World Mizrachi
International Religious Zionist movement funding settlements, IDF programmes and occupation infrastructure
| Mizrachi Olami (World Mizrachi)
| |
|---|---|
| Type | International Religious Zionist organisation |
| Headquarters | Jerusalem, Zionist entity |
Mizrachi Olami (also known as World Mizrachi) is the international arm of the Mizrachi Religious Zionist movement. Founded in 1902 as a religious faction within the Zionist movement, it now operates as a global network promoting Torah-imbued Zionism, settler expansion and military service in the Zionist entity.[1]
While presenting itself as an educational and charitable body, Mizrachi Olami functions as a major financier of the Zionist settler-colonial project, channelling millions in donations to illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, Hesder yeshivas that combine religious study with compulsory IDF service, and combat units implicated in war crimes.[1][2]
Structure and leadership
Mizrachi Olami operates through national branches (e.g. Mizrachi Organization of Canada) and works in partnership with World Bnei Akiva for gap-year Hachshara programmes that prepare participants for settlement life and IDF service.[3]
Board of Directors
| Name | Role | Country/Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey Blitz | Chairman | USA |
| Dr. Danny Lamm | Vice-Chairman | Australia |
| Sondra Sokal | Vice-Chairman | USA |
| Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon | Nasi (President) | Zionist entity |
| Rav Yechiel Wasserman | Co-President | Zionist entity |
| Rabbi Doron Perez | Executive Chairman | Zionist entity |
| Roi Abecassis | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Dan Bismuth | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Steven Blumgart | Board Member | UK |
| Avraham Duvdevani | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Marcelo Ellenberg | Board Member | Uruguay |
| Rabbi Seth Grauer | Board Member | Canada |
| Gael Grunewald | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Debbie Isaac | Board Member | USA |
| Motti Jerbi | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Avrom Krengel | Board Member | South Africa |
| Jeremy Kurnedz | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Rafi Lamm | Board Member | Australia |
| Michael Lax | Board Member | Canada |
| Rabbi Leonard Matanky | Board Member | USA |
| Martin Oliner | Board Member | USA |
| Robert Rothenberg | Board Member | USA |
| Solly Sacks | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Zeev Schwartz | Board Member | Zionist entity |
| Dr. Francine Stein | Board Member | USA |
| Oded Weiner | Board Member | Zionist entity |
Professional Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Rabbi Doron Perez | Executive Chairman |
| Rabbi Danny Mirvis | CEO |
| Esti Goldish | Finance Manager |
| Rabbi Hillel Van-Leeuwen | Head of Leadership Development and Head of Shlichut Center |
| Rabbi Reuven Taragin | Educational Director |
| Rabbanit Shani Taragin | Educational Director |
| Leah Rubin | Creative Director |
| Daniel Cohen | Programs Director & Director of Communications |
| Rabbi Binyamin Zimmerman | Head of Musmachim Program |
| Rabbi Bentzi Mann | Director, Schools Department |
| Rabbi Aron White | Managing Editor, HaMizrachi |
| Rabbi Yossi Goldin | Director, Shuls Department |
| Aleeza Ben Shalom | Director of Jewish Continuity |
| Maxine Piczenik | Office Manager & PA to Rav Perez |
| Jacqui Austen | Assistant Programs Director & Assistant Communications Director |
| Jaim Nadel | Latin America Desk |
| Yocheved Bernstein | Bat Sherut |
| Naama Kolman | Bookkeeper |
Mizrachi Branches Worldwide
World Mizrachi is the global umbrella organisation for the Mizrachi movement, promoting religious Zionism and the integration of Torah values with support for the State of Israel. It was founded in 1902 and maintains national branches across multiple continents.[4]
Collaboration with the occupation, IDF and settlements
Mizrachi Olami and its national branches (notably Mizrachi Organization of Canada) have transferred tens of millions of dollars to entities directly involved in the occupation of Palestinian territory.[1] Between 2007–2021, Canadian Mizrachi alone moved over $46 million CDN to the Zionist entity, with a sharp increase to $21 million CDN in 2023.[1] Key areas of support include:
Illegal settlements and outposts: Funds flow to Alon Shvut, Efrat, Karnei Shomron, Beit El, Gush Etzion, Ma’ale Levona, Ariel, Keida, Kiryat Arba, Eli, Har Bracha and East Jerusalem projects.[1] Hesder yeshivas: These combine Torah study with compulsory IDF combat service. Mizrachi Canada has funded Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshivat Hakotel, Yeshivat Har Bracha, Yeshivat Shavei Hevron and multiple Hesder programmes in settlement blocs.[1] IDF combat units: Direct grants to the Duvdevan Foundation (elite counter-terrorism unit accused of war crimes), Foundation of the Veteran Paratroopers and Orev paratrooper division.[1] Settlement youth and education: Support for midrashot, ulpanot and garinim torani’im (religious core groups) that establish Jewish-only presence in occupied areas.[1]
The organisation uses tax-deductible charitable status in Canada, the UK, USA and elsewhere to subsidise these activities while claiming to support “Jewish education and welfare”.[2]
National Mizrachi Branches
- Mizrachi UK – United Kingdom (founded 1902, one of the oldest branches)
- Mizrachi USA – United States
- Mizrachi Canada – Canada
- Mizrachi Australia – Australia
- Mizrachi South Africa – South Africa
- Mizrachi France – France
- Mizrachi Belgium – Belgium
- Mizrachi Netherlands – Netherlands
- Mizrachi Switzerland – Switzerland
- Mizrachi Argentina – Argentina
- Mizrachi Brazil – Brazil
- Mizrachi Mexico – Mexico
- Mizrachi Israel – Israel (the central hub of the movement)
Bnei Akiva Branches Worldwide
Bnei Akiva is the youth movement of the Mizrachi organisation, operating as an independent but closely affiliated global network with branches in many countries.
- Bnei Akiva UK – United Kingdom (one of the largest youth movements in the UK Jewish community)[5]
- Bnei Akiva USA – United States
- Bnei Akiva Canada – Canada
- Bnei Akiva Australia – Australia
- Bnei Akiva South Africa – South Africa
- Bnei Akiva France – France
- Bnei Akiva Belgium – Belgium
- Bnei Akiva Netherlands – Netherlands
- Bnei Akiva Argentina – Argentina
- Bnei Akiva Brazil – Brazil
- Bnei Akiva Mexico – Mexico
- Bnei Akiva Israel – Israel (central hub)
- World Bnei Akiva – Global coordinating body[6]
Bnei Akiva branches focus on religious Zionist education for young people aged 7–25, combining Torah study, leadership training, and preparation for aliyah (immigration to Israel).
See also
Chabad-Lubavitch Religious Zionism Hesder yeshivas World Bnei Akiva
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Mondoweiss, Genocide as Charity: A Critical Look at the Mizrachi Organization of Canada Mondoweiss, 12 December 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 State Crime Journal, State Crime State Crime, Volume 13, Issue 1.
- ↑ World Bnei Akiva, Gap Year Program Israel Hachshara World Bnei Akiva, accessed 31 March 2026.
- ↑ https://mizrachi.org/branches/
- ↑ https://www.bauk.org/svivot/
- ↑ https://www.worldbneiakiva.org/our-world