Visible, Coordinated, and Unapologetically Zionist

I am writing from New York, just hours before Israel Day on Fifth Avenue.

This year, the atmosphere feels markedly different. Security is heavy, the political climate is tense, and the absence of New York’s mayor from one of the city’s most prominent expressions of solidarity with Israel is not a minor protocol issue. It reflects a broader and concerning shift in the public space in which Jewish communities and supporters of Israel must now operate.

In such a climate, presence is not symbolic. It is strategic.

I arrived in New York as part of the World Zionist Organization’s delegation and as President of World WIZO, an international movement rooted in civil society, social responsibility, and the strengthening of Israel-Diaspora relations.

Our role within global Zionist leadership is not simply to attend events, but to influence decisions, empower communities, and help shape the future of the Jewish people. When we engage with communities around the world, we are seen not only as WIZO, but as pillars of global Zionist responsibility. This is the mantle each of you carries in your own cities: you are leaders with a broader duty to Israel and to the Jewish world.

But we do not arrive with slogans. We arrive with substance.

WIZO represents a tangible and central part of Israeli civil society. Whether speaking at the UN, the World Jewish Congress, or within Jewish communities worldwide, we bring the daily proof of Zionism translated into action: education, welfare, resilience, and protection.

This profound responsibility framed my recent journey from Buenos Aires to Geneva, and now to New York.

In Buenos Aires, I joined WIZO Argentina for its centennial celebrations. It was a powerful demonstration of long-term Zionist infrastructure: a movement that understands that commitment to Israel requires institutions, relationships, and public legitimacy. There, I had the distinct honor of receiving official recognition from the Buenos Aires City Legislature as a Guest of Honor. WIZO was acknowledged as a formidable force of Zionist soft diplomacy, shaping public respect for Israel through decades of meaningful civic action.

Standing at the AMIA memorial gave this recognition even deeper resonance. Jewish memory must serve as a framework for responsibility. It is a stark reminder that our communities need more than sympathy after tragedy. They need strong institutions and the assurance that the Jewish world remains organized, present, and alert.

From Argentina, I traveled to Geneva for the 90th anniversary of the World Jewish Congress. This milestone underscored the vital necessity of global Jewish institutions: to consolidate influence, defend our communities, and provide a unified response when Jewish security is threatened. The resulting Geneva Declaration reflected a crucial principle: Jewish security and continuity cannot rely on sentiment alone. They demand coordination, institutional strength, and political courage.

As Vice President of the World Jewish Congress on behalf of WIZO, I emphasized the urgent need to move from presence to active influence. The Jewish world cannot combat disinformation and the international campaign against Israel through fragmented efforts. The atrocities of October 7 demand a cohesive global strategy that unites testimony, advocacy, and diplomatic pressure.

In Geneva, I also met with WIZO Geneva members alongside the Israeli Ambassador, illustrating WIZO’s unique ability to connect Israeli diplomacy, international Jewish leadership, and local communities into a powerful network of trust and influence.

And now, New York.

“Proud Americans, Proud Zionists,” the message of Israel Day on Fifth Avenue, is not merely a slogan. It is a vital political and communal declaration. Here, I will participate in the parade and address the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference and the Jerusalem Conference of Besheva. These are essential platforms where the narrative of Jewish responsibility is being shaped.

The contrast between these cities is illuminating. Buenos Aires demonstrated the power of civic diplomacy. Geneva showed the necessity of coordinated action. New York highlights the urgency of unapologetic Jewish visibility in contested spaces. Together, they define our current strategic reality.

WIZO was founded on the principle that Zionism is the construction of a functioning and resilient society. That is why we must be present in these global arenas, not as historical symbols, but as a movement with a clear mandate and an unyielding responsibility.

Decades after the establishment of our foundational institutions, the challenge remains: does today’s Jewish leadership possess the discipline and strategic confidence to carry Zionism forward?

I dedicate this newsletter to two remarkable leaders: Amalia Polack, Honorary President of WIZO Argentina, and Dr. Hava Bogayer, Honorary President of WIZO Austria. I recently had the privilege of presenting them with the Zionist Leadership Certificate in the name of our beloved Raya Jaglom.

They are my mentors in leadership. Though they live worlds apart, they share the WIZO DNA: leadership that builds bridges, strengthens Israel’s standing, and transforms love for the Jewish people into lasting global influence.

This is the leadership we need today: visible, serious, coordinated, and unapologetically Zionist.

Anat Vidor
President, World WIZO