A living bridge to connect British Jews
I NCE 1 9 2 9 t he Jewish Agency has been a key force in organising the emigration of Jews from around the world to Israel — and aliyah remains one of its major goals, with an international network of representatives to advise anyone who wants to make a new home in Israel. But in the past few years it has also adopted a fresh strategy, aimed at making Israel not just a destination for Jewish immigrants but a cornerstone of Jewish life in the diaspora.
Rael Goodman, executive director of the agency’s delegation to the UK, says the project is designed to educate young people and inculcate a “love of of Israel” in the community, making such solidarity a core part of Jewish identity. “Connection to Israel cannot be taken for granted and statistics show that without it, main stream assimilation could continue to increase,” he says.
A large part of Mr Goodman’s role is to encourage education about Israel, to increase Jewish awareness, knowledge and pride and to bridge the gap between Israel and Jews of different backgrounds. In the UK this is achieved through cooperation between the agency and domestic organisations such as the UJIA, the Union of Jewish Students and other sections of the community, from Orthodox to Liberal.
To back up the agency’s programme, run from its north London office, there are 24 Israeli shlichim (emissaries) around the country. They work with communal bodies, youth movements, schools and other groups. Two are based full-time at university campuses, helping the Union of Jewish Students, who face increasing hostility when making the case for Israel. There is also a team of Israeli high-school graduates who have taken a year off before military service to work in the diaspora. A “living bridge”, they share accommodation, kibbutz-style, and forge links with youth movements, schools and Jewish organisations, as well as with Israelis living in the UK.
Mr Goodman says the UK Jewish community’s loyalty to Israel is “remarkable” and points out that 90 per cent of them have visited the country and around half of Jewish school pupils have taken part in programmes in Israel. During the Gaza conflict, only two per cent of children who were due to take part in Israel trips cancelled their booking. “Love for Israel here is at an unprecedented level but it is a relationship we have to invest in,” he says.
The agency is still engaged i n encouraging aliyah — but with a new understanding that, for those from free western countries such as Britain, it can be a difficult choice even for home-grown Zionists.
“It is no longer in our lexicon to say ‘you are a Jew so you should live in Israel’, or to use negative terms like yeridah (going down) for those who leave,” says Mr Goodman. “In many ways it is very comfortable to be a Jew in the UK. So to make aliyah has to be for a good reason.” For those who do take the plunge, the agency and other Israeli organisations help with employment, schools, housing and other essentials.
“Not everything in Israel is perfect,” says Mr Goodman. “There is a lot of work to be done. However one should not see making aliyah as a sacrifice. Israel is the one country in the world where immigrants get help with everything you can think of. In particular, for young Jews looking for a challenge Israel is the top option.”