Costa Rica summit moulds young South African leaders

Two young South African Jewish leaders, Saul Jassinowsky and Ariel Goldberg, recently returned from Costa Rica, where they joined 30 peers from around the world for the Zionist Leadership Academy (ZLA) mid-year summit. The summit tackled some of the most pressing issues facing the global Jewish community today.

Run by Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel and the World Zionist Organization, and facilitated in South Africa by the Jewish National Fund (JNF SA), the ZLA is a prestigious, year-long programme that cultivates the next generation of committed Jewish leaders. It offers a structured, purpose-driven platform for engaged young adults already active in their communities who seek to deepen their involvement in Jewish life and Zionist activism.

Over the course of a week in Costa Rica, participants took part in workshops, training, and in-depth discussions, tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the global Jewish community, from antisemitism and political polarisation to questions of identity and inclusivity. The sessions also provided practical tools for grassroots engagement, fundraising, and public advocacy.

“This wasn’t just a leadership course, it was a powerful platform for vision, accountability, and collective purpose,” said Goldberg, a former national chairperson of the South African Union of Jewish Students.

Jassinowsky, who has several communal leadership roles, said, “In a world where Zionism is too often misunderstood, it was deeply meaningful to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow young leaders, united by our shared connection to Israel and our commitment to Jewish continuity.”

Following the summit, each participant will roll out a tailored community project in partnership with the JNF in their home country, tackling local needs through the lens of Zionist values and Jewish continuity. These projects will be presented at the programme’s closing gathering in Israel later this year.

JNF SA, a key supporter of the programme for the past four years in South Africa, views ZLA as a vital investment in the long-term sustainability of our community.

“We believe in empowering passionate leaders who can meet today’s complex challenges with clarity and courage. Saul and Ariel are exactly the kind of individuals we need at the forefront of Jewish communal life in South Africa in the years ahead,” said Bev Schneider, the national director of JNF SA. “The ZLA bridges a critical gap by offering development opportunities for young professionals who are often seeking meaningful new ways to contribute to Jewish life.”

To date, seven South Africans have participated in the ZLA programme, many of whom are now leading local Zionist initiatives, evidence of the programme’s success in developing and retaining the next generation of engaged Jewish leaders.

In a time of mounting global uncertainty and rising antisemitism, the academy is creating a vital leadership pipeline, ensuring that vibrant, committed, and capable young professionals continue to energise and strengthen Jewish communities in South Africa and around the world.