Why, at 18, I’m running for the World Zionist Congress

When I tell people I’m running for the World Zionist Congress as part of The Jewish Future slate, the response is usually the same: “Wait—how old are you?”

I’m 18. I’m a senior in high school. And yes, I’m running to represent American Jewry on the global stage. But in many ways, this step feels like a natural continuation of the life I’ve grown up living.

I’ve been immersed in Jewish life since day one. My dad, David Gedzelman, leads the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, and my mom, Judith Turner, is a Senior Program Officer at Dorot. Our dinner table conversations often revolve around Jewish community building, the importance of pluralism in our Jewish spaces, and how to engage the next generation of Jews in meaningful ways. But while my parents raised me firmly inside the Jewish world, I did not attend a traditional Jewish day school for elementary school  with only-Jewish classmates; I went to a Hebrew charter school where many of my classmates weren’t Jewish. 

At this school, Zionism wasn’t a political buzzword—it was about culture, language, and connection. We learned Hebrew, celebrated Israeli holidays, studied the Israeli government, and developed a deep and nuanced connection to Israel. It wasn’t about being “pro-Israel” or arguing over policies—it was about learning everything we could about a place that means so much to so many people, and doing so alongside peers from vastly different backgrounds. My time at this school shaped my love for Israel deeply. It showed me how powerful early education can be, and how much it matters to expose kids to Jewish and Israeli identity in open, non-judgmental spaces.

As I got older, I started to understand something else—that leadership isn’t a role you’re handed; it’s a voice you choose to use. I was lucky to have role models in my parents, but it was through my own experiences, especially in Young Judaea, that I discovered what leadership meant for me.

I’m now the National Mazkira (President) of Young Judaea, a movement that has been my home for years. YJ is where I found not just a Jewish community, but my Jewish community—one that celebrates pluralism, encourages tough conversations, and empowers teens to lead. In a world that often feels polarized, that kind of space is rare and deeply needed.

One moment in my young life as a Jewish leader stands out. After October 7th, I returned to my New York City public high school, shaken like all of us were. I walked into the principal’s office and said, “We need a space—not just for Jewish students, but for anyone affected by this moment.” As co-president of our Jewish Student Union, it was important to me that we create a room where students could gather, grieve, and support each other. We invited members of the Muslim Student Association. We had the kinds of vulnerable conversations that are too rare in high school hallways. We fostered understanding across religious and political backgrounds, and we strengthened the Jewish students’ love for Israel and pride in their Jewish identity. That experience taught me that leadership is about empathy. It’s about showing up, especially when it’s hard. And it reinforced my belief that we need more spaces—Jewish spaces—that are open, welcoming, and deeply human.

That’s why I’m running for the World Zionist Congress.

When I was younger I was part of an experiment to bring Tzofim (Israel Scouts) to non Israeli Jewish American kids in English. The experiment was ahead of its time, but maybe it’s time to try that again in earnest. There’s something magical about putting on an Israeli scouts uniform. I know that from experience. The Jewish Future slate is about just that—building a brighter future. It’s about expanding programs like Young Judaea so more kids—especially younger ones—can access Jewish spaces that reflect who they are. We talk a lot about strengthening Jewish identity, but it has to start early. Kids in elementary and middle school deserve spaces where they can explore what it means to be Jewish, to ask big questions, to be exposed to different viewpoints—all within a framework that centers Jewish values and identity.

Education is at the heart of our platform because it’s the heart of what shapes Jewish life. I’m not in this to debate Israeli geopolitics – there’s a place for that, and I will very much be there as well, but that place is not the World Zionist Congress. I’m in this because I believe in the power of Jewish community, and I believe that community starts with education—real, thoughtful, values-based education that empowers the next generation to lead with confidence and care.

I’ve seen what’s possible when we create spaces like that. I’ve lived it. And now I want to help bring it to more people.

That’s the Jewish future I believe in. That’s why I’m running. I hope we can count on your vote.