Article | Conservative/Masorti Jews Reaffirm Commitment to Zionism by Voting for MERCAZ in Historic Numbers

Article by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, Ph.D. MERCAZ Olami, Co-President

As we approach Rosh Hashanah with a Heshbon Hanefesh, Mercaz Olami celebrates great victories in the world-wide elections for the World Zionist Congress. With the increase in the number of Britot, and the growth of Right Wing votes, Mercaz uniquely demonstrated success in chapter after chapter — with notable achievements in the USA, Argentina, Sweden, Uganda and so forth. We grew from 34 overall mandates in 2020 to 38 in 2025. 

Of particular note is that our largest chapter [Mercaz USA] nearly doubled the number of votes from the last election.  MERCAZ USA finished as one of the top among 22 slates, securing the largest growth among non-Orthodox slates.  In 2015, 10,000 voters selected MERCAZ USA and 15,000 voters in 2020. And now, in 2025, 28,000 affirmed MERCAZ USA as their choice. As elsewhere around the globe, this upward trajectory is testament to the power and promise of the Conservative/Masorti movement to advance our core values of democracy, pluralism and inclusion.

In Mercaz chapter after chapter, our campaigns were collaborative efforts from all arms of the movement: Masorti Israel, Masorti Olami, USCJ, the Rabbinical Assembly, the Ramah Camps, Marom Olami, NOAM and USY alumni, Conservative Yeshiva, Hannaton, JTS, Ziegler, the Seminario, Schechter and Frankel Rabbinical schools, Men's Clubs, Women's League, the Cantors Assembly, NAASE [Synagogue Administrators], Jewish Educators Assembly and others.

Hundreds of captains rallied their congregations and organizations to cast their ballots for the Conservative/Masorti slates.  

At a time when Israel is under attack both physically and ideologically, Conservative/Masorti Jews once again demonstrated that we are unwavering in our Zionism. This show of support builds on the history of our movement of showing up for our values [the history of Conservative Zionism is outlined in my recent book entitled WHY VOTE MERCAZ]. 

Yet as we enter these High Holy Days and Sukkot celebrations, our cup of successes is only half full. We agonize over the fate of our precious hostages in the hands of the cruel and inhuman Hamas terrorists. We fervently pray for their being set free.

The votes garnered by MERCAZ around the world are indicative of Conservative/Masorti Jewry's abiding commitment to Zionism.

Let us galvanize the enthusiasm of our Zionism to increase the membership and activity of Mercaz chapters everywhere throughout the globe.

Am Yisrael Chai!