Aliyah Committee: 45 percent of the world's Jews live in Israel, a similar number in the United States • Committee Chairman David Bitan: "Corona plague has spawned a new wave of anti-Semitism"
A new immigrant plane that landed in Israel
Photo:
Coco - Archive
There are currently 14,410,700 Jews living in the world, 45 percent of them - in Israel, the Aliyah, Absorption and Diaspora Committee revealed today (Monday) in the annual review of the activities of the Ministry of Diaspora.
According to the data, there are 6,740,000 Jews in Israel, 6,088,000 in North America, 1,072,400 in Europe, 324,000 in South America, 300,000 in Asia, 120,000 in Australia and New Zealand, and 74,000 in Africa.
The committee's chairman, David Bitan, emphasized the plight of the small communities, which are unable to sustain themselves, and updated that he is promoting the establishment of a fund for their holding. To this end, the committee's chairman accepted Finance Minister Israel Katz's promise to allocate NIS 20 million. Jewish budget a similar amount.
"If we do not strengthen the communities in the Diaspora - there will be no one to bring to Israel," Bitan said. "The Corona plague has spawned a new and unique wave of anti-Semitism around the world, and Israel must condemn the phenomenon of anti-Semitism around the world in all its forms.
Bitan noted in the committee that the Jewish communities in Europe, have in recent years faced severe cases of antisemitism of physical assault, and millions of Europeans continue to hold a wide range of antisemitic stereotypes. According to the Cantor Center's Anti-Semitism Report, in 2019 there were 456 serious violent incidents compared to 387 in 2018.
• "Anti-Semitism in Europe Unstoppable"
• Report states: A new wave of anti-Semitism has erupted in the wake of the Corona
• Annual Anti-Semitism Report: 18% Increase in Serious Incidents Around the World
"The Ministry of Diaspora has adjusted its plans, diverted budgets and built new plans to help and support the continued existence of Jewish communities during this difficult period," said Diaspora Minister Omar Yankelevich. "This is a historic test point for the relationship between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry, which can put us on a new path. Today, more than ever, Israel must express its commitment to Jews in Israel and the Diaspora, and function as the government of the Jewish people."
During the discussion, several projects were presented, including workshops to strengthen the community resilience of Jewish communities, led by the "Mahat-Israel" Center, a "day after" forum of the largest organizations in the world led by the Ministry of Diaspora and the Jewish Agency. The existence of summer camps for Jewish youth in the Diaspora, including virtual meetings between camps in Israel and abroad. A program for the training of distance learning teachers was also presented, which will assist in the conversion of the world's formal Jewish education system to an online format.
The committee meeting was also attended by Prof. Eugene Kendall and Maxine Fesberg, who chaired the public committee that, in the spirit of its conclusions, made the decision on the strategic outline for securing the Jewish people in the Diaspora.
According to Kendall, the established team will present the government with a plan that will require long-term budgeting: "We must be partners in raising resources and effort, and invest in formal and informal Jewish education, Jewish values, innovation and technology. So far the Israeli government has no priorities "Israel must announce a strategic move that focuses on helping Jewish communities, all of which are connected to the same network of endangered Jewish communities." Fesberg noted that "it is important to listen to the needs of the communities and together create a partnership."
Yankelevich added: "Today, large sections of our people are moving away from their Jewish and Israeli identities. We must wake up before it is too late. Beyond that, it is important to understand that this is a multiplication of power and a strategic asset for Israel On the other hand, Bitan noted that the plan was approved by the government without a budget and emphasized that he does not believe "that the State of Israel will invest half a billion NIS in the matter. We need to think of a creative way to raise money, such as allocating some of the assistance." The American. "
In addition to all this, at the committee meeting, the director general of the ministry, Dvir Kahana, said that 80 percent of the Jews living in the Diaspora do not feel a connection to Judaism and Jews.
"In order to finance Jewish education abroad, you have to sell a kidney," said MK Tehla Friedman. "It is very important to hear the Jewish voice and consult with them so that they will feel a part. I will work in the Knesset to strengthen the connection with Diaspora Jewry."
MK Ophir Sofer noted that "some Israelis complain about the need for support for Diaspora Jewry. It is important to have a binding public discourse on the issue. "