Reaching out from the Centre

My experience at the World Zionist Conference

Jerusalem, October 2025

Bruce Rigal writes: ‘Our world is more divided than ever before. In America, Canada, Europe, the UK, Israel and so many other places, the divides are growing deeper: right vs. left, liberal vs. orthodox, religious vs. secular, dove vs. hawk. One absolute certainty opposing another absolute certainty.

When I chaired New North London Synagogue (NNLS), I was often pushed to pick a side—“our side.” My response was often that I wasn’t sure, or that both sides in an argument had valid points. To this, I was often told: “That’s not proper leadership,” and that if I wasn’t with them, I was against them. But for me, that kind of binary thinking isn’t the solution.

At NNLS and within Masorti, we do something we were always meant to do—we hold the centre. We hold the centre, not as a neutral midpoint, but as a dynamic, courageous stance between tradition and change. We can be radical in our tolerance. We can be the space where people speak across divides, where new ideas are born not from shouting, but from listening. We can focus on what unites us, both as Jews and as humans, rather than concentrating on what divides us.

Last Friday, I returned from an exhilarating five days in Israel, where I served as a delegate for Masorti Olami (Masorti Worldwide) at the 39th Annual World Zionist Congress. 750 delegates, plus hundreds of alternates, gathered from across the Jewish world. In the spirit of the first Congress convened by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897, we met to elect an executive committee, discuss annual budgets of approximately $2 billion, and vote on more than 25 resolutions that represented a wide spectrum of views held across the Jewish people. There were many parties involved. I hesitate to list them here as I fear I might misdescribe them.

Masorti/Conservative (the religious movement) and MERCAZ (our political wing), had 60 delegates in total, including three Marom youth delegates. I was proud to see that the resolutions I felt strongly about passed by significant majorities, such as supporting prayer at the egalitarian section of the Kotel (Western Wall) and calls for an independent state investigation into the security breaches of October 7th. I was also pleased to see proposals I opposed, such as annexing the Temple Mount and funding settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, defeated. Other important resolutions were agreed by all, or most, sides: like promoting Zionism and Hebrew learning and fighting antisemitism.

I felt deeply connected to the outcomes of these votes, and I was happy that “we” won. But I also recognised that there were fellow Jews who felt just as strongly on the opposing side. To be honest, I’m not sure my views are the absolute truth. The “other side” made compelling arguments as well.

On Wednesday night, the voting marathon session to address 25 resolutions began.

The evening began with prayers and comments from politicians and families of hostages. Each resolution proposer was given two minutes to explain their position, followed by a two-minute response from someone opposed. Then we voted through a phone app (that generally worked!), and the outcomes were displayed, greeted with respectful applause from the “winning side.”

Naturally, in the world’s largest Jewish parliament, there were moments of challenge and disagreement. For a while, things ran smoothly. But as the deadline approached, the Chair, under pressure to move things along, maybe unwisely opened a vote on a contentious resolution before both sides had spoken. By the time the dissenter was given the floor, a majority of delegates had already voted, and he objected, with good cause, to the process. Although I supported the resolution, I felt parliamentary procedure should have been better respected. Tempers flared, and decorum slipped—but in the end, decisions were taken. 

Before leaving the conference, we did sing Hatikvah together—not arm-in-arm with our opponents, but at least in the same room. As we left the building, the triumphalism from some on our side was palpable. Unfortunately, a group (thankfully not from Masorti/MERCAZ) started singing We Are the Champions, as if we had just won a football match, rather than participated in a serious parliament where we had defeated our fellow Jews. I felt both pride and discomfort. I was happy with the result, but not always satisfied about how we got there.

I want to recognize our leadership and our delegation. Although we were fewer than 10% of the delegates, we consistently punched above our weight. As a progressive, liberal movement that is also deeply committed to halacha, we earned respect from many sides. We used that credibility, along with patience, respect and openness, to build coalitions with those to our left and right. While delegates were shouting in the main plenary session, our leader Dr. Yizhar Hess—Vice-Chairman of the World Zionist Organization—was quietly in the backroom, talking to and respecting everyone. His goal was not only to build peace and coalition but also to demonstrate the belief that we are all created in God’s image and deserve that respect.

We followed his example in the breakout sessions, reaching out to colleagues on the left, such as Reform, and on the right, like Mizrachi, as well as those whose positions on specific resolutions were less clear. This strategy gave us far greater influence and, I believe, allowed us to better serve the Jewish people. As a result, 23 out of the 25 resolutions were voted on in our favour.

While the outcome was very satisfying, I want to make a more important point: our world is fractured, especially the Jewish world, including Israel. The poles dominate, and the centre is weak or even non-existent. I believe the centre is the most effective place from which to build peace and prosperity—not only for the Middle East but for the world at large. Even more importantly, the centre can use its position to foster dialogue and agreement across the spectrum, helping to heal divisions and create successes.

I once thought that movements like Perestroika and Glasnost, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release of Nelson Mandela changed everything. I was wrong. I fear we have allowed ourselves to be lulled into a false sense of stability. The disorientation we feel now, as what once seemed stable is no longer, is a clear sign of how much has shifted. That’s why I believe we must strive from the centre—not for uniformity, but for unity. Not for perfection, but with purpose.

As Leonard Cohen famously wrote:

Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There is a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in.

The second stanza resonates with me deeply. We must let go of the pursuit of perfection as we work toward building the Jewish people. The cracks can be our movement’s call to let our imperfections become the very places where hope and renewal enter. 

Thank you to those who chose me to be a delegate at this remarkable display of Jewish democracy. May we move forward with courage and kindness, in the spirit of Joshua. And may we continue to be a light—a compassionate, positive, and human light—especially in these uncertain times.’