RENEWED: Mizrachi at the World Zionist Congress

An interview with Rabbi Doron Perez, Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi

Q: What is the World Zionist 173 from other countries (33%). Repre- decided to hold all Congress sessions Congress? sentation was determined by elections and deliberations online by means of a A: Every five years, the World Zionist held in early 2020. Worldwide, Mizra- global virtual platform. Organization (WZO) holds an inter- chi won 60 seats at the Congress, 27 Q: What is decided at the WZC? national assembly of Jews – the World of which were from the United States, Zionist Congress (WZC). The 38th as part of Mizrachi’s Orthodox A: Since Theodore Herzl’s first Zionist World Zionist Congress took place last Coalition (OIC), making it the second Congress in 1897, the WZC has contin- month on October 20–22, 2020, with largest delegation. ued to meet regularly. Upon the estab- 524 delegates: 199 from Israel (38%), Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pan- lishment of the State of Israel, the WZC 152 from the United States (29%), and demic, the World Zionist Organization became “The Parliament of the Jewish

28 | Q: What key positions did Mizrachi and Klal Yisrael – all branches, sectors secure? and streams. Mizrachi will continue A: This is the first time since the to be the bridge builders, facilitating advent of the Zionist Movement that a friendship and collegiality among Jews Torah-observant Jew – Mizrachi’s Avra- around the world. At such a divisive ham Duvdevani (Duvdev) – has been time for the Jewish people in the US, appointed to head the influential KKL. Israel and around the world, this has After we head the KKL for two years, never been more important. Mizrachi will lead for three years the Q: What are your take-away Rural Development Department of the impressions of the WZC? World Zionist Organization, which, like Rabbi Perez signing the unity agreement A: This was indeed historic. We at Miz- at the WZO in the very room that served KKL, works to develop Israel’s periph- rachi herald this moment of unity and as David Ben-Gurion’s office during his ery in the and Galilee, a goal that look forward to working with all parties tenure as Chairman of the Jewish Agency. is the key to the future of a country that is overly populated in its center and for a better future for the Jewish people, underpopulated in its periphery. Israel and the Zionist Movement. We People” and gave voice to world Jewry Mizrachi will also head the Education are equally humbled at the successes in decisions affecting Israeli society and Department of the WZO, which deals of Mizrachi at the World Zionist Con- the Israel-Diaspora relationship. This with shlichim and, in particular, edu- gress in securing influential positions year, a wall-to-wall unity agreement was cational shlichim to schools around to further the ongoing impact of Torat decided on regarding the appointment the world, reflecting a commitment to Eretz Yisrael in Israel and around the of the major portfolios and positions education that has been the focus of world. A heartfelt thanks to all our of influence within the National Insti- religious Zionists for centuries. This many passionate professionals, lay lead- tutions – the WZO, Keren Kayemeth position will be held by Gael Grunewald ers, ambassadors, volunteers, delegates LeIsrael (KKL), Keren HaYesod and the who will also act as the Deputy Chair- and voters, who all worked together to . man of the WZO. secure this incredible result of building Mizrachi also received the Department on our common fate and furthering the Q: What is a wall-to-wall unity impact of our collective destiny. agreement? Why was this import- for Religious Affairs for the Diaspora, ant to Mizrachi? which will be headed by Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman, for the next eight months, A: The unity of the Jewish people is a followed by Roi Abecassis, who is also primary value at Mizrachi. In the nego- deeply committed to these Jewish edu- tiations, there were many different par- cational values. ties pushing for a more extreme stance either to the Right or to the Left. Q: How did Mizrachi succeed in obtaining these positions? We saw our role as to not only secure significant leadership positions for our- A: This historic milestone happened selves, which we did, but also to act as not because of any backroom deals in a bridge ensuring a wall-to-wall agree- but through the strong uni- ment in the spirit of the round table fied Religious Zionist delegation from nature of these institutions. Mizrachi Mizrachi branches worldwide, the representatives consistently advocated Mizrachi-driven OIC in the US, and the Religious Zionist parties in Israel, Mizrachi’s representatives in the National for a fair deal which should give every- totaling around 80 delegates. This made Institutions: (clockwise from top left) Avra- one power and influence based on their Mizrachi one of the largest and most ham Duvdevani, Gael Grunewald, Roi relative strength as is the custom in influential delegations in the WZC and Abecassis and Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman these institutions. hence succeeded in obtaining these Our negotiating team played a pivotal positions. I, along with Chairman of the Board, role in the signing of the agreement in Mr. Harvey Blitz and all at Mizra- ensuring that ultimately there would be Q: How will Mizrachi use these key chi, wish Avraham Duvdevani, Gael one large table around which all can sit positions to advance its goals? Grunewald, Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman to build the Zionist Movement together A: Mizrachi plans to use their greater and Roi Abecassis much success in their going forward. influence to benefit the State of Israel new and important positions. 

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