Rabbi Avrohom Gurwicz: Voting in WZC is an obligation (chiyuv) 

Rabbi Avrohom Gurwicz, the Rosh Yeshiva of Gateshead and a prominent figure among today’s roshei yeshiva, has issued a strong endorsement of the Eretz HaKodesh movement, calling on Torah-observant Jews to register and vote in the World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections. In a letter dated Parshas Ki Tisa 5785, he labeled participation a chiyuv— an obligation—countering rumors that he had backed away from supporting the effort.

Rabbi Gurwicz, who studied under the Brisker Rav zt”l and authored widely respected sefarim on complex Talmudic topics, first voiced this stance in 5782. His latest statement reinforces the position of Gedolei Yisrael like Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky zt”l and Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky shlita, who ruled that frum Jews must engage in decisions affecting Torah life in Israel. “It is necessary that the Government of the State of Israel should hear the opinion and the will of the Shomrei Torah u’Mitzvot public, and the same applies to the leaders of the World Zionist Organization,” he wrote.

The WZO, he argued, holds significant sway over policies impacting Torah education, institutions, and funding in Israel. Without a Torah presence, anti-religious factions could dominate. “If we’re not involved, they’ll decide without us—and not for the better,” the letter implies. Rabbi Gurwicz urged the community to join Eretz HaKodesh, a group formed to bring a frum voice to the WZO, stating, “I issue a public request to the Tzibbur of Shomrei Torah U’Mitzvos that they should make every effort to register as members.”

About Eretz HaKodesh

For two thousand years of exile, every Jew in the Diaspora has longed for the return of the Land of Israel, praying with hope: “May our eyes behold your return to Tzion in mercy.”

Eretz HaKodesh was established to fulfill this yearning, giving a voice to Jews in the Diaspora who have been praying for the land for over two millennia. It serves as their official representative before the institutions in Eretz Yisrael. Eretz HaKodesh allows Jews worldwide to feel a strong connection to the land and to influence events affecting its holiness and the preservation of Jewish tradition, ensuring their voices are heard on key issues.

Our Vision

The movement’s vision is to represent Orthodox communities in the Diaspora and ensure their voices are heard by the official institutions in Israel. Over the years, liberal movements have gained significant influence as the primary representatives of the Jewish Diaspora. From this position, they have pushed agendas that impact crucial issues related to religion and state in Israel.

Eretz HaKodesh seeks to balance this influence by accurately reflecting the power dynamics of Jewish communities in the Diaspora and amplifying the voices of Orthodox communities dedicated to preserving the timeless values of the Torah and authentic Jewish tradition.

Through its efforts, Eretz HaKodesh aims to express the views of the Jewish Diaspora on Jewish matters in the Land of Israel and advocate for the rights of all Jewish communities worldwide.

The call hasn’t gone uncontested. Some in the frum world argue that any link to the WZO, a Zionist entity, is forbidden, fearing it legitimizes a secular framework. Others, including many rabbis and dayanim backing Eretz HaKodesh, see it as essential hishtadlut—practical effort—to protect Torah interests. Rabbi Gurwicz sides with the latter, dismissing opposition as secondary to the need for action.

Eretz HaKodesh has gained traction, with support from numerous Torah leaders who view it as a way to influence WZO policies. Rabbi Gurwicz's message is blunt: staying out isn’t an option—it’s a failure to act when Torah is at stake.

YWN contributed to this article.