WIZO at the 39th Zionist Congress: Women Shaping the Future of Zionism

Jerusalem, October 28–30, 2025 – The 39th World Zionist Congress took place in Jerusalem, bringing together more than 1,400 delegates from 43 countries to shape the future of the Zionist movement in the 21st century. As the official legislative and decision-making body of the World Zionist Organization, the Congress served as the global parliament of the Jewish people, setting policy, strengthening the bond between Israel and the Diaspora, and advancing the values of Zionism for a new generation.

WIZO’s Enduring Leadership in the Zionist Movement

Since 1921, WIZO has proudly represented the voice of Jewish women within the global Zionist movement as the first women’s Zionist organization and a driving force for social Zionism. For over a century, WIZO has turned Zionist vision into social action, empowering women, strengthening families, and building resilient communities across Israel.

In 2025, as Israel continued its process of rebuilding and renewal, WIZO brought to the Congress a powerful message: the future of Zionism depends on social resilience, equality, and women’s leadership.

WIZO’s Proposals at the 39th Zionist Congress

1. Strengthening Community Resilience and Combating Violence

WIZO’s first proposal called on the Zionist movement to recognize community resilience centers as a pillar of modern Zionism, vital for addressing Israel’s ongoing social and emotional recovery. The proposal highlighted the surge in trauma and domestic violence following the war and emphasized the need for systemic, preventative solutions. WIZO’s family and community resilience centers provide holistic support, education, and intervention, helping rebuild trust, safety, and mutual responsibility across Israeli society.

2. Advancing Zionist Women’s Leadership

The second proposal focused on promoting women’s leadership in Zionism, ensuring that women once again stand at the forefront of national and global decision-making. WIZO’s international initiative for Zionist women’s leadership development aims to nurture future leaders through regional seminars, delegations to Israel, and digital awareness campaigns celebrating women’s contributions to the Zionist movement, past and present.

“At a time when Israeli society is being reborn, WIZO reminded the world that Zionism has never been just an ideology. It has always been a social project built on mutual responsibility, equality, and women’s leadership. There is no national resilience without social resilience, and no social resilience without equality.”

– World WIZO President Anat Vidor

Both WIZO proposals were approved by the plenary session of the 39th Zionist Congress, marking a significant recognition of WIZO’s leadership in shaping the social and moral priorities of the Zionist movement today.

WIZO Delegates at the Congress

The 2025 WIZO delegation represented an extraordinary gathering of women leaders from across Israel and the Jewish world.

From Israel, delegates included Shaked Ben-Avi, Natasha Krymalowski, Lia Lehr, Noa Michael, Jessica Naomi Schnabel, Mai Sophia Gutman, Ora Korazim, Anat Vidor, Rolene Marks, Helena Glaser, Shani Gendelis, Anita Friedman, Dr. Shoshana Feingold Studnik, and Shelly Wolkowicz.

Representing Latin America, WIZO’s Brazilian delegation included Sheila Maleh, Monica Sender, Suzanna Bennesby, Anna Marlene Starec, and Danielle Balassiano Ptak. From Mexico came Jacqueline Sefami, Shulamit Serur Cababie, Raquel Saba de Zeitouni, Raquel Torenberg, and Mery Alfie de Marcado, while Bela Himelfarb represented Colombia.

In addition, Varda Cywie joined from Belgium, Nathalie Riu Guez from France, and Ronit Ribak Madari from the United Kingdom, underscoring WIZO’s truly global reach and influence within the Zionist movement.

Together, these remarkable women contributed their voices and expertise to key Congress committees, addressing the defining issues of modern Zionism, from pluralism and social justice to resilience, education, and women’s empowerment.

Looking ahead

WIZO’s participation in the 39th World Zionist Congress reaffirmed its role as a moral compass and social engine of the Zionist movement, ensuring that the rebuilding of Israel continues to be guided by the values of equality, compassion, and shared responsibility.