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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 time
ham Duvdevani (Duvdev) – has been for the Jewish people in the US, Israel
appointed to head the influential KKL. and around the world, this has never
After we head the KKL for two years, been more important.
Mizrachi will lead for three years the Q: What are your take-away impres-
Rural Development Department of the
World Zionist Organization, which, like sions of the WZC?
Rabbi Perez signing the unity agreement KKL, works to develop Israel’s periphery A: This was indeed historic. We at Miz-
at the WZO in the very room that served rachi herald this moment of unity and
as David Ben-Gurion’s office during his in the Negev and Galilee, a goal that is look forward to working with all parties
tenure as Chairman of the Jewish Agency. the key to the future of a country that is
overly populated in its center and under- for a better future for the Jewish people,
populated in its periphery. Israel and the Zionist Movement. We
in decisions affecting Israeli society and Mizrachi will also head the Education are equally humbled at the successes
the Israel-Diaspora relationship. This Department of the WZO, which deals of Mizrachi at the World Zionist Con-
year, a wall-to-wall unity agreement was with shlichim and, in particular, edu- gress in securing influential positions
decided on regarding the appointment cational shlichim to schools around to further the ongoing impact of Torat
of the major portfolios and positions the world, reflecting a commitment to Eretz Yisrael in Israel and around the
of influence within the National Insti- education that has been the focus of reli- world. A heartfelt thanks to all our many
tutions – the WZO, Keren Kayemeth gious Zionists for centuries. This posi- passionate professionals, lay leaders,
LeIsrael (KKL), Keren HaYesod and the tion will be held by Gael Grunewald who ambassadors, volunteers, delegates
Jewish Agency for Israel. will also act as the Deputy Chairman of and voters, who all worked together to
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
agreement? Why was this important for Religious Affairs for the Diaspora, impact of our collective destiny.
to Mizrachi? which will be headed by Rabbi Yechiel
A: The unity of the Jewish people is a Wasserman, for the next eight months,
primary value at Mizrachi. In the nego- followed by Roi Abecassis, who is also
tiations, there were many different par- deeply committed to these Jewish edu-
ties pushing for a more extreme stance cational values.
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
for a fair deal which should give every- the Religious Zionist parties in Israel, Mizrachi’s representatives in the National
one power and influence based on their totaling around 80 delegates. This made Institutions: (clockwise from top left) Avra-
relative strength as is the custom in Mizrachi one of the largest and most ham Duvdevani, Gael Grunewald, Roi
Abecassis and Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman
these institutions. influential delegations in the WZC and
hence succeeded in obtaining these
Our negotiating team played a pivotal positions. I, along with Chairman of the Board, Mr.
role in the signing of the agreement in Harvey Blitz and all at Mizrachi, wish
ensuring that ultimately there would be Q: How will Mizrachi use these key Avraham Duvdevani, Gael Grunewald,
one large table around which all can sit positions to advance its goals? Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman and Roi Abe-
to build the Zionist Movement together A: Mizrachi plans to use their greater cassis much success in their new and
going forward. influence to benefit the State of Israel important positions. 

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