Key Milestones in the Establishment and Development of Masorti Olami

Roots: 1930s – The Emergence of Masorti/Conservative Communities in Latin America

Rabbis who fled Germany following Kristallnacht laid the foundations for the growth of the first Masorti/Conservative communities in Latin America.

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1957 – Establishment of the World Council of Synagogues, Inc.

In 1957, the first official body that would later become Masorti Olami was established as a department within the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) in New York. Its purpose was to connect Masorti/Conservative communities outside North America and Israel.

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1960 – Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Arrives in Buenos Aires

Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer’s work, particularly his establishment of the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano, fostered local rabbinic leadership and accelerated the movement’s growth across the continent.

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1963 – Establishment of the New London Synagogue and the Beginnings of the Masorti Movement in UK

In the wake of the Rabbi Louis Jacobs affair, the New London Synagogue was established in London. From this congregation grew the Masorti movement in UK and, later, the foundation for the development of Masorti Europe.

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1976–1978 – Entry into the Zionist National (Israeli) Institutions and the Establishment of MERCAZ Olami

The Masorti/Conservative Movement joined the World Zionist Organization and MERCAZ Olami was subsequently established as its Zionist-political arm.

FROM ORGANIZATIONAL CRISIS TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT

1992 – The World Council of Synagogues in Crisis

The World Council of Synagogues, Inc. was in decline, and the Executive Vice President of USCJ announced its closure.

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1992 – Efforts to Revive the World Council of Synagogues, Inc.

Against the backdrop of declining activity and the announcement that the organization would close, Rabbi Joel Meyers convened a group of rabbis and leaders who worked to reverse the decision and revive the global body.

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The 1990s – Rabbi Joe Wernik: The ‘Johnny Appleseed[1]’’ of the Masorti/Conservative Movement

Rabbi Joe Wernik was appointed to a key position as the movement’s representative in the Jewish Agency and the Israeli National Institutions, enabling him to help seed communities and build a global network.

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1997 – Establishment of Marom

At the initiative of Rabbi Joe Wernik, and in partnership with Udi Givon, a global framework for university students and young adults was established. Marom was created to bridge the gap between youth movement involvement and community life, while cultivating the next generation of young leaders for the movement.

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1999 – First Gathering of Masorti/Conservative Communities in Europe

In 1999, the first gathering of European rabbis and community leaders from various countries was held in London. Its purpose was to identify shared needs and begin shaping a European framework. The gathering marked the beginning of the process that would eventually lead to the establishment of Masorti Europe.

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2000–2001 – The Birth of Masorti Olami in Its Present Form

A decision was made to transfer the organization’s headquarters from New York to Jerusalem and to replace the name ‘World Council of Synagogues, Inc.’ with the Hebrew name ‘Masorti Olami’. At the same time, it was determined that Masorti Olami and MERCAZ Olami would operate under a joint Executive Director. Rabbi Joe Wernik was appointed to the position and assumed the role in January 2001. This marked the pivotal moment of transformation: the transition from a small body operating under USCJ to an independent, active, and professionally run global organization.

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2001 – Consolidating Masorti Olami: Building a Professional and Financial Infrastructure

A professional team was established in Jerusalem, regular channels of communication with communities were created, and partnerships were developed.

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2001–2007 – Expansion, Professionalization, and the Consolidation of Marom

The organization led conferences and missions across Europe, initiated the “Kheil Masorti” emissary project and developed the Marom network.

BUILDING THE REGIONS AND GLOBAL NETWORKS

2004 – Establishment of Masorti Latin American (AmLat)

Masorti AmLat, the movement’s regional body in Latin America, was established at a gathering in São Paulo attended by leaders from Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. David Raij was elected its first president.

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2006–2008 – Official Establishment of Masorti Europe

The founding gathering was held in Paris in 2006, with representatives from UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. Following a process of formulating bylaws and establishing an organizational structure, Masorti Europe was officially registered as a nonprofit association in France in 2008. Claude Machline was elected its first president.

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2009–2010 – Establishment of NOAM Olami

NOAM youth movements and groups that had operated in various countries over the years were brought together formally for the first time within an official global network. Shared vision and programs were developed, and international seminars were held in Israel, London, and Buenos Aires.

[1] Johnny Appleseed was a nineteenth-century American pioneer who became a legendary figure for traveling widely and planting apple trees, hence the name is used metaphorically for someone who plants the seeds of future growth wherever they go.