American Jews given opportunity to shape Israel’s future in World Zionist Congress election

Jewish Americans now have the opportunity to directly impact the direction of Zionist institutions and funding through the 39th World Zionist Congress election. Voting, which opened on Monday and runs until May 4, allows any Jewish adult living in the U.S. to participate, provided they accept a set of Zionist principles and pay a $5 registration fee.

The election will determine the allocation of 152 seats representing American Jewry in the congress, which plays a crucial role in overseeing major organizations such as the Jewish Agency, which facilitates immigration to Israel, and the Jewish National Fund, which manages significant portions of Israeli land. With control over approximately $5 billion in funding for global Jewish causes at stake, the results will influence religious pluralism, settlement expansion, Jewish education, and Israel-Diaspora relations.

At the heart of this election is a competition between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, each vying to shape the ideological and financial priorities of Zionist institutions. Josh Weinberg, who leads the campaign for the Reform movement’s slate, emphasized the significance of the vote.

“This election is about defining the future of Zionism and Jewish identity,” Weinberg stated. “It is a rare opportunity for American Jews to have a direct voice in shaping Israel’s policies and priorities.”

A total of 21 slates are competing in this election, an increase from the 15 that participated in the last vote five years ago. The winners will serve alongside 173 representatives chosen by Jewish communities across the Diaspora, as well as 200 representatives from Israel, who are selected based on Knesset party representation.

In the previous election, the Reform movement’s slate won the largest share of votes among American Jews, but Orthodox groups saw a surge in support, shifting the balance of power in the congress. The right-wing bloc, supported by slates like Mizrachi, which represents Modern Orthodox interests, and Eretz Hakodesh, an ultra-Orthodox faction, gained a slight majority.

Eretz Hakodesh, which is campaigning again, expressed confidence in its impact. “We have made a significant difference in recent years, and we encourage those who share our values to support us,” the group stated.

Several of the nine new slates in this election have platforms centered on Orthodox religious principles or pro-settlement policies. Among them, Am Yisrael Chai aims to engage young professionals and college students, while the Israeli American Council slate seeks to represent Israeli expatriates. Beyachad is focusing on Russian-speaking Jews.

On the left, new slates have emerged as well, including the AID Coalition, composed of Israeli expats who support the protest movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Another slate, ANU: A New Union, is targeting younger, progressive Jewish voters.

Despite the political engagement of many American Jews, voter participation in the World Zionist Congress elections has historically been low. In 2020, around 125,000 people voted—more than double the 56,000 votes cast in 2015, but still a fraction of the nearly 6 million Jewish adults in the U.S. The highest voter turnout occurred in 1987, when approximately 211,000 ballots were cast.

Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, has called for greater participation to ensure the congress reflects the diversity of world Jewry. “If this is truly the parliament of the Jewish people, it must represent all voices,” Hess said. “Encouraging more American Jews to vote is essential for maintaining pluralism in Zionist institutions.”

Over the next several weeks, election organizers will work to raise awareness and increase engagement in Jewish communities across the U.S., emphasizing the impact that voters can have on Israel’s future.