American Jews will choose among candidates from 22 slates as they elect representatives who make key decisions on allocating nearly $1 billion annually in support for Israel and world Jewry.
New York, N.Y., January 13, 2025 — The American Zionist Movement (AZM) has announced that an all-time-high 22 slates representing diverse political beliefs, religious denominations, and cultural traditions will compete in the 39th World Zionist Congress election.
Voting in the U.S. for the body known as the “parliament of the Jewish people” occurs between March 10 and May 4, 2025. The election offers Jews across the U.S. their most powerful opportunity to have their voice heard in Israel’s future, make an impact on Jewish communities worldwide, and proudly stand up for Zionism.
The upcoming election’s addition of nine new slates marks a 69% surge from the 13 slates whose candidates won seats in the Congress in 2020, positioning the American Jewish community to turn out a record number of voters and by consequence, to have a more influential voice than ever in the allocation of over $1 billion annually in support for Israel and world Jewry.
The 152 delegates who will be elected to represent the United States — amounting to approximately one-third of the Congress — will join with others from around the world to make key decisions regarding the leadership and priorities of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL-JNF), The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Keren Hayesod. These decisions will dictate the course of funding that advances a multitude of high-priority Jewish and Zionist causes, including (but not limited to) support for the most vulnerable members of Israeli society; the humanitarian and rebuilding response to the October 7 attacks; cultivating Jewish identity in Israel; Aliyah to Israel from around the world; fostering connection between Israel and world Jewry; Zionist education; and bolstering security at Jewish institutions. The 39th World Zionist Congress will convene in Jerusalem from October 28-30, 2025. The election and Congress take place once every five years.
“By electing representatives who directly promote the interests of the U.S. Jewish community, American Zionist voters are poised to seize their most tangible opportunity to be heard on issues that will shape our collective future as a Jewish people. This is your vote for Israel’s future,” said Herbert Block, Executive Director of the American Zionist Movement, which administers the election. “Simultaneously, this election is American Jewry’s chance to unmistakably affirm our support for Zionism. It is imperative that we take this stand now more than ever following the horrors of October 7th, 2023, and the ongoing war.”
The five years since the previous World Zionist Congress election in 2020 have seen several seismic crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Israel’s ongoing multifront war. This strongly positions the 2025 election to serve as an uplifting and unifying force for diverse voices and constituencies across the Jewish community, all in support of the vibrancy of Zionism.
“There are no ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in this election — participation is a victory in and of itself,” Block said. “The larger the voter turnout is, the more the American Jewish voice is heard.”
Over 2900 of candidates, from 43 U.S. states and territories, are running in the 2025 World Zionist Congress election — representing an over 60% increase in candidates from the 2020 election. The candidates are running across the following 22 slates, which are listed in ballot order (based on random drawing).
- SHAS
- VISION
- VOTE REFORM
- Kol Israel – Standing Together to Strengthen Israel and the Jewish People
- ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION (OIC) – MIZRACHI: On the Frontlines for Israel’s Future
- ANU: A New Union – A NextGen Big Tent for the Jewish American Consensus
- Israel365 Action – Fighting FOR Judea & Samaria and AGAINST the failed two-state solution
- Achdut Israel
- Am Yisrael Chai: Investing in Jewish leadership, fulfilling our destiny
- Aish Ha’am
- ERETZ HAKODESH: Protecting the Kedusha and Mesorah of Eretz Yisrael
- Beyachad – Together with Israel
- Israel Shelanu: United for Change
- AID Coalition (America-Israel Democracy): The Israeli-American Voice to Rebuild Israel
- ZOA Coalition: The 30+ Leading Orgs Defending Jews-Students-Israel-Judea-Samaria
- HATIKVAH: The Progressive Slate-Vote For Change & Hope-A Better Future in Israel
- MERCAZ USA: The Voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism
- Dorshei Torah V’Tzion: Torah and Israel for the Future of All Jews
- The Jewish Future — Centrist Liberal Zionism
- American Forum for Israel
- IAC – A Resilient Community Educating and Advocating for Israel for Future Generations
- Herut North America – The Jabotinsky Movement
Register for updates and learn more about how to vote at zionistelection.org.
The First Zionist Congress, the genesis of the modern Zionist movement, was convened by Theodor Herzl in 1897. It was at this meeting that great minds and leaders from throughout the Jewish world jointly proclaimed that the Jewish people should have a state of their own.
To be eligible to vote in the U.S. election to the 39th World Zionist Congress, you must:
- Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion)
- Be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
- Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S.
- Maintain your primary residence in the U.S.
- Affirm your commitment to the Jerusalem Program (the Zionist movement platform)
- Have not voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future Knesset election which may be held prior to July 28, 2025)
Registration and voting will open on March 10, 2025. Voting will be online and paper ballots will be available on request. The fee to register and vote is $5, which goes to cover the operating costs of the election. Judge (Ret.) Abraham J. Gafni and attorney David J. Bulter lead an Area Election Committee that oversees the election.
Media Contact:
James Fattal
J Cubed Communications
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About the American Zionist Movement
The American Zionist Movement (AZM) is comprised of 46 national Jewish Zionist organizations and works across a broad ideological, political, and religious spectrum linking the American Jewish community together in support of Israel, Zionism, and the Jewish people. AZM is the U.S. Zionist Federation in the World Zionist Organization.
AZM works to promote and defend Zionism in the United States; to deepen and expand the active relationship of the American Jewish community to Zionism in a contemporary context; to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among Zionist organizations through and with the AZM; and to be the central hub for Zionist resources in America.
