The WZC election occurs every five years and determines the influence of world Jewry on the future of key educational and infrastructure decisions in Israel. Slate #5, the Orthodox Israel Coalition-Mizrachi, represents the Dati Leumi community and stands for Modern Orthodox, Religious Zionist values. Cast your vote to support Torah and Zionist educational programs worldwide.
What Is the World Zionist Congress?
The initial World Zionist Congress was convened by Theodore Herzl in 1897 with the goal of establishing a Jewish homeland in Israel. Delegates from around the world with different political and religious backgrounds participated. Once the State of Israel was established in 1948, the WZC became a de facto “Parliament of the Jewish People,” giving voice to world Jewry in decisions affecting Israeli society and the Israel-Diaspora relationship.
The Congress, which will meet in Jerusalem in October 2025, will make crucial decisions regarding who will fill key leadership roles in the national institutions of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael and The Jewish Agency, and what policies and values will be prioritized. The delegates have discretion over $1 billion annually to address the most pressing needs across Israeli society and the Diaspora, including:
- Promoting Zionist education, activity and values worldwide
- Increasing Jewish identity, education and unity worldwide
- Combating antisemitism and improving Diaspora relations
- Encouraging aliyah, facilitating absorption and supporting vulnerable populations
- Fostering the religious, moral, social and ecological values that align with the delegates’ understanding of Herzl’s vision to make Israel an exemplary society
AMIT’s Role
AMIT, originally founded as Mizrachi Women, has been attending the Congress since its inception, ensuring the voice and values of Religious Zionism continued to be influential after the establishment of the state. After the Holocaust, Mizrachi/AMIT delegates insisted on incorporating religious curricula into Israel’s public education system, seeing its vital role in preserving Jewish cultural, religious and national identity. Today, AMIT’s vast network of 88 schools educates 40,000 students throughout the country, forming their strong Jewish identity and encouraging meaningful connections to the state.
AMIT Board of Directors Chair Chana Shields said, “We represent the Dati Leumi community, specifically the female voice, and our participation ensures that religious values and Zionist ideology remain a central focus of the WZO and its institutions. These institutions shape the future of Israel, and it is important that the ideals we promote of dedication to Israel, service to the country, Torah values and unity are at the forefront.”
Among its many contributions through the years, Mizrachi/AMIT was instrumental in the establishment of a Chief Rabbinate in Israel in the 1920s, and played a significant role in the post-World War II youth aliyah. Settling immigrant children in youth villages, AMIT staff taught them trades, farming, sewing and typing—and imbued them with Jewish values. This effort included Ethiopian refugees who arrived in programs such as Operation Solomon.
These foundations of Israeli society were hard-fought victories that succeeded because of the persistent efforts of early Mizrachi/AMIT advocates who understood the importance of their mission.
What’s at Stake
Every five years, organizations from around the world form coalitions that run on slates of potential delegates for the WZC. The U.S. sends 152 delegates, about a third of the total 550, with 75 coming from other countries around the world.
AMIT and Religious Zionists of America lead the Orthodox Israel Coalition-Mizrachi (OIC) slate with the tagline: “On the Front Lines for Israel’s Future.” The OIC slate represents the Dati Leumi community and includes the Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, Rabbinical Council of America, National Council of Young Israel, Touro University, Torah MiTzion, Bnei Akiva, Shvilim, UMJCA and other affiliate institutions.
“For over 120 years our coalition has represented the Orthodox community in the WZO and has introduced and supported important initiatives, including support for chayalim, Sherut Leumi and miluim families; educational initiatives in Israel and the Diaspora; building communities; fighting antisemitism around the world; supporting students on campuses; and of course, building bridges and promoting unity within the WZO,” said Shields.
The results of this election determine the allocation of $5 billion over the next five years. “As the number of votes received by Haredi, Reform, Conservative and secular movements has increased, the proportion of funding available for Centrist Orthodox, Zionist programs has declined. We have an opportunity to reverse that trend,” said Sondra Sokal, past president of AMIT.
Past Success and a Future Mandate
The OIC’s success in the last WZC election achieved the placement of delegates in prominent positions within the WZO, Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael and The Jewish Agency, enabling numerous projects that uplift and strengthen Jewish life in Israel and globally.
In Israel, it has helped establish seven temporary housing communities for 800 families from eight evacuated settlements in the Gaza envelope. It has rebuilt communities affected by war in the north and south of Israel and strengthened Israel’s public school curricula with Jewish heritage, identity and values.
Globally, the OIC has given financial support and training for hundreds of Dati Leumi educators to enrich Jewish communities and day schools abroad. It has provided resources for social and educational initiatives, including programs for yeshiva and seminary students, educational seminars for Torah educators in the Diaspora and solidarity and volunteer missions to Israel.
The 2025 election comes at a time of great need in the Jewish community, both in Israel and around the world.
Sokal noted, “With a rise in overt antisemitism and internal dissension in Israel, it is important to send a delegation to the next World Zionist Congress that can work across the aisle. We have demonstrated for decades that we can do this. We have built bridges and friendships that allow for dialogue and compromise while clearly standing by our ‘red lines,’ and are respected for this position.”
The Religious Zionist community in Israel made up a disproportionately large percentage of those fighting on the front lines of the current war and has been hit incredibly hard. A huge influx of support will be needed to rebuild the lives of families that were torn apart. Millions of shekels will be necessary to support existing settlements and tens of millions more to help rebuild communities devastated on October 7 and from Hamas and Hezbollah rockets.
Funds will be needed to combat antisemitism worldwide, to support Diaspora Jewry in their fight and enhance their connection to Israel.
“Meaningful service to the State of Israel through military service or Sherut Leumi is the hallmark of AMIT and the Mizrachi movement. Now is the time to increase our ranks to provide a strong voice on behalf of the young men and women who, with a siddur in one hand and a gun in the other, defend Israel,” said Sokal.
