JERUSALEM, Israel—Two Bukharian Jewish community leaders — Chagit Leviev Sofiev, a prominent philanthropist and CEO of Leviev Group USA, as well as the new face of the Bukharian Jewish Congress of the US and Canada, and Michael Uston, a longtime activist in Jewish communal affairs — are among the delegates attending the 39th World Zionist Congress, now underway in Jerusalem. The gathering marks the largest in the organization’s 127-year history and underscores the growing global participation of diverse Jewish communities, including the Bukharian diaspora.
The Congress brings together 543 voting delegates from around the world — 203 from Israel, 155 from the United States, 21 from France, 19 each from the UK and Canada, and 126 from dozens of other countries. For the first time, Uganda, Paraguay, Ecuador, Serbia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan are represented, reflecting the expanding reach of the Zionist movement.
Another 212 representatives from international Jewish organizations such as B’nai Brith, Emunah, Hadassah, and WIZO are also participating. While most serve as observers, Hadassah and WIZO maintain full voting rights in recognition of their historic roles in the World Zionist Organization.
Although Orthodox and right-wing parties dominated the U.S. elections, the overall Congress is expected to be evenly split between right- and left-leaning factions. According to organizers, major Jewish institutions help moderate debates and ensure pluralistic voices are heard.
Nearly 2,500 participants — delegates, alternates, and observers — have gathered in Jerusalem. Notable American delegates include influencers Lizzy Savetsky and Shabbos Kestenbaum, radio hosts Nachum Segal and Sid Rosenberg, and former Teva Pharmaceuticals CEO Jeremy Levin. Institutional leaders such as Union for Reform Judaism President Rick Jacobs, J Street founder Jeremy Ben-Ami, and Israeli-American Council CEO Elan Carr are also in attendance.
The U.S. delegation includes 75 rabbis representing every major denomination. Orthodox and right-wing parties were the top performers in this year’s vote, led by Am Yisrael Chai, Eretz HaKodesh, and Mizrachi. The Reform movement remains the largest single faction with 33 delegates, followed by Mercaz USA (Conservative) with 19.
Organizers describe the Congress as a living expression of Jewish democracy, bringing together Jews of every background to debate, vote, and shape the future of Israel and the Jewish people.
“At a time when polarization dominates so much of global discourse, the World Zionist Congress stands as proof that unity does not mean uniformity,” said Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement.
Source: The Times of Israel