With the World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections underway, leaders of the Orthodox Israel Coalition-Mizrachi (OIC-Mizrachi) are urging the Jewish community in the United States to seize this vital opportunity to influence the future of Israel. Campaign chairs Chana Shields and Mark Levenson recently sat down with Moshe Kinderlehrer for an interview on The Jewish Link Pitch Meeting podcast, emphasizing the significance of voting in these elections and the impact that a strong Orthodox representation can have on Israel’s development and policies.

The World Zionist Congress—which was established by Theodor Herzl in 1897—predates the modern state of Israel and continues to play a significant role in shaping its policies and institutions. The Congress is often described as the “Jewish Parliament” and functions similarly to Israel’s Knesset, with delegates representing Jewish communities from around the world. The decisions made within the WZC influence key organizations such as the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (KKL-JNF), which collectively oversee funding, education, settlement initiatives and aliyah efforts.

With 152 delegate seats allocated to the U.S. Jewish community, the elections serve as a critical mechanism for American Jews to express their vision for Israel’s future. “Every Jew in the United States over the age of 18 has the right to vote in this election and have a say in the future of Israel,” said Shields on the podcast.

OIC-Mizrachi has consistently been a dominant force within the WZC, historically securing a significant number of delegates. In the last election, Mizrachi received 22,000 votes, making it the second-largest slate behind the Reform movement. However, with an expected voter turnout of at least 200,000 this year, OIC-Mizrachi aims to double its votes, solidifying its ability to shape the Congress’ agenda.

Shields and Levenson underscored that OIC-Mizrachi is uniquely positioned as the unifying force within the Congress, bridging diverse factions to foster consensus on key issues. “We are always the unifier within the WZO,” Shields emphasized. “Our mission is to build Israel—not just in a physical sense but also in community, unity and education.”

The impact of these elections extends beyond ideology, impacting financial allocations and leadership positions within institutions that directly affect Israeli society. Levenson stressed, “Leadership starts at the top. If there is a Mizrachi-affiliated leader heading an organization like the Jewish Agency or KKL, our programs and values are more likely to be prioritized.”

With Orthodox Jews disproportionately represented in Israel’s front-line military service, OIC-Mizrachi believes that its values of national service, Zionist education and settlement growth must be championed at the WZC level. “We’re on the front lines—not just in battle, but in education, in supporting aliyah, in shaping Jewish identity,” Levenson added.

While the Reform and progressive slates have historically been well-organized in mobilizing voters, OIC-Mizrachi leaders are calling on their community to take action. Shields highlighted a crucial aspect of the election dynamics: “If we don’t unite and vote strategically, we risk losing key positions—not necessarily to another Orthodox slate, but to factions that do not share our values.”

One of the challenges facing voter turnout is engagement within the broader Orthodox and traditional Jewish community. Levenson expressed hope that the increased awareness of antisemitism and security concerns post-October 7 would galvanize more Jews to participate. “We need to show the world that American Jews care about this election. Every household should make sure that all eligible voters participate.”

The voting period runs from March 10 to May 4, and OIC-Mizrachi leaders are urging the community not to delay. “This is one of the most important elections for Israel’s future, and it’s so easy to participate,” Shields said. With a quick online registration process and a nominal $5 fee, every vote can make a difference in ensuring a strong Orthodox Zionist representation in the WZC.

For those invested in the future of Israel’s Jewish character, education system and security, the message is clear: Vote for OIC-Mizrachi and make your voice heard in shaping the Jewish state’s next chapter.

For more information about OIC-Mizrachi, visit https://voteoic.org/.

Listen to the full interview in the latest episode of The Jewish Link Pitch Meeting, available wherever you get your podcasts and on The Jewish Link’s YouTube channel.