On a typical Israeli winter day in March 1974, we landed at Ben-Gurion Airport. I was barely two years old, accompanied by my young, hopeful parents. The intoxicating scent of citrus blossoms filled the air as we quickly shed layers of warm clothing brought from distant Russia.
Along with the layers of clothing, a shroud of formality and much of my parents’ worries lifted as well. For my mother and father, stepping onto the soil of the Land of Israel was a profound relief after the oppressive Soviet experience they had managed to escape. Immigrating to Israel gave them not only a sense of true freedom but also the ability to express their Jewish identity – something impossible under a Soviet regime that prohibited Jewish cultural and religious practices.
Even today, more than 50 years later, in the Israel of 2025, my parents’ immigration remains deeply etched in my soul – and in the hearts of my children – as a profoundly relevant and resonant Zionist act.
These days, in a country that has endured suffering and wars – and especially since October 7 – many questions arise about the meaning of “Zionism” and what constitutes a “Zionist act.” To me, choosing to immigrate to Israel and actively join the Zionist project represents Zionism in its purest form.
That said, my definition of “Zionism” today extends far beyond immigration to Israel and integration into Israeli society.
When I reflect on the work of the Reform Movement in Israel in 2025, I see it as a Zionist endeavor:
First, our community and congregational work is, in itself, a Zionist act. The Reform Movement in Israel today includes over 50 congregations across the country, many of which operate in Israel’s social and geographic periphery. These congregations provide spaces for solidarity, equality, and social justice in an era when Israeli identities – both personal and collective – are increasingly fractured.
In a survey we recently conducted on trends in Israeli society since October 7th, 59% of Israelis expressed a deep need for community. Our congregations encourage civic engagement and social activism, strengthening the sense of belonging and mutual responsibility. Strong communities are the foundation of a stable and healthy society, offering Israelis the comfort of connection. Resilient communities are better equipped to face security, economic, and social challenges as well.
Since October 7, we have developed programs to strengthen community resilience, including mental health and social support initiatives, as well as volunteer projects to assist evacuees, displaced individuals, IDF soldiers, and families of hostages.
Zionism in 2025
Zionism in 2025 also means understanding our responsibility toward world Jewry and, in turn, calling on world Jewry to actively participate in the Zionist project, even if they don’t live in Israel. In the survey we recently conducted, an overwhelming 83% of Jewish Israelis said they believe it is very important for Israel to maintain strong connections with world Jewry.
Since the events of October 7 and their profound impact on world Jewry as well, it is vital that their voices be heard in the Israeli sphere.
As a movement committed to Jewish peoplehood and fostering strong ties with millions of liberal Jews worldwide, we serve as a bridge between global Jewry and Israel. We have already learned that love for Israel grows among Diaspora Jews when bonds with Israelis are strengthened. To this end, we have launched mutual assistance programs, hosted solidarity delegations, and built deep, enduring friendships between Reform communities in Israel and abroad.
While these efforts sometimes face questions or criticism about Israel’s actions, I believe that when criticism stems from a genuine place of care and love, alongside visits to Israel and meaningful relationships with Israelis, it becomes an authentic expression of Zionism. Much like the Zionist expression of Jews worldwide who take part in the World Zionist Congress elections, there must be space for constructive criticism within the Jewish people.
In that regard, one of the big questions arising today is how to connect younger generations around the world to Israel. Even before October 7, there was concern about growing disconnection from Israel. Since then, with the rise of anti-Israel sentiment on university campuses, this concern has only deepened.
I believe in the principle of “Educate each child according to his way.” When criticism of Israel comes from a desire for change rooted in love and understanding of the need for a Jewish state, the dialogue is not only meaningful but also crucial.
I will never forget how deeply moved I was when my friend and partner in Jewish peoplehood, Rabbi Liz Hirsch, leader of the Women of Reform Judaism, traveled from Cincinnati to stand in solidarity at Hostages Square. With her guitar in hand, she sang in a voice filled with pain: “I will not be silent, for my country has changed its face; I will not give up, I will remind her until she opens her eyes.”
Her song, her presence, and her poignant words of love were a Zionist act.
Zionism in 2025 also means insisting on the values of pluralism, democracy, and equality – even during times of war. On October 8, we woke up to an intensified reality of suspicion and criticism toward Arab citizens of Israel. As a liberal religious movement committed to fighting racism and upholding the belief that all humans are created “in the image of God,” we must hold onto the vision of a shared society. Hamas’s brutal attack harmed all the people of this land, including the Arab citizens of Israel.
This year, we developed programs to promote Shared Society and encouraged our congregations to strengthen their work in this area. The pursuit of a diverse society requires connecting with all segments of Israeli society – religious, secular, and ultra-Orthodox. Dialogue and action to mend divides within Israeli society are Zionist acts in the Israel of 2025.
The World Zionist Congress first convened 128 years ago. As the Zionist movement marks this milestone, we recognize that Zionism is far more than just a vision or ideology – it serves as a moral compass guiding us through turbulent times. From its inception, when Herzl envisioned a Jewish state and convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel, it continues to be interpreted and realized in a variety of ways.
In our time, Zionism is the daily choice to build an inclusive, just, and pluralistic society. It is reflected in creating resilient communities, strengthening ties with Jews around the world, and upholding the values of democracy and equality, even in the most challenging moments.
Just as on that winter day in 1974, when my family and I landed at Ben-Gurion Airport, Zionism remains an enduring story of hope, solidarity, and a commitment to a shared, better future.■
Anna Kislanski is an experienced educator and community specialist. She serves as CEO of the Israel Reform Movement.