“Dreams are not so different from deeds as some may think. All the deeds of people are only dreams at first, and become dreams again.”
~Thedore Herzl 

Theodore Herzl, the founder of Political Zionism, used to stare at me from a shelf above my desk back in Jerusalem, in the 1990’s. I found the plaster bust at a local flea market and got it not so much for ideological reasons but more as a nostalgic nod with admiration for his impressive beard. One winter night, a sudden wind crashed him to pieces. 

I hadn’t thought of it until a few months ago when I was invited by a friend who is a powerful peace activist to join the Hatikvah Slate and run as a delegate for the World Zionist Congress, founded by Herzl in 1897. 

These days, images of a weeping Herzl can be seen at many protests on the streets of Israel and around the world. What had happened to his vision of a safe and just Jewish homeland? How has the Zionist ideal become so tainted with hatred, inhumanity and rage? What can we do about it to help heal and restore hope?

 

I’m just back from another month spent in Israel, with beloved family and friends, all exhausted. I participated in many protests in the streets, met with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers for brave ongoing reconciliation and repair work, and ventured out to talk and listen to extreme voices on all sides of this heartache. I remain committed to my family and friends – 14 million Jews and Arabs who are not going anywhere and demand and deserve dignity and democracy, decency and dreams worth living for. There’s so much to change on the ground and deep within the systems. My choice to join this slate is one small way to try and pick up the pieces, to commit, again to peace.

I have a complicated relationship with the World Zionist Congress, especially during these difficult days, as the violent war rages on, no hostages back and life worse for Gaza, and as extremist and violent voices in charge all over the world are also dominating much of Israel’s leadership and Jewish communal spaces worldwide.

This is not the idealist Religious Zionism I grew up with. 

These days, like many of us, I also have an uneasy relationship with the term Zionist.

I prefer it hyphenated – liberal, progressive, neo, conditional. 

Like much of my work to re-imagine a more inclusive and diverse Jewish life for these times – I feel it’s on us to reimagine a Zionism that demands the birthright of both Israelis and Palestinians, together, to a free and safe homeland, side by side. 

The only way for us to redeem this label now tarnished by racist zealots is to reclaim and reimagine what it means – for everybody’s sake. 

That’s why, after talking with other community leaders, respected rabbis and peace activists from across the US who are delegates with the Hatikvah Slate for the 2025 Elections – I agreed to join. 

This decision represents my choice – not Lab/Shul’s — as a potentially powerful way to create positive change from within, to take on extremists, and make a big difference in small and important ways. 

Hatikvah means hope. And that’s yet one more way of walking the talk towards change – from within. 

This election cycle, already troubled with accusations of fraud by far-right voters, matters because what’s at stake is the very future of Jewish leadership in Israel and all over the world. 

The stakes are high. 

Along with other progressive and liberal slates, we have a chance to impact the allocation of over $5 billion over the next five years —  to help build a more just and democratic future for Israelis and Palestinians. It matters because we must raise a strong moral, pluralistic and justice-driven Jewish voice that says no to hate and war, yes to decency and peace. 

Today – I invite you to join me by voting at zionistelection.org before the May 4 deadline.

It only takes a few minutes and dollars but it’s important that you know a bit more on what it’s about and Why vote for Hatikvah.

Here’s what you need to know: 

2025 Elections: 

  • From March 10, and until May 4th 2025 — American Jews will have the opportunity to vote for their delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress, “the parliament of the Jewish people” which will convene in Jerusalem in October 2025.

World Zionist Congress:

  • For 128 years, the World Zionist Congress has been the democratic assembly of the Jewish people where every Jew in the world can have a voice in the most critical issues of our time. The Congress makes funding and policy decisions for the World Zionist Organization, and its makeup helps determine the leadership, regulations and budget allocations of the Jewish Agency for Israel (the largest Jewish non-profit in the world) and the Jewish National Fund.
  • In recent years it has increasingly moved to the right – with far-right religious Jewish voices determining the outcome of funding and policy.
  • This is why progressive slates like Hatikvah Slate really matter. 

The Hatikvah Slate:

  • The Hatikvah Slate was created 20 years ago to present a unified voice for progressive American Jews in the World Zionist Congress elections.
    The current slate is impressive and diverse.
  • It is the broadest coalition of American Jews who espouse and personify the values of being a progressive and being a Zionist. Our big tent of delegates, representative of the American Jewish population with 50% who identify as female and 29% 18-35,  is filled with many voices where unity does not mean uniformity sending a resounding message that we will work for an Israel that lives up to its highest values. We define progressive Zionism.
  • We are committed to preserving Israel’s democracy and the rule of law; believing that all of its citizens must be treated equally and their civil and human rights protected. Hatikvah is the future of an inclusive Israel that respects women, Jews of color, LGBTQ Jews and others is very much in doubt. Hatikvah opposes efforts by the ultra-orthodox to stifle those ideals, in particular through the mechanisms of the national institutions of the World Zionist Organization.
  • Our values and the future of Israel and Palestine –  is on the line. 

Two more things to know: 

Ready to vote? Here’s a step by step guide (I wish it was an easier process!) 

And – if needed – here’s Hatikva Slate’s Helpdesk email: 

If you read through here – wow – you are an agent of hope and a partner for peace. Thank you for considering this vote and joining a group of dreamers and visionaries with feet on the ground and plans for a much better future for us all. 

Feedback, suggestions, questions and comments – always welcome. Find me at Amichai@labshul.org

Wishing us all days of peace, healing – and hope.
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie
Co-Founder, Senior Clergy & Spiritual Leader