As antisemitism surges across France and interest in aliyah rises, the Jerusalem Municipality has launched “Zion in the Living Room,” an initiative designed to connect French Jews directly with the city many hope to call home.
The project, run in partnership with the immigrant support organization "Qualita", replaces large conferences with intimate gatherings hosted in private homes. Eight emissaries from Jerusalem recently visited eight locations across France, meeting with 16 families who are considering aliyah.
In these living room conversations, participants heard first-hand about life in Jerusalem—housing options, employment, cultural life, youth communities and the experiences of veteran immigrants who have already built their lives in the capital.
The program is part of a wider push by Jerusalem to make aliyah more accessible to French Jews, many of whom are weighing the move amid a sharp rise in antisemitism, hate crimes and violence since October 7. The war in Gaza, organizers say, has reinforced the sense among many French Jews that Israel is their safest home and their natural place of belonging.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said the goal was to bridge the distance between France and Israel’s capital in a tangible way. “Jerusalem is the natural home for every Jew,” Lion declared.
“‘Zion in the Living Room,’ led by the city in cooperation with Qualita, brings Jerusalem straight to the heart of Jewish families in France. In warm, personal conversations, we show that the city awaits them with open arms—welcoming communities, career opportunities and a meaningful life in Israel’s capital.”
Qualita, founded in 2015 by French-Jewish philanthropist Marc Eisenberg, serves as the umbrella organization for French olim in Israel. CEO Ariel Kandel emphasized the historic opportunity facing Israel today.
“The Jewish community in France, the second largest in the world, numbers around half a million. Many dream of making aliyah. With this project, we hope more French-speaking Jews will come as soon as possible. Israel cannot afford to miss this unprecedented opportunity for the successful absorption of tens of thousands of new immigrants from France,” he said.
Organizers stress that the strength of the initiative lies in its authenticity. Rather than glossy brochures, French families are meeting real Jerusalemites who share their own stories of aliyah and integration.
Volunteers undergo training to provide practical information and heartfelt guidance. “Zion in the Living Room” reflects the belief that Jerusalem is not just a city, but a home—and that choosing it requires a personal connection.