World Jewish-Zionist Youth Congress: I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) as a key partner in shaping the educational framework and leading group facilitation- continuing to accompany the next stage in Israel
In November 2025, the “World Jewish-Zionist Youth Congress” took place- an international educational initiative led by Israel’s Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and additional partners. The congress brought together 350 youth participants from Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, along with dozens of educators, with the goal of fostering a shared values-based dialogue around identity, Zionism, Israel-Diaspora relations, and young leadership.
The conference was held in Budapest, the capital of Hungary- birthplace of Theodor (Binyamin Ze’ev) Herzl, and recreated the First Zionist Congress, which took place in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897.
Alongside all partners, I Belong. Israel (Masa Israeli) served as a key partner in developing the educational framework and leading the professional facilitation of the groups throughout the conference. I Belong. Israel facilitators led significant portions of the program and implemented the Dialogue Circles and values-based language identified with the Masa approach- grounded in listening, partnership, values clarity, and connecting personal experience to the broader Israeli and Jewish story.
Although the conference has ended, the partnership with I Belong. Israel has not. According to the framework that was set, the second stage of the congress is expected to bring participants from the Diaspora to Israel in November 2026, and I Belong. Israel will continue to accompany the process—on an even larger scale. The visit to Israel will be guided by Masa facilitators, with Kfar I Belong. Israel serving as the central hub for lodging and gathering, alongside educational and experiential programming that will deepen participants’ connection to Israel and continue the dialogue that began in Budapest.
In this way, I Belong. Israel serves not only as a professional partner, but as a meaningful educational force that connects the stages of the process—from the international conference to the gathering in Israel—and helps turn it into an ongoing journey with long-term impact on participants.
