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Tuesday, February 25, 2020

At the World Zionist Congress, election is a family affair

At the World Zionist Congress, election is a family affair

At the World Zionist Congress, election is a family affair


Running as delegates to the World Zionist Congress is a family affair for a handful of American Jewish activists and leaders, with immediate family members and spouses running on opposing slates.
At least three are from the Ellenson family, and two are a married couple: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Manhattan’s Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.
Family Ties: Reform Rabbi Jacqueline Ellenson, former director of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, and her son Rafi Ellenson are running on the Vote Reform slate, which includes Reconstructionist rabbis like Kleinbaum and her daughter, Hannah Ellenson, is running on the Hatikvah slate. Also happening this year, Nicole Berner-Kadish is running on the Hatikvah slate and her son, Mattan Berner-Kadish, is running on the Vote Reform slate.
By the numbers: With less than three weeks to go before polls close on March 11, 60,498 votes had been cast by Sunday evening, according to American Zionist Movement Executive Director Herb Block, whose organization administers the CONTINUE READING: At the World Zionist Congress, election is a family affair