerusalem.”
From the standpoint of MERCAZ–Canada and MERCAZ-Olami, there were many challenging issues that were dealt with. With respect to US voting for representation, Eretz Hakodesh, a non-Zionist Orthodox organization, was accumulating significant votes. Going forward, the lesson learned was that we need greater participation and voting in MERCAZ.
The delegate representation shifted from slightly progressive (us) to slightly regressive (orthodox). They mandated a platform and a slate that reduced both our funding and representation. Their goal was to reduce the diversity to silence. They thought they had won a landslide victory, but it was only about a 2% majority.
BUT WAIT, WE were able to rally organizations that had not been involved in political parts of the WZO to return to a fair and equitable distribution of representation and funding.
Our membership wrote to Netanyahu by the thousands, called leadership at B’nai Brith, Na’amat, Hadassah and others and had them get involved to ensure the WZO remains a voice for the entire Jewish people, not one stream or another, but all.
We were able to retain our representation at the WZO. For the first time, a past President of the FJMC is on the Va’ad HaPoel, the Zionist Executive, and will sit on the Budget Committee.
Connections were made and old friendships renewed, much encouraged by the party in the Canadian suite each night.
So, the lesson to be learned is a vote, your vote, is an affirmation of the blessing of modern-day Israel and the galvanizing of our world-wide movement.
Charles Wrock B.Sc., M.A., LLb.