MERCAZ Olami

MERCAZ Olami is the Zionist political organization associated with the world Masorti/Conservative Movement (Masorti Judaism). 'Mercaz' is the Hebrew word for 'center', whilst 'olami' means 'worldwide' or 'global'. MERCAZ advocates for the interests of the Masorti/Conservative Movement (Masorti Judaism) around the world in Israel's National Institutions (World Zionist Organization, Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Leyisrael and Keren HaYesod). The MERCAZ slate focusses on achieving full equality for Masorti/Conservative Judaism in Israel. The current Executive Director is Rabbi Mauricio Balter. Prior to this, it was Rabbi Tzvi Graetz.
==Chapters==
Each MERCAZ chapter represents their local Masorti/Conservative community in the Zionist Federation.
MERCAZ has a number of chapters around the world including the following: MERCAZ Argentina, MERCAZ Australia, MERCAZ Brazil, MERCAZ Canada, MERCAZ Chile, MERCAZ France, MERCAZ Germany, MERCAZ Hungary, MERCAZ Israel, MERCAZ Mexico, MERCAZ Olami (Central Office), MERCAZ Russia, MERCAZ Netherlands, MERCAZ UK, MERCAZ Ukraine, MERCAZ Uruguay, MERCAZ USA.
==Representatives==
The current President of MERCAZ is Rabbi Dr. Alan Silverstein, a Masorti/Conservative Rabbi, and leader of Congregation Agudath Israel in New Jersey. He succeeds Dr. Stephen Wolnek.
The current Secretary is Sophie Fellman-Rafalovitz, Chair of the Masorti Movement in Israel.
The current Treasurer is Emily Levy-Schochat who sits on the KKL-JNF Board of Directors as Vice Chairman.
The Executive Director is Rabbi Mauricio Balter.
==Results at the World Zionist Congress==
===38th World Zionist Congress===
The 38th World Zionist Congress took place virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, from the 20th to 22nd of October, 2020. 
There were 15 slates with 1,800 delegate candidates, competing for 152 seats that are elected by Americans . MERCAZ USA, a chapter of MERCAZ Olami, won 18 seats out of the 152. Further to this, MERCAZ received another 19 mandates from the Diaspora, making MERCAZ the 4th largest faction at the Congress.
MERCAZ also received positions at the National Institutions. Yizhar Hess became the Deputy Vice-Chair in the World Zionist Organization and another Vice-Chair position was gained at KKL. MERCAZ also retained its place on the Jewish Agency nomination committee and will receive the unpaid Chair Position of the KKL Environment committee.
==Viewpoints==
A recent plan by KKL-JNF to purchase private land in Area C of the West Bank has been condemned by the Masorti Movement, as damaging to the legitimacy of Israel and favoring the settlement policy of the extreme right in Israel. They stated that the move to buy private Palestinian land "could irreversibly endanger KKL and our homeland". Similarly, the organization denounces West Bank settlements and opposes plans to buy private Arab-owned lands in the areas of Judea and Samaria.
MERCAZ Olami pushes for no restrictions of the Law of Return (the law regarding Jewish immigration to Israel) as well as increased funding for its programs. Important also to the slate is the implementation of the egalitarian prayer plan at the Western Wall, creating a place for non-Orthodox prayer, and an open Jewish 'pluralistic society'. MERCAZ also pushes for recognition of all conversions and weddings performed by Masorti/Conservative rabbis as well as state funding for their rabbis.
==MERCAZ Olami Award==
In 2013, the Third Annual MERCAZ Olami award was presented to Gloria Cohen, former International President of Women’s League, for her work in strengthening the Conservative/Masorti movement worldwide. 
Category:Zionist organizations