From March to May 2025, the United States will hold elections for delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC), which will take place in October of the same year in Jerusalem. These elections, organized by the American Zionist Movement (AZM), allow the Jewish community in the US as a whole and each of its members individually to influence the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

What is the World Zionist Congress?

The World Zionist Congress is the supreme governing body of the World Zionist Organization (WZO). The Congress makes crucial decisions that determine the directions of activity and policy of the WZO itself and its cooperation with the state of the Jewish people – Israel. The Congress is attended by 500 delegates:

•    190 delegates from Israel (38%). The composition of this group is distributed according to party affiliation, that is, it is formed in accordance with the results of the parliamentary elections held in Israel before the Congress.
•    145 delegates from the USA (29%) – the composition of this group is determined by elections held by the country’s Jewish community.
•    165 delegates from other diaspora countries (33%) – in most cases, Jewish organizations of these countries will appoint their delegates without elections.

The US sends the largest delegation among diaspora countries to the Congress, and the election of delegates gives every Jew in the US the opportunity to democratically influence the future of the entire Jewish people and its state.

Why are these elections especially important?

The tragedy of October 7, 2023, when Palestinian terrorists staged a monstrous massacre in Israel, accompanied by mass murders, violence, hostage-taking, and looting, as well as the subsequent grueling and bloody war, became a turning point in the modern history of the Jewish people. 

The perception of what is happening around and in Israel for millions of Jews around the planet has decisively changed. This tragedy highlighted the need for the diaspora Jews to unite and actively support Israel. The forms of this support and how the Jews of the planet will help themselves will be determined by the 39th World Zionist Congress.

The election results will determine:

•    Resource allocation: The Congress decides which projects to support: repatriation to Israel, Jewish education, fighting anti-Semitism, and much more.
•    Setting priorities: Delegates shape the policy of the WZO, affecting the interests of Jewish communities worldwide.
•    Connection with Israel: Strengthening the ties of the Jewish diaspora with Israel, especially in the current geopolitical tension.

How does voting take place?

Voting in the US will primarily take place online (using personal computers and mobile devices) from March 10 to May 4, 2025. Every resident of the US, who has reached the age of 18, feels a connection to the Jewish people, and shares the ideals of Zionism, is entitled to cast their vote for one of the candidate lists, representing various ideological, political, and religious currents and groups.

Now more than ever, it is important to take responsibility for the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Participating in these elections is not only a right but also an opportunity to make a real contribution to decision-making that will affect the lives of millions of people.

“Participating in the elections for delegates to the World Zionist Congress is a real opportunity to influence the future of the Jewish people,” says Marina Rosenberg Koritny, Head of the WZO Department for the Promotion of Aliyah. “Today, as the world faces new challenges and threats, it is especially important for each of us to show our solidarity and readiness to defend our common values. Voting is not just about choosing delegates; it’s your contribution to supporting aliyah, fighting anti-Semitism, and strengthening the connection between the Jewish diaspora and Israel. Your vote is your power.”