For many Jews considering moving to Israel, the decision to make aliyah is increasingly being viewed not only as a response to antisemitism or insecurity abroad, but as a deliberate choice to build a future in Israel and become part of the Jewish state.
Helping turn that decision into reality is the Jewish Agency for Israel, which operates a global network of aliyah services designed to guide prospective immigrants through the process before and after they arrive.
Yehuda Setton, director general of the Jewish Agency’s Aliyah division, says olim are thinking about the future
(Video: Yaron Sharon)
At the center of that effort is the Jewish Agency’s Global Aliyah Center, where prospective immigrants from around the world can receive information, guidance and support in six languages. The center also gives the agency a direct window into the concerns, hopes and expectations of Jews considering a move to Israel.
Yehuda Setton, director general of the Jewish Agency for Israel, said that while antisemitism and instability in several countries have contributed to increased interest in aliyah, many prospective immigrants are thinking beyond their immediate circumstances.
“When a Jew in France thinks about aliyah, they first think about the future, and not necessarily about the current situation,” Setton said.
The decision to move to Israel can be complicated, requiring prospective immigrants to consider employment, housing, education and integration into Israeli society. The Jewish Agency works to address those challenges by providing guidance before aliyah and practical support once new immigrants arrive.
Setton says that the agency’s latest research found that 60% of families in Europe have discussed aliyah. While the figure could be viewed as a reflection of worsening conditions for Jews in Europe, he said it should also be understood as an indication of a deeper connection to Israel and Jewish identity.
“People look at the future and want to be part of Israel,” he said. “They want to be part of Jewish life. They want to make sure that their kids grow up in a place where they feel welcome.”
From making aliyah to building a life
For the Jewish Agency, the mission does not end when an immigrant arrives in Israel.
The organization has increasingly focused on helping new immigrants establish roots, find employment and develop a sense of community — recognizing that successfully moving to Israel is only the first step toward building a new life.
(Photo: Screenshot)
One of its approaches is “group aliyah,” in which families make aliyah as part of a community rather than arriving individually. The goal is to provide newcomers with an immediate support network and a sense of belonging as they navigate the challenges of starting over.
“Once you come with a community, you feel much more comfortable,” Setton said. “You think that you belong to something.”
Employment is another major part of the agency’s work. Setton said the Jewish Agency has more than doubled its job-training programs for new immigrants, connecting them with training designed to help them find work and establish themselves professionally in Israel.
The agency also provides assistance to help new immigrants manage housing and other costs as they begin their lives in the country.
And the support is designed to extend well beyond the initial absorption period.
“It’s not the end,” Setton said, describing the agency’s commitment to new immigrants. “In the first three months, it’s continued for 10 years.”
Aliyah as a vote of confidence
Setton argues that the contribution of aliyah cannot be measured only in the number of people who arrive.
New immigrants bring professional expertise, skills and experience that can strengthen Israeli society, particularly at a time when the country is seeking to reinforce communities in the north and south following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
(Photo: Screenshot)
“We need the doctors, we need the educators, but we need anyone to come to Israel,” Setton said.
But he sees an equally important contribution in the message that aliyah sends to Israelis.
“When a new immigrant is coming to your community, it’s bringing the confidence in the future of Israel,” Setton says. “It’s basically saying to you, I believe in the country, I believe in the future, I believe in you.”
For the Jewish Agency, encouraging aliyah therefore means more than facilitating immigration. It is also an effort to strengthen communities, connect new immigrants to Israeli society and help them become active participants in the country’s future.
That mission has taken on added significance since October 7, as Israel continues to deal with the consequences of the attack and the ongoing challenges of rebuilding affected communities.
'We need you'
For Jews contacting the Global aliyah Center, Setton said the Jewish Agency wants to make clear that they are not simply being offered a destination, but an opportunity to become part of Israeli society.
Setton offers a direct message to Jews considering the move.
“I want them to know that first, we love them,” he said. “Second, we need them.”
Setton said Jews considering aliyah can play a role in rebuilding Israel after October 7 and contribute their skills, families and communities to the country’s future.
“You have the opportunity to take part in rebuilding the State of Israel after October 7,” he said. “Guys, we need you. We love you. Come to Israel.”
For prospective immigrants, aliyah may begin with a single decision. But the Jewish Agency’s work is aimed at ensuring that the decision can become a sustainable new life — from the first conversation at its Global Aliyah Center, through employment and housing assistance, to community building and long-term integration.
In that sense, the agency sees its role as extending beyond helping Jews move to Israel. It is helping them find a place in the country once they get there.
First published: 15:07, 09.08.26