The Torah describes how, at Mt. Sinai, our ancestors each participated in a census by contributing half a coin. This showed that none of us is complete without the other, emphasizing our responsibility to care for one another.
Today, each of us counts again as we have the opportunity to vote for the future we want for America and Israel. The World Zionist Organization will decide how to allocate more than $1 billion annually for the next five years based on these votes.
Five years ago, 123,575 American Jews voted for parties that determined how these funds were distributed. If you’re over 18, identify as Jewish and live in the U.S., you are eligible to vote. Kansas City’s Jewish community has historically had strong representation, exceeding our proportional share. Remarkable people from Kansas City serve as national board members of influential organizations like JAFI, JDC and AIPAC. At a time when Jewish communities face increasing hate, maintaining strong representation is especially important.
Because our community is smaller, it’s crucial for us to become informed about the issues and clearly express our values. By voting, we can positively influence the future of the Jewish people, the land of Israel and the broader world. We are fortunate to have community members running on different party slates.
One key area where the World Zionist Congress has increased funding is in combating anti-Zionist activities on college campuses. Unfortunately, some protests have shifted from criticizing Israel’s government to attacking Jewish institutions like Hillel and Chabad, as well as targeting Jewish students themselves. My heart goes out to students who feel threatened or scared.
While it’s not my place to endorse a specific party, I strongly encourage everyone to learn about the slates and vote according to the causes they support and envision for our shared future.
For additional information, you can attend a film screening hosted by one of the slate organizations, Aish. The film, titled “October 8th,” discusses the impact on the world after Hamas murdered 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, and how this tragedy has affected campuses. To learn more, visit jewishkc.com.
Josef Loeffler is a philanthropist and community member involved with many Jewish organizations locally, nationally and globally.