Page 29 - HaMizrachiChayei Sarah AUS 2020

Q: What key positions did Mizrachi and Klal Yisrael – all branches, sectors
secure? and streams. Mizrachi will continue
A: This is the first time since the to be the bridge builders, facilitating
advent of the Zionist Movement that a friendship and collegiality among Jews
Torah-observant Jew – Mizrachi’s Avra- around the world. At such a divisive
ham Duvdevani (Duvdev) – has been time for the Jewish people in the US,
appointed to head the influential KKL. Israel and around the world, this has
After we head the KKL for two years, never been more important.
Mizrachi will lead for three years the
Rural Development Department of the Q: What are your take-away
World Zionist Organization, which, like impressions of the WZC?
Rabbi Perez signing the unity agreement A: This was indeed historic. We at Miz-
at the WZO in the very room that served KKL, works to develop Israel’s periph- rachi herald this moment of unity and
as David Ben-Gurion’s office during his ery in the Negev and Galilee, a goal that
tenure as Chairman of the Jewish Agency. is the key to the future of a country that look forward to working with all parties
is overly populated in its center and for a better future for the Jewish people,
underpopulated in its periphery. Israel and the Zionist Movement. We
People” and gave voice to world Jewry Mizrachi will also head the Education are equally humbled at the successes
in decisions affecting Israeli society and Department of the WZO, which deals of Mizrachi at the World Zionist Con-
the Israel-Diaspora relationship. This with shlichim and, in particular, edu- gress in securing influential positions
year, a wall-to-wall unity agreement was cational shlichim to schools around to further the ongoing impact of Torat
decided on regarding the appointment the world, reflecting a commitment to Eretz Yisrael in Israel and around the
of the major portfolios and positions education that has been the focus of world. A heartfelt thanks to all our
of influence within the National Insti- religious Zionists for centuries. This many passionate professionals, lay lead-
tutions – the WZO, Keren Kayemeth position will be held by Gael Grunewald ers, ambassadors, volunteers, delegates
LeIsrael (KKL), Keren HaYesod and the who will also act as the Deputy Chair- and voters, who all worked together to
Jewish Agency for Israel. man of the WZO. secure this incredible result of building

Q: What is a wall-to-wall unity Mizrachi also received the Department on our common fate and furthering the
impact of our collective destiny.
agreement? Why was this import- for Religious Affairs for the Diaspora,
ant to Mizrachi? which will be headed by Rabbi Yechiel
Wasserman, for the next eight months,
A: The unity of the Jewish people is a followed by Roi Abecassis, who is also
primary value at Mizrachi. In the nego- deeply committed to these Jewish edu-
tiations, there were many different par- cational values.
ties pushing for a more extreme stance
either to the Right or to the Left. Q: How did Mizrachi succeed in
We saw our role as to not only secure obtaining these positions?
significant leadership positions for our- A: This historic milestone happened
selves, which we did, but also to act as not because of any backroom deals in
a bridge ensuring a wall-to-wall agree- Jerusalem but through the strong uni-
ment in the spirit of the round table fied Religious Zionist delegation from
nature of these institutions. Mizrachi Mizrachi branches worldwide, the
representatives consistently advocated Mizrachi-driven OIC in the US, and Mizrachi’s representatives in the National
for a fair deal which should give every- the Religious Zionist parties in Israel, Institutions: (clockwise from top left) Avra-
one power and influence based on their totaling around 80 delegates. This made ham Duvdevani, Gael Grunewald, Roi
relative strength as is the custom in Mizrachi one of the largest and most Abecassis and Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman
influential delegations in the WZC and
these institutions. hence succeeded in obtaining these
Our negotiating team played a pivotal positions. I, along with Chairman of the Board,
role in the signing of the agreement in Mr. Harvey Blitz and all at Mizra-
ensuring that ultimately there would be Q: How will Mizrachi use these key chi, wish Avraham Duvdevani, Gael
one large table around which all can sit positions to advance its goals? Grunewald, Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman
to build the Zionist Movement together A: Mizrachi plans to use their greater and Roi Abecassis much success in their
going forward. influence to benefit the State of Israel new and important positions. 

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