Can you vote in the 2025 World Zionist Congress Elections? Here’s what to know

Imagine having a say in how over $1 billion is spent annually to shape the future of Israel and Jewish life worldwide. Picture yourself helping decide the leadership of organizations that manage everything from Jewish immigration to combating antisemitism. For Jews across the globe, that opportunity arrives with the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections, set to culminate in Jerusalem from October 28-30, 2025. But can you vote in this historic process? Let’s break it down.

What’s at Stake?

Founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897 at the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, the WZC is often called the “Parliament of the Jewish People.” It’s the legislative heartbeat of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), tasked with steering the direction of major Jewish institutions. Think of it as a global Jewish assembly where your voice can influence:

Every five years, the Congress convenes to allocate funds—over $1 billion annually, potentially $5 billion over a term—toward priorities like rebuilding Israel’s south after the October 7, 2023, attacks, strengthening Jewish education, and countering global antisemitism. The 39th Congress, with elections now underway, promises to be a defining moment for a Jewish world navigating war, division, and hope.

Who Gets to Vote?

If you’re in the United States, the voting window opens today (March 10) and runs through May 4, 2025. But eligibility isn’t automatic. Here’s the checklist to see if you qualify:

If you check these boxes, you’re eligible. The process costs just $5—a nod to Herzl’s “Zionist Shekel”—to cover administration and deter fraud. Voting is mostly online, via computer or phone, with paper ballots available if you prefer the old-school route. The American Zionist Movement (AZM) oversees it all, partnering with Votem Corp. to keep your vote secure and secret.

Why Your Vote Matters

The WZC isn’t just a symbolic gesture. Its 525 delegates—152 from the U.S., 200 from Israel, and 173 from the rest of the Diaspora—wield real power. They’ll decide how billions flow over the next five years: Will more go to aliyah or antisemitism defense? Should the Jewish National Fund prioritize settlements or green projects? The U.S.’s 29% share of delegates gives American Jews outsized influence, especially now, as Israel grapples with post-war recovery and global Jewish communities face rising threats.

This year’s election, with a record 22 slates vying for U.S. seats, reflects a Jewish world at a crossroads. Progressive groups like Hatikvah push for pluralism and peace; Orthodox slates like Mizrachi defend tradition and a Greater Israel. Your ballot picks the voices that’ll shape this debate.

How to Join In

If you’re eligible, voting’s simple. Head to the AZM’s election portal (zionistelection.org), pay the $5 fee, and cast your vote by May 4. It takes minutes, yet echoes for years. Not sure where you stand? The Jerusalem Program’s online—read it, reflect, and decide.

A Call to Action

The WZC elections are a rare chance for Diaspora Jews to directly impact Israel and Jewish life globally. You can’t vote in the Knesset, but here, your voice counts.