Rabbi Heller's Blog

This week, we begin the journey through Purim and Passover with Shabbat Shekalim. We read an additional portion from Exodus that describes how each Israelite must give a half shekel in order to be counted. Every adult male was mandated to participate, and in return was considered to have a share in the construction of the Tabernacle. This reading is particularly important this year, as Jews around the world prepare to participate in the World Zionist Elections. The price of participation is $5, not ½ a shekel, but the stakes are no less than billions of shekels, and the future of Israel. To pre-register, click on https://www.mercazusa.org/votemercaz2025/, and note community code 217 so that you are identified with our congregation. To understand why this matters, keep reading!

At this moment, many of us are overwhelmed with concern with the future of our brothers and sisters in Israel. How will they overcome the external challenges that they face? These concerns will not go away any time soon. At the same time, there is a battle for the soul of Israel, between secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox, between left, center and ultra-nationalist. These internal debates are urgent now, and will matter even more so if we ever reach a lull in the current conflict. When these battles are fought in Israel’s government, we have no vote. That seems fair; since we are not citizens, do not pay taxes or send our children to fight, how can we ask to dictate what happens in the Knesset?

On the other hand, the lesson of Shekalim tells us that everyone who contributes has some ownership, and we do earn our voice in other ways. Many of us express our support for Israel, and Jews around the world, by giving through Federation or other national campaigns, including organizations like JNF. The World Zionist Organization decides how these billions of dollars will be spent, and we have the right, and indeed, the responsibility, to have a voice in how these funds will be allocated. Every five years, the WZO holds elections, and Jews from around the world are able to participate.  

The cost of a vote is a $5 donation/registration fee, but its value is dozens of times that. With your vote you get to choose one of over 20 slates that seek to control the 152 seats allocated to American Jews, and thereby represent your interests in Israel. Their views are extraordinarily diverse. Some are in favor of peace at any cost, while others are borderline racist.  Some are trying to ensure that the only flavor of Judaism allowed in Israel is their own ultra-orthodox approach, while others are anti-religious.

Our congregation is aligned with the Mercaz/Masorti Slate, which represents the Conservative movement of Judaism. A vote for Mercaz ensures that funds go to support those affected by October 7, rather than organizations with anti-democratic agendas. A vote for Mercaz ensures that funds spent on religious education will teach people about Judaism as we understand it, and will support religious pluralism in Israel, so that we will not be excluded from life in Israel because of the way that we believe and practice.

Voting starts in just a few weeks, and you can pre-register now at https://www.mercazusa.org/votemercaz2025/  (community code 217). Any adult member of your household can vote. I’m delighted that Julie Oshins and a team of volunteers at B’nai Torah are working to get out the vote. ½ shekel isn’t very much, but with enough Jews coming together, they combined to create a tabernacle. $5 and one online form isn’t very much, if enough members of our congregation vote, we can flip a seat all by ourselves!