A recent op-ed in the Jerusalem Post called for reform within the Zionist movement. The piece identified what many feel but too few say: that the structures built to meet the challenges of the 19th and 20th centuries no longer reflect the realities of the 21st Century. We agree. But we would go further. Reform is not enough. We need a renaissance—a cultural, intellectual, and strategic revival that reimagines what Zionism means for our time. That’s precisely what the World Zionist Village is designed to inspire.
A Global Meeting Place for a Global People
The World Zionist Village is the greatest philanthropic project of our Jewish world. It is a center for Zionist Education and Innovation being developed on 16 acres adjacent to the Be’er Sheva River Park, the Amphitheater, and Abraham's Well.
The World Zionist Village is more than just a building project; it represents a bold new platform for dialogue, collaboration, and renewal. Situated in the heart of South Israel, the Village will function as a year-round hub that unites Jews and Zionist supporters of all ages, affiliations, and geographies. It serves as a living response to the fragmentation and political rigidity sometimes experienced in our movement for self-determination.
To embrace and empower our next generation of Zionist leaders, the Village is being built from the ground up to promote inclusivity, transparency, and the type of meaningful cross-denominational dialogue that can shape a new generation of Zionist institutions. It’s a space where young leaders, experienced thinkers, educators, artists, and both religious and secular voices can come together to grapple with the most essential questions of Jewish peoplehood and purpose.
From Performance to Participation
As mentioned in a recent op-ed published in the Jerusalem Post, today's Jewish institutions often prioritize form over function, titles over tasks, affiliation over impact. The World Zionist Village seeks to change that by placing action at the center of their ideology. Through immersive educational programs, cross-cultural residencies, and leadership incubators, the Village will empower participants not just to talk about change, but to build it.
Imagine a global beit midrash (house of study) with no single party line—where conversations between an Orthodox rabbi from New York, a secular kibbutznik from the Negev, and a young Zionist from Uganda are not only possible but encouraged. This is not a dream; it is our plan.
A New Herzlian Vision
Herzl understood that the future required new institutions—rooted in vision, not nostalgia. Today, the World Zionist Village stands as a continuation of that legacy. In a world where Zionist discourse is increasingly polarized or absent altogether, we aim to offer a third path: one grounded in pluralism, optimism, and collective ownership of the Jewish future.
Our Village is not a museum of past glories; it is a workshop for tomorrow’s breakthroughs. We welcome all those who are ready to reimagine Zionism—not just as a political project, but as a people’s mission. In the spirit of Herzl, we are not afraid to ask difficult questions. But we are equally committed to building the space where answers—bold, diverse, and enduring—can be forged together.
Ira Green is the CEO of the World Zionist Village.