Unity & Connection
Challenge: Fostering Jewish Unity
Expanding and Deepening Global Jewish Community Connections
In 2024, as the aftermath of the October 7 attacks loudly echoed throughout Israel and the global Jewish people, and amid the ongoing Swords of Iron War, the need for strong Jewish connections became even clearer. Our Partnership2Gether partnerships offered increased support to Israeli communities by way of new and existing pairings, and through the launch of Communities2Gether in 2024, and our Shlichim (Israeli emissaries) continued to build personal relationships in communities worldwide.
Communities2Gether paired 27 Israeli communities in the Western Negev impacted by the war with a Jewish community abroad, in addition to six local municipalities that already had an existing partnership. The Jewish communities abroad will offer sustained support to the Israeli communities for 3–5 years through funding, resources, and personal connections, helping rebuild infrastructure and restore hope.
“On October 7, I woke up to notifications on my phone, asking for whoever has a weapon to come to the Kibbutz Magen command center, that there were terrorists. Thankfully, we were able to defend the Kibbutz from the infiltrations, but now we need to bring people back to the Kibbutz and what will help is to impart a sense of security and to strengthen our resilience. So for us, the help from Communities2Gether is not taken for granted,” said Inbal, who lives in Magen, 4km from the Gaza border, and is part of the Kibbutz’s security patrol team.
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“Ultimately, if we have learned just one thing since October 7, it is this: The power of the Jewish collective will always shine through. We are reinforcing the Jewish people’s connectedness and mutual responsibility by bringing Jewish communities together from around the world to facilitate Israel’s rehabilitation and to build a stronger future for Israel and world Jewry,” stated Mark Wilf, The Jewish Agency’s Chairman of the Board of Governors
On the ground in communities worldwide, our 2,200+ Shlichim were on the frontlines, ensuring the connectedness of the Jewish people, fostering personal relationships and acting as living bridges to Israel at a critical time. Our Campus Israel Fellows, in particular, have continued to play a pivotal role on college campuses, especially those in North America, as an authentic, engaging Israeli presence enabling students to learn about and support Israel, often helping substitute education for misinformation.
“Israel Fellows play a crucial role in connecting students to Israel, especially in times of crisis. After October 7th, I offered a listening ear and support as many Jewish students were dealing with anxiety, fear and confusion about what was happening in Israel. I also encouraged them to take action and advocate for Israel; I wanted them to feel empowered to be loud and proud in their support of Israel and to channel their emotions into something positive,” shared Liad, 27, a second-year Jewish Agency Campus Israel Fellow at a Pennsylvania university.
In September 2024, The Jewish Agency announced we were increasing the number of Israel Fellows serving universities to help Jewish and pro-Israel college students navigate the challenges of skyrocketing antisemitism due to the Swords of Iron War.
In 2024, we had 85 Israel Fellows worldwide, including 72 in North America. At the start of the fall 2024 semester, we increased the number of Campus Israel Fellows sent to colleges by 20%.
We also launched a new program, Shlichim in Uniform, earlier in the year, led by Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog. Through this initiative, The Jewish Agency brought 87 soldiers on active or reserve duty who fought in the current war to visit 50 Jewish communities in 38 countries worldwide. These soldiers met with thousands of people, representing Israel and telling its story with pride as well as sharing their own perspectives from October 7.
“On October 7, I lost four of my family members when terrorists invaded Kibbutz Be’eri. Now, I believe it’s my mission to come and tell the story of our people and bring us closer to the Jewish community in the Diaspora. Our strength as a nation comes from us remaining united, both in Israel and abroad,” explained Lia, a soldier in the combat support unit born and raised in Kibbutz Be’eri, who took part in Shlichim in Uniform.
