Jewish Agency marks its 90th birthday

Organisation which supports Jewish immigration to Israel thanked staff over the years, for being 'the glue' which holds people together

Senior leaders at the Jewish Agency have thanked generations of staff for being “the glue” of the Jewish people in a letter marking the organisation’s 90th anniversary.

Board chair Michael Siegal, executive chair Isaac Herzog and director-general Amira Ahronoviz said the Jewish Agency was now focused on “identifying needs in Israel and world Jewry that must be addressed”.

The organisation facilitates aliyah for around 30,000 Jews annually but tensions between the Diaspora and Israel have steadily risen in recent years. New Israeli laws, such as the Nation State Bill, have exacerbated this.

Last month Herzog announced that 20 Agency emissaries returning from their overseas postings would be trained to serve as “ambassadors for the Diaspora” in Israel, to be “an army of social change that will connect Israel to American Jews”.

This week’s three-page 90th anniversary letter, which listed the Jewish Agency’s achievements, said the organisation was “progressing with strategic changes”.