World Zionist Congress (WZC) 2025
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"The World Zionist Congress Election is a great opportunity to remind ourselves that we have agency as American Jews in our social and political future as a Jewish People. Take a moment to explore the many constituencies represented in this election and find the one you feel best fits your values. Each one of us has a voice. I encourage everyone at Etz Chayim who can to lift up your voice and vote in the World Zionist Election."
Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky, Congregation Etz Chayim
Israeli citizens vote for the Knesset. That is their input in Israel’s policies.
Jews who aren’t Israeli citizens shape Israel’s policies through the World Zionist Congress
One of the most important elections for global Jewry that many people have never heard of runs from March 10 to May 4 setting the stage for a new chapter in the history of Zionism. The election happens every five years. The 38th World Zionist Election was held in 2020. The World Zionist Organization holds its first elections since the October 7th War, the 2023 Judicial Reform Crisis, and the end of the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic.
The World Zionist Congress election determines how $5 billion will be spent in Israel — and is seen as a referendum on the future of the country. American Jews can vote with mail-in paper ballots or online and choose among 22 lists of candidates, or slates, each with a specific agenda and profile. There are options by denomination, demographics and outlook on Israel. What’s at stake includes religious pluralism, gender equality, rolling back gains for LGBTQ+ rights, and stripping Reform/Conservative clergy and communities of their rights and funding.
How you vote in 2025 for delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress can help determine the future character of Israeli Society.
Costs $5 - takes 5 minutes to vote online - impacts $5 Billion over the next 5 years
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If you would like more background material, continue reading this web page. By clicking on the links below, you jump to that section.
What is the World Zionist Congress?
A look back at the 38th World Zionist Congress in 2020
Short Videos to watch about the 38th World Zionist Congress
What's a stake with the 39th World Zionist Congress in 2025
How to register and vote in the 39th World Zionist Congress in 2025
Sample Criteria to Evaluate Slates
The Slates in the 39th World Zionist Congress
What is the World Zionist Congress?
The World Zionist Congress (WZC), was established by Theodor Herzl in 1897, as the legislative body of the World Zionish Organization (WZO), a non-governmental entity promoting Zionism, Known as "the Parliament of the Jewish People," the WZC consists of 500 delegates and convenes in Jerusalem every five years. Delegates exert ideological influence on both Israeli society and the global Jewish agenda while allocating resources to various organizations. The 39th WZC elections, scheduled from March 10 to May 4, 2025, will determine the composition of delegations that will meet in Jerusalem in October 2025.
Since 1897, the World Zionist Congress has been the democratic assembly of the Jewish people where every Jew in the world can have a voice in the most critical issues of our time. Established by Theodore Herzl, The Congress makes funding and policy decisions for the World Zionist Organization, and its makeup helps determine the leadership, regulations and budget allocations of the Jewish Agency for Israel (the largest Jewish non-profit in the world) and the Jewish National Fund.
What is the Jerusalem Program?
הריני מתחייב/ת לתמוך בתכנית ירושלים ובמדינת ישראל כמדינה יהודית ודמוקרטית"".
"I pledge to support the Jerusalem Program and the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state".
The Jerusalem program (תוכנית ירושלים) is the ideological platform of the Zionist Movement and was initially adopted in 1951 at the 23rd World Zionist Congress to replace the Basel Program from 1897. The Jerusalem Program differed from the original Basel Program in that it shifted the goals of the Zionist movement once the State of Israel was already established. The document begins this way:
Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future. The full test of the Jerusalem Program can be found here: https://azm.org/wzo/jerusalem-program/
The Jerusalem program was revised by the 27th Zionist Congress in 1968, in 2004, and most recently in 2024. The Zionist movement was originally focused with bringing Israel into being and guaranteeing its survival. The movement is now also concerned with the character of Israeli society and that's why the 2025 election is so important. How people vote can help determine the future character of Israeli society.
American Jews directly vote for delegates to 39th World Zionist Congress (about one-third of the delegates come from the United States)
Voting in the WZC elections is the sole opportunity for American Jews to directly influence Israeli issues. The United States delegation, the largest outside Israel, has 152 WZC delegates. Higher voter turnout among North American Progressive Jews and allies ensures sustained financial resources and leadership positions in the national institutions which include the WZO ($80M+), JAFI [Jewish Agency] (500M+) and Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) ($1B+). These organizations collectively allocate $1 Billion+ annually to support Jews in Israel and worldwide. WZC elections empower Diaspora Jews to influence resource allocation and support a democratic Israel that reflect the Jewish values of pluralism, gender equality, economic justice, and peace. Delegates make decisions on allocating funds to support the most pressing needs across Israeli society and the Diaspora. The slide below is from a Reform Slate presentation:
This funding 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.
Here is a link to a FAQ from the Hatikvah Slate website which goes into more detail on the World Zionist Congress and funding of the National Institutions: https://www.hatikvahslate.net/faq
- World Zionist Organization (WZO),
- Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (World Jewish National Fund (JNF),
- Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and
- Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal (UIA)
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A LOOK BACK AT THE 38TH WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS IN 2020
Voting for the 38th World Zionist Congress was held January 21-March 11, 2020: https://azm.org/wzc2020/
Here are The Results of the 2020 WZC Election - the 38th World Zionist Congress
As of 2020, there were approximately 5.8 million Jewish adults in the United States -- about 2.4% of the total US adult population.
A total of 123,575 American Jews voted in the 2020 elections. There were 15 slates, comprised of 1,800 delegate candidates, which competed for the 152 American elect seats at the Congress during the electron administered by the Amercian Zionist Movement (AZM).
In 2020, there was a major push by the orthodox groups in the US including the new slate Eretz Hakodesh to get their members to vote. Focused on “traditional religious values and Jewish rights in the entire Land of Israel,” the slate ran a negative campaign against Reform Judaism.. You can see that with the top 3 vote getters, the reform movement got 31,483 votes or 39 seats. The top two Orthodox slates including Mizrachi and the new Eretz Hakodesh slate got 41,737 votes or 52 seats. These Orthodox slates are in favor of building Jewish communities in Judea and Sumeria.
Click here for the 2020 38th WZC Slate Booklet.
An asterisk (*) in the following table indicates the new slates running for the first time in the 2020 election.
| Slate | Votes | Seats |
| Vote Reform | 31,483 | 39 |
| Orthodox Israel Coalition - Mizrachi | 21,692 | 27 |
| Eretz Hakodesh* | 20,045 | 25 |
| MERCAZ USA | 14,655 | 18 |
| ZOA Coailtion | 10,312 | 13 |
| American Forum for Israel | 8, 096 | 10 |
| Hatikvah | 7,936 | 10 |
| Shas Olami* | 2,045 | 2 |
| Kol Yisrael* | 1,749 | 2 |
| Dorshei Torah V'Tziyon* | 1,371 | 2 |
| Herut Zionists | 1,154 |
1 |
| Vision | 1,038 | 1 |
| American4Israel | 856 | 1 |
| Israel Shelanu* | 769 | 1 |
| Ohavei Zion | 374 | 0 |
| Total | 123,575 | 152 |
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VIDEOS ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION
Israel OnBoard - World Zionist Congress 2020 - the 38th World Zionist Congress
This whiteboard video explains the history of the World Zionist Congress, its impact and function, how it is selected, and which groups are running as part of the 2020 Congress election.
It's important to look at the results of the last election, because there was a very unpleasant surprise; a new group in the U.S., Eretz Hakodesh made up of ultra-orthodox Jews who largely don't identify as Zionists, ran a first time slate and did very well. They basically represent the opposite of everything liberal Jews believe and they feel very empowered in 2025.
Here's is a 3 minute video that the Eretz Hakodesh (which means the Holy Land) created about the 2020 election to get their community to vote in favor of their slate and against the progressive Jewish values of pluralism, gender equality, and economic justice in the 2025 election.
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What's at stake for the liberal Jewish community in the 2025 WZC election and the 39th World Zionist Congress
This Times of Israel article from February 11, 2025 says that this is a very important election because billions of dollars are at stake. The vote this year is an opportunity for the American Jewish vote to reflect the diverse voices and constituencies that we see in United States and to directly impact the future of Israel
According to the American Reform Zionist Association, nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel is a stake in the 2025 WZC election. The ultra-Orthodox and ultra-Nationalist movements are using the levers provided through the WZO institutions -- and power gained in the World Zionist Congress elections - to advance their agenda, including:
- Increased funding for Settlements
- Rolling back gains for LGBTQ+ rights, gender equity, and religious pluralism;m
- Stripping non-Orthodox (Reform and Conservative) clergy and communities of their rights and funding
- Advancing policies to weaken the influence of non-Orthodox (Reform and Conservative) Jews by rejecting conversions and questioning the authenticity of children's Jewish identity
- Ensuring ultra-Orthodox Israelis will not serve in the IDF
- Advancing the Netanyahu Government's judicial overhaul and anti-democratic policies of racist politician like Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Betzalel Smotrich
- Allowing the ultra-Orthodox to keep the core curriculum out of their schools, and to advance additional general segregation in Israeli society
The five years since the previous World Zionist Congress election in 2020 have seen several seismic crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the huge demonstrations against Judicial reform, and Israel’s ongoing multi-front war. This strongly increases the importance of the 2025 election to reflect diverse voices and constituencies across the Jewish community who support the wide spectrum of Zionism.
The decisions at the congress 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.
Rabbi Amy Levin also wrote an important blog to help understand the need to vote: A Call to Action: Protect Israel's Future
Here is part of her blog that shows how American Jews offer something to Israeli's "Unfortunately for those of us who are part of the non-orthodox streams of Judaism, the State of Israel has politicized religion instead of guaranteeing equal freedom of religion. Despite the promise made by the 37 signatories of Israel’s declaration of independence, the only faith practiced in Israel which suffers from government-institutionalized discrimination is Judaism. Orthodox, actually ultra-Orthodox, Judaism has been nurtured and supported since the beginning of the State. Our Muslim, Christian and Druze friends and neighbors face many hardships, but they are left to run their faith organizations as they see fit.
The overwhelming majority of native Israeli Jews have only been exposed to ultra-Orthodox messaging and are left to assume that our tradition is incapable of offering a path of faith, commitment and community that reflects the reality of our lives here and now. So they have turned their backs on Judaism. Culturally they’ll light Hanukah candles because the kids get presents and they’ll sit home instead of driving on Yom Kippur out of some vestige of respect, and they may go to a seder, but they’ll pack sandwiches for lunch when they and their kids go for a hike the next day. And that breaks my heart."
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Registration and Voting for the 39th World Zionist Congress
Registration and voting opened on March 10, 2025. Voting is online or with paper ballots can be downloaded here, printed, and mailed in. The fee to register and vote is $5, which goes to cover the operating costs of the election and is part of the fraud detection system. Online voting is a two step process. You first register and pay your $5 so that you can get a "pin" which is a number that entitles you to vote. Once you have registered, you can then go back online with your pin and vote.
The election is administered by The American Zionist Movement (AZM), which 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.
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. There were 15 slates in 2020 and there are 22 slates in 2025.
Any Jew over age 18 is eligible to vote, and the total number of elected delegates to the Congress is 500. 38% of the delegates are allocated to Israel, 29% to the United States of America (or 152 delegates), and 33% to the remainder of the countries of the Diaspora.
Register for Updates, Learn More about About How To Vote, Find Links to All the slates at ZionistElection.org
First Zionist Congress Basel, Switzerland, August 29-31, 1897
If you have questions about any of this material, please contact Ted Schachter at tedmschachter@yahoo.com.
Once you've selected the slate you want to vote for, click here for a video how to vote online.
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CRITERIA TO LOOK AT WHEN PICKING AND EVALUATING A SLATE -
Note from Ted Schachter -
When evaluating a slate look at the following:
Web information including 2-pager with platform and delegate list, slate website, slate FAQs, videos
How many seats did they have in the last election or are they new for this year?
Is the focus of the slate around a denomination (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform) or a demographic (Russian Jews in the US, Israeli Jews in the US, Mizrachi or Sephardi Jewish, Gen Z and Milenium Jews, or a coalition of organizations that align to a certain set of beliefs?
What's the outlook on Israel for Gaza and the West Bank?
Is there a personal connection with the Etz Chayim congregation?
Do you recognize any of the delegates on the delegate list?
Note: Different groups use different terms based on their ideology. One place this is most evident is whether a group uses the phrase “the West Bank”/ “occupied West Bank”, or refers to that geographic area as “Judea-Samaria”.
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List of Slates for the 39th WZC.
Click here for the official 39th WZC list of Slates.
Note from Ted Schachter - It's very time consuming to read all the information that is available about the election. As a service to Etz Chayim, I've done my best to consolidate information and provide summaries of all the slates. If you have comments and corrections, please contact me directly at tedmschachter@yahoo.com.
The 39th WZC Slates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. (The order was determined by random drawing). There are 22 slates. There are six slates out the of the 22 slates that are pro-democracy. During the Congress, the liberal slates form coalitions and vote together on issues. Other slates represent other demographics, political views, and coalitions representing the diverse opinions in the American Jewish community. This includes Religious Zionism, Haredi, Orthodox Judaism, Mizrachi and Sephardic Jews, Russian Jews, and Zionist Organization of America.
In the table, you can click on each slate's name to see their 2-page platform statement and list of candidates from the Official Slate Book. The Slate website is under the Slate name and contains more information.
| Slates | Comments |
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1. SHAS |
Affiliated with Israel’s Shas party, Shas Olami, or “Global Shas,” seeks to represent Sephardic Orthodox Jews in support of “traditional Jewish education and identity.” Shas is a Haredi religious political party in Israeli primarily represents the interests of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews. 2020 performance: 2,042 votes for 2 seats |
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2. VISION |
Billing itself as a voice for young Jews, Vision is a right-wing slate that is is focused on “Jewish liberation, identity, and Israel’s legitimacy on campus.” It is opposed to the two-state solution because it negates the aspirations of both Jews and Palestinians and has only resulte in several new injustices for both peoples. According to Wikipedia, The VISION movement is a Hebrew Universalist political movement founded by American-born Israeli rabbi, West Bank settler, and Jewish Defense League veteran, Yehuda HaKohen. The Vision Movement, presents a unique approach to Zionism that doesn't fit neatly into traditional categories of liberal or religious Zionism. Instead, it advocates for a philosophy termed Hebrew Universalism, which seeks to synthesize elements of Orthodox Judaism, secular Jewish nationalism, and humanism. The movement supports the Jewish resettlement of Gaza, a one-state solution, working with Palestinian groups to simultaneously pursue both Jewish and Palestinian Arab liberation, the Palestinian right of return, and opposes American influence in Israeli politics. 2020 performance: 1,038 votes for 1 seat |
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3. VOTE REFORM (American Reform Zionist Association - ARZA) Pro-democracy slate that recognizes |
The slate that won the largest share of votes in the last election, gaining 25% of available seats, Vote Reform represents the largest denomination of American Judaism. Representing left-wing views, the slate seeks “a democratic, pluralistic, and vibrant Israeli society.” Names you might know on the Vote Reform slate: Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Daryl Messinger, Professor Marc Dollinger, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, Rabbi Steven Bob Reform FAQ: https://www.vote4reform.org/what-is-wzc/#faq 2020 Performance: 31,483 votes for 39 seats Connection with Etz Chayim:Rabbi Steve Bob was on the slate in 2020. He has spoken at Etz Chayim about his book about Jonah and has led the Saturday morning Torah study via Zoom. He writes "As delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress we will advocate that the government of Israel does everything in its power to maintain the ceasefire and return all hostages. We will fight for government recognition and societal acceptance of the many diverse expressions of Jewish religious identity so that all such expressions are recognized as legitimate and equal under the law and to lend its support for Reform Judaism and other liberal streams." Click here for his complete comments. Etz Chayim has a close relation with Rabbi Lila Veissid. She is using one of our Torahs with her community which includes native Israelis who are learning about the reform movement for the first time. She is associated with the Reform Movement. Notes: The more votes VOTE REFORM/ARZA receives, the greater the platform to support and implement the Reform movement values through programming that engages young American Jews, such as Camp Newman and NFTY Voting Reform supports the Reform Movement's institutions in Israel including synagogues. |
| 4. Kol Israel - Standing Together to Strengthen Israel and the Jewish People https://votekolisrael.org/ |
"Affiliated with the pro-Israel advocacy group StandWithUs and the Zionist youth movement Young Judea, Kol Israel, or “Voice of Israel,” is focused on Israel-Diaspora relations, combating antisemitism, and advancing moonshot ideas like bringing the Olympic games to Israel in 2048, Israel’s centennial. The slate includes a number of Jews who have risen to prominence as pro-Israel advocates since Oct. 7, including Columbia University lecturer Shai Davidai and influencer Montana Tucker. 2020 Performance: 1,749 votes for 2 seat |
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5. ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALTION (OIC)- MIZRACHI: On the Frontlines for Israel's Future |
Backed by the institutions of Modern Orthodox Judaism including Yeshiva University and the Orthodox Union, Mizrachi bills itself as a religious Zionist slate, which suggests right-wing politics. It promises to promote “timeless values of the Torah and the centrality of the Land and State of Israel in Jewish life.” It came in second place in the last election with almost 18% of the total vote. It is a coalition of major Religious Zionist-oriented national organizations across the US including: RZA-Mizrachi, AMIT, YU, OU, RCA, Bnei Akiva, NCYI, Touro University, and Sephardic organizations such as Shvilim and UMJCA. What's at stake are positions and budgets of tremendous influence directly affecting Jewish life in Israel and around the world, such as:
2020 Performance: Won 21,692 votes for 27 seats Notes: A veteran player, gaining traction with the religious right’s surge. |
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6. ANU: A New Union - A NextGen Big Tent for the Jewish American Consensus (new in 2025) Pro-democracy slate that recognizes |
Primarily made up of millennial and Gen Z Jews, ANU, which means “We” in Hebrew, is a new left-wing slate. It supports the two-state solution; the independence of the Israeli judiciary amid a proposed overhaul of the system by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu; and a “pluralistic vision” for Israel and the Jewish community |
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7. Israel365 Action - Vote AGAINST the two state "solution" and FOR Judea and Samaria! (new in 2025) |
Affiliated with Israeli365, an advocacy group that aims to foster support for Israel among Christians and recently honored the far-right U.S. activist Steve Bannon, Israel365 Action is a new slate supporting exclusive Israeli control “throughout greater Israel” and opposing Palestinian statehood. Originally known as “One Jewish State,” the slate changed its name to clarify that former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who recently published a book called “One Jewish State,” is not part of the slate, though he has endorsed its platform. Some former members have accused the slate of a bait-and-switch because of the name change, and of soliciting Christian support in an election meant only for Jews — charges the slate denies. |
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8. Achdut Israel (new in 2025) |
Founded in response to the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023, Achdut Israel is focused on supporting Israeli troops and land settlement, and “empowering Jewish communities worldwide through self-defense training and connection to their homeland.” Achdut is a Hebrew word that means “unity.” |
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9. Am Yisrael Chai: Investing in Jewish leadership, fulfilling our destiny (new in 2025) |
Aiming to represent Jewish college students and young professionals, Am Yisrael Chai is a new slate that focuses on pro-Israel advocacy, spreading Jewish pride, and promoting the “love of Torah and Judaism.” |
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10. Aish Ha'am (new in 2025) |
The Aish Ha’am slate is an initiative of Aish HaTorah, an outreach movement dedicated to promoting Orthodox Judaism. The slate’s platform focuses on pro-Israel advocacy, fostering Jewish unity, and promoting “timeless Jewish wisdom.” The list of candidates includes Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Harvard grad who sued his alma mater for its handling of antisemitism on campus and went on to endorse Donald Trump; and Lizzy Savetsky, a prominent right-wing pro-Israel social media influencer who recently ignited controversy by endorsing a speech by the late extremist rabbi Meir Kahane. |
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11. ERETZ HAKODESH: Protecting the Kedusha and Mesorah of Eretz Yisrael |
This Orthodox slate debuted in the last election and stunned everyone with its strong showing by winning about 16% of the vote, enough for third place. Focused on “traditional religious values and Jewish rights in the entire Land of Israel,” the slate ran a negative campaign against Reform Judaism. The slate’s success helped the religious and right-wing bloc secure a majority of seats in the World Zionist Congress for the first time. Eretz Hakodesh means “the Holy Land.” 2020 – New for 2020 – 20,045 votes for 25 seats Notes: Reflects growing Haredi participation in Zionism, once an anomaly. |
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12. Beyached - TOGETHER FOR ISRAEL (new in 2025) |
Hoping to amplify the voice of Russian-speaking Jews who live in the United States, Beyachad, or “together,” is a new slate led by Orthodox Jews. It emphasizes Jewish unity and traditional Jewish values, and seeks to “inspire the next generation to deepen their connection to Israel and Jewish heritage. |
| 13. Intentionally left blank | |
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14. AID Coaltion (American-Israel Democracy): The Israeli-American Voice to Rebuild Israel (new in 2025) https://www.aid-coalition.org/ Pro-democracy slate that recognizes |
One of two slates of Israeli immigrants to the United States, AID Coalition is aligned with the mass protest movement that’s been challenging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for the past several years and portraying his plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary as a power grab. The platform talks about supporting the recovery of communities attacked on Oct. 7 and safeguarding Israeli democracy. Connection with Etz Chayim: Shai Tsur's best fried Andres Signer is on the delegate list for the AID coalition. |
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15. ZOA Coaliton: The 30+ Leading Orgs Defending Jews-Students-Israel-Judea-Samaria |
This staunchly right-wing slate is led by the Zionist Organization of America, which has been part of the World Zionist Congress since the beginning, 128 years ago. Standing in opposition to Palestinian statehood, the list is dedicated to “defending Jews, Jewish students, and the Jewish people’s rights to Israel-Judea-Samaria.” ZOA Coalition is the 30+ leading organizations defending Jews, Jewish students, and the Jewish people’s rights to Israel-Judea-Samaria. 2020 Performance – 10,312 votes for 13 seats |
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16. HATIKVAH: The Progressive Slate - Vote for Change & Hope, Vote for a Better Future in Israel https://www.hatikvahslate.net/ Pro-democracy slate that recognizes |
Endorsed by the umbrella organizations for Renewal and Reconstructionist Judaism, the National Council of Jewish Women and the liberal Israel lobby J Street, Hatikvah, or “the Hope” focuses on religious pluralism, protecting Israeli democratic norms, promoting human rights and opposition to Israeli settlements. Sponsored and led by: The New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, Yisrael Shelun Hatikvah slate platform wants to end to the Permanent Policy of Occupation and Annexation. Hatikvah uplifts the values of the newly formed Israeli party, the Democratim (the Democrats) built from the merger of the Labor Party and Meretz in 2024 and led by Yair Golan, and identifies other like-minded Israeli movements, organizations, and activists. 2020 Performance: Won 2 seats as a new progressive coalition. 7,396 votes for 10 seats Israel Shelunu was a separate slate in 2020 and had 769 votes for 1 seat Names you might recognize on the slate: Nomi Colton-Max. Rav Claudia Kreiman, Jeremy Ben Ami, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Kenneth Bob, Rabbi Amicahi Lau Lavie, Avraham Spraragen, Sam Berkman Connection with Etz Chayim: Kenneth Bob was on the Hatikavah slate in 2020. He has spoken at Etz Chayim about the political system in Israel and about the work that he has done with Project Rozena. He says "We do work in coalitions within the national institutions, largely mirroring those Israeli political entities who are part of the Israeli opposition plus the Reform and Conservative movement. Everyone comes with their own priorities; I assume that when you will see the Hatikvah Slate you will see a worldview that reflects all of the progressive Israel groups that make up our slate. Hatikvah accomplishments at the 38th World Zionist Congress: https://www.progressiveisrael.org/the-38th-world-zionist-congress-2/ |
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17. MERCAZ USA: The Voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism https://www.mercazusa.org/votemercaz2025/ Pro-democracy slate that recognizes |
The Zionist arm of Conservative Judaism, known internationally as Masorti Judaism, Mercaz, or “center” was the fourth largest vote-getter in the last election. It believes in an Israel that “celebrates democratic principles, embraces diverse Jewish traditions, and safeguards the rights, dignity and inclusion of all its citizens.” 2020 Performance: Won 2 seats. 14,655 for 18 seats Notes:
Etz Chayim connection: Steve Gray is a member of Kibbutz Hannaton. Steve Gray and Anat Harrel were involved with the the story about the ancient mikvah discovered and moved to Kibbutz Hannaton.: Steve Gray writes: "There is a fairly direct relationship between the strength of the Mercaz slate in the elections and the size of the budget allocations that follow and flow to institutions of the Conservative movement here in Israel. The youth movement Noam, the rabbinical school, the congregations and Midreshet Hannaton all get allocations from the funds that become available to Mercaz after the elections. Rabbi Josh Warshawsky who has visited Etz Chayim as a scholar-in-residence is on the Mercaz delegate list. ---------------------- Five reasons to vote MERCAZ USA : 1. Voting MERCAZ USA helps deliver $25 million for Conservative congregations in the US and in organizations like Ramah, USY, Sisterhoods, Men’s Clubs, and more. 2. Voting MERCAZ USA delivers millions to the Masorti Movement and its institutions in Israel, helping promote pluralism and shape an Israel that’s a welcoming home for every kind of Jew. This includes funding for our synagogues, youth movement NOAM, Camp NOAM, Bar/Bat Mitzvah program for children with disabilities, Egalitarian prayer at the Kotel, Schechter Rabbinical Institute, Hannaton Education Center, and many other programs. 3. Voting MERCAZ USA strengthens pro-democracy forces in Israel by making it clear that world Jewry supports protecting democracy in the Jewish state. Your vote also delivers support for key civil society organizations and helps promote gender and LGBTQ+ equality in Israel and the Jewish world. 4. Voting MERCAZ USA will make sure that KKL/JNF’s $2 billion budget goes not to extremists’ pet projects, but to those who need it most: the communities hardest hit on October 7th. We’ll also ensure our hostages and their families are taken care of through the government's Hostages and Hostages Family Directorate, which is now under the auspices of the WZO. 5. Voting MERCAZ USA prevents a takeover of the Jewish Agency by ultra-Orthodox extremists, which would endanger the ability of so many in our communities to make Aliyah and be recognized as Jewish in the Jewish state. It would also put our ability to fund shlichim and shinshinim in our communities at risk. Your vote has real, tangible consequences. Here are just a few examples: Given the Israeli government’s lack of recognition of non-Orthodox Judaism in the Jewish state, the Jewish Agency has for years been one of the main sources of millions for non-Orthodox denominations in Israel. But if the Conservative slate MERCAZ and our Reform partners at Vote Reform: Arzeinu don’t win enough seats in the Congress, ultra-Orthodox extremists are already saying they will target that funding for elimination. These same extremists could also change the Jewish Agency’s approach to who is considered a Jew, which would have major ramifications for who can make aliyah and have access to its programs. |
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18. Dorshei Torah V'Tzion: Torah and Israel for the Future of All Jews |
A slate representing liberal Orthodox Jews and billing itself as “proven bridgebuilders,” Dorshei Torah V’Tzion supports a wide array of policies in areas like religious pluralism, female religious leadership and LGBTQ inclusion. It’s headed by Rabbi Avi Weiss and Rabba Sara Hurwitz, the founders of liberal Orthodox seminaries in New York City. Notes: Many other Orthodox slates are focused on their own or Orthodoxy’s particular and parochial interests. As such, they often give a perception that Orthodox people don’t value the contributions and participations of others to the Zionist movement. At times, some of these groups have even taken steps to block the participation of other non-Orthodox groups with whom they disagree. Additionally, many of the Orthodox slates have politically aligned exclusively with right-wing Israeli Knesset parties rather than representing the broad views of all Orthodox Jews. DTT recognizes that Orthodox Jews span a spectrum of views and works for inclusivity, carving out a unique centrist space as an influential bridge-builder in the Zionist movement. Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, International Rabbinic Fellowship, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, supports Kotel Compromise, Conversions, Marriage - Rabbi Avi Weiss, big tent Orthodoxy 2020 Performance – 1,371 votes for 2 seats |
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19. Americans4Israel: Strength Through Unity
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Americans4Israel is an independent slate of general Zionists committed to unity, peace and the security of Israel and for the Jewish people throughout the world. To revitalize the World Zionist Organization, with a commitment to achieving transparency, accountability and a renewed approach to strengthening the Zionist federations and communities throughout the Jewish world; to insist upon the empowering of delegates at Congress in a meaningful way and to advocate for direct elections for the Chairman, priorities and budgets of the World Zionist Organization 2020 Performance: 856 votes, 1 seat Sponsored by: IsraelForever, Baltimore Zionist District |
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20. The Jewish Future - Centrist Liberal Zionism (new in 2025) https://www.thejewishfuture.org/ Pro-democracy slate that recognizes |
Advocating “centrist liberal Zionism,” the Jewish Future’s list includes Rabbi David Gedzelman, who is the president and CEO of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, and therefore close to billionaire philanthropist and Birthright co-founder Michael Steinhardt; and U.S. Rep. Esther Panitch, a Democratic lawmaker representing parts of Georgia |
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A pro-settlement slate “guided by the enduring principles of the Torah,” American Forum for Israel is affiliated with Israel Beiteinu, the Israeli right-wing party that caters to Jews from the former Soviet Union led by Avigdor Liberman. Ideologically aligned with Netanyahu’s Likud in the past, Liberman broke with the prime minister years ago over conscription for Haredi Jews and the role of religion in public life. 2020 Performance: 8,096 votes for 10 seats Notes: Advocating sovereignty over Judea and Samaria Promotion of Settlement Development and Aliyah: We are committed to the expansion and development of settlements, viewing them as vital to the state’s growth and resilience. We actively promote Aliyah, encouraging Jews worldwide to return to strengthening our national unity |
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22. Israeli American Council (IAC): A Coast to Coast Community with Israel at Heart and Spirirt (new in 2025) |
One of the two new slates for Israeli immigrants to the United States, the Israeli American Council is affiliated with the eponymous right-wing advocacy group. Heading the list is Elan Carr, who served as special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism during Trump’s first presidency. |
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Promising “unapologetic Zionism,” Herut is the historic voice of Ze’ev Jabotinsky and revisionist Zionism at the World Zionist Congress, the same political movement that produced Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud Party in Israel. Herut’s platform promises support for Jewish indigenous rights to the Land of Israel. 2020 Performance – 1,154 votes for 1 seat |
Much of this information in this table comes from this website.
https://www.jta.org/2025/03/10/united-states/these-are-the-21-slates-us-jews-can-vote-for-in-the-world-zionist-congress-election
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Note from Ted Schachter - Since Etz Chayim is a liberal congregation, I've also identified the pro-democracy slates that recognize non-Orthodox Jewish movements and the people who have converted through those movements. The pro-democracy slates often join coalitions when they vote in the WZC. congress. The pro-democracy slates all have shared values of democracy, freedom, pluralism, and security for everyone. In contrast, most of the right-wing religious slates seek to expand Orthodox control over Israeli religious life, while opposing religious pluralism and prioritizing settlement expansion.
In addition to making the slates as pro-democracy in the table above that lists all 22 slates. I've done a deeper analysis of the six pro-democracy slates. They are based on organizations, religious movements, demographics and beliefs.
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HATIKVAH: Broad coalition of progressive, liberal organizations (Slate 16)
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Mercaz USA: The Voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism (Slate 17)
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Vote Reform: The Reform Slate (Slate 3) - largest denomination of American Judaism
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ANU: A New Union (Slate 6) - Led by millennials and Gen Z
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AID Coalition (America-Israel Democracy) (Slate 14) - Led by Israeli immigrants to US
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The Jewish Future — Centrist Zionism (Slate 20) - Bridge building and centrist
If you would like to see the more detailed information about these pro-democracy slates click here.
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GO AND VOTE from March 10 to May 4, 2025
Unfortunately, we live at time where conversations about Israel and Zionism usually start with talking about injustice.
We can use this election to think deeply about Jewish history and the Jewish people. Let’s celebrate what Israel has done to heal the Jewish people after the Holocaust,to create a Jewish state, to revive the Hebrew language, Hebrew literature, Hebrew music, and Jewish learning. Let’s celebrate the good that Israel has given to the world.
We know that we can do better.
This is an aspirational statement from the Israeli Declaration of Independence:
THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
LET’S VOTE AND CHANGE THINGS THIS YEAR.
Here's one final video about the World Zionist Congress
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