Reply To: Voting for the World Zionist Congress

A clarification: the Mishpacha did not actually advocate for voting in the WZC elections. Yonoson Rosenblum, in an editorial titled “Ideological Purity vs. Practical Results”, merely pointed out that there is lot at stake in these elections since the Reform and Conservative movements are making serious attempts to gain influence and push their agendas on the Israeli and international Jewish scene. He ends with the suggestion that one ask this question to their Rov/Poisek.

Rebbe Yid &Joseph:

I think your comparison between the Israeli Knesset and the WZC is perhaps more apt than you realize. The vast majority of mainstream Chareidi Gedolim have long advocated voting in the Israeli elections for parties that will strengthen the Halachic observance and the Jewish character of the state. A very strong argument could be made that the same should apply here.

There are only two differences that I can think of between voting in the elections for the Israeli Knesset and the WZC: First of all, in order to do so one must affirm that they believe the “Jerusalem Program” is true. But as R’ Yair Hoffman explains in the YW news section, that isn’t really too problematic. But perhaps the bigger issue is that there is no Chareidi party or slate running in WZC elections; the only frum slate is comprised of Dati Leumi / Modern Orthodox delegates and positions. These positions will no doubt drastically differ from those taken by the Chareidi Rabbonim on a number of issues. So the real question is, should we vote for somebody who we sometimes disagree with, so that they should replace somebody who we disagree with more?

Sam2, R’ Hershel Shachter is actually the first delegate on the Religious Zionist slate.