November 12th - December 12th 2024
A series of in-person events for World Zionist Organization ulpan students took place in France, inter alia:
In Neuilly-sur-Seine, Dr. Dov Maimon, Senior Fellow and Director of Research at the Jewish People Policy Institute (Jerusalem) addressed students on the topic of ‘The Hasbara (Diplomacy) War – How Can Israel Win It?’
In Paris, students enjoyed an encounter with American-Israeli author and consultant, Nathalie Ohana, who explained how olim chadashim (new immigrants) can leverage the unknowns of a situation and transform them into new opportunities.
In Levallois-Perret, Marseilles and Toulouse, strategic consultant Stéphane Goldin gave lectures on the subject of ‘The ‘Iron Swords’ War: Israel’s Strategic Goals.’
October 1st - November 12th 2024
Bootcamp in Paris for European Jewish communities
A two-day bootcamp for activists took place in Paris, France, from September 22 through 23, under the auspices of a program developed jointly by the World Zionist Organization, the EJA and the French Consistoire. The seminar was attended by approximately 100 participants from diverse communities throughout Europe and the program included workshops, lectures and hands-on encounters on the themes of Hasbara (Israel advocacy), public diplomacy, social media, etc. The Head of Department for Combating Antisemitism and Enhancing Resilience, Dr. Raheli Baratz, moderated a panel session where she interviewed British journalist Alex Hearn, co-director of the Labour Against Antisemitism campaign group. The first day of the seminar closed with a special event to pay tribute to the Jewish community, which was attended by former Ambassador Éric Danon, Dr. Joël Mergui, President of the Consistoire, and representatives from many other Jewish communities.
France and Belgium
Three activities were held in France and Belgium, focusing on the first anniversary of October 7:
In Nice, the subject of the activity was ‘War and Aliyah,’ and the program was moderated by Moshe Cohen.
Matthias Inbar, security correspondent for Israel TV Channel i24, led a session, entitled ‘October 7 – One Year On.’
At the JCC in Neuilly-sur-Seine, outside Paris, a meeting was held on the theme of ‘Deconstructing the Myths: The Historical Truth versus Received Ideas about the Jewish People and Judaism,’ led by Dr. David Shapira.
An impressive Aliyah promotion event took place at the Conference Center in Paris, designed and produced jointly by the Aliyah Promotion Department team and the Gvahim Association. The event was entitled, ‘Your Aliyah: What Strategy Works Best for You?’ and offered useful information about employment opportunities, housing, medical services and education in Israel to hundreds of visitors.
As part of the Tishrei Festival programming, online Yvrit Social Club and Yvrit Social Brunch programs were organized in Belgium and France, led by Hebrew language teacher Revital Berger Shloman on the topics of: Rosh Hashanah in Hebrew Literature, Together in Hebrew, and Our Home.
Two online lectures were provided for Jewish communities in Belgium and France:
Harry Kadoch presented a session on the Israeli health system.
Historian Ronen Gurevitch gave a lecture, entitled “At the Heart of History.”
A delegation comprising Israeli mayors and local council heads, together with representatives of the World Zionist Organization, made a visit to one of the World Zionist Organization Hebrew ulpanim in Marseilles, France. The delegation was welcomed by Moshe Cohen, the Aliyah Promotion Department coordinator for southern France.
United Kingdom
Weekly programs continue in the United Kingdom with club meetings, where students learn Hebrew through songs (with teacher Ira Klitzman) and the Everyday Hebrew program, taught by teachers Kimi Waxman and Yael Breuer.
An online ulpan has now opened in the United Kingdom, targeting medical professionals considering and/or planning Aliyah to Israel.
September 9th - September 30th 2024
- An in-service training day with a difference was held in Paris, as part of the concerted efforts to pool all available resources in France and coordinate efforts to prepare for a major wave of Aliyah by French Jewry. The program included meetings between the teams from the Aliyah Promotion Department, the Jewish Agency for Israel and members of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration’s support system for new olim as well as the Ministry’s Director General and his team. For the first time, this initiative brings together the separate parts of the disparate system at an inter-personal level to share information about the scope of their work, with a view to creating stronger cooperation and coordination between all its component parts.
- Members of the French and Belgian Jewish communities had an opportunity to attend an online Aliyah promotion event about prospects for making their home in the city of Karmiel, as part of the project to smooth the way for olim.
- Israeli journalist Richard Darmon gave a series of in-person appearances in France at which he addressed and discussed the topic of “Questions about the Future of French Jewry.” These encounters took place in Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Toulon and Cannes.
- A fascinating talk by guest speaker Daniel Cohen at the growing Jewish community of Levallois, near Paris, was attended by over 100 members of the community as well as the World Zionist Organization team, including the head of the delegation, and the president of the Jewish community.
- Yael Yisraeli delivered an online lecture to ulpan students and members of the Jewish communities in France and Belgium on the subject of “Pomegranates at my Window: Rosh Hashanah through the Prism of Israeli Art.”
- Yael (Joëlle) Hansel from the International College of Philosophy, Paris, gave an online talk to ulpan students and members of the Jewish communities in France and Belgium on the subject of “What Motivates a Jew to Become a Zionist?”
- Recently, there has been a major cross-community publicity drive in France and Belgium to encourage members of the Jewish community to register for the World Zionist Organization’s Hebrew language ulpanim, which will open their new academic year after the Tishrei festivals. The campaign included an open day in Nice with a hybrid event (in-person and online) to introduce them to the YSClub (Yvrit Social Club) framework.
- Representatives from the Aliyah Promotion Department participated in the “Medix” Aliyah Fair in London, which is aimed at medical personnel.
- The online ‘Everyday Hebrew’ club, run by teachers Kimi Waxman and Yael Breuer, is continuing its Hebrew language activities in the UK. Recently, they produced two videos for Hebrew students covering terminology and expressions: the first one about gardening and the second on beauty care.
- The weekly online club for “Hebrew study through music and songs” resumed activities in early September, led by music and Hebrew language teacher, Ira Klitzman.
July 1st - July 25th 2024
Marathon of Zionism and pro-Israel Events in the UK
A marathon of events took place in early July with a view to bolstering the Jewish community’s connection to Israel. The Head of Department for Zionist Activity in the Diaspora met with hundreds of high school students in several cities and discussed the situation in Israel with them, bringing out stories about the heroic spirit, high morale and intense civic activity that has marked life in Israel since October 7. At one of these events, about 100 girls in Year 10 at the Hasmonean High School for Girls laid tablecloths on the tables and set out the ingredients for Staff Sgt. Roei Dawi z”l’s favorite Tiramisu recipe instead of their schoolbooks, which they then prepared together, in his memory. Roei’s mother and sister sent the girls a video with a special request: “Get cooking and enjoy it with a smile on your faces.” Another highlight was a evening event dedicated to support for the hostages and IDF soldiers, which was attended by the family of Rom Braslavski, who was abducted from the Nova Festival. The evening was also attended my leaders of the London Jewish community who have long been at the forefront of campaign action to help strengthen the connection with Israel, and especially at this time. The Head of the Department for Zionist Enterprises participated in the event, which was organized with the assistance of the World Zionist Organization Executive’s shaliach to the UK.
Reinforcing Zionism at Jewish Summer Camps in Europe
Each summer, the World Zionist Organization creates Zionist content materials for the young generation in the Diaspora, reaching children and youth cohorts from elementary school through high school. These resources are then distributed to various Jewish summer camps throughout Europe, and especially those in France. This year, they include accounts of military and civil valor from the past year, a study program about the ‘Jewish national homeland’ and the flag, as well as interactive educational programming to go.
May 20th - June 30th 2024
Great Britain
Aliyah Promotion Event
The event in London attracted hundreds of Jewish students and was attended by the Chairman of the World Zionist Organization. Participants were able to explore opportunities for Aliyah and study in Israel; they also enjoyed a performance by Matisyahu that brought together music, culture, Judaism and roots.
Rally for the Hostages in London
A massive march took place in London to protest the plight of the hostages and call for their release, drawing approximately 20,000 participants. The Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman of the World Zionist Organization represented the WZO, and leading figures included the President and the CEO of the Board of Deputies (Council of Representatives, the umbrella body of British Jewry), and the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain.
Hebrew Club
Under the umbrella of Kimi and Yael’s Hebrew Club, teachers at the World Zionist Organization’s Hebrew ulpanim in London and Brighton organized an online event to celebrate Shavuot
Belgium and France
- The Jewish communities of Belgium and France were invited to an online lecture in easy Hebrew by Art scholar Daniel Benhaim, who addressed the ways in which the October 7 atrocities are being depicted by Israeli artists.
- Under the umbrella of the World Zionist Organization Hebrew Language clubs in Belgium and France, an Yvrit Social Club meeting focused on the subject of “Talking Independence,” and the Ivrit Social Brunch club addressed the topic of “Homeland. Home. A Lesson in Blue and White.” Both programs were led by Revital Berger Shloman, a Hebrew teacher at the ulpanim and the club’s anchor facilitator.
- End of Year Events at Hebrew Ulpanim– The ulpanim in Paris and Marseilles, France, arranged festive evening events to mark the end of the academic year at the World Zionist Organization’s Hebrew ulpanim.
- Members of the French and Belgian Jewish communities attended online lectures on the following subjects in easy Hebrew: “Metullah from Days of Yore to the Present,” by historian Ronen Gourevitch, and “The Kotel – Yesterday and Today,” by Dr. Yael Escojido, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- During the recent Aliyah Fair in Paris, the Aliyah Promotion Department team also promoted World Zionist Organization projects. The Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon, also attended the Fair.
April 15th - May 20th 2024
Online Lectures and Encounters
A series of three online lectures were delivered to members of the Jewish community in France and Belgium on the following subjects: “Pesach: Cleaning Out at Home” and “Israeli Identity – A Human Mosaic,” by Yael Yisraeli, a Fine Arts student; “Zikaron BaSalon – Hope and Rebuilding,” by Ronen Gurevich, historian and Hebrew language teacher.
Under the auspices of the “Megamat Aliyah (“Aliyah Track”) project, a university entrance Psychometric examination was organized in France for applicants to Israeli academic institutions and potential olim. 120 applicants sat the examination.
Teacher in-service training was conducted in France as part of the “This is the News” series, which teaches Hebrew language through Israeli Current Affairs. The session was delivered by Fabio Redak, Director of the Hebrew Language Teaching Unit at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Activity Programs at Hebrew Language Clubs
In Britain, the “Ivrit Yom-Yom” (“Day by Day Hebrew”) club held a meeting, led by Kimi and Yael, both World Zionist Organization ulpan instructors and regular anchors for club activities. The topic of this particular meeting was “At a Café.”
In France and Belgium, an Yvrit Social Club meeting was held on the topic of “Zikaron BaSalon.” The activity was led by Revital Berger Sholman, a Hebrew language teacher at World Zionist Organization ulpanim and regular anchor for club activities.
April 1st - April 15th 2024
- A series of online lectures was organized for the Jewish community in France and Belgium.
- ‘Change as a New Creation,’ with speaker Patricia Hababou, former Coordinator for Aliyah Promotion at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, currently responsible for oversight of Integration project leaders in Israeli local authorities, and founding director of the Ph.Coach life coaching center for olim.
- ‘Israeli Women in the Shadow of War,’ by Ronen Gurevich, Historian and Hebrew language specialist.
- ‘Israel/Palestine: Who Were the Real Victims in the History of the Partitions?’ by Gil Perez, a professional tour guide.
- ‘Antisemitism in Ancient Pagan Sources,’ by Dr. Yael Escojido, lecturer, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- Participation at Zionist Events in France – The Head of Department for Zionist Activity in the Diaspora attended a series of Zionist events in Paris this week, designed to strengthen the community’s connection with Israel. These included a special meeting hosted by the Knesset Speaker with the heads of the French Jewish community and a colloquium in Paris, organized by the World Zionist Organization, on the theme of ‘Valor and Leadership,’ with the participation of Jonathan Pollard and the Head of Department.
March 11th - April 1st 2024
The annual in-service training seminar for Hebrew language teachers at World Zionist Organization Hebrew language ulpanim in France was led by Professor Fabio Redak, the program’s pedagogic consultant from the Rothberg International School, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The three-day program in Paris provided frontal instruction for 35 teachers.
Enrichment programs were held on the topics of Purim, Spring and Jewish festivals at Ysbrunch and Ysclub Ivrit clubs in France.
London’s first Aliyah Fair in five years was a successful event, with guest participation by the Minister for Aliyah and Integration, the Israel Ambassador to the UK, and the Deputy Director of Aliyah and Absorption Unit at the Jewish Agency for Israel. Those who attended the Fair also visited World Zionist Organization Hebrew language ulpanim.
February 19th - March 11th 2024
France
- A series of four “Lekh-Lekha” encounters were held in France with Freddo Pachter and Chaim Berkowitz in Saint-Brice, Creteil, Marseilles, and Fontenay-sous-Bois.
- The World Zionist Organization in France is also currently active in promoting Aliyah in medical milieux. An Aliyah Fair is being planned for the near future targeting the medical professions and work is under way to open an Ulpan for medical doctors.
- In France, a range of enrichment programs were recently held for Ulpan students on topics including: Poetics now, Israeli music, trailblazing singers, and other areas of contemporary artistic development.
Great Britain
- The World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel are preparing an in-person Aliyah Fair for this month, to take place in London.
- World Zionist Organization Aliyah Promotion Department Representatives in the UK visited schools that are involved in the Hasbara (Israel Diplomacy) program in conjunction with the Middle East Forum Education Fund.
February 5th - February 19th 2024
France
World Zionist Organization representatives in France participated in thelarge Aliyah Fair in Paris, attended by the Director General of the Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Approximately 1,000 members of the French Jewish community attended an online lecture on the subject of “The Property Market in Israel and the Housing Market in Particular.”
Great Britain
Emergency Conference, London
On January 31, 2024, an emergency symposium was held in London at the initiative of the World Zionist Organization. It convened following a first-of-a-kind research global study conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which examined the impact of the October 7 events on Israelis in the Diaspora, with a view to addressing the consequences of those events on Israeli communities and reaching decisions about operational directions for the future. Elad Simchayoff, the London-based European correspondent for Israel Channel 12 news, moderated the encounter with guest speaker Emy Palmor, Chair of the Natal Trauma and Resilience Center. The colloquium drew up a policy paper with operative recommendations and avenues of activity, which was presented at its closing session.
Spain
WAY Conference, Madrid, Spain
A Worldwide Assembly of Youth Movements (WAY) conference convened in Spain, with 100 elected youth movement representatives attending from 15 European countries. The conference was a World Zionist Organization initiative and brought together senior elected delegates from all the youth movements and Jewish communities across Europe for a weekend of education, training, discussion and cementing connections. The Madrid conference focused on the impact of the war in Israel, escalating Antisemitism across Europe and creating connections between the different youth movements. Israel’s Ambassador to Spain and the Director of the Department for Pioneering Youth and Future Generations spoke at the inaugural session.
Tu B’Shvat Activities in the Diaspora
The Israeli community in Madrid celebrated Tu B’Shvat at a community picnic together with the World Zionist Organization. The program incorporated traditional Israeli activities for the festival and a selection of dried fruits; it also included preparation of artificial flowers for a display on March 7 to raise awareness about the hostages and rally support for Israel. The event concluded with a “Tu B’Shvat round robin,” with groups visiting different stations and completing assignments related to the festival. In London, Tu B’Shvat was marked by tree-planting and a Beit Ha’am discussion, led by the local shaliach of the Zionist Executive.
January 1st - February 5th 2024
Activity Programs in France and Belgium
- Several Aliyah Promotion events have been held, in response to recent growing interest in Aliyah to Israel expressed by French Jews: An online session was held with Patricia Habbo, formerly Aliyah Promotion coordinator at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, who also founded the project for Aliyah project leaders in local government authorities. She addressed psychological preparation for transition to life in Israel with potential Aliyah candidates. This session was attended by 70 participants. An in-person event was arranged in Villeurbanne with Freddo Pachter, Netanya coordinator of Project “Lech-Lecha, which offers a framework for group Aliyah initiatives – both for families and individuals. The project (currently) targets Aliyah to three specific locations in Israel: Netanya, Tel Menashe and Alon Shvut. The meeting attracted an attendance of 100.
- Historian Dr. David Shapira delivered two frontal lectures on the theme of the current situation in Israel and the upsurge of Antisemitism worldwide: one in the Paris suburb of Fontenay-sous-Bois, with an attendance of 50, and the second at the Yavne school in Marseilles, where he spoke to 100 students in grades 11 and 12.
- This month, a formal opening ceremony was held at the Centre AJPI in Marseille for a special new Hebrew Ulpan, designated for members of the Jewish community planning their Aliyah to Israel as a group in the near future.
- The Ulpan emergency project continues, with students writing letters to soldiers in Hebrew, while students already living in Israel talk about their voluntary activities to support Israel’s farming industry. Documentary records are uploaded to social media on a regular basis.
Activity Programs in Great Britain
- Festive launch ceremonies were held to mark the opening of three new ulpan classes in the United Kingdom: an online Hebrew Ulpan for members of the national FZY movement; a beginners’ Ulpan in the Edgware neighborhood; and an Ulpan for 10th graders at a London Jewish high school for girls.
- Tu B’Shvat celebrations were held at Jewish Sunday schools in the London area.
- Hebrew as a Spoken Language Festival events were held in 40 schools around Britain.
December 21th - 27th 2023
Activities in France
● A big fair was held on aliyah in light of the increased interest in making aliyah by French citizens. Many organizations joined in including representatives of the World Zionist Organization and the Minister of Aliyah and Integration. More than two thousand people attended the fair.
● Additional aliyah fairs were held in Marseilles and Lyon.
● Mr. Ronen Gurvich, a history teacher who made aliyah to Israel from France, held an online lecture on the subject of Gaza and the never-ending conflict between Israel and Hamas.
December 6th 2023 - December 23th 2023
An online lecture was held for the Jewish community in France on the topic "rebuilding the economy after the war" with Jack Bendalek, economist, researcher and journalist.
A Zoom meeting was held with about 80 Jewish doctors from all over France on the subject of medicine in Israel with Prof. Hezi Levy, the manager of Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon.
Nov 29th 2023 - December 5th 2023
“Order 8” for Ulpan - A marketing project uploads daily content to social media for soldiers of letters in Hebrew from the World Zionist Organization’s ulpans students as well as pictures of student volunteers currently in Israel.
"Situational Picture" - A series of lectures were held in Hebrew for Ulpan students and the Jewish communities in France and Belgium with Ronen Gurvitz about understanding the war and its historical background.
A Zoom Lecture for Communities in France and Belgium was held with Dan Catarivas, one of the top Israeli economists, and President of the Federation of the Bi-national Chambers of Commerce in Israel, on the effect of the Swords of Iron war on the Israeli economy. About 120 people attended the lecture.
A Rally was held for the abductees in Paris.
France
- World Zionist Organization emissaries flew to France to conduct a series of interviews with media outlets and meet with the communities there to advocate and explain the situation in Israel. interviews on the Jewish radio station, meetings with communities and at the youth center in La Relev, lectures at a conference in Bordeaux, in synagogues and more. A connection was also made with small communities such as Libourne, La Rochelle and Arcachon.
- In depth explanation and advocacy activities for the Jewish communities including: a meeting with reserve general Olivia Rafovitz - the IDF spokesperson for French communications, Refael Yerushalmi, a reserve general, an author and retired security official and academic, Mattias Inbar, an army writer for Channel 24 and others.
- An advocacy event run by DiploAct, the Israeli advocacy organization, caused a parliament member, Judd Pouch, to decide to enroll in Hebrew ulpan to better learn the language as a sign of support.
- Jewish French youth received tools and training for social media usage for advocacy purposes.
- There was an emotional Zoom meeting with a survivor of the massacre at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, Ronit Goldberg, which was attended by hundreds of viewers from the Jewish community in France.
- As part of the "Making Aliyah" project (psychometric preparation course in French with intensive Hebrew lessons and an official psychometric test at the end), unique contents were added to train young people in pro-Israel advocacy and Zionist contents.
- A Zoom meeting was held with an Israeli security expert in which the phenomenon of anti-Semitism was discussed. Hundreds of viewers from the Jewish community in France participated.
- The studio teachers of the World Zionist Organization in France participated in a photo shoot by CNN at an event held in Paris.
- Representatives of the World Zionist Organization participated in a wide scale event against anti-Semitism organized in Paris.
- Informative events focusing on learning Hebrew, current affairs and Zionist values are held in the World Zionist Organization’s ulpans.
- A meeting was held for doctors under the title: "Becoming a doctor in Israel'' in collaboration with the Gvahim organization. Participants included Dr. Rina Fremont, recipient of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration’s award for her special contribution to medicine in Israel, Dr. Gilles Morley and Dr. Dan Taib, a graduate of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration’s medical ulpan who made aliyah to Israel 4 years ago. The speakers spoke about their aliyah to Israel and their work as doctors in Israel. About 80 doctors from all over France participated in the meeting.
- A lecture for French parents was held with Anat Elhaini - a parent coach, who discussed ways to restore emotional security after the events of October 7th.
- The staff of the Hebrew studios of the World Zionist Organization in France went out to demonstrate on the International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women that took place on November 25th.
United Kingdom
- Ashley Perry, a former advisor to many government offices, researcher, professor and publicist, is running two week long advocacy meetings for Israel in Britain.
- Events were held in three of the World Zionist Organization’s Hebrew studios in Britain (Brighton, Bushey and JW3) thirty days after the massacre in the south.
- The World Zionist Organization’s representative in Great Britain participated in the Israeli Community Forum in outreach activities which included: printing and distributing posters of abductees, assistance in working with the authorities and more.
- Jonathan Taylor, a teacher at the World Zionist Organization’s studios, came to Jewish schools with an Arab partner to advocate for Israel.
- Weekly information sessions were held with Ashley Perry, a former consultant to several government ministries, researcher, lecturer and publicist in the UK.
- The advocacy activities of the World Zionist Organization’s representative continues with the Israeli communities. Activities include printing and distributing posters of the abductees, advocacy, assisting with work and government agencies and more.
Germany
- A seminar was held for about 50 local youth who are active in the ZWST organization. In light of the events of October 7th, many were concerned with the situation in Israel and called for the return of the abductees now, while strengthening Jewish identity and Judaism as a culture. The representatives of the World Zionist Organization came to the meeting with the goal of providing the participants with tools and methodologies for leadership in general and leadership in the Jewish world.
Hungary
- The "Israeli Culture Center" is a center for the many Israelis who are currently staying in Budapest due to the tense situation in Israel and feel the need to be together. At the center, they can participate in activities for adults and children. The local World Zionist Organization’s representative assisted in the collection of books and games for the center and initiated an activity of lending books in Hebrew. The initiative was designed to respond to the demand that arose in the field and allows Israeli families to sit and play, read and borrow books, drink a cup of coffee and provide a meeting place for children and families.
