69% Surge in Slates ahead of US World Zionist Congress Election

Photo Credit: Public domain

Theodor Herzl presiding over the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, August 29–31, 1897.

The American Zionist Movement (AZM) has announced a record-breaking 22 slates will compete in the 39th World Zionist Congress election, reflecting a broad spectrum of political views, religious affiliations, and cultural traditions.

Register for updates and learn more about how to vote at zionistelection.org.

Voting for the “parliament of the Jewish people” in the U.S. will take place from March 10 to May 4, 2025. This election offers American Jews a significant opportunity to influence Israel’s future, support Jewish communities worldwide, and express their commitment to Zionism.

The addition of nine new slates represents a 69% increase from the 13 that participated in 2020, paving the way for a historic voter turnout. This engagement could amplify the influence of American Jewry in decisions about allocating more than $1 billion annually to support Israel and Jewish causes globally.

The 152 U.S. delegates—comprising roughly one-third of the Congress—will join representatives from around the world to shape the priorities and leadership of key organizations, including the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL-JNF), The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and Keren Hayesod.

Their decisions will guide funding for critical initiatives, such as assisting vulnerable populations in Israel, responding to the October 7 attacks, fostering Jewish identity, supporting global Aliyah to Israel, strengthening bonds between Israel and the diaspora, promoting Zionist education, and enhancing security at Jewish institutions.

The 39th World Zionist Congress is scheduled to convene in Jerusalem from October 28–30, 2025. Both the election and the Congress take place every five years.

“By voting, American Jews have a powerful opportunity to shape the future of Israel and the Jewish people,” said Herbert Block, Executive Director of the American Zionist Movement, which oversees the election. “This is a critical moment to affirm our unwavering support for Zionism, especially in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attacks and the ongoing war. Now more than ever, it is vital to stand united.”

Since the last election in 2020, the Jewish community has faced transformative global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Israel’s ongoing security challenges. Against this backdrop, the 2025 election serves as a unifying opportunity to amplify diverse voices in support of Zionism’s enduring vitality.

“There are no ‘winners’ or ‘losers’ in this election—participation itself is a victory,” Block emphasized. “The stronger the voter turnout, the louder the voice of American Jewry will resonate.”

More than 2,900 candidates from 43 U.S. states and territories are competing in the 2025 World Zionist Congress election, marking a significant 60% increase from the 2020 election. These candidates represent a wide array of perspectives and are running across the following 22 slates, listed in alphabetical order:

• Achdut Israel
• AID Coalition (America-Israel Democracy): The Israeli-American Voice to Rebuild Israel
• Aish Ha’am
• Am Yisrael Chai: Investing in Jewish leadership, fulfilling our destiny
• American Forum for Israel
• ANU: A New Union – A NextGen Big Tent for the Jewish American Consensus
• Beyachad – Together with Israel
• Dorshei Torah V’Tzion: Torah and Israel for the Future of All Jews
• ERETZ HAKODESH: Protecting the Kedusha and Mesorah of Eretz Yisrael
• HATIKVAH: The Progressive Slate-Vote For Change & Hope-A Better Future in Israel
• Herut North America – The Jabotinsky Movement
• IAC – A Resilient Community Educating and Advocating for Israel for Future Generations
• Israel Shelanu: United for Change
• Israel365 Action – Fighting FOR Judea & Samaria and AGAINST the failed two-state solution
• Kol Israel – Standing Together to Strengthen Israel and the Jewish People
• MERCAZ USA: The Voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism
• ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION (OIC) – MIZRACHI: On the Frontlines for Israel’s Future
• SHAS
• The Jewish Future — Centrist Liberal Zionism
• VISION
• VOTE REFORM
• ZOA Coalition: The 30+ Leading Orgs Defending Jews-Students-Israel-Judea-Samaria

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.