7 December 2011 | 11 Kislev 5772

Could you imagine, here in America in the 21st century, being disenfranchised?  It’s simply unthinkable in the world you and I inhabit.  It is equally unthinkable that if the “wall of separation” between church and state was “knocked down,” the government would provide funds to some religious movements and not to others.  It would be equally unfathomable if the government, by its actions, were to say, “You are an officially recognized member of the clergy and able to officiate at all life cycle events, and you are not.”  

By now, some of you surely recognize that I have just described Israel as it is constituted today.  I mention this not to get you angry or to lash out, God forbid, at Israel.  God – willing, Israelis will take matters into their own hands and demand a commitment to a pluralistic society that triumphs over political concerns.  But until that day arrives (and likely thereafter too) there are important things we can do that just might help such a time to dawn.

I ask you to do a simple thing – If you are not already a member of MERCAZ , please become a member. Please note that my appeal is not for funds.  My appeal is for membership.  Let me tell you why you should become a member of MERCAZ.

Because MERCAZ, the Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement, lobbies within the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel for religious pluralism in Israel.

Because MERCAZ, having elected 59 delegates to the 2010 World Zionist Congress, has succeeded in translating this strength into an annual allocation in excess of $2.5 million for the Conservative/Masorti Movement in Israel.  As you can imagine, that support makes a significant difference in the well-being of Masorti institutions.

In simple terms, as MERCAZ’s membership grows and you eventually vote in the next World Zionist Congress election, you will join with others in helping to increase the “slice of the pie” religiously pluralistic bodies receive to build a pluralistic Israeli society.

Every one of us can support religious pluralism in Israel by becoming and remaining an annual dues-paying member of MERCAZ.  I am such an individual, and I hope you will join me in becoming a member.  You can become a member online ($36 per person or $54 per family), click here.

Thank you very much for your attention to this request.  Please know that your MERCAZ membership, in cooperation with other Conservative Jews, makes a difference!