Canadian Zionist Federation

The aim of the CZF is to promote the Zionist ideal in Canada and to assist in the strengthening the State of Israel. The CZF seeks to enrich Canadian Jewish life through Jewish education, Israel and Zionist information, promotion of Aliyah, and activities among Canadian Jewish youth. The CZF is a mixed territorial body composed of sixteen constituent organizations operating in six regions and encompasses a membership of 15,000 Zionists in Canada. The CZF is the official representative of the World Zionist Organization in Canada.[4]

Organized Zionism has a long tradition in Canada. The first Zionist society was established in 1898. Shortly thereafter other societies were formed in Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Vancouver and other smaller centres across Canada. In 1899 the societies united together to form the Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada.[5]

The Federation of Zionist Societies of Canada (FZSC) was established in Montreal in 1899 as a merger of several organizations across the country. It held its first general meeting on November 7, 1899, at which Clarence Isaac de Sola was elected the organization's first president,[1] and its first convention on December 23, 1900.[2] By 1907 it had chapters in 42 cities and towns.[6]

In 1921 the Federation was renamed the Zionist Organization of Canada. The Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) (1921-1978) acted as the official voice of Zionism in Canada, promoting the aims of Zionism in communities across the country. The ZOC adhered to the principles of the Jerusalem Programme of the World Zionist Movement founded by Theodor Herzl in 1898 during the First Zionist Congress held in Basle Switzerland.[1]

These principles included: 1) the promotion of immigration to Israel 2) raising funds to carry out the aims of Zionism 3) encouraging investment in Israel 4) fostering Jewish consciousness 5) mobilizing public opinion about Israel and the Jewish communities of the Diaspora.[7]

The ZOC was a broad-based organization that embraced an ideology of nationhood which attracted influential national leaders within the Jewish community as well as thousands of members across the country. ZOC provided smaller communities, which had few institutional supports, with vital linkages to the metropolitan centres through their programs that were run out of the regional offices and local Zionist councils. In 1967, ZOC became a constituent member of the Canadian Zionist Federation along with Canadian Hadassah-Wizo, the Labour Zionist Movement of Canada, Mizrachi Hapoel Hamizrachi Organization of Canada, Zionist Revisionist Organization of Canada, Achdut Avoda, and Friends of Pioneering Israel (Mapam).[5]

During the 1970s, ZOC's functions were gradually absorbed by the Canadian Zionist Federation. By 1978, the Zionist Organization of Canada (ZOC) had ceased to function as an organization. While Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF) continued the mission.[3]

CZF as a national federation for Zionist organizations across Canada became the official representative and the voice of Canadian Zionists to the World Zionist Organization. The CZF continued to promote Zionism, support Israel and promote Jewish education and culture, as well as the centrality of Israel in Jewish life through various programs, such as education, cultural activities, and advocacy.[8]

The mission of the Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF) is to promote and support Zionism, the belief in the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their homeland, Israel. The CZF strives to strengthen the connection between Canadian Jews and Israel, and to educate the Canadian public about Zionism, about the history and the culture of the Jewish people. Through a range of programs and initiatives, including educational resources, cultural events, and advocacy efforts, CZF works to support the State of Israel and to foster a deep understanding and appreciation of the rich history and culture of the Jewish people.[8]

One of the key goals is to attract Israeli innovation to a Canadian market. The CZF believes that the vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in Israel has much to offer Canada, and is committed to facilitating connections and partnership between Canadian and Israeli businesses. By attracting Israeli innovation to the Canadian market, the CZF hopes to not only to support the growth and success of Israeli businesses, but also to bring new technologies and ideas to Canada, helping to drive economic growth and progress.[2]

CZF's MAIN GOALS ARE:

• to strengthen the connection of Canadian Jews with Israel
• to deepen their understanding of Israeli society and its culture
• to encourage travel to Israel
• to re-enforce Israeli innovation to a Canada market

The mission is currently being achieved by providing Israel education and engagement resources and by facilitating dialogue, debate, and collective action in communities across the Canada.[8]

Initially the FZCS collected funds for the purchase of land in Palestine. Shortly after the Balfour Declaration on November 02, 1917, in which the British Government promised the Jewish people a national home in Palestine, the FZCS began an active campaign to raise funds for all types of projects in Palestine and to promote the Zionist cause among coreligionists and the Canadian public. In 1925 the ZOC succeeded the FZCS as the official voice of Zionism in Canada. The ZOC continued the work of the FZCS and initiated many new projects. In 1927 the ZOC purchased Emek Helper for Jewish colonization. Annual campaigns were conducted for Keren Hayesod, the Jewish National Fund and United Palestine Appeals across Canada under the ZOC’s auspices.[3]

The Zionist Organization of Canada operated as an umbrella group that oversaw Zionist funds and administered the budgets of such organizations as Canadian Hadassah-Wizo, the Men's Zionist Organization of Canada and Young Judaea. ZOC programs promoted a stronger Jewish identity among Canadian Jews and familiarity with Hebrew through the periodical, Canadian Zionist. These programs included book clubs, lunch clubs, film exhibits, youth camps, travel offices, and two television programs during the 1970s on cable television in Montreal and Toronto.[3]