“Be the Bear”: How the Reform Movement Showed Up Strong at the World Zionist Congress
Last week in Jerusalem, the Reform Movement made history. We arrived at the World Zionist Congress (WZC) — a global gathering held every five years where Jewish communities from around the world come together to shape priorities and funding for the future of Israel and the Jewish people — and we made our presence known.
Thanks to the fearless leadership of ARZENU Co-Chairs Shoshana Dweck and Harry Levy, and ARZA Chair, Daryl Messinger, our Reform delegation was the largest at the Congress — and quickly became known as the most prepared. Throughout the week, Shoshana offered an image that became our motto:
“When you come upon a bear in the wilderness, you don’t run. You take a deep breath, make yourself as big and confident as possible, and convince the bear that you, too, are a bear.”
And that’s exactly what we did. We stood tall for our values — democracy, pluralism, inclusivity, and hope. We didn’t back down. We built bridges across differences and proudly claimed our rightful place in the Zionist story.
We came to win — and we did. This is what you worked and voted for!
Our Wins: Advancing Reform Jewish Values
The Congress was evenly split between right- and left-leaning parties — meaning nothing was guaranteed. But through smart organizing and coalition-building, our Reform Movement won the vast majority of votes, and not by small margins.
Here are just a few highlights:
✅ Stopped funding for new settlements in Gaza
✅ Won equal government protection for Reform and liberal synagogues in Israel
✅ Established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the events of October 7
✅ Created a national mental health taskforce for victims of terror and soldiers
✅ Expanded youth movements and Israel education in the Diaspora
✅ Halted settlement expansion in E1, keeping open the path to a two-state solution
✅ Supported an equitable military draft for all Israelis
✅ Increased access to the egalitarian section of the Western Wall
✅ Strengthened civil society, pluralism, and support for Holocaust survivors
And we blocked proposals to:
Extend Israeli control over the Temple Mount and West Bank
Use communal funds to support Christian Zionist groups
These victories show that our vision — a Jewish homeland rooted in peace, justice, and inclusion — speaks to the heart of global Jewry.
Looking Ahead: Powering Up for 2030
As leadership roles for the next five years are finalized, we’re already preparing for the future. Our mantra throughout the week was “Powering Up for 2030” — the next World Zionist Congress election.
Over the next five years, we’ll expand the incredible work of our clergy, captains, educators, and volunteers to strengthen Reform Zionism, partner with our Israeli Reform Movement, and give Reform Jews everywhere meaningful ways to act for the Israel we believe in.
👉 Join us in the next chapter. Learn how to get involved: Israel Organizing Commitments
Our Delegation: Large, Diverse, and United
Our US delegation of 66 people (including a record number of observers and alternates) reflected the true diversity of our Movement and came together in unity with the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the Reform Delegates from around the world – over 150 people in total.
We represented every corner of the Reform family including our NFTY teens, URJ Camp leaders, WRJ women, clergy, rabbinical students, and educators. Together, we came from 17 states and 50 congregations, ranging in age from 20 to 87, including 11 under 35 — the next generation of Reform Zionist leaders. Rabbis, educators, cantors, and lay leaders worked side by side. We supported each other in long debates, stood up for our younger voices, and built real relationships — even with those who disagreed with us.
With Deep Gratitude
None of this could have happened without the heart of our Movement — YOU.
To our congregations, camps, clergy, early childhood centers, captains, and volunteers across North America: thank you for showing up, speaking out, organizing, and believing in our shared vision of a Jewish and democratic Israel. Your energy powered this success.
Together, we are shaping the future of Reform Zionism.
Theodor Herzl said, “Im tirtzu, ein zo agadah” — “If you will it, it is no dream.”
In Jerusalem, we willed it — and together, we proved that a Judaism grounded in justice and hope can stand tall, proud, and strong.
Rabbi Lindsey Danziger is the Director of Campaigns at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. She guides synagogues and clergy across the country in their work to organize and mobilize for justice. She is also an adjunct professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she teaches Community Organizing. She was ordained there in 2017 and also received a master’s degree in Religious Education. Rabbi Danziger resides in Nashville, TN, with her husband, Rabbi Michael Danziger, and their three children – Ben, Aviva, and Noa.
