American Jews will choose among candidates from 21 slates as they elect representatives who make key decisions on allocating nearly $1 billion annually in support for Israel and world Jewry.

(Courtesy of World Zionist Congress) More than 300 candidates from New Jersey have registered to run in the 39th World Zionist Congress election, in advance of voting in the U.S. for the body known as the “parliament of the Jewish people.”

An all-time-high 21 slates representing diverse political beliefs, religious denominations and cultural traditions are competing in the election, with voting occurring between March 10 and May 4, 2025. The election—facilitated by the American Zionist Movement (AZM)—offers Jews across the U.S. their most powerful opportunity to have their voice heard in Israel’s future, make an impact on Jewish communities worldwide, and proudly stand up for Zionism. The New Jersey candidates come from 20 of the 21 slates.

Over 2,900 of candidates, from 43 U.S. states and territories, are running in the 2025 election—representing more than a 60% increase in candidates from the 2020 election. Further, the addition of eight new slates marks a 62% surge from the 13 slates whose candidates won seats in the Congress in 2020. This positions the American Jewish community to turn out a record number of voters and by consequence, to have a more influential voice than ever in the allocation of over $1 billion annually in support for Israel and world Jewry.

The 152 delegates who will be elected to represent the United States—amounting to approximately one-third of the Congress—will join with others from around the world to make key decisions regarding the leadership and priorities of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL-JNF), The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Keren Hayesod. These decisions will dictate the course of funding that advances a multitude of high-priority Jewish and Zionist causes, including (but not limited to) support for the most vulnerable members of Israeli society; the humanitarian and rebuilding response to the October 7 attacks; cultivating Jewish identity in Israel; aliyah to Israel from around the world; fostering connection between Israel and world Jewry; Zionist education; and bolstering security at Jewish institutions.

The 39th World Zionist Congress will convene in Jerusalem from October 28-30, 2025. The election and Congress take place once every five years.

“By electing representatives who directly promote the interests of the U.S. Jewish community, American Zionist voters are poised to seize their most tangible opportunity to be heard on issues that will shape our collective future as a Jewish people. This is your vote for Israel’s future,” said Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement, which administers the election. “Simultaneously, this election is American Jewry’s chance to unmistakably affirm our support for Zionism. It is imperative that we take this stand now more than ever following the horrors of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war.”

The five years since the previous World Zionist Congress election in 2020 have seen several seismic crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Israel’s ongoing multifront war. This strongly positions the 2025 election to serve as an uplifting and unifying force for diverse voices and constituencies across the Jewish community, all in support of the vibrancy of Zionism.

“There are no ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in this election—participation is a victory in and of itself,” Block said. “The larger the voter turnout is, the more the American Jewish voice is heard.”

The candidates in the 2025 World Zionist Congress election are running across the following 21 slates, which are listed in ballot order (based on random drawing):

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

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

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.

Accept 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. Butler lead an Area Election Committee that oversees the election.