Jewish Agency board meeting highlights post-October 7 mobilization of world Jewry

Hundreds of Jewish community leaders convened in Jerusalem last month for the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors meeting. They focused on the unprecedented mobilization of world Jewry to strengthen Israel since the October 7 attacks. Community representatives discussed strategic initiatives to strengthen Israel and rebuild its northern and southern regions.

The meeting included a farewell for Mark Wilf of Livingston, the outgoing Jewish Agency Board of Governors chair, and welcomed incoming chair J. David Heller. Israeli President Isaac Herzog was among the guests.

So were “Fauda” creators Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff; they received an award recognizing their contribution to bringing Israel’s story to audiences worldwide, and for strengthening world Jewry’s connection to Israel and sense of belonging and pride. That was particularly true of the series’ fifth season, set against the backdrop of the October 7 terrorist attack,

During his tenure, Mr. Wilf helped guide the Jewish Agency while the organization stood at the center of the global Jewish response to the unprecedented October 7 crisis. Mr. Heller was the national campaign chair of the Jewish Federations of North America and immediate past chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

“I know that David Heller will, as Michael Siegal and so many others did before me as chairman, embrace the privilege to represent this board, our partnerships, and a mission that brings together hundreds of thousands of Jews who contribute and care about the Jewish people,” Mr. Wilf said.

Over the last three years, the Jewish Agency, together with world Jewry and its partners in Israel and around the world, has assisted hundreds of thousands of Israelis affected by the war, supported families and communities that have suffered, and helped rehabilitate communities in the north and south.

The Jewish Agency’s CEO and director general, Yehuda Setton, said, “Jews worldwide have shown Israelis that they are not alone. Thanks to their extraordinary mobilization since October 7, the Jewish Agency has been able to assist hundreds of thousands of Israelis affected by the war and advance initiatives that will help drive renewed growth in Israel’s north and south.

“Alongside the significant challenges we continue to face during this period, the mutual responsibility between Israel and world Jewry is a source of resilience and hope, and a central pillar of our shared future.”