Mercaz - The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism Inc
Formation1978 (1978)
52-1171542[1]
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[1]
HeadquartersNew York City[2]
Coordinates40°45′13″N 73°59′31″W / 40.7536450°N 73.9919341°W / 40.7536450; -73.9919341
Marilyn Wind[3]
Sarrae G. Crane[3]
Revenue (2015)
$361,046[2]
Expenses (2015)$368,629[2]
Staff (2014)
1[2]
Volunteers (2014)
2[2]
Websitewww.mercazusa.com

Mercaz USA, officially Mercaz - The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism Inc, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on Zionism and Conservative Judaism, headquartered in New York City.[4][1][5]

Mission

The mission of Mercaz USA is to further the principles of the Jerusalem program to affirm the goals of Zionism and provide a vehicle through which Conservative Jews can express their commitment to Zionism.[2][6]

Program services

Mercaz USA publishes educational programs about Hebrew and Zionism for use with high school students and adults.[7] Mercaz USA advocates for religious pluralism, funding for Conservative Judaism, and Israel's right to security and peace.[7] Mercaz USA encourages people to travel and make aliyah to Israel.[7]

Members of Mercaz USA are eligible to elect other members to the World Zionist Congress.[8] Mercaz USA, Association of Reform Zionists of America, and Religious Zionists of America comprise the three largest contingents of the American delegation to the World Zionist Congress.[9]

History

Mercaz USA was founded in 1978[8] and incorporated in Washington, D.C., on June 4, 1979.[4]

In 1998, the Israel Policy Forum asked American Jewish groups to sign a letter encouraging President Bill Clinton to continue his current policy toward the State of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.[10] Mercaz USA chose not to endorse the letter, saying, "It is not a reflection of the contents of the letter one way or another.[10] It was not a letter coming out of the American Zionist Movement or the Presidents Conference, the two organizations to which Mercaz belongs."[10]

In 1999, the Knesset passed legislature stating that individuals may sit on local religious councils only if they vow allegiance to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.[11] In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mercaz USA wrote that the legislature was a "deliberate slap in the face of the majority of world Jewry who are not affiliated with Orthodoxy. ... We are deeply concerned that Israel's image as a democratic country may be undermined by this bill."[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mercaz-The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism Inc. Exempt Organization Select Check. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Mercaz-The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism Inc. Guidestar. June 30, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Officers". Mercaz USA. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Mercaz - The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism Inc - Initial File Number: 792061. District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Government of the District of Columbia. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ Cohen, Debra Nussbaum; Berke, Shari. "Coalition urges no concessions to Orthodox". MetroWest Jewish News (East Orange, New Jersey). May 23, 1996. p. 15.
  6. ↑ "Mission". Mercaz USA. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 "Programs". Mercaz-The Movement to Reaffirm Conservative Zionism Inc. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Kornfield, Cheryl L. "Mercaz head working for equal rights". MetroWest Jewish News (East Orange, New York). March 13, 1997. p. 8.
  9. ↑ "Care about Israel? Vote in the 'other' Israeli elections". The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California (San Francisco, California). April 24, 2015. p. 24.
  10. 1 2 3 "Conference Writes Letter to Clinton On Arab Bigotry: Foxman Demurs". Forward. January 16, 1998. p. 1.
  11. 1 2 "Doron Invoking the Holocaust To Warn of Dangers of Reform: Federations Enter Fray Against Orthodox". Forward. January 29, 1999. p. 1.
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