‘WE LOVE IT SO WE’RE STAYING’
EYAL Mazor, an Israeli computer and electronics engineer, says he and his family are loving life in Ireland, having committed to stay long-term.
Mr Mazor, 43, wife Annabelle and their three boys moved from Petah Tikva last year when he was hired by a major tech company.
The Jewish community had been “incredibly welcoming” from the outset. Rabbi Zalman Lent, minister of Dublin’s Orthodox congregation, had invited him for Shabbat dinner when he visited for his job interview.
“It was just really good to know there was a really warm, welcoming Jewish community here before I moved. It meant I really didn’t have to adjust to life here.
“I really like that there is a really active social group here which has regular gatherings. It’s not just about having the traditional services at shul.
“It’s not just about religion. You could be a totally secular Jew and you would be welcomed the same.”
He adds that his children have settled in well at the Stratford College schools’ campus and that his youngest son, aged nine, already has a trace of an Irish accent.
Mr Mazor is finding life beyond the Jewish community equally rewarding, explaining: “In Israel you wouldn’t really spend time with people you work with outside of the office unless it was something the company initiated. You would just have your own friends.
“But here there’s a great culture of gathering in the pub after work. There’s a really social atmosphere. You just get the feeling our neighbours want to welcome us.” BEN WEICH