“We Act to Impact” – the slogan emblazoned on the entrance to The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors meeting, held in Jerusalem, November 2-4 – told the story of the three-day gathering that brought community leaders from across the globe.
The meeting – the first international gathering of its kind since the ceasefire – focused on The Jewish Agency’s plans to impact reconstruction and rehabilitation in northern and southern Israel, strengthen social resilience, and empower Israel and world Jewry to meet today’s challenges.
One of the significant announcements at the conference was the launch of a new NIS 60 million grant program by the Jewish Agency and the Class Action Foundation to support businesses owned by the spouses of Israel Defense Forces reservists. Spouses of IDF reservists who own businesses that suffered significant economic harm during the war will be eligible for one-time grants ranging from NIS 5,000 to NIS 20,000, based on business size and eligibility criteria. The fund is being launched to demonstrate global solidarity with Israel’s reservists and their families, and to express appreciation for their tremendous contributions to Israel’s security during the Swords of Iron War.
Jewish Agency Board of Governors members discussed programs to encourage aliyah in light of the ceasefire and how to combat growing antisemitism worldwide. The conference was led by Jewish Agency officials, including Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Chairman of the Executive; Mark Wilf, Chairman of the Board of Governors; and Yehuda Setton, CEO and Director General.
During the gathering, community representatives met with the family members of former hostages Eitan and Iair Horn, who were released from captivity and reunited with their families in Israel. Dalia Kushnir, sister-in-law of Eitan and Iair, and the director of the Jewish Agency’s Educational Experiences Department, said, “There were days that I felt that the world had gone dark. Even then, we refused to let go. The entire leadership of The Jewish Agency took the word hope and transformed it into reality.”
Chairman of the Executive Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog and Chairman of the Board of Governors Mark Wilf also visited former hostage Capt. (res.) Maxim Herkin, following his release from Hamas captivity after 738 days. Herkin was abducted from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023. Born in the former Soviet Union and raised in Ukraine, Herkin made aliyah through The Jewish Agency before serving in the Israel Defense Forces.
“With our people, how could you not be strong?” Herkin said. “Each day, I realize more deeply the magnitude of the support. At first, I thought I understood how great it was — but now I see I can’t even grasp it. It just keeps growing.”
Jewish Agency officials also met bereaved families, including that of Captain Daniel Peretz, whose body was recovered from Hamas tunnels, and Captain (res.) Shaul Greenglick, who was killed in the war. These meetings were part of ongoing efforts to maintain and raise awareness of the need to bring back the bodies of hostages who have not yet been returned to Israel.
Global Jewish leaders toured the northern border region, met with leaders of rehabilitation programs, and learned about The Jewish Agency’s initiatives to strengthen war-affected areas of the country in partnership with the World Zionist Organization, Jewish Federations of North America, and Keren Hayesod. They reviewed programs providing support to families of terror victims, initiatives to expand and develop Israeli communities impacted by war, plans to encourage aliyah and integrate olim into affected regions, assistance for businesses harmed during the war, and partnerships between southern and northern Israeli communities and Jewish communities abroad, as well as Jewish Agency programs such as Youth Futures, which mentors at-risk young people, and Wings, which supports lone soldiers. Youth Futures CEO Ruthi Shenfeld said that the program is active in 60 areas throughout Israel and added, “Since October 7, we have increased our activity and entered new locales.”
Pnina Agenyahu, Director of the Partnership2Gether Global Network Unit of The Jewish Agency, said, “One of the most meaningful moments for me was after October 7, when we went down to the Gaza Envelope and we met evacuated families. We asked ourselves what our added value was as a Jewish community and as the Jewish people. We strengthened the connection with other Jewish communities around the globe, and we created and established a new partnership connecting 27 Jewish communities that had been injured and impacted by the war with 27 Jewish communities globally.”
With antisemitic incidents surging worldwide since the October 7 attacks, the gathering also included discussions on strengthening the resilience and security of global Jewish communities. The Jewish Agency presented data on efforts to fortify Jewish institutions abroad through its Community Security Fund, and to strengthen community resilience and emergency response through the JReady initiative. Finally, the visiting leaders were briefed on the record-setting increase in the number of shlichim (Israeli emissaries) serving Jewish communities around the world, as well as plans to deploy shlichim in additional countries.
“After more than two years of war, we now face a tremendous challenge—to restore, rebuild, and heal Israeli society,” said Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive. “This is a moment when the entire Jewish people, in Israel and worldwide, are being tested on their unity and commitment. The gathering of our partners at the Board of Governors meeting of The Jewish Agency for Israel is an expression of mutual responsibility and deep dedication to this long journey of repair and reconstruction.” Almog noted that 55,000 people have made aliyah since October 7 and said that strengthening the State of Israel supports the entire Jewish community worldwide.
Mark Wilf, Chairman of The Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors, said, “At this defining moment for the Jewish people, our unity is our greatest strength. The bonds between Israel and world Jewry have never been more vital. Together, we stand as one global family—committed to rebuilding, supporting, and renewing the spirit of our people and our homeland. The partnership reflected in this gathering for the Board of Governors meeting serves as a powerful reminder that wherever Jews live, we share a common destiny and a collective responsibility to shape a brighter future for Israel and the entire Jewish world.”
“Hope is a priceless resource, and our mission in the coming years is to transform it from an emotional message into a strategic plan,” said Jewish Agency CEO and Director General Yehuda Setton. “The Jewish leaders from around the world who gathered here are doing so not merely to express solidarity—but to take responsibility, act together, invest, build, and strengthen both Israel and the Jewish people. The Jewish Agency will continue to lead efforts to rehabilitate the North and South, reinforce affected communities and towns, encourage aliyah, and integrate new Olim as part of the renewed growth of these regions. We will also continue our work to empower the younger generation in Israel and in Jewish communities, and to bolster the resilience of Jewish communities worldwide. This gathering is proof that the Jewish people know how to unite around a single purpose—rebuilding a shared, secure, and prosperous future. After more than two years of war, our commitment is clear: we will leave no one behind.”
This article was written in collaboration with The Jewish Agency.