The 39th World Zionist Congress: These are the 22 slates vying for your vote

The 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections, scheduled to convene in Jerusalem from October 28-30, 2025, feature a record-breaking 22 slates (or parties) competing for the 152 U.S. delegate seats.

These elections, with voting open in the U.S. from today (March 10) to May 4, 2025, reflect a diverse and polarized American Jewish community grappling with pressing issues: Israel’s post-October 7 recovery, rising antisemitism, and debates over religious pluralism and settlements.

Background on the WZC and Slates

The WZC, dubbed the “Parliament of the Jewish People,” allocates over $1 billion annually through institutions like the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and Keren Hayesod. The U.S. delegation—29% of the total 525 delegates—is elected via these slates, which function like political parties, each representing distinct ideological, religious, or cultural visions. This year’s 22 slates mark a 69% increase from the 13 in 2020, with over 2,900 candidates from 43 U.S. states and territories, signaling heightened engagement dubbed “The Surge” post-October 7, 2023.

Slates must align with the Jerusalem Program, Zionism’s unifying platform, but their priorities diverge sharply—ranging from progressive calls for peace and pluralism to religious-right pushes for settlement expansion. Below, I’ve categorized and detailed the known slates, drawing from platforms, historical performance, and current trends.

The 22 Slates for the 39th WZC

Progressive/Liberal Slates

Hatikvah Slate

Affiliation: Endorsed by J Street, National Council of Jewish Women, T’ruah, Reconstructing Judaism, and other progressive groups.

Platform: Advocates a “diplomatic pathway” for “freedom, security, and sovereignty” for Israelis and Palestinians—implicitly a two-state solution without explicitly saying so. Prioritizes democracy, rebuilding after October 7, and fighting antisemitism. Opposes settlement expansion and ultra-Orthodox dominance in Israel.

2020 Performance: Won 2 seats as a new progressive coalition.

Notes: Positions itself as a counterweight to right-wing growth, appealing to liberal Jews energized by Israel’s judicial reform debates.

Vote Reform (ARZA - Association of Reform Zionists of America)

Affiliation: Represents the Reform Movement, tied to the Union for Reform Judaism.

Platform: Champions religious pluralism, gender and LGBTQ+ equality, and a two-state solution. Seeks to fund Reform congregations in Israel and ensure KKL-JNF spending reflects progressive values. Emphasizes rebuilding southern Israel and supporting hostages’ families.

2020 Performance: Secured 4 seats.

Notes: A powerhouse in liberal Zionism, leveraging Reform’s large U.S. base and social media influencers for turnout.

ANU: A New Union

Affiliation: New slate, specifics sparse but progressive-leaning.

Platform: Explicitly supports a two-state solution, alongside democracy and peace. Likely targets younger, left-leaning Jews seeking fresh voices.

2020 Performance: Did not exist.

Notes: One of only two slates explicitly endorsing two states, suggesting a bold debut amid a rightward shift.

Centrist/Pluralistic Slates

MERCAZ USA

Affiliation: Represents the Conservative/Masorti Movement.

Platform: Focuses on pluralism, democracy, and rebuilding post-October 7 communities. Seeks millions for Masorti Judaism in Israel and U.S. programs like Ramah camps and USY. Calls for peace without detailing a solution.

2020 Performance: Won 2 seats.

Notes: Balances tradition and inclusivity, appealing to middle-ground Jews wary of extremes.

Kol Israel

Affiliation: Centrist, uniting diverse voices including Israeli-Americans.

Platform: Emphasizes practical Zionism—unity, support for Israel, and Jewish identity—over ideological battles. Includes social media influencers to boost turnout.

2020 Performance: Not explicitly listed, likely new or rebranded.

Notes: Targets a broad base, especially Israeli expatriates historically less engaged in WZC.

Ultra Orthodox Slates

Shas

Shas Olami, founded in 2010 at the behest of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt”l within the World Sephardic Zionist Organization, aims to amplify traditional Sephardic voices in the global Zionist movement. Its mission: to shape Jewish education and identity worldwide by promoting authentic Torah values and strengthening Sephardic communities’ ties to Israel.

With roots in centuries of preserved heritage, Shas Olami seeks to become a major force in the World Zionist Organization and the 39th Congress, offering programs to bolster Jewish identity among youth and share Sephardic traditions. Supported by rabbis and leaders, this slate unites delegates from diverse U.S. Sephardic communities, urging families and friends to vote and ensure their representation.

Shas’s influence was channeled through the Bnei Torah movement by Shas, which operates within the Diaspora and aligns with the party’s ideology under the guidance of its spiritual leaders, such as the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt”l.

In the elections for the 38th WZC, the Bnei Torah movement by Shas achieved significant success in the U.S., securing 22 seats out of the 152 allocated to American delegates. This marked a notable victory, reflecting the mobilization of Orthodox Sephardic communities in the Diaspora, particularly in the United States.

The slate campaigned to address the underrepresentation of Orthodox Jews in Zionist institutions and to ensure a “fair and equitable distribution of budgets” that reflects the global Jewish population’s dynamics, as noted on the Shas Olami UK website. This effort was part of a broader push to amplify traditional Sephardic voices within the World Zionist Organization (WZO).

Orthodox/Religious Right Slates

Mizrachi

Affiliation: Religious Zionist movement, tied to Israel’s National Religious camp.

Platform: Promotes Torah values, Jewish settlement across all of Israel (including Judea and Samaria), and a strong Zionist education. Opposes concessions in peace talks.

2020 Performance: Won 4 seats.

Notes: A veteran player, gaining traction with the religious right’s surge.

Eretz HaKodesh

Affiliation: Ultra-Orthodox and right-wing, often Haredi-focused.

Platform: Defends traditional Judaism and settlement expansion. Seeks to shift WZO funds toward religious priorities and counter pluralistic influence.

2020 Performance: Part of the right-wing bloc that edged a majority.

Notes: Reflects growing Haredi participation in Zionism, once an anomaly.

ZOA Coalition (Zionist Organization of America)

Affiliation: Includes ZOA and allies like Students Supporting Israel (SSI).

Platform: Hardline pro-Israel stance—combating antisemitism, defending Israel’s narrative, and supporting a unified Jewish state. Rejects two-state frameworks.

2020 Performance: Part of the conservative coalition.

Notes: Leverages ZOA’s activist base and campus networks.

One Jewish State Party

Affiliation: New, settler-supporting, religious-right slate.

Platform: Opposes two-state solutions, advocating Jewish sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Seeks KKL-JNF funds for settlement growth.

2020 Performance: Did not exist.

Notes: Part of five new right-wing slates, signaling a coordinated push.

Israel365 Action

Affiliation: New, controversial for Christian-adjacent ties.

Platform: Rejects two-state ideas, pushes for Judea and Samaria development. Heavy on biblical Zionism.

2020 Performance: Did not exist.

Notes: Eligibility debated due to non-Jewish influence concerns, but appeals to evangelical-leaning Jews.

Other Notable Slates

Herut North America

Affiliation: Revisionist Zionism, inspired by Jabotinsky.

Platform: Strong, undivided Israel with a focus on national pride and security. No explicit two-state stance.

2020 Performance: Not prominent in prior results.

Notes: Appeals to historical Zionist purists.

Aish Ha’am

Affiliation: New, tied to Aish Hatorah’s outreach.

Platform: Fights antisemitism, boosts Jewish pride via education. Less focus on settlements, more on identity.

2020 Performance: Did not exist.

Notes: Targets younger Jews with Aish’s global network.

Trends and Dynamics

Right-Wing Surge: Five of nine new slates align with the religious right, per Haaretz, reflecting Orthodox and settler growth. This could amplify their 2020 near-majority if turnout rises, though vote-splitting risks dilution.

Progressive Pushback: Hatikvah, Vote Reform, and ANU counter with pluralism and peace, banking on “The Surge” among liberal Jews post-October 7 and judicial reform protests.

Centrist Stability: MERCAZ and Kol Israel aim to bridge divides, appealing to moderates wary of extremes.

New Players: Nine new slates (over 40% of the field) signal fresh energy, but their impact depends on voter outreach—many leverage influencers, a 2025 twist.

Two-State Rarity: Only Vote Reform and ANU explicitly back it; even Hatikvah hedges, reflecting a broader rightward tilt or caution.

Historical Context (2020 Results)

In 2020, 123,575 U.S. Jews voted, doubling prior turnout. Key results:

ARZA (Reform): 4 seats

Mizrachi: 4 seats

Mercaz (Conservative): 2 seats

Hatikvah: 2 seats

Friends of Likud: 1 seat

Right-wing coalitions (Mizrachi, Eretz HaKodesh, ZOA) edged a slim majority, a shift Yizhar Hess called an Orthodox-liberal “faceoff.”

The 2025 field’s expansion from 13 to 22 slates suggests both opportunity and chaos—more voices, but potential for vote fragmentation.

What’s at Stake?

These slates will elect delegates who’ll decide:

Funding: $1 billion+ annually—rebuilding Gaza border towns, aliyah, or settlements?

Leadership: Top roles in WZO, JAFI, KKL-JNF, and Keren Hayesod.

Policy: Pluralism vs. Orthodoxy, peace vs. expansion—shaping Israel and Diaspora ties.

The outcome hinges on turnout. Progressives need a mobilized base to counter the right’s momentum; the right hopes new slates draw untapped voters. Centrists could tip the balance if extremes split.

From the progressive visions of Hatikvah and Vote Reform to the staunch traditionalism of Mizrachi and the settler-aligned newcomers, these parties reflect not just ideological rifts but a shared urgency to shape Israel’s future and the Diaspora’s role in it. With over $1 billion in funding and the direction of global Zionism on the line, the outcome will hinge on turnout, revealing whether American Jews lean toward pluralism, unity, or a fortified religious right.

By May 4, 2025, when voting closes, this election will not only crown delegates but also define the Zionist spirit for a generation facing unprecedented challenges.