Ido Zamir (left) and Nir Matalon (right)
August 03, 2026 |
Summer 2026 |
World Zionist Village
World Zionist Village
Two young Israelis are helping build one of the most ambitious projects of the 21st century, and it all started by witnessing Zionism through the eyes of the Jewish diaspora.
Nir Matalon, a civil engineering student, and Ido Zamir, a management administration student, intern with Jewish National Fund-USA as Request for Qualifications (RFQ) coordinators, helping manage the process that will guide the design of the World Zionist Village—a visionary global campus in Be’er Sheva, South Israel, where people of all ages, ethnicities, and religions will gather for meaningful dialogue about Zionism.
Though Matalon was raised in a secular home and Zamir in a religious one, both once believed Zionism was a movement supported only by Israelis. Their experiences abroad as camp counselors, however, broadened their understanding of how Jews around the world connect to their homeland. For the first time, they witnessed love for Israel on a global scale.
“They have such a strong connection to Israel, even from far away,” Zamir explains. “It expanded how I see both Judaism and Zionism.”
Their discovery captures the essence of the Village’s mission. If Zionism seeks to gather a scattered people into one land, the World Zionist Village represents its next evolution: bringing a diversity of experiences into one conversation about the future of the Jewish State.
“Everyone involved comes from different cultures and backgrounds, but we find a common ground here,” says Matalon. “This project is proof that sharing diverse ideas can build something great.”
Through separate journeys, Matalon and Zamir each came to understand the vision for the Village. Together, they are now helping bring it to life.
Read more about the World Zionist Village at worldzionistvillage.org
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