Hundreds of Jewish community leaders from across the globe will gather in Jerusalem next week for a meeting of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors, focusing on reconstruction and rehabilitation plans for northern and southern Israel in the wake of the country’s multi-front war over the past two years.
The meeting, to be held on Nov. 2-4, will also discuss programs to encourage Jews to immigrate to Israel and to combat growing antisemitism worldwide, the Jewish Agency said in a statement on Thursday.
J.A. Executive Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Board of Governors Chairman Mark Wilf and J.A. CEO and Director General Yehuda Setton will lead the discussions.
“After more than two years of war, we now face a tremendous challenge—to restore, rebuild, and heal Israeli society,” said Almog.
“This is a moment when the entire Jewish people, in Israel and worldwide, are being tested on their unity and commitment. The gathering of our partners at the Board of Governors meeting of The Jewish Agency for Israel is an expression of mutual responsibility and deep dedication to this long journey of repair and reconstruction,” he added, according to the statement.
Board of Governors members are expected to meet the family members of former hostages Eitan and Iair Horn, released from Gaza in February and October respectively. The Jewish leaders will also meet bereaved families, including that of Capt. Daniel Peretz, whose body was recently recovered from Gaza, and Capt. (res.) Shaul Greenglick, who was killed in the war.
In light of the growing antisemitism after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, the Agency will moreover present data on efforts to fortify Jewish institutions abroad through its Community Security Fund, and to strengthen community resilience and emergency response through the JReady initiative, the nonprofit organization said.
According to the Jewish Agency website, the JReady initiative was launched in 2020 as a worldwide Jewish Emergency Network to help communities dealing with new challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, proving itself as an efficient model in times of crisis.
“The Jewish leaders from around the world [will gather in Jerusalem] to take responsibility, act together, invest, build, and strengthen both Israel and the Jewish people. The Jewish Agency will continue to lead efforts to rehabilitate the North and South, reinforce affected communities and towns, encourage Aliyah, and integrate new Olim as part of the renewed growth of these regions,” said Agency Director General Setton.
