Page 8 - HaMizrachi Sukkot 5783 USA

THE WORLD

ORTHODOX ISRAEL

CONGRESS

Behind the Scenes
Behind the S cenes

In April 2023, Jews all over the world will celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary. In
honor of this milestone and Mizrachi’s 120th anniversary year, World Mizrachi
will host two exciting events in Yerushalayim, including a massive celebration of
Yom HaAtzmaut and the inaugural World Orthodox Israel Congress for Jewish
professional and lay leaders representing communities from across the world.

We sat down with Rabbi Doron Perez, Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi,
and Rabbi Reuven Taragin, World Mizrachi’s Educational Director,
to hear more about the plans.

Can you tell us more about the purpose of this cele- crystallizes our reinvigorated Mizrachi mission, in which
bration and Congress? Israel, as the center and heart of the Jewish world, must
play a proactive role in the future of Jewish destiny all over
Rabbi Doron Perez: One hundred and twenty years ago, the
Mizrachi movement was founded to play a proactive part in the world. Times are changing, and an increasing number of
the revival of the Jewish people and the building of a Jewish Diaspora communities are turning to Israel for assistance.
state – and to demonstrate that there is no contradiction We must answer the call, and so Mizrachi is investing heavily
between Zionism and authentic Torah values. On the con- in serving the needs of Diaspora communities. This is why
trary, they are indeed complementary! we will be hosting the World Orthodox Israel Congress.
One hundred and twenty years on, the Mizrachi movement Mizrachi is uniquely positioned to play a role on the global
remains deeply dedicated to the vision of our founders – stage. With branches and affiliates in over 40 countries,
but with an updated mission. Such a significant milestone World Mizrachi aims to galvanize a global community
provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate being part where the whole is much greater than the sum total of
of such a historic organization, the oldest still-existing the individual parts. Mizrachi leaders and affiliates play
movement in the World Zionist Organization. Even more crucial roles in thousands of communities, schools, college
importantly, we will reflect on our illustrious past in order to forums and youth movements around the world. We aim
plan for a reinvigorated future as a relevant and revitalized to connect and galvanize these communities and join these
Religious Zionist global movement. institutions together to create a powerful, networked and
At our Jubilee Yom Yerushalayim celebrations in Jerusa- interconnected global community. We will bring institu-
lem in 2017, Naftali Bennett, then Minister of Education, tional leaders – rabbinic, educational and lay leaders alike
shared a powerful statement: “The State of Israel used to be – from Israel and the Diaspora to work together to address
the project of Jewish people; now, the Jewish people must the greatest challenges of our generation and create effective
be the project of the State of Israel.” This transformation mechanisms to continue this work over time.

Facing page: The Yom HaZikaron ceremony at the Kfar Etzion cemetery, during
8 | Mizrachi's Israel70 mission in 2018. (PHOTO: DAVID STEIN)