Masorti Olami

Masorti Olami, also known as the World Council of Synagogues, is an international group that supports Masorti Judaism. It was started in 1957 to help make Masorti Judaism important around the world. Masorti Olami works with communities in over 36 countries, helping to build and strengthen Jewish life everywhere.

The group focuses on supporting Jewish communities in Europe, Latin America, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, and Australia. There are more than 140 communities linked with Masorti Olami in many places, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and others.

All of Masorti Olami’s work is part of the bigger Conservative Judaism movement. It works closely with groups in North America and Israel. Today, Rabbi Mauricio Balter leads the organization as its executive director.

Mission and vision

Masorti Olami wants to help Masorti Judaism grow and be important for Jewish people everywhere. They work with other groups in the Masorti movement to share their beliefs.

They focus on studying the Torah and passing its teachings to future generations. They believe in keeping Jews connected no matter where they live, and they think synagogues are very important for Jewish life. Masorti Olami values following Jewish laws and traditions while also welcoming new ideas. They support Israel and using the Hebrew language. They also care about fairness, welcoming different views, being kind, and supporting democratic ways of making decisions in Jewish traditions.

Headquarters and leadership

Masorti Olami's main office is in Jerusalem at 32 General Pierre Koenig St. They also have an office in New York City at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in Manhattan. Rabbi Philip Scheim is the current president, and Gillian Caplin was the past president. Rabbi Mauricio Balter helps lead Masorti Olami and MERCAZ Olami.

Regions Covered

Masorti Europe and Masorti AmLat (Latin America) are the main regional organizations under Masorti Olami, serving specific areas.

Masorti Europe has 29 congregations in ten countries and provides religious and community services. It offers special programs for training leaders and holding conferences for members. A rabbinical school opened in Berlin in 2013 to train Masorti rabbis for European communities.

Masorti AmLat is the largest and fastest-growing region, with over 70 congregations in eleven Latin American countries. It started an initiative called "Hitjadshut" to improve networking and cooperation. The region has many programs, such as Tikunea, which helps people in need, and Bet El 3.0, which trains young adults to be leaders. YESH! engages young adults, and Shituf is an annual gathering for members from all countries.

Youth and young adults organizations

NOAM (Noar Masorti) is the youth movement of Masorti Olami. It is active in Latin America, Europe, Israel, the Former Soviet Union, and North America, where it is known as USY (United Synagogue Youth). NOAM works with young people aged 8 to 18. Summer camps similar to the Camp Ramah movement take place in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. See also Zionist youth movement.

MAROM (Mercaz Ruchani u'Masorti) is a network for Masorti young adults aged 18–30 in more than 12 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the Former Soviet Union. MAROM organizes meetings, festivals, and holiday celebrations. It also holds regional and national level conferences, leadership training, and seminars to prepare future rabbis, educators, and community leaders. MAROM aims to inspire participants with values of Zionism and a meaningful Jewish life through experiences in Israel and around the world.

Partnerships

Masorti Olami works with many important groups around the world to support Jewish communities. It has ties to big organizations like the World Zionist Organization, Jewish Agency for Israel, and Keren Kayemeth Le’Yisrael. It also partners with groups for young people and adults, such as Marom and MERCAZ Olami.

In North America, Masorti Olami connects with groups like the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Camp Ramah, and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. It also works with schools, youth groups, and other organizations that help Jewish communities grow.

Masorti Olami has partners in Latin America, Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Israel, including schools, youth groups, and other organizations that support Jewish life in these areas.