October 7 will forever be etched in our memory, but it will not define our destiny. History will not record us solely by what was done to us, but by how we responded. Out of tragedy my generation has emerged, unwilling to be spectators – a generation determined to lead.
Together with The Jerusalem Post, Jewish National Fund-USA is proud to announce this year’s Top 25 Young ViZionaries – trailblazers 45 and under who are redefining advocacy, entrepreneurship, and Zionist leadership. They come from diverse backgrounds and professions, but share a common mission: to secure a vibrant, thriving Israel for generations to come. These honorees, recognized annually for their contributions to advocacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership, demonstrate that October 7 was not an end, but a beginning. The shock of that day became the spark for a movement. They are living proof that our story is not one of fear but of fearless renewal.
From the shepherds of ancient Israel to the dreamers of 1948, every generation has been summoned to write a chapter of Jewish destiny. Ours is no different.
This year’s honorees represent a “changing of the guard.” Across the globe, young Jews and Zionists are claiming their place at the communal table. They are not waiting to be invited; they are pulling up their own chairs. JNFuture, Jewish National Fund-USA’s fastest-growing donor group of 22- to 40-year-old young professionals, exemplifies this spirit.
In the days following October 7, JNFuture members, together with Jewish National Fund-USA, mobilized their vast resources on the ground in Israel, organized volunteer missions, and spoke out in solidarity and support for the land and people of Israel.
Notably, Jewish National Fund-USA requires that every board and committee nationwide include at least one JNFuture representative. This isn’t just symbolic; it reflects the organization’s commitment to inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Jewish National Fund-USA is proud to support this year’s Top 25 Young ViZionaries because they represent our future. And for every name on the list, there are a thousand more young Zionists, evidence of the strength and vitality of our movement.
To harness this rising energy, Jewish National Fund-USA is creating an unprecedented platform: the World Zionist Village (worldzionistvillage.org). This visionary 16-acre, $350-million campus to be built in Be’er Sheva will be a living laboratory for positive Zionism, where ideas become reality. Here, Zionists of all backgrounds and ages will meet, collaborate, and chart the next chapter of our movement. The World Zionist Village will be the place where the sparks of inspiration struck in these trying times ignite into enduring outcomes.
We are delighted to honor those on this year’s list. More importantly, we want to show that anyone can play a role in our Zionist past, present, and future. You don’t need millions of followers or a global media profile. You just need to step out from the sidelines and make your voice heard.
This is part of the ethos instilled in students at our Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss). As the premier high-school study-abroad experience for American teens, the school uses Israel as a living classroom and gives students unparalleled authority, authenticity, and knowledge about their heritage and homeland when they arrive on college campuses. Don’t be surprised if many more Muss alumni appear on future Top 25 Young ViZionaries lists.
This fall also offers another opportunity for young Zionist leaders to unite and gain inspiration. From October 23–26, Jewish National Fund-USA will host its annual Global Conference for Israel in Hollywood, Florida (jnf.org/global) which is the largest gathering of Zionists in the United States. Thousands will come together to share ideas, celebrate Israel’s achievements, and plan for its future. Several Top 25 Young ViZionaries will be in attendance. In addition, JNFuture members will play a leading role throughout the conference: moderating panels, driving strategy sessions, and demonstrating the creativity and passion that define our rising generation. It will be the ultimate communal table, and we will not just have seats; we will help set the agenda.
I am reminded of the words of the great Rabbi David Wolpe, whom I interviewed on stage at last year’s Global Conference for Israel. He said, “If I could take a Jewish child to only one place, it wouldn’t be Auschwitz or Warsaw. It would be Tel Aviv. They need to see not just what was done to the Jews, but what the Jews have done.”
Now is the time for those who have come before us – parents, mentors, philanthropists, and community leaders – to support our generation: offer guidance, provide resources, and trust our vision. We have so much to offer, especially as digital natives who can rally support with a hashtag, fundraise via a livestream, or mobilize thousands with a single post. We are purpose-driven visionaries who see Zionism not as nostalgia but as a living, breathing call to action.
Israel’s pioneers, powered by Jewish National Fund, built a nation from sand and dreams. Our generation will ensure it thrives in the face of every test. October 7 will not be the prologue of our story. It will be remembered as the day that summoned a movement and launched the greatest generation of Jewish and Zionist leaders the world has ever known.
Ian Sachs is President of JNFuture. To find a chapter near you, visit jnf.org/jnfuture.
Written in collaboration with JNFuture