Jewish Agency

Lilian Gandelman: How the ‘girl from Ipanema’ became the woman from Tel Aviv

The lawyer from Brazil, who also navigates life in Israel as an amputee, is on a personal mission to educate and change attitudes – one Israeli at a time.

Lilian Gandelman
(L TO R) The Jewish Agency for Israel’s CEO & Director-General Yehuda Setton; President Isaac Herzog; and Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog

Against the odds, a new generation of Jews is choosing hope

A man waves an Israeli flag as family and supporters gather on the day former Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot returns home after leaving the hospital, following his release from captivity in Gaza, in Mevaseret Zion, Israel, October 19, 2025

Assisting Jews worldwide this Independence Day

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the United Jewish Communities /Jewish Federations of North America 2009 General Assembly in Washington November 9, 2009.

Jewish Federations raise $30 million in emergency aid for Israel during Operation Roaring Lion


Grapevine December 15, 2024: Changing of the guard

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

SHRAGA BIRAN presents his book to President Isaac Herzog.

Nefesh B’Nefesh to present outstanding Anglo Olim with Annual Bonei Zion Prize

LIVE: Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize to be awarded to English-speaking Olim who have significantly contributed to the State of Israel.


Special committee created to commemorate Diaspora Jewish victims of antisemitic attacks

Based on figures from the Jewish Agency and the WZO, 155 non-Israeli Jews have been murdered abroad between 1958 and 2024.

 Police at a hostages rally in Central Park, March 24, 2024.

The last Afghan Jew lands in Israel in surprise family visit

Simantov, 65, speaks very little Hebrew, though he is fluent in Persian, and is expected to need considerable assistance to adjust to life in Israel.

 Zablon Simantov, 2005.

Grapevine October 25, 2024: With a little help from our friends

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 THE OR LAMISHPACHOT choir sings at an ICEJ gathering last Sunday at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem.

For the first time: The European Bible Quiz, with hundreds of teens participating


Jewish population increases by 100,000 this year, to 15.8 million worldwide

Nearly half of the global Jewish population, 7.3 million, live in Israel while 8.3 million live in the Diaspora. 

Olim from North America arrive on a special " Aliyah flight" to the Ben Gurion airport

Running in the rain: Israeli teens join US summer camp

About 110 Israeli teens, together with 10 specially trained staff, went to the Pocono mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania as part of Macheneh Yahad, a Jewish Agency partnership program.

 Take us out to the ball game! Some 110 Israeli teens enjoy a respite from the war at an American Jewish summer camp.

2,000 North Americans make aliyah over the summer

Nefesh B’Nefesh celebrates busy aliyah season with influx of olim since October 7 and continues to see significant increase in aliyah applications.

"The entire nation of Israel shares in this excitement."

Jewish Agency and ELI partner to protect new immigrant teens

ELI and the Jewish Agency team up to educate immigrant teens on abuse prevention through theater and discussions at absorption center

Over 400 teenagers in grades 7–11 will watch ELI's theatrical production