Looking to the Future: From the Desk of Yehuda Setton, CEO
Today, we are at a critical moment for Israel and world Jewry. The horrific attacks on October 7, 2023, and the war that has followed, have marked a turning point for Israel and the Jewish people. These events have also reshaped our organization’s vision for the future and highlighted the urgent need for action.
This is a time of tremendous challenges. The ongoing war in Israel, with multiple fronts, is affecting the country’s resources, economy and morale, and the Russia-Ukraine war also continues to affect the lives of more than a million Jews. And around the world, we have seen an alarming increase in antisemitism, with a rise in both threats and violent attacks on Jewish communities.
The Jewish Agency’s strategy to address these pressing challenges centers on two guiding principles. First, enabling every Jew to take an active role in rebuilding the State of Israel. And secondly, ensuring mutual responsibility between global Jewry and Israelis by fostering connections, building resilience and fortifying security.
To accomplish that, we are dedicated to focusing on these key five strategic goals:
Strengthening Israel through Aliyah by bringing 300,000 new immigrants to Israel over the next five years, investing in Aliyah infrastructure and recruitment. This includes expanding group Aliyah, particularly to northern and southern Israel, and offering increased support for integration into Israeli society.
Carrying Out Large Scale Projects in Israel, including growing key Jewish Agency programs like Youth Futures and Campers2Gether, and leading rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts through housing projects in the Negev and Galilee and on our Ibim campus to support students and families.
Expanding and Deepening Community Connections by majorly increasing the reach of our Shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to extend to smaller underserved Jewish communities, and strengthening the relationship between communities in Israel and Jewish communities around the world through our Partnership2Gether Global Network.
Enhancing Security and Resilience for Jewish Communities, including through our Security Assistance Fund to provide expanded support to communities worldwide that need to implement advanced safety measures and assist in building long-term infrastructures for sustainable protection, and our JReady platform to better equip communities to handle crises.
Fostering Unity and Cohesion by promoting a deep sense of mutual responsibility and solidarity between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, because a stronger Israel means a stronger and more resilient Jewish people.
Our ability to overcome urgent challenges and meet changing needs relies on the unwavering support of our partners, staff, and the global Jewish community—you are integral to our success. Together, we have repeatedly demonstrated that when we work together, we can accomplish the extraordinary.
I have faith in a brighter future for Israel and the Jewish people, a future that will be realized through the power of our unity and resilience. For nearly 100 years, The Jewish Agency has been a guiding light, inspiring others to join us in supporting the Jewish State and ensuring the enduring strength of our people. And now, we need your partnership more than ever to fulfill our mission of rebuilding a thriving State of Israel.