2026-05-07 08:26:PM <br/> Tags: #AmericanJewry #organization #Israel ![[image-280.png|419x235]] # American Zionist Movement (AZM) - The American Zionist movement (AZM) is the American affiliate organization of the Israel-based [[World Zionist Organization]].[^1] - The AZM is a coalitional organization comprised of 51 American Zionist organizations. - In 2020, AZM's president Richard Heideman explained the purpose of organizing on behalf of Zionism as "supporting Israel and connecting world Jewry to our national homeland."[^7] #### AZM Background - The AZM describes itself as the "successor to the [[American Zionist Council (AZC)]]."[^6][^8] - The American Zionist Council (AZC) was founded in 1949 as the first dedicated lobbying organization for the nascent state of Israel. - In 1951, [[Isaiah L. Kenen]] formed the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (AZCPA) under the umbrella of the AZC. - In 1959, the AZCPA renamed itself to the American Israel Public Affairs committee ([[AIPAC]]). - Under mounting federal pressure, the AZC transferred its operations to AIPAC and dissolved in the early-mid 1960s. - From the AZC's dissolution, the American Zionist Federation was formed in 1970 as the umbrella affiliate of the [[World Zionist Organization]] for American Jewish-Zionist organizations. - In 1993 the American Zionist Federation was renamed the American Zionist Movement. #### Affiliated Organizations - AZM's 51 affiliate organizations include:[^2] - [[AMIT]] - [[Hadassah]] - [[Israeli-American Council]] - [[Mercaz USA]] - [[Na'amat]] - [[Religious Zionists of America (Mizrachi)]] - [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]] - [[B'nai B'rith]] - [[Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO)]] - [[A Wider Bridge]] - [[Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI)]] - [[Jewish National Fund]] - [[National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)]] - [[B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO)]] - NFTY - The [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]]'s youth organization #### AZM Constitution - First adopted in 1993 in Miami, Florida, the AZM's nineteen page constitution has been reaffirmed through the years in Miami, Boca Raton, Washington D.C., Newark, and New York City.[^3] *All hotbeds of Jewish activity with the exception of Newark NJ, which was historically a major Jewish enclave but is no longer.* - According to the constitution, the "Purposes of the American Zionist Movement" include: - "To motivate American Jews to accept the Zionist principles that the Jews the world over are one people, united by a common history, heritage, and destiny, with Israel as the center of Jewish life everywhere." - "To foster Zionist and Jewish ideals among Jews in the United States and engage in activities on behalf of the Zionist Movement in the United States." - "To consider Aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) as the highest expression of Zionist commitment and to work with agencies which assist Jews to settle in Israel." *The AZM admits it is operating in the United States to compel Jews to exercise an innate and supreme loyalty to Israel because they are Jewish.* - "To promote research, study, and discussions of Zionist ideas and aims." - "To further the efforts of the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]] , the [[United Israel Appeal]], the [[Jewish National Fund]], [[Jewish Agency]] for Israel and other fundraising agencies supporting Jewish Zionist education and youth programs and advancing Jewish welfare." - The constitution declares the [[World Zionist Organization]]'s [[Jerusalem Program]] as the standard ideological platform for all organization and individuals wishing to join the AZM. #### Funding and Donors - AZM reported $791,344 in revenue in 2024.[^5] - AMZ operated at a net loss of over $100,000 for the year. - AZM donors in 2023 include:[^4] - The Association for Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) - ARZA is an AZM member organization. - ARZA is located at 633 Third Avenue in Manhattan, the same building which hosts the [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]], [[Conference of Presidents]], [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]], [[Jewish Agency|Jewish Agency-US]], and [[The Lawfare Project]]. - Ben and Daniella Tisch - Benjamin Tisch is the son of [[Merryl Tisch|Meryl]] and [[James Tisch]]. - [[Hadassah]] - [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)|Jewish Community Federation in San Francisco]] #### AZM and WZO - Every five years, as the [[World Zionist Organization]]'s official American affiliate, the AZM organizes American Jewish participation in the WZO's World Zionist Congress elections.[^6] - During the 39th World Zionist Congress and its related elections held in October 2025, the AZM scheduled U.S. Ambassador to Israel [[Mike Huckabee]] to speak at an AZM luncheon.[^9] - Huckabee was unable to attend due to an ongoing government shutdown. - In December 2025, the AZM hosted Israeli president [[Isaac Herzog]] at a New York conference.[^10] - During the conference, Herzog was heckled by Jewish pro-[[Benjamin Netanyahu]] activists who demanded the Israeli president pardon the prime minister, who was on trial for corruption, bribery, and fraud. *In Israel the president holds pardon power.* #### Notable Figures - Mark Levenson - President[^15] - Levenson is: - A recipient of the [[ADL]]'s Torch of Liberty Award. - A member of the [[Jewish Agency]]'s executive committee. - A past chairman of the [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]]. - A board member of [[Religious Zionists of America (Mizrachi)]]. - In 2019, Levenson was appointed by [[Donald Trump]] to serve as a member of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.[^16] - At the time Levenson was chairman of the [[Zionist Organization of America (ZOA)]]'s board. For his appointment he was congratulated by the ZOA's longtime president [[Morton Klein]].[^16] - Herbert Block - Executive director[^11] - From 1999-2015, Block served as Assistant Executive Vice President of the [[American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)]]. - Block is a representative of the [[World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO)]] in Poland and Lithuania. - Richard Heideman - President from 2017-2021 - Shoshana Dweck - Board chair - Dweck serves on the national commission of the [[ADL]].[^13] - Sarrae Crane - Vice president for governance and administration - Crane is the former executive director or [[Mercaz USA]] and a past board member of the [[Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)]] and the [[Conference of Presidents]].[^14] - [[Seymour Reich]] - AZM president from 1993-2007[^12] #### References [^1]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Mission,” [https://azm.org/mission/](https://azm.org/mission/). [^2]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Members,” [https://azm.org/members/](https://azm.org/members/). [^3]: _American Zionist Movement_, _AZM Constitution as Amended March 20, 2023_, [https://azm.org/wp-content/uploads/AZM-CONSTITUTION-As-Amended-March-20-2023.pdf](https://azm.org/wp-content/uploads/AZM-CONSTITUTION-As-Amended-March-20-2023.pdf). [^4]: _American Zionist Movement, Inc._, _2023 American Zionist Movement, Inc. Tax Return 990 as Filed 8.28.2024_, [https://azm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-American-Zionist-Movement-Inc-Tax-Return-990-as-Filed-8.28.2024.pdf](https://azm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-American-Zionist-Movement-Inc-Tax-Return-990-as-Filed-8.28.2024.pdf). [^5]: ProPublica, “American Zionist Movement Inc,” _Nonprofit Explorer_, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132679404](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132679404). [^6]: _American Zionist Movement_, _AZM Fact Sheet_, [https://www.azm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AZM-Fact-Sheet-November-2018.pdf](https://www.azm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AZM-Fact-Sheet-November-2018.pdf). [^7]: _National Council of Jewish Women_, “Controversy and Record Participation Reflect Renewed US Jewish Interest in Zionist Congress,” October 26, 2020, [https://www.ncjw.org/news/controversy-and-record-participation-reflect-renewed-us-jewish-interest-in-zionist-congress/](https://www.ncjw.org/news/controversy-and-record-participation-reflect-renewed-us-jewish-interest-in-zionist-congress/). [^8]: Jewish Virtual Library. “American Zionist Movement (AZM).” _JVL_. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/american-zionist-movement-azm [^9]: Zev Stub, “Delegates Descend on World Zionist Congress for Largest-Ever Plenum on Jewish Future,” _The Times of Israel_, October 28, 2025, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/delegates-descend-on-world-zionist-congress-for-largest-ever-plenum-on-jewish-future/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/delegates-descend-on-world-zionist-congress-for-largest-ever-plenum-on-jewish-future/). [^10]: Grace Gilson, “Hecklers Urge Herzog to Pardon Netanyahu at American Zionist Movement Conference in NYC,” _The Jerusalem Post_, December 10, 2025, [https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-879815](https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-879815). [^11]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Herbert Block,” [https://azm.org/leadership/herbert-block/](https://azm.org/leadership/herbert-block/). [^12]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Officers,” [https://azm.org/officers/](https://azm.org/officers/). [^13]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Shoshana Dweck, National Board Chair,” [https://azm.org/shoshana-dweck-national-board-chair/](https://azm.org/shoshana-dweck-national-board-chair/). [^14]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Sarrae Crane,” [http://azm.org/leadership/sarrae-crane/](http://azm.org/leadership/sarrae-crane/). [^15]: _American Zionist Movement_, “Mark Levenson,” [https://azm.org/leadership/mark-levenson/](https://azm.org/leadership/mark-levenson/). [^16]: _Zionist Organization of America_, “ZOA Honored That President Trump Appointed ZOA Chairman Mark Levenson to Prestigious National Post,” September 10, 2019, [https://zoa.org/2019/09/10419025-zoa-honored-that-president-trump-appointed-zoa-chairman-mark-levenson-to-prestigious-national-post/](https://zoa.org/2019/09/10419025-zoa-honored-that-president-trump-appointed-zoa-chairman-mark-levenson-to-prestigious-national-post/).