Mercaz is the Zionist arm of the worldwide Masorti movement. Our aim is to support Israel and protect religious pluralism and democratic values in our Jewish homeland. We also work to secure vital funding for Masorti communities and young people in Israel and around the world – including here in the UK.
Israel has always been central to Masorti Jewish life. However, as the modern State of Israel developed, the government refused to recognise Masorti Judaism. As a result Masorti rabbis in Israel cannot conduct weddings or funerals and, while Orthodox Judaism is funded by the state, Masorti communities receive no public money. In recent years, Israel has seen a rise in religious and political extremism, at a time when Jewish unity has never been more important.
Mercaz was founded to bring together Masorti Jews from all over the world and to give us a voice within Israel. Mercaz is also committed to bringing Masorti Jews in the Diaspora closer to Israel by supporting educational programmes for young people on Zionism, Israeli society and Hebrew.
For an update on this year’s World Zionist Congress elections click here. UK elections will be held in June and voter registration opens in April.
“Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.
The foundations of Zionism are:
