Union for Reform Judaism Congratulates ARZENU on Historic Coalition Agreement at the World Zionist Congress

After months of complex negotiations, the liberal bloc remained unified and steadfast in its principles, successfully achieving a fair, balanced, and forward-looking agreement despite deep divisions within the right-wing and Orthodox factions.

Key achievements for ARZENU bloc include:

• Appointment of an ARZENU representative as Vice Chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel, with expanded authority, budget and responsibility.

• Leadership of a WZO Department, with two departments divided between coalition partners over the next five years.

• KKL-JNF Vice Chair, plus three Reform and Progressive representatives on the KKL Board (including WUPJ).

• Chairmanship of the KKL Finance Committee for 2.5 years, ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency aligned with liberal Jewish values.

• Chairmanship of the KKL Lands Committee for 2.5 years, providing critical oversight of land use, including in the West Bank.

• A meaningful budget increase in KKL and WZO allocations to support liberal Jewish movements in Israel and around the world.

• Additional leadership roles, including in KKL's subsidiary bodies, are currently under discussion.

"This agreement gives real expression to the will of the voters and the spirit of partnership that brought this Zionist Congress together," said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism. "It's a chance to turn shared purpose into action - to rebuild and renew after October 7th, to strengthen a Judaism rooted in pluralism and unity, to confront rising antisemitism, and to ensure that democracy and equality remain at the center of Israel's story."

Rabbi Josh Weinberg, URJ Vice President for Israel and Reform Zionism and Executive Director of ARZA, added:

"This agreement affirms that Reform and Progressive Jews have an essential role in shaping Israel's future. It's a testament to what can happen when we bring moral clarity, strategic partnership, and steadfast love for Israel to the Zionist table. As we strengthen our leadership in key institutions, we do so guided by the conviction that Zionism must embody the prophetic call for justice, equality, and peace - values that define our Movement and our vision for the Jewish state."

Together with its coalition partners, the Reform Movement secured a formidable outcome.

The Reform Movement celebrates this achievement as a reaffirmation of Reform Zionism's vital role: a movement deeply committed to Israel's security, to its democratic foundations, and to the vision of a Jewish state guided by justice, inclusion, and moral courage.

The URJ and ARZA invite North American Reform Jews to take part in this work - by deepening engagement with Israel, strengthening Reform communities across the Jewish world, and ensuring that our collective Zionist voice continues to champion democracy, pluralism, and Jewish peoplehood. Learn more at urj.org/israel, arza.org, and vote4reform.org.