Historic wins at the World Zionist Congress

Emunah Australia Co-President Avital Seifman successfully authored and passed groundbreaking resolutions at the 39th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem.

The Congress, which brought together more than 1400 delegates from 43 countries at Jerusalem’s Binyanei Ha’uma Convention Centre, saw the Australian representative navigate complex negotiations to secure policy victories that will shape support for Jewish women globally.

Seifman’s leadership resolution established a three-pronged framework of education, mentorship and skills development, with the World Zionist Organisation now committed to funding programs that connect aspiring female leaders with experienced mentors and provide opportunities for missions to Israel.

“What I noticed from doing a lot of work in our community, not just for Emunah, is that oftentimes there is a board or a group of women, or men, or men and women in schools, in organisations, wherever it is, that have been doing board work and community work for a long time,” Seifman told The AJN.

“When they’re ready to move on, there is a void in who is going to be willing to take on those roles from them.”

The resolution faced intense committee scrutiny, with Orthodox groups pushing for Torah education requirements and progressive delegates advocating for female rabbinic leadership provisions.

Seifman successfully resisted both amendments to maintain inclusivity.

“Even though Emunah is a modern Orthodox women’s organisation, we wanted our resolution to be inclusive of all,” she said.

A second resolution addressed financial barriers facing diaspora women performing Sherut Leumi (national service) in Israel.

Currently, institutions must pay 40 to 50 percent more to employ diaspora volunteers compared to Israeli citizens, as government funding covers only citizens performing national service.

Alexandra Silver, Executive Director of Emunah Australia, emphasised the significance of the achievement.

“These discussions shape the future of Israel and the Jewish people, and Emunah’s voice ensures that modern religious women’s leadership and social welfare remain central to that vision,” she said.

Emunah Australia holds automatic representation at the World Zionist Congress as one of several international organisations recognised for their crucial role in Jewish communal life, alongside groups including B’nai B’rith, WIZO, Hadassah and Maccabi.

Seifman was the sole Australian in Emunah’s international delegation, which included two Americans with the remainder being Israeli representatives.