Masorti Olami

Masorti Olami (also known as The World Council of Synagogues, Inc.) builds, renews and strengthens Jewish life throughout the world, with efforts that focus on existing and developing communities in Europe, Latin America, the Former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia and Australia. More than 135 kehillot (communities) are affiliated with Masorti Olami in Argentina (through FEDECC), Aruba, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, the United Kingdom and additionally, more than 600 in Canada and the United States of America. All of its activities are conducted within the context of the overall Conservative Judaism movement, in close cooperation with its affiliated organizations in North America and Israel.[1]

Ideology

Masorti Olami’s mission is to advance the interests and principles of Masorti Judaism around the world by emphasizing: the study of Torah and the transmission of its principles from generation to generation; the unity of the Jewish people and fostering ties between Jews wherever they live; the centrality of the synagogue in the life of the Jewish people; the importance of maintaining a centrist, dynamic Jewish practice based on halacha and mitzvot, grounded in Jewish knowledge and observance, reflecting a love of tradition and embracing modernity and the positive aspects of change; the centrality of Israel and the knowledge and use of the Hebrew language in the life of the Jewish people; the values of egalitarianism, pluralism, tolerance and democracy in the development of Jewish tradition.

Headquarters and Leadership

Masorti Olami's international headquarters are in Jerusalem, with an office in New York City as well located at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. The President of Masorti Olami is Rabbi Phillip Scheim and Gillian Caplin is the immediate past president. Rabbi Mauricio Balter serves as Executive Director of both Masorti Olami and MERCAZ Olami.

Regions covered

Masorti Europe and Masorti AmLat (Latin America) are the regional organizations under the umbrella of Masorti Olami that serve the specific regions.

Masorti Olami sends professional Masorti Shlichim (emissaries) from Israel to serve in Latin America, Europe and Africa, as well as volunteers to Australia, Spain, Prague, UK and Africa. In order to train and further educate future leaders of Conservative and Masorti communities, Masorti Olami operates a program to send interested rabbinical school students from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America - during their year of study in Israel - to assist in leading Masorti kehillot in places such as Europe. Masorti Olami also partners with the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem in sponsoring and placing these rabbinical students in France, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, and other locations.

Masorti Olami partners with the International Rabbinical Assembly in its service to Latin American and European regions rabbis. Masorti rabbis serve more than 80 diverse kehillot in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Russia, Australia, South Africa, Uganda, China, Japan and elsewhere.

Youth and young adults organizations
Masorti youth leaders from six countries intern in Jerusalem each summer while learning to become leaders of the NOAM youth movement.

NOAM (NOAr Masorti) is the youth movement of Masorti Olami which is active in Latin America, Europe and the Former Soviet Union. NOAM operates under the umbrella of Masorti Olami. Summer camps operating in similar fashion to the Camp Ramah movement occur in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. See also Zionist youth movement.

MAROM (Mercaz Ruchani u'Masorti) is a network for groups of Masorti young adults aged 18–30 that exists in more than 12 countries throughout Europe, Latin America, and the Former Soviet Union. MAROM facilitates meetings, coordinates festivals, and runs holiday celebrations, as well as provides regional and national level conferences, leadership training and seminars for future rabbis, educators and lay leaders.

Participation in and with other organizations

Masorti Olami has representation in a number of national/international Jewish organizations, including the World Zionist Organization, Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Kayemeth Le’Yisrael (JNF) via MERCAZ.

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2009-11-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  • Masorti Olami The World Council of Conservative/Masorti Synagogues
  • Masorti AmLat The World Council of Conservative/Masorti Synagogues | Latin American Region
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