From regional initiatives to global milestones, the past three months have been filled with inspiring progress. This newsletter offers a glimpse into the remarkable work happening across the Masorti/Conservative movement.
❱❱ Click here to explore our Pesach Special for valuable resources in multiple languages, celebrating the holiday that marks the Exodus from Egypt and the path to redemption. ❰❰
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Dvar Torah by Rabbi Mauricio Balter
In a few days, we will gather once again around the table for the Pesach Seder. The occasion invites us to reflect on one of the most profound messages of our tradition: crossing from slavery to freedom. This topic is not only central in Pesach but appears constantly in the Jewish liturgy, for instance in the Shabbat kidush “zecher l’itziat Mitzrayim” (“to remind us of our departure from Egypt”). Freedom is not only a historical value; it is an essential and eternal principle of Judaism.
The Haggadah requests us to reflect about four children with different characteristics: the wise, the evil, the innocent and the one who does not know how to ask. This year I would like to propose something special: to add a fifth son/daughter to the Haggadah. (...)
Click below to read the Dvar Torah in full and find it in different languages.
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Special Pesach Campaigns
As we prepare to celebrate Pesach, a time of freedom, tradition, and unity, we invite our global community to join us in making a difference. Through our special campaigns, we're raising vital funds so communities in need can celebrate this holiday in dignity, tradition, and joy. With your generosity, we can help bring the spirit of Pesach to those who need it most.
✦ Abayudaya Pesach Campaign | We are raising funds to buy matzah, wine and other Pesach essentials for Abayudaya Jews in Uganda and Kenya. Every contribution brings us closer to our goal of $6,000 to cover costs, including transportation of these crucial supplies.
✦ Pesach Appeal for Ukraine | With our partners at the Schechter Institutes, we helped evacuate hundreds of refugees and provide essential aid - including food, medicine, warm clothing, heating, generators, transport, shelter and educational supplies. religious - to our Masorti/conservative communities in Ukraine. We are committed to supporting them throughout the difficult reality they are facing in Ukraine. For Pesach, we're raising funds for community seders in Chernivtsi, Kyiv, Odessa and Kharkiv, all run by our dedicated local leaders, where we expect to host over 500 people.
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International Programming
Masorti Olami partnered with Repair the Sea again, this time for a new Jewish ritual to fulfill the mitzvah of Bal Tashchit before Pesach: Bedikat HaMayim. Our communities around the world have joined their efforts of cleaning a different kind of chametz from our waters: plastic bags and bottles [that likely once contained chametz], plastic cutlery, and plastic bags.
Together, our global Masorti/Conservative movement has deepened its connection to the natural world, joined the global Jewish community, and taken meaningful steps toward a better future.
In these difficult and worrying days, as we persist in our prayers and demands for the return of all hostages, we invite you to join the global Masorti/Conservative effort in reading a Tehillim (psalm) each day, offering heartfelt intentions for their freedom.
Sign up today to receive weekly emails of daily psalms with meaningful kavannot (intentions) from our rabbis, and download Tehillim in English, French, German, Hebrew, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
In the hope that Purim brought you moments of joy, community and connection, and as we celebrated the enduring spirit of the Jewish people, we shared a video highlighting how over 50 Masorti Olami communities around the world came together to mark this significant holiday.
On March 8, as we commemorated International Women’s Day, we honored the pioneering women of the Masorti/Conservative movement—visionaries, leaders, and changemakers who broke barriers and paved the way for a more inclusive and dynamic Jewish world. We celebrated their legacy and recognized the incredible women leading and shaping our movement across the globe.
On International Day of Social Justice, we were reminded of the deep moral responsibility we all share to one another. Hillel addresses the idea of our existence being bound to one another in Pirkei Avot 2:4, when he teaches, “Do not separate yourself from the community.”
In honor of this day, we created a study page with texts from our sacred sources and insights from modern thinkers, offering a Masorti/Conservative perspective on our individual responsibility toward one another, especially the vulnerable in our communities.
Our global Masorti/Conservative community joined forces with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, supported by the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and us, to help strengthen our Jewish connection and tradition through special events around the world for this year’s World Wide Wrap.
Click here to see some highlights from our Masorti/Conservative communities in Australia, France, Mexico, and Uganda who participated in the project.
Israel at War
Masorti and MERCAZ Olami remain committed to raising awareness about the hostages; men, women, and children that are still being held captive in Gaza, and we pray for their immediate and safe return home, and for an end to the suffering of all innocent people.
Click here to read more about our statements, different briefings, events and resources we bring to our communities.
MERCAZ Olami
Hundreds of people participated in MERCAZ’s special online briefings, which addressed relevant and critical issues with experts and leading figures in Israeli current affairs.
Col. (Ret.) Miri Eisin offered a better understanding of what is happening in the Middle East following the events of October 7; MK Benny Gantz shared his analysis and provided important insights into the conflict, its impact on Jewish communities in Israel and the diaspora, and what we can expect for the future in the region; and MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv led an insightful discussion on what is at stake in this year’s World Zionist Congress elections and why every vote is essential to safeguard democracy and pluralism in Israel.
The World Zionist Congress elections are taking place across the globe. The results of these elections will directly impact the resources our worldwide movement will have over the next five years, as well as our ability to influence the policies and activities of Israel’s national institutions.
This Pesach, let’s be like Miriam, Shifra, and Puah—protecting future generations and ensuring a safe, secure, Jewish, and democratic Israel that serves as a home for every Jew.
While elections in the US are happening now (visit votemercazusa.org to make sure your voice is heard), elections in the UK and Argentina will begin in the coming weeks. Visit mercazolami.org for all the information you need and to register—so you can cast your vote in these crucial elections, shaping both the Masorti/Conservative movement and the future of the State of Israel.
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NOAM Olami
NOAM Europe was honored to take part in the WAY Conference, hosted by the World Zionist Organization. Representatives from France, Israel, Spain, the UK, and Ukraine came together alongside youth movements from around the world for an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.
Recently, two amazing madrichim from NOAM Israel, Niv Jankelowitz and Lia Wygoda, traveled El Salvador to the NOAM Machaneh as part of our shlichonim program — a special collaboration connecting NOAM branches around the world.
❱❱ Keep reading
NOAM participated in the Masorti Europe Board weekend in Madrid by playing a very special role leading the Shabbat services at Bet-El community. Chanichim and madrichim of NOAM Madrid led prayers, Havdallah, and were an incredible presence throughout the Shabbat, including NOAM Olami Director, Shoshi Bassan.
❱❱ Learn more
Marom
Marom is now accepting applications for the August 2025 season of CONNECT, a program designed for young adults to explore personal and professional growth.
Over four months in Tel Aviv, participants immerse themselves in the community, culture, and their own development through internships, volunteer work, language courses, university studies, or remote work. Marom provides housing, educational and cultural activities, tours of Israel, as well as medical insurance and security.
AmLat
Last week, at an event organized by Masorti Olami, Executive Director Rabbi Mauricio Balter met with a group of young women leaders from Jewish institutions and communities in Chile.
Formed after October 7th and driven by a shared interest in deepening their understanding of Judaism, this group of 15 members was created and is led by Jessica Landes from Círculo Israelita de Santiago. They traveled to Israel to engage with Jewish leaders and organizational representatives, gain a better grasp of the current situation in the country, and further their learning. The meeting was graciously hosted by our friends and partners at Neve Schechter, providing a meaningful setting for their discussions.
After listening to their experiences and hearing about their desire to come to Israel in solidarity with its people, Rabbi Mauricio spoke about the global Masorti/Conservative movement, Masorti ideology, and delivered a shiur on Pesach. He shared: "It fills my heart to see this group of young Latin American women so deeply connected to Israel’s reality and actively engaged in community work in their country. It was an honor and a joy to meet them."
Learn more about Masorti AmLat, the umbrella organization representing over 90 communities across 14 Latin American countries, by visiting masorti-amlat.org and following them on social media.
Masorti AmLat and the Kalanit Foundation, a Chilean foundation that supports entrepreneurship, organized a workshop on The Sustainability of a Community: The Magic of Fundraising, based on the book "Kavaná" by Professor Tomás Münzer, from our community in Chile, and Vice President on the Masorti Olami Executive Committee.
They had the honor of having the author, who teaches Rhetoric and Persuasion and is a community leader, and Felipe Rubio, senior consultant in implementing fundraising campaigns.
❱❱ Learn more
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, our Masorti/Conservative communities took part in a massive demonstration on behalf of Shiri z"l, Kfir z"l, and Ariel Bibas z"l, and all those who were tragically affected by the Hamas attack, and calling for the immediate release of all hostages still held captive. The protest march, organized by all the main representations of the Argentinian Jewish communities, brought together approximately 15,000 people.
❱❱ Keep reading
Europe
From March 6-9, the Board of Masorti Europe and invited guests, came together for a weekend exploring the theme of ‘Future Growth – Strengthening Roots, A Masorti Future in Europe’, hosted by the Bet-El community in Madrid.
Participants explored the meeting theme through impactful working groups, a special panel discussion where they heard about five different personal Masorti journeys and their visions for the future of Masorti Europe, shared learning, and wide-ranging presentations from many of those present.
Ukraine
In March, the Jewish Organizations Leaders’ Forum in Kyiv brought together local Jewish community leaders, rabbis, and activists to discuss challenges and strengthen cooperation. Maks Melnikov, Masoret Kyiv community’s director, shared the community’s experience during the full-scale invasion, highlighting its resilience and future plans.
Kehillat Aviv, our community in Chernivtsi, has been raising funds and independently renovating the first floor of its building. The area will include a professional kosher kitchen, a children’s room, a psychologist’s office, a mini workshop and a storage area.
❱❱ Learn more
Our Masorti/Conservative communities in Ukraine continue to struggle with the repercussions of the ongoing war, which began in 2022. Click here to support our Ukraine Emergency Campaign and help us continue our efforts to assist our Ukrainian communities and refugees who fled Ukraine.
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Africa
The Director of Education and Engagement at Temple Beth Israel in Port Washington, NY, Anya Morgulis, sought our help in connecting her 5th grade class—currently learning about ‘Jews Around the World’—to our communities in Uganda and Kenya. Masorti and MERCAZ Olami Deputy Director Tehila Reuben joined the students over Zoom to tell them about the Abayudaya communities and answer their many questions.
The Abayudaya (Luganda word for "People of Judah") community is comprised of over 3,000 members spread among ten villages and centers across eastern Uganda and northern Kenya. All ten communities and centers are recognized by the Jewish Agency for Israel and Masorti Olami (the Masorti/Conservative Movement around the world).
We are proud of how much our Abayudaya communities are growing and developing. Click here to learn more about them and here to help us continue supporting our communities in East Africa.
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