The Department for Non-Formal Education is guided by a profound educational and ideological vision that recognizes education as a cornerstone of the future of the Jewish people and a vital means of strengthening the enduring bond between the State of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.
The Department views the State of Israel as the national home of the Jewish people, a place where Jewish identity is lived as a vibrant, everyday reality. This vision is accompanied by a deep commitment to strengthening Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, founded upon the values, ethics, and heritage of thousands of years of Jewish civilization, whose contributions have enriched humanity throughout history and continue to do so today.
As the operational arm of the World Zionist Organization in the field of non-formal education, the Department works in partnership with educational institutions, Zionist organizations, youth movements, and Jewish communities to lead long-term educational initiatives that cultivate and strengthen Zionist engagement among young people in Israel and throughout the Jewish Diaspora.
In recent years, non-formal education has faced unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic weakened communal frameworks, limited opportunities for meaningful social interaction, and disrupted many of the spaces in which identity, belonging, and leadership are formed. At the same time, it highlighted the essential role of community, human connection, and values-based education.
The events of October 7, 2023, profoundly affected the State of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. These events reinforced the importance of the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, the principle of mutual responsibility (Arvut Hadadit), and the critical role of education as a space for dialogue, resilience, identity formation, meaning-making, and shared destiny.
Against this backdrop, the Department is committed to leading meaningful and sustained non-formal educational processes that strengthen the younger generation's connection to the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the values of Zionism. The Department aspires to serve as a global leader in Zionist non-formal education by equipping youth movements, Zionist organizations, students, and young adults with educational tools, professional guidance, and opportunities for meaningful engagement that foster a sense of purpose, belonging, leadership, and mutual responsibility.
To cultivate, empower, and unite a global network of young Zionist leaders who are deeply committed to the values of the Jewish people, Zionism, and the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
The Department is committed to ensuring the educational, ideological, and leadership continuity of this vision for future generations through ongoing educational processes that combine inspiration, personal and group mentoring, and the strengthening of interpersonal and communal relationships. In doing so, it seeks to build a vibrant global network of young leaders connected to both Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, working together to shape a shared Jewish-Zionist future.
1. Cultivating the Next Generation of Young Zionist Leaders
Develop leadership programs, educational frameworks, and international forums for youth and young adults in Israel and around the world, fostering personal and collective responsibility, initiative, and a strong sense of Zionist purpose.
2. Leading Long-Term Educational Processes
Create sustainable educational infrastructures that integrate learning, experiential education, and community-building in partnership with youth movements, Zionist organizations, educational institutions, and Jewish communities worldwide.
3. Empowering Youth Movements and Educational Organizations
Strengthen, support, and promote the professional development of Zionist youth movements and educational organizations while encouraging regional collaboration, cross-movement partnerships, and the expansion of global educational networks.
4. Strengthening Non-Formal Education as a Foundation for Jewish and Zionist Identity
Reinforce the role of non-formal education as a central framework for shaping Jewish and Zionist identity, encouraging civic engagement and communal responsibility and deepening a sense of belonging and commitment to both local Jewish communities and the State of Israel.
This will be achieved by fostering lasting connections among young people, communities, and educational movements across Israel and the Diaspora, grounded in the values of mutual responsibility, unity, and Zionist purpose.
5. Strengthening the Global Alumni Network
Develop and nurture a global community of program alumni who serve as changemakers, educators, and community leaders, continuing to advance the spirit of Zionism and values-based educational leadership for generations to come.
