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Vote in the World Zionist Congress Election with ARZA Canada Register to Vote NowView Voting InformationMake Your Voice Heard in Israel’s Future!
Registration is expected to open around May 22. Exact date to be announced.
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As a Canadian Reform Jew, your vote in the World Zionist Congress election is crucial to securing Reform values in Israel. Learn more about how to vote in Canada below.
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How to vote in Canada
Voting in the World Zionist Congress allows you to influence key decisions impacting Israel and world Jewry. Here’s everything you need to know about how to vote:
Eligibility:
- Be 18 or older
- Self-identify as Jewish
- Live in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident
Voting Period:
Voting will be open from June 5 to June 15, 2025.
Registration Period:
Registration for Canadian voters opens early May.
Why Your Vote Matters
- Direct Influence on Resource Allocation: The World Zionist Congress allocates over $1 billion annually to various institutions that affect Israeli society and Jewish communities worldwide. Your vote will help direct these resources to organizations that align with Reform values.
- Support for Reform Judaism in Israel: By voting, you strengthen the Reform movement in Israel, helping ensure Reform Jews are respected and represented.
- Protecting Israeli Democracy: A strong vote for Reform values ensures a future where democracy, pluralism, and equality are maintained in Israel.
Key Dates to Remember
Around May 22, 2025 (TBC): Voter registration opens
June 5–15, 2025: Voting period
June 15, 2025: Last day to vote
How To Register and Vote
- Register online: Go to our registration page to sign up as a voter [url tbd]
- Receive your voting details: After registering, you’ll receive confirmation and instructions on how to vote during the election period.
- Vote for Reform values: During the voting period, log in to the voting portal and cast your vote for Reform/ARZA Canada.
FAQs
Why should I vote?
The vision of Israel as a democratic, pluralistic state currently faces historic challenges. Ultra-Orthodox rabbis and extreme politicians control key levers of power and aim to relegate non-Orthodox Jews, women, LGBTQ+ Israelis, and ethnic minorities to secondary status.
By voting, you can act now to secure Israel as a democratic state. Your vote directly impacts resources and funding for non-Orthodox synagogues, rabbis, values, and advocacy. We need YOU to help ensure religious pluralism, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and a path to peace.
How do I register?
Visit the ARZA Canada registration page, complete your details, and you’re ready to vote!
What if I’m not affiliated with a synagogue?
You can still register and vote as an unaffiliated Jew in Canada.
What if I don’t identify as a Reform Jew?
The Reform movement in Israel advocates for the civil rights of all non-Orthodox and/or marginalised citizens and residents of Israel, including Arab-Israelis, women, the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable minorities. By voting for a Reform delegate, you are helping to ensure that democracy, pluralism and equal rights are upheld in Israel. You do not have to identify as a Reform Jew to #voteReform
How do I know if my vote is counted?
After voting, you’ll receive a confirmation email to ensure your vote has been successfully recorded.
Why do I have to pay to vote?
The $2.00 registration fee simply covers the costs of the elections. It is not used by ARZA Canada or any other entity for any other purpose.
Testimonials
“As a Reform Jew in Canada, it feels empowering to know my vote can directly impact the future of Israel.”
Richard T.
“This election is our chance to stand up for justice, equality, and democracy—values we hold dear here in Canada.”
Les R.
“After a year and a half of feeling helpless, this is something that I can do to help Israel heal and live up to the values upon which it was founded.”
Rabbi Emma Gottlieb
Learn More About the WZC Election
What is the World Zionist Congress?
The World Zionist Congress (WZC) is a democratically elected, nongovernmental institution in Israel. Often called “The Parliament of the Jewish People,” the WZC convenes every five years to bring together representatives from Jewish communities around the world to decide on key issues affecting the Jewish people in Israel and globally. The Congress elects the leadership that sets policies and influences the allocation of significant funding of about $1 billion annually. It plays a crucial role in supporting activities worldwide which promote Jewish identity and combat antisemitism.
The WZC directs funds for the national Zionist institutions:
- The World Zionist Organization
- The Jewish Agency for Israel
- Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (Jewish National Fund).
What does the WZC election have to do with the Reform Movement?
While the Reform Movement is the largest Jewish denomination in North America, we are a minority in Israel of just 8% – partly due to the lack of government funding in comparison to Orthodox communities.
With your votes, the Reform Movement is assigned senior positions in the national institutions, and the ability to direct funding to the Reform Movement in Israel and around the world. This has allowed Israel’s Reform Movement to grow despite facing discrimination from the government.
For example, Israel’s Reform Movement:
- Continues to grow – has now reached 50 communities in Israel
- Is a national leader in legal action on behalf of democracy, equality and human rights, through the Reform Movement’s Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC).
- Runs important social action programs to aid the disadvantaged, such as the Keren B’Kavod youth program and the Telem Leadership Mechina (pre-army program).
Your votes bring funds that are crucial to survive, thrive, and further our core values of democracy, freedom, pluralism, and security and champion a different vision of what it means to be Jewish in the Jewish State.
Why is voting important? What’s at stake?
Our representation in the WZC helps protect fundamental rights for all Israelis and Reform Jewish communities. It also prevents extremist factions from implementing policies that oppose our core shared values of democracy, freedom, equality, pluralism, and security.
The ultra-Orthodox and ultra-Nationalist movements are using power gained in the World Zionist Congress elections – to advance their agenda, including: rejecting our conversions and questioning the authenticity of our children’s Jewish identity, stripping Israeli Reform clergy and communities of their rights and funding, advancing antidemocratic policies, and rolling back gains for LGBTQ+ rights.