The future of Zionism is built on diversity and collaboration
It was fitting that Zionist leaders from around the world gathered in Budapest in June.
As the birthplace of Theodor Herzl and home to one of Europe’s most resilient Jewish communities, the city symbolizes both the origins of modern Zionism and the enduring strength of the Jewish people. It was an appropriate setting for over 50 leaders representing Zionist Federations from 24 countries to reflect not only on where the Zionist movement has been, but also on where it must go next.
Over three days of conversations, workshops, and a shared Shabbat, one message emerged. The future of Zionism will not be built through uniformity. It will be built by embracing the diversity of our communities while strengthening the global bonds that unite us.
That lesson resonated deeply with us because it reflects the work of the American Zionist Movement every day. As the umbrella convening Zionist Federation in the United States, AZM is comprised of 51 diverse national Jewish Zionist organizations representing a broad ideological, political, and religious spectrum. We do not all approach every issue in the same way, nor should we. Our goal has never been to eliminate our differences. It has been to ensure that our shared commitment to Zionism is always greater than those differences. That commitment allows organizations with different perspectives to work together on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people, and our experience has shown that diversity is not an obstacle to overcome. It is one of the movement’s greatest strengths.
The conference, aptly titled “Zionism Today: The Power of Collaboration,” challenged participants to think about moving from what organizers described as an “ego-system” to an “eco-system,” a culture in which organizations view one another not as isolated actors but as partners capable of accomplishing far more together than apart. That idea resonated because, regardless of where we live, Jewish communities today are wrestling with many of the same questions. How do we engage young Jews? How do we strengthen Jewish identity? How do we deepen the connection to Israel? How do we respond to rising antisemitism and ensure that Zionism remains relevant for a new generation?
The answers will never be identical because our communities are not identical. A Zionist Federation in South Africa faces different realities than one in Australia or the United States. Communities across Central Europe operate in environments unlike those in North America. Every federation reflects the history, culture, and needs of the Jews it serves. Rather than diminishing the movement, those differences enrich it. Every federation brings ideas, experiences, and successful programs that can help strengthen another community facing similar challenges.
The conference was organized by the Department for Organization and Israelis Abroad at the World Zionist Organization, led by Yair Lootsteen, with the presence of senior WZO leadership, Chairman Yaakov Hagoel, President Rabbi Doron Perez and Elisheva Ansbacher, Chair of the Zionist General Council, reflecting the pledge of the WZO to work more collaboratively with Federations.
One of the conference’s most important outcomes was a commitment to transform those conversations into lasting partnerships. Leaders identified opportunities for ongoing collaboration among English speaking federations, smaller Jewish communities, and regional partners, with the goal of sharing resources, exchanging successful initiatives, and learning from one another throughout the year. Zionist Federations should not come together only during World Zionist Congress election cycles. Their responsibility extends far beyond electing delegates every five years. They are the institutions that nurture Zionist education, cultivate leadership, strengthen local Jewish communities, and deepen the relationship between Jews and Israel. When they collaborate continuously, the entire movement benefits.
AZM has worked for years to build relationships with fellow Zionist Federations, including welcoming some of these leaders to our Biennial Assembly last December. Budapest represented an important next step, creating a more intentional framework for collaboration among Zionist Federations across the globe. We returned home not only inspired, but with practical opportunities to work together more closely, exchange ideas more freely, and support one another more effectively.
Nearly half of the Jewish people live outside Israel. That reality makes the work of Zionist Federations more important than ever. The World Zionist Organization is only as strong as the federations that connect those communities to one another and to Israel. By investing in one another, sharing ideas, and embracing both our common purpose and our distinct identities, we strengthen not only our individual communities but the global Zionist movement.
During the gathering, meaningful personal connections were forged with fellow Zionist leaders from around the world. We were able to draw on our past, from seeing where Herzl was born and the memorials to the victims of the Shoah that happened 80 years later in his birthplace. Inspired by that history, we looked toward the future with renewed unity, concluding our meeting by singing Hatikvah together. Herzl may never have imagined such a gathering would happen in Budapest and we must ensure that his vision, and our shared commitment to it, continues to endure.
Herzl understood that the Zionist movement would draw its strength from Jews around the world who believed in a common future, even if they came from different countries, cultures, and traditions. More than 125 years later, that vision remains as relevant as ever. The future of Zionism will not be built by communities that all think alike. It will be built by communities confident enough to embrace their differences while remaining united by a common purpose.
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The above was co-authored by Shoshana Dweck, chair of the board of the American Zionist Movement.
