Shalom,

My name is Josh Cohen and I am the new Mazkir Tnua (national director) of
Habonim Dror North America. It is my goal to facilitate the decisions of
the movement and serve its chaverim (members) in areas ranging from
implementation of programs to representation in the larger community. Last
year around the time of my election I was in Israel talking to Jared Matas
Jamie’s (my predecessor) predecessor. He asked me what my political program
was. I felt really badly because I did not have a direct answer for him.
What I realized then was that I believe that it is not the job of a Mazkir
to make decisions for the movement, but to facilitate the decisions that the
movement makes and to represent the positions held by the chaverim.

In terms of politics it is very difficult to pin down the position of the
movement. These times are so difficult and confusing that many individuals
are unable to form their own iron clad positions let alone for an entire
movement. I am still sure that Peace is what we are striving for, and in
order to have peace we must be willing to compromise. Despite differences
of opinion on how to implement them we still agree on a core set of values.
No matter what happens we must remain true to peace equality and justice. As
Mazkir I will try to maintain these and other basic values, while remaining
true to the mandates of The Veida (plenary).

Aside from grand political questions (although not completely distinct from
them) there are tachles (practical) issues that come across the desk of the
Mazkir. We have two Israel programs, which are somewhat in limbo now due to
hard political times. These must be solidified in order to accommodate any
situation. I also plan to embark on a serious evaluation of Madatz (a
specific leadership training program) movement wide in accordance with a
recent veida proposal. This examination will hopefully lead to a more
nationalized tochnit, which we have already been working towards with two
successful mifgashim (gatherings). We also must continue to increase the
professionalism of the central office. The previous Mazkirut (central
staff) made great strides toward this end, and the incoming Mazkirut will
proceed further to this end.

I would like to thank the previous Mazkirut Artzit, Jamie Levin, Ilana Ron,
and Alexis Kort for leaving the office, and indeed the movement in such good
shape. I look forward to working closely with all of you over the next two
years. More importantly than anything else I hope for peace as soon as
possible.

Aleh V’Hagshem
Josh Cohen

Mazkir Tnua Habonim Dror North America