[MUSIC PLAYING]
What is your dream for Israel?
If you could vote to influence
Israeli society, would you?
In 1897, Theodor Herzl founded
the World Zionist Organization
with the express purpose of
establishing a Jewish state
in the land of Israel.
The World Zionist
Organization convened Jews
from all walks of life across
the ideological spectrum
and was the parliament
for the Jewish people
to discuss pressing
matters of their day.
Over 100 years later,
we ask ourselves,
what do we want for Israel
and the Jewish people?
Do you want more
freedom of religion?
Do you want democracy?
Do you want equality
and pluralism?
Do you want peace?
Since 1977, the Reform
Movement has had a seat
at the table in the
World Zionist Congress
and has been able to advocate
for our values of quality,
pluralism, and democracy.
We use the World Zionist
Conference as a means
to grow and support our
Reform Movement in Israel,
to reach new audiences and
provide Jewish expression
to Israelis around
the country looking
for meaning and connection.
Join us in our efforts so that
issues like conversion, burial,
marriage, and
divorce are no longer
controlled by the
ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate.
We are asking you to
support our growing Reform
Movement in Israel.
We're asking every Jewish
person 18 and older
to go and vote to make Israel
a better place for all of us.
You've done so much for
us in the Israeli society.
You've done so much for the
Reform Movement in Israel.
I would ask you now to vote.
You have a voice in Israel.
You have a voice in Israel.
You have a voice in Israel.
And as Theodor Herzl said,
Im tirtzu ein zo agadah.
If you will it, it is no dream.
Vote for the Reform Movement
in the World Zionist Congress
elections, January 21
through March 11, 2020.
[APPLAUSE]
We welcome to the stage Rabbi
Josh Weinberg, Rabbi Gilad
Kariv, Rabbi Noa Sattath,
and Anat Hoffman,
accompanied by campaign
chair Harry Levy
and rabbinic co-chairs Rabbis
Beth and Jonathan Singer.
[CHEERING]
Erev tov.
It is wonderful to be here
with so many close friends
and partners.
As you know, the connection
between our movements
here in North
America and in Israel
is central to who
we are as a people.
We are committed together to
a strong Zionist state rooted
in Israel's founding
principles of hhofesh, freedom;
tzedek, justice;
and shalom, peace,
a state in which all the
inhabitants enjoy equality
of social and political
rights, along with freedom
of religion, conscience,
language, education,
and culture.
We are growing by
leaps and bounds,
and we feel so fortunate
to have you as our partners
to raise your voices in
support of our movement.
[APPLAUSE]
Every five years,
you have a chance
to make your voice
heard for those values
by voting in the World
Zionist Congress elections.
When North American
Reform Jews vote,
you are voting for
Israel's future.
You are voting for the
Israeli Reform Movement.
You're voting for strong
representation in the World
Zionist Organization, the
Jewish Agency for Israel,
and the Jewish National Fund.
[APPLAUSE]
Now, I know this could
be a bit confusing.
You might be
wondering, wait, I can
sit in my apartment in Brooklyn,
or open an iPad in Chicago,
or take out my
phone in Sacramento
and cast my vote
for Israel's future?
Well, the answer is yes.
Yes, you have a voice to help
us see an Israel in which Reform
Jews are recognized
and have a seat
at the decision-making tables.
Yes, you can ensure the
government money flows
not just to Orthodox
institutions,
but to Reform ones as well.
And yes, you can support Israeli
Reform youth, and Netzer Olami
and Tamar, who are the
future of progressive Judaism
in Israel and around the world.
[APPLAUSE]
You can make this
future a reality.
I'm asking you to vote.
[APPLAUSE]
Between the 21st of January
and the 11th of March,
every congregation can play
a vital role in voting.
Stand up.
Be counted.
Turn out the vote.
This is our chance.
Let's get out hundreds
of thousands of voters
to cast their ballots.
What a privilege to vote Reform!
So together, we can
make a difference.
And boy, do we
need a difference.
[APPLAUSE]
Now, having grown
up here in Chicago--
[CHEERING]
--I know you know a thing or
two about getting out the vote.
[LAUGHTER]
So join us and all
of our slate members
here as we work together
to build a strong, more
vibrant Israel for
generations to come.
Here's what you
can do right now.
Take out your phones right now.
Open the Biennial
app on your phone,
and look for the green
circle button in the middle
of the screen labeled I'm In.
Tap it.
Enter your
information, and let us
know what you're ready
to do by choosing
from the list of options.
Then click Submit.
Remember, clicking
Submit is essential
so that we can come back
to you after Biennial
and work together to build a
future with a strong Israeli
Reform Movement in Israel.
It's all about showing up.
We're counting on you.
[INAUDIBLE]
