Editorial: The role of Israelis abroad

Among the sought-after kiruv speakers, Rabbi Amnon Yitzhak held a public ceremony in Jerusalem this week, where his followers tossed their television sets into dumpsters. It is clear that Rabbi Yitzhak’s act was unrelated to any specific program, but one recent set of televised ads by the Israeli Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, is stirring strong opposition across a wide spectrum of American Jewry. In the ads, Israeli ex-pats are urged to return home, promoting fears that they would lose their Jewish identity in the diaspora.
When Israel is not preoccupied over its demographics, it is just as equally concerned about hasbara, the ability to convincingly state its case before the nations of the world. In this role, the so-called yordim play a major role. Looking at the outright hostility of some nations, opposition to Israel is often greater among the populace than their respective governments. While leaders of these nations have toured Israel, and recognize its strategic value, this view often fails to resonate on the street. This is where the Israelis come in.
The presence of Israeli expatriate entrepreneurs in some of the world’s most isolated places, where they are often the only Jews, serves three purposes. Like their diaspora cousins, they contribute much-needed funds back to Israel. Secondly, for American Jewish tourists and Israeli backpackers, hearing Hebrew in unlikely places helps reconnect them to Israel. Finally, for Israel it means that each individual can serve as an ambassador, promoting Israel’s case before the citizens of the world.
How does a Chabad shaliach couple keep its identity in Iowa or India? With motivation and education. For many secular ex-pats, affiliated Jewish communities here in the U.S. have done more to mekarev them to yiddishkeit than their own government. Instead of shifting the blame, Israel should do more to promote the Jewish identity of its own citizens. Perhaps then the stigma of yerida and fear of assimilation would dissipate.