Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7th was part of a larger, more ambitious plan to not only harm and kill people, but to rid Israel of all Jewish presence. This is why victory will not come from simply destroying Hamas, we as Jews are not going anywhere, and we plan for more Jews to immigrate to Israel (“make aliyah”). It is gained by making it clear to Israel’s enemies that they will help improve the country. both society and economy.
October 7th was undoubtedly one of the most difficult days in Israel’s history. But it also reminded us of the wonderful people around us. IDF reservists arrived at bases hours before they were officially called up, with some units reporting 130% of their personnel had arrived. Families opened their homes and hearts to people they had never met or spoken to. The days following the Hamas attack were a rollercoaster of national emotion, a constant mix of despair, love, and hope.
But Israelis weren’t the only ones at bat. All over the world, Jews found ways to help Israelis they had never met. Duffel bags containing clothing and military equipment were purchased and flown to Israel. Roughly 300,000 people rallied in Washington, D.C., for what is said to be the largest Jewish demonstration in American history, with children chanting “Am Yisrael Chai” to Israeli soldiers in English, French, and Spanish to stand against evil. ”’ he wrote a message. The people of Israel are alive.”
This support has been amazing and cannot be taken for granted.
But in the bigger picture, this support is tactical. If Jews want to participate in strategic battles, they need to come to Israel. This war with Hamas is not just on the battlefield. It is a long-lasting battle of ideas and ideals. The outcome our enemies want is not for our soldiers to surrender. They want us to (either kill us or) move from Israel to other countries. “From the river to the sea…” They want there to be no Jews in “Palestine.” Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza take part in a demonstration near Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, New York City, USA on March 28, 2024 (Credit: ANDREW KELLY / REUTERS)
When we see what the enemy wants, we see that we must do the opposite. If Hamas and others’ desire is to kill us, we must live. If they want to destroy our homes and kibbutzim, we must rebuild them. If Jews do not want to live in our ancestral homelands, we must encourage them to come and live here. It’s simple, but sometimes it’s necessary to state the obvious. Winning the war means rebuilding Israel and living here.
make aliyah
And this is why Jews around the world can play a vital role in the war effort. We want to see more Jews living in Israel or taking practical steps toward that goal. Visit Israel. More students are choosing to study abroad in Israel. More young professionals will be interning in Israel, and more Jews will eventually make aliyah and make Israel their home.
This is why we are a social enterprise that aims to encourage aliyah and enhance the experience by customizing the journey and supporting those who decide to take part in building a Jewish nation-state. That’s why I founded Belong. Jews should see Israel not as a refuge they seek when fleeing hardship, but as a magnet to which they draw. At the same time, Israelis need to start viewing those who choose to immigrate to Israel as cultural and economic assets that should be welcomed and invested in. This is our job. To make Jews know and feel that they belong to Israel.
For too long, aliyah and Israel-Diaspora relations have been viewed as a purely ideological realm of nonprofits and do-gooders. But just like in other areas of life, it’s time to change this paradigm.
The difficulties of those seeking aliyah should be solved with business tools and experience. It’s aimed not only at those who are interested, but also at those who believe their work needs a positive return on investment (ROI). My beliefs about Israel and the Jewish people are not new. But my decision to create a social enterprise in this field is this.
October 7 marks the beginning of a seismic shift in Israeli society, and all Jews should be part of these changes. After all, Israel is not just my home. It is our home and we must all be part of it to win the war.
The author is the founder and chairman of Belong, a new social enterprise in Israel that aims to encourage immigration to Israel and improve the migration experience.
