Reinvigorating Our World Movement

Over the last week, delegates from around the world met in Jerusalem for the 30th World Mizrachi Conference. The conference, which meets approximately every 5 years, was run this year under the heading “Reinvigorating Our World Movement”, and we looked at World Mizrachi’s vision and mission for the 21st Century.

On Thursday night, a grand opening event was held at the beautiful Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem. After a short tour around the museum, where participants heard about how the Jews lived in the Babylonian exile and prepared to return to the Land of Israel under Ezra and Nechemia, the opening event took place in the museum’s auditorium. The packed crowd heard from Minister Uri Ariel, Racheli Fraenkel and WZO Chairman Avraham Duvdevani, with musical entertainment by the fantastic Yitzchak Meir Malek.

Our CEO Rav Doron Perez then presented the new video produced for the event, which looks at the vision and mission of our World Mizrachi Movement for the years ahead.

You can watch the video below:

Then, the audience heard from Rav Perez about the plans for Religious Zionism and how World Mizrachi plans to be an integral part of the activities both in Israel and in the Diaspora.

The main event concluded with a commemoration of the 100th Yahrzeit of the founder of Mizrachi, Rav Yizchak Yaakov Reines, with the re-publication by World Mizrachi of a special book of Rav Reines’ writings entitled “Karnei Orah”. Written by one of his foremost students, the collection of writings was re-published, with an addition of two detailed articles in English about Rav Reines’ life and philosophy.

Rav Reines’ great-granddaughter, Mrs Naomi Gordon, together with her husband Noam and members of their family, were in attendance and were presented with a special framed photo of Rav Reines as a token of appreciation for their generosity in assisting in the publishing of this book.

 

On the following day, at the Mizrachi headquarters in Jerusalem, the delegates were treated to in depth and fascinating reports and discussions about the activities of the movement.

First, Rav Perez presented the activities and programs of the World Movement, as follows:

Mission Statement
Galvanizing Our Movement
Organizational Synergy

Programs
Shalhevet – Redefining Global Rabbinic and Educational Leadership
Shlichut Conferences – Shifting Paradigms in Israel
Disseminating Religious Zionist Content
Building Our Branches Together
Summer Internship Program
Electronic Media

Following Rav Perez were a number of inspiring presentations from representatives of the branches in Canada, South Africa, UK, Chicago and Australia, as well as hearing from the heads of World Bnei Akiva and Torah MiTzion. The group were also treated to a special guest speaker in the shape of Rav David Stav, who is Co-Chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone, Chairman of Tzohar Rabbis and Rav of Shoham.

Following that was an incredible Shabbaton at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem. The Shabbaton was packed with fascinating speakers including Rav Yosef Carmel, Rav Yosef Tzvi Rimon, Rabbanit Adi Samson, General Yaakov Amidror, Rav Tzvi Hersh Weinreb and more.

The Shabbaton participants all commented on what a wonderful and inspiring Shabbat it was, and how the atmosphere was amazing.

We are all looking forward to the next time we will all meet!