What are the National Institutions?
The National Institutions are composed of four inter-related organizations: the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), the Jewish Agency, and Keren Hayesod. Historically, these organizations form the interface between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry. Their combined annual budget is $850 million, serving a wide range of important Jewish and Zionist causes:
The World Zionist Organization
was established by Herzl and serves as the umbrella body for the other organizations in the National Institutions. It deals with a wide range of educational activities, Israel advocacy, Aliya encouragement and settling of the land.
KKL-JNF
was established with the aim of acquiring land. It is engaged in the ongoing purchasing of land, planning and development and preparation of land for new towns, and the planting and maintaining of forests and parks across Israel, as well as a wide range of Israel educational activities.
The Jewish Agency
represents the ongoing contact and joint activities between Israel and Jewish communities around the world. These include dispatching of many shlichim, twinning of Israel and Diaspora cities, Israel experience programs, such as Masa and Taglit/Birthright, as well as Aliya, Jewish education initiatives, and a focus on immigrant absorption and bridging the social-economic gaps within Israel society.
Keren Hayesod
represents the connection between all Jewish communities around the world outside the United States with the State of Israel. They support a plethora of educational and social activities in Israel and around the world.
Mizrachi's representatives in the National Institutions are (pictured above; left to right): Gael Grunewald (Head of the Rural Growth and Development Division, WZO), Avraham Duvdevani (Chairman of the World Zionist Organization), and Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman (Head of the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora, WZO).
