As part of this program, 19 elected female officials from Israel—including mayors, deputy mayors, and city council members—gathered for in-depth learning about the Jewish world, the various streams of Zionism, the role of women at decision-making tables, and the challenges of local governance. The participants engaged in Beit Midrash-style study sessions based on foundational texts from Zionist, Jewish, and universal thought. They then embarked on an educational journey to the United States, during which they explored their Jewish-Zionist identity, met with diverse Jewish communities, and gained insights into the complexities of the American electoral system and municipal governance.
As part of their study tour to Pennsylvania and New York, the participants met with key leaders of the American Jewish community. They gained firsthand understanding of the challenges facing local American government and the ongoing struggles for women’s rights and gender equality in both municipal and public arenas. This journey, which focused on diverse Jewish communities and the U.S. elections, included encounters with representatives from across the spectrum of American Jewish life. It offered the delegation direct perspectives on how the elections have impacted American Jewry and its relationship with Israel.
The program was a collaboration between the Department for Social Activism, Tikkun Olam, and Preservation of Zionist Heritage, the Department for Israel and Holocaust Commemoration at the World Zionist Organization, and Kol Mekomi at the Social Justice Centers.
