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Zack Bodner is a California-based Jewish communal leader with a documented history of involvement in pro-Israel advocacy and organizations associated with the Israel lobby. His career and public statements reflect a consistent emphasis on the importance of Israel within Jewish identity and community engagement.
Bodner served for 14 years as the Pacific Northwest Regional Director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization in the United States. He began his tenure at AIPAC as the number two in the San Francisco office for approximately a year before becoming Regional Director. Bodner has stated that he “always knew I was going to do something with Israel” and that he “parlayed that experience to work for AIPAC”.
As the President and CEO of the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Palo Alto, Bodner founded and leads “The Z3 Project” (formerly Zionism 3.0), an initiative focused on reimagining Diaspora-Israel relations and fostering dialogue between Jewish communities globally and in Israel. He asserts that “there is no Jewish heritage without the Jewish homeland” and views the Jewish and Israeli aspects as “intertwined” and “inseparable”.
Bodner has publicly advocated for Israel, including in an article titled “I support Israel because I am progressive,” where he encouraged readers to stand with Israel and argued that the country embodies progressive values. He has urged fellow JCC leaders to prioritize Israel, stating in a 2023 letter, “I’m asking you to make all that other work secondary and to make Israel the centerpiece.” He also advised JCCs to “promote pro-Israel advocacy,” and “encourage your members to go to rallies, to put up ‘bring them home posters’ around town, and to reach out to elected officials to lobby for Israel and against antisemitism”.
In his book, “Why Do Jewish? A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood,” Bodner includes “Israel” as a core component of his “TACHLIS” framework for Jewish living, highlighting the significance of connecting to Israel for future generations. He frequently writes for Jewish publications, including The Times of Israel and The Forward, on topics concerning Israel and Jewish peoplehood. Bodner has also characterized Israel as “a miracle” and “an island of freedom and democracy in a sea of tyranny”. His engagement extends to volunteering on an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) army base, where he assisted soldiers and remarked on their service.
Furthermore, Bodner serves on the Boards of the JCC Association of North America, JCC Global, and American Friends of Tel Aviv University Northern California, organizations that often maintain connections with Israel.
| Candidate | Years | Direct Contributions | Behested Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Berman | 2017-2025 | $1,580 | $0 |
| Buffy Wicks | 2021 | $250 | $0 |
| Monique Limón | 2021 | $250 | $0 |