Past Events

A WZO delegation spent a focused day visiting New York-area Jewish schools, from SAR High School to SAR Academy and the Leffell School, to advance Hebrew education and celebrate the living bond between students and the Hebrew language.

This spring, the WZO's Department for the Promotion of Aliyah worked both outward and inward across North America. In midtown Manhattan, an aliyah fair, held with the Municipality of Jerusalem and other partners, introduced prospective olim to Hebrew ulpan classes, community programs, and the paths to life in Israel. Weeks later, the Department's North American team gathered for professional training with WZO Chairman Yaakov Hagoel, sharpening its work with Jewish communities across the region.

In early May, the WZO's Department of Irgoon and Israelis Abroad gathered leaders of Israeli communities from across North America in Toronto for the fourth annual Community Leaders Forum. This year's theme — the "third culture kids" of the Israeli diaspora — explored the identity of children raised between their parents' culture and their host culture. The highlight: four young members of Toronto's Israeli community sharing their own stories, openly and unforgettably.

At JCC Manhattan's annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the WZO's Department for Zionist Operations and the JCC built a community art project around a single word: Peace / שלום / سلام. Israeli artist Racheli Scharfstein created hundreds of three-dimensional "shalom" pieces in three languages, which some 2,750 participants assembled together into one collective installation — a reminder that peace is built from small acts of partnership and shared hope.

In partnership with the World Zionist Organization, "A Community Embracing Bereaved Families" connects Jewish communities across the US with the families of fallen IDF soldiers living abroad. This year's gatherings, in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., brought together community members and dignitaries, including WZO Chairman Yaakov Hagoel and Consul General Ofir Akunis, for an evening of remembrance, connection, and song with Harel Skaat, hosted by Tzvika Hadar.

Tens of thousands filled the streets of Manhattan in a sea of blue and white, as the World Zionist Organization marched alongside the American Zionist Movement, the Jewish Agency, and Jewish communities from across New York. Together they stood in unity and pride, a powerful expression of support for Israel and the enduring bond between Israel and the Diaspora.

For the sixth consecutive year, voices from across Jewish society gathered at the Egalitarian Kotel in Jerusalem to read Israel's Declaration of Independence. Initiated by Dr. Yizhar Hess, Vice Chairman of the WZO, this Yom Ha'atzmaut tradition unites rabbis, public figures, and leaders in a moment of shared identity at the heart of Jerusalem.

Presented by the Department for Jewish Peoplehood of the WZO, this unique content track returned for a fifth year to one of the largest Tikkun Leil Shavuot gatherings in the Jewish world, drawing over 4,000 participants to the JCC in Manhattan. Through a night of study, song, and dialogue, scholars and young leaders from the US and Israel explored the most pressing questions facing Jewish peoplehood today.

Presented by the Department for Zionist Operations of the WZO, the Haggadot of Hope exhibition toured 14 East Coast communities, showcasing Passover Haggadot from the Western Negev kibbutzim - from the 1930s through today. A powerful testament to Jewish cultural renewal, resilience, and the enduring bond between Israel and the Diaspora.

Together with DATA, the local Orthodox congregation, some 300 people gathered at Beit Ha'am in Dallas to celebrate Israel's Independence Day. A Hebrew playlist, old-fashioned games, and Hebrew arts and crafts brought new energy to the event — and lifted Israeli attendance by roughly 30% over the previous year, with more growth expected ahead.

A collaborative coloring installation themed around Israel and Zionism, led by the WZO North America delegation, brought Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations to life in Ann Arbor, Tulsa, and Omaha. Children and adults colored together around the wall, creating a vibrant, experiential moment of shared identity and connection to Israel.

A festive community celebration in Fair Lawn brought together approximately 500 Israelis and Americans - children and adults, secular and religious - in honor of Israel's 78th Independence Day. Featuring live music, Israeli dancing, and activity stations, the event was honored by the presence of Fair Lawn's Mayor and Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman.

During the week of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut, two counselors from the WZO's Department for Zionist Operations crossed Canada — from Calgary and Edmonton to Halifax and London, Ontario — leading 25 events and programs in the spirit of Zionism and Jewish culture. They spoke at memorial ceremonies and brought children and youth together to celebrate Israel's Independence Day in communities far from the usual spotlight.

At the seam between Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut, Toronto's Israeli community joined Holy Blossom Temple for a moving bilingual ceremony built around the Department's "Bein HaShmashot" booklet. Led by Lior Sagi and Rabbi Yael Splansky, more than 100 participants moved from the tears of remembrance to Israeli dancing and waving flags, alongside Zeev Engelmayer's "Map of Hope" exhibition.

A powerful evening in New York with Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz, who shared her story of loss, faith, and hope in English for the first time. The event brought together Israelis and American Jews for a meaningful encounter of resilience, identity, and connection to Israel.

A webinar with 40 Jewish ERG leaders exploring Zionism’s role in the corporate world. The session provided strategic tools to navigate antisemitism, foster informed conversations, and reclaim Zionism as a vital moral anchor in the workplace.

A moving evening at Julia Haart’s residence in New York celebrated The NOVA Collection, showcasing the creativity and resilience of NOVA Music Festival survivors and the power of art to heal.

In October, the Department for Zionist Enterprises and the WZO North America Delegation, in collaboration with Mem Global, participated in a Moishe House retreat themed around Sukkot. The WZO team led a workshop titled Can Israel serve as a Sukkah of Peace?, fostering open and meaningful dialogue about Israel, Jewish identity, and community.

On July 24, WZO held a timely webinar exploring the challenges facing Syria’s Druze community and the broader implications for regional stability. Led by Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, Druze-Israeli leader and former Knesset member, the session offered a deep look into the situation of the Druze in the Golan Heights and southern Syria, analyzing its impact on regional stability and Israel’s security.

A creative Zionist art event at the Schenectady JCC engaged diverse participants in reflection, dialogue, and identity through a powerful visual experience.

A powerful study session at the Manhattan JCC, exploring Jewish resilience and Israel–Diaspora relations after October 7.

Hundreds gathered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, for a festive Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration honoring Israeli-American unity and community spirit

A historic ceremony in New York honored Jewish victims of antisemitic attacks in the Diaspora with official recognition from the State of Israel.

An inspiring Mother’s Day event in New York celebrated iconic Jewish women, past and present, highlighting identity, leadership, and intergenerational connection.

We continue to explore and deepen the conversation around Zionism and Jewish identity as cultural expressions — this time, through the lens of the American Jewish community. To engage with these questions, a group of researchers, educators, and community leaders gathered in New York for a series of roundtable discussions and a strategic workshop.

At the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., the World Zionist Organization screened The Children of Sally Bein, honoring the pioneering educator and his students who perished in Sobibor. The event, held with WZO North America, Makom, and ASHAR, featured leading voices and highlighted a message of resilience, inclusion, and the fight against hatred.

A North American tour of the Israeli play Without an Evil Eye deeply moved audiences with its themes of resilience, identity, and connection to Israel.

A powerful panel spotlighting three trailblazing Sephardic Jewish women who are shaping the conversation around identity, diaspora, and activism. Hear their stories, insights, and impact.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the annual Israel on Fifth Parade brought thousands together in a powerful display of unity, resilience, and Jewish pride. Under the theme “Hatikvah”, and led in partnership with the American Zionist Movement, the World Zionist Organization proudly marched with the message: “Zionism Together: United in Hope.”Together, we marched in solidarity, in hope, and in strength.

“Eternal Embrace,” a photography exhibit by Ifat Peer, opened at the UN in New York on October 7. Showcasing the stories of 25 young victims through their mothers’ eyes, the exhibit was presented with Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon and international diplomats.

A reception in New York honored new Consul General Ofir Akunis, with Yaakov Hagoel, Israeli mayors, and AZM representatives in attendance. Speeches highlighted the importance of cooperation between the US-Israeli Jewish community.

The Independence Day event in Fair Lawn, NJ brought together 350 community members, with activities for all ages. Mayor Gail Rottenstrich and Congressman Josh Gottheimer attended, with Gottheimer presenting a U.S. House certificate recognizing the event’s significance.

An Instagram Hanukkah 2024 campaign where Jewish influencers shared recipes and stories from “Taste of Memories,” honoring fallen IDF soldiers and victims of terror while uniting the global Jewish community.

The Department for Zionist Enterprises held a workshop with Moishe House residents and leaders, focusing on the values of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Through group learning and dialogue, participants explored practical Zionism and ways to strengthen connections with Israel, while gaining insight into Moishe House’s unique role in empowering young Jewish communities worldwide.

The World Zionist Organization and the Streicker Center presented the exhibition “All About Herzl” at the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum in New York, on display from September 2024 to January 2025. It showcased rare documents and personal items tracing Herzl’s journey to the founding of the Zionist movement. Highlights included the world premiere of the opera “The Jewish State” and a panel on “Zionism in America,” connecting Herzl’s legacy to contemporary dialogue.

The WZO Department for the Promotion of Aliyah USA hosted an Aliyah fair in New York, bringing together Russian-speaking Jews eager to learn more about Israel and show support during this challenging time. The event featured moving testimonies and the participation of senior Israeli leaders, highlighting the message that today, more than ever, the state needs its people.

The play “Heschel’s Passover Seder” premiered in New York, sponsored by the AZM and attended by WZO leaders Gil Segal and Michal Slawny Cababia. All proceeds supported the rehabilitation of the Gaza Envelope, with photos of hostages and a panel linking the community to Israel.

The GOLDEN GOLDA 2023 ceremony in New York, initiated by the WZO Department for the Promotion of Aliyah, honored women for their contributions to Zionism, Aliyah, and Jewish community life.

The Department for Zionist Enterprises launched this initiative in December 2023, bringing kibbutz members and Nova festival survivors to Jewish communities across North America to share their stories and inspire resilience. As part of this effort, the Department also attended BBYO’s annual convention, which brought together 3,700 teens and 2,700 stakeholders. There, survivors shared powerful testimony, strengthening the bond between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.