Article | Rumors of the Demise of Conservative Judaism are Greatly Exaggerated

During these High Holidays, over one million Conservative/Masorti Jews in the United States came to shul to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and observe Yom Kippur. While these High Holidays are, for many, the annual peak of their Jewish engagement, Jewish Americans from every corner of the movement made their voices heard earlier this year in support of MERCAZ USA – the voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism – in the World Zionist Congress elections.

The Conservative/Masorti movement’s slate has nearly doubled its vote total since the last election five years ago. When the World Zionist Congress convenes in Jerusalem in October, MERCAZ USA will be the only U.S. delegation from a progressive slate with more seats and greater representation than in the last convening. This success was replicated globally, with the broader Conservative/Masorti movement similarly securing four additional seats, bringing its total to thirty-eight. These results, and the fact that the Conservative/Masorti movement defied the trend among non-Orthodox slates to grow its presence, offer real hope for the movement’s future as a home for engaged, vibrant Jewish and Zionist communities.

More than numbers and votes, this story is about a movement rallying to make our voices and values heard. Our success was global in scope and strategic in execution. For the first time, the movement secured a mandate in Uganda and scored a resounding first place in Argentina. These gains were mirrored by the movement’s ability to hold firm in key regions, like Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, despite a concentrated push from the Ultra-Orthodox and right-wing slates seeking to undermine more progressive forces. The breadth of these successes – from the Americas to Europe and beyond – illustrates a deeply rooted, interconnected, and highly motivated global community.

Moreover, these successes were the direct result of our movement’s ability to galvanize a vast network. Our election campaign was powered by a coordinated effort among movement organizations and partners, including Ramah, USY, Noam, men’s clubs and women’s league and others, who fully mobilized their resources and energy.

Ours was a true grassroots operation. Representing my congregation, Temple Beth Zion – Beth Israel (BZBI) in Center City Philadelphia, I was one of a network of over 250 U.S.-based captains, joined by more than 100 others in 15 countries, each tasked with getting out the vote for MERCAZ in their communities. We started a year ago, even before the dates of the election were determined, to talk to our fellow congregants about the history of the World Zionist Congress and the upcoming election. At BZBI, I was afforded the privilege of speaking on Yom Kippur about the importance of voting. Throughout the subsequent months, whenever people came together at BZBI — whether for services, educational programs, social events, or meetings — our clergy, board members or I took the opportunity to share the importance of having our voices and values represented in the World Zionist Congress. One Bat Mitzvah devoted part of her D’var Torah to urging everyone to vote. When the polls opened in March and throughout the subsequent two months of voting, posters and fliers were a constant presence in the synagogue. I even dressed as a suffragette on Purim to encourage people to vote MERCAZ!

I am proud of MERCAZ’s above-board, grassroots campaign — at BZBI, in Philadelphia, nationally, and globally. It was disappointing every time I heard about another slate bending the rules. It was even more disheartening that the Zionist Supreme Court let the slates that benefited from widespread fraud off with a mere wrist slap. As Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal shared last month in eJewish Philanthropy, “The Torah lays out a clear precedent for justice in cases of stealing and cheating. Exodus 22:4 decrees that theft does not simply involve restitution, but also requires a penalty commensurate with the burden of the crime and the value of the stolen property.”  I am concerned about what the Court’s decision means for the integrity of future elections.

At the same time, no court decision can take away from the hope that the MERCAZ USA campaign gives me for the Jewish and Zionist future. The election results reach far beyond the halls of the World Zionist Congress. The Conservative/Masorti movement offers a modern and egalitarian approach to Jewish identity, culture and tradition that resonates with a growing number of Jews. The success of its organized and enthusiastic approach in the election proves that the movement possesses not only a compelling message but also the capacity to deliver its vision for the Jewish and Zionist future. In the wake of the election, the Conservative/Masorti movement is poised to play a vital role in shaping a future where Jewish life is dynamic, diverse and deeply connected to its Zionist roots.

Article by Arlene Fickler originally published on The Times of Israel