Make sure your point of view is represented in the next World Zionist Congress.

When you vote, you will be able to choose from over a dozen slates representing diverse political beliefs, religious denominations and cultural traditions. Those elected from the United States will join delegates from Israel and around the world at the 38th World Zionist Congress to make decisions regarding key institutions which allocation nearly $1 Billion annually to support Israel and World Jewry ( including the World Zionist Organization, Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Agency for Israel).

The 38th World Zionist Congress (WZC) will be held in Jerusalem from October 20 – 22, 2020. It is the international “parliament of the Jewish people”, and the continuation of the global gatherings which Theodor Herzl began when he convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897. Today it remains the only democratically elected global Jewish forum. In the United States the American Zionist Movement (AZM), as the national Zionist federation, organizes a grassroots public vote where the American Jewish community elects 145 delegates to the WZC. The Elections in the US are overseen by an “Area Elections Committee” established by the AZM under the rules of the WZO.

More information on how to vote and other frequently asked questions can be found below. 

FAQ:

What is the Zionist Congress?
The World Zionist Congress is a body of 500 delegates from Jewish communities across the world. The congress meets every 5 years to discuss policy and funding for Jewish institutions in Israel and across the world. The First Zionist Congress was the genesis of the Zionist Movement, convened by Theodor Herzl in 1897. It was the original meeting of great minds that first put to paper the idea that the Jewish people should have a state of their own.

Why does it matter?
The World Zionist Congress is the only democratically elected body serving World Jewry. As the governing body of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Jewish National Fund (JNF) and the Jewish Agency for Israel, the direction of some of Israel’s main Institutions will be influenced by this election.

What’s different about this year?
This is a historic election. With more slates than ever before, American Jews have a rare opportunity to make a direct impact on the future direction of Israel and diaspora affairs. Cast your vote to ensure the Israel you seek is represented.

What does the Congress get to decide?
The 2020 World Zionist Congress will determine the allocation of nearly $1 billion in funding for and the priorities of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Jewish National Fund (JNF) and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Who is eligible to vote?
To be eligible to vote in the US Elections to the 38th World Zionist Congress, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or above
• Be a permanent resident of the United States
• Be Jewish
• Not have voted in the most recent Knesset election
• Affirm your commitment to the Jerusalem Program

What is the Jerusalem Program?
The Jerusalem Program is a set of ideals and principles that established the foundations of Zionism. It states:

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 text can be found here.

How do I register?
Registration and voting will open on January 21, 2020. To register, visit azm.org/elections after that date. The fee to register and vote is $7.50, which covers the administrative costs of running the election.

Who is running?

More than a dozen slates will be running and their platform statements and list of candidates will be announced in late 2019.  Each voter selects one slate for which to cast their ballot. A list of the slates which ran in the 2015 election can be seen here.

The election rules and schedule can be seen HERE.

For further information, please contact elections@azm.org.

2020 ELECTION NEWS

AZM Announces Opportunity for New Slates to Run in the 2020 US Zionist Elections

To learn about the World Zionist Congress, click HERE.

About the 2015 Zionist Elections in America:

• Elections To The 37th World Zionist Congress Votes Are In And Delegate Numbers Allocated
• In 3 Minutes You Can Effect Change in Israel
• Elections to the 37th Zionist Congress
• Spotlight On: World Zionist Congress (2015)