It seems like we just finished casting our ballots in the 2024 presidential election, and already candidates are campaigning for local elections for 2025 (myself included). But don’t get too comfortable; there’s another critical election happening right now that will shape the future of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide.
Between March 10 and May 4, American Jews will have the opportunity to vote in the election for the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC), an event often referred to as the “parliament of the Jewish people.” This historic body, founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897, has been instrumental in shaping the Zionist movement, laying the groundwork for the establishment of the State of Israel, and continuing to make crucial decisions regarding Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora. The WZC oversees the allocation of more than $1 billion annually, ensuring that critical funds support Israeli society, Jewish communities around the world, and initiatives that strengthen Zionism.
The significance of the WZC cannot be overstated. The delegates elected to this Congress wield immense influence over the Jewish Agency for Israel, the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish National Fund, and other key Zionist institutions. With one-third of the elected delegates coming from the United States, American Jewry has a powerful voice in this global conversation. The more votes that are cast, the stronger that voice becomes.
The last WZC election took place in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, a time when Jewish communities worldwide faced uncertainty, financial strain, and rising anti-Semitism. That election was critical in ensuring the continued support of Zionist initiatives during a global crisis. Now, after the horrific attacks of October 7 and the ongoing war, the 2025 WZC elections have taken on an even greater level of importance. The Jewish world faces unprecedented challenges: from the physical security of Israel to the rise of anti-Semitism across the globe. This election represents a crucial moment for the Jewish people to unite, fortify their homeland, and ensure that funds are directed toward initiatives that promote Jewish safety, education, and sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world.
Voters choose from a growing array of slates – 21 in total – each vying for influence over the future of Zionism. In past years, the number of slates was far lower, but in the wake of the October 7 attacks and the heightened focus on Israel’s security, more groups have rushed to form their own slates in an attempt to gain a share of the power and funding that the WZC controls. While some of these new slates may have good intentions, the reality is that fragmentation weakens the strength of long-established Zionist institutions. In stark contrast to these newcomers, one of the most influential and active slates is Slate #15: The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) Coalition, which boasts a 128-year legacy of relentless advocacy and tangible results.
The ZOA Coalition has a proven track record of advocating for Jewish rights and Zionist causes. Unlike some slates that are merely making promises, ZOA has already delivered tangible results in the battle against anti-Semitism, the promotion of Jewish sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, and the fight against anti-Israel bias in the media and on college campuses. The ZOA is also the only slate to successfully push for the reinterpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus, holding universities accountable when they fail to address anti-Semitism.
The ZOA Coalition is a powerful force in Zionist politics, comprising over 30 leading pro-Israel organizations, including American Friends of Likud, Americans Against Antisemitism, Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI), Students Supporting Israel (SSI), Young Jewish Conservatives (YJC) and many more. It is also the only slate endorsed by World Likud and the recipient of the World Zionist Congress’ 125th Anniversary Award for its exceptional contributions to the Jewish people.
This year, the ZOA slate proudly includes several prominent figures from the Queens Jewish Link, including Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, Shabsie Saphirstein, and recent honorees Sid Rosenberg, Dr. Paul Brody, and Dr. Joseph Frager. Their leadership and dedication to the Jewish people make them outstanding representatives in the fight for a strong and secure Israel. (Full disclosure: I am also honored to be on the slate for ZOA.)
By voting for ZOA, you are supporting a slate that has led efforts to combat anti-Semitism and the BDS movement, defend Jewish students on college campuses, strengthen Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, promote sovereignty over Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital, fight against a Palestinian Arab terror state, support Israel’s soldiers and displaced communities, and ensure funding for aliyah and Jewish education worldwide.
Voting is easy, quick, and primarily done online. There is a nominal $5 registration fee, which helps cover the election’s administrative costs. To be eligible to vote, you must be Jewish, at least 18 years old by June 30, 2025, a US citizen or legal permanent resident, and agree to the principles of the Jerusalem Program, the official platform of the Zionist movement.
This is a once-in-five-years opportunity to make a real difference in the future of Israel and the Jewish people. Don’t let it pass by. Stand up for Zionism, for Jewish unity, and for a strong, secure Israel by casting your vote for Slate #15: ZOA.
To learn more or receive a reminder to vote, visit ZOACoalition.org or VoteForIsrael.com. Let’s make our voices heard!
Moshe Hill is a political analyst and columnist. His work can be found at www.aHillwithaView.com and on X at @HillWithView.
