NEW YORK — The Religious Zionists of America (RZA)-Mizrachi has announced a communal leadership mission to Israel for early next month that will be the first to meet with members of the new Israeli government. The delegation includes rabbis and communal leaders and is designed to press new government leaders to stay true to religious Zionist values, despite being part of a broad-based leadership coalition.

“We are very concerned that because of the broad-based coalition traditionally religious Zionist parties cobbled together to lead the nation, our values may be under threat in order for the government to remain intact,” said Religious Zionists of America Executive Vice President Rabbi Ari Rockoff. “We are bringing a delegation of top North American communal leaders to drive the message to the prime minister and other cabinet members that they must hold true to these values if Israel is to continue its growth on the international stage.”

“While we are thrilled that Israel’s new president and prime minister spent significant time during their childhood in the United States and part of religious Zionist communities, we are concerned that as the majority of the government is left-leaning, it could severely impact the relationship with the North American Jewish community and the values we hold close,” he added. 

The group is expected to meet with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana, Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern, MK Bezalel Smotrich, and others. The group will land in Israel on Thursday July 1, and depart July 7.

They will also meet with the country’s chief rabbis, HaRav David Lau and HaRav Yitzhak Yosef, as well as other religious leaders of various communities and institutions to discuss the the rise in antisemitism and its impacts on communities across America. They will also tour areas and meet with those impacted by the recent violence and unrest in Israel including communities near the Gaza strip, in the West Bank and Lod.

“There has never been a more critical time for Religious Zionist leaders to make this trip. With the change of administration in Washington, the growing number of antisemitic attacks here in response to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and the results to the recent Pew study, it’s all the more important for us to come to Israel to communicate there are American Jews who staunchly support Israel,” said Religious Zionists of America Co-President Rabbi Leonard Matanky.

The trip’s participants include:

The trip pariticipant list includes:

• Rabbi Daniel and Rivka Tova Alter from the Moriah Day School in Englewood, NJ and Yeshiva University’s High School for Girls in Queens, NY respectively
• Raizi Chechik from the Manhattan Day School
• Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum from the Irving Place Minyan in Woodmere, NY
• Rabbi Joshua Freundlich from Congrégation Tifereth Beth David Jérusalem in Montreal
• Rabbi Dr. Seth Grauer from Bnei Akiva Schools Toronto
• Rabbi and Mrs. Leonard and Margaret Matanky from Congregation KINS of West Rogers Park, and Ida Crown Jewish Academy, both in Chicago, IL
• Rabbi Steven Miodownik from Ahavath Achim in Highland Park, NJ
• Rabbi Alec and Yael Shirley Muskat of the Young Israel of Oceanside and Stern College for Women
• Rabbi Chaim and Dr. Shoshana Poupko of Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, NJ
• Rabbi Adam Starr from the Young Israel of Atlanta
• Rabbi Chaim and Lisa Steinmetz from Kehillath Jeshurun in Manhattan
• Rabbi Joseph Weinstock from the Young Israel of Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale in Florida.