On Friday, May 2nd, just after Israel's Independence Day, a time filled with the symbolic spirit of renewal and national unity, an emotional delegation of ten Jewish couples from the New York-based Persian-Mashhadi community from Great Neck, Long Island, landed in Israel. They were joined by another group of fifteen young Jewish couples from France, aged 21 to 41.
The journey was a joint collaboration between the nonprofit "Israela," headed by Golan Wach, and Mosaic United, through an initiative by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. The goal: to promote a deep and meaningful connection between Jews from the diaspora and Israel, especially during a sensitive time of national and global insecurity and uncertainty.
Throughout the year, the program brings Jewish groups from around the world to Israel to connect, volunteer, and become acquainted with the atmosphere in the country. Participants volunteer with various local organizations across Israel, in order to experience a bit of Israeli life. At the same time, they share with different Israeli communities their feelings and what it is like to live as Jews in other places in the world, through dialogue circles, workshops, and lectures.
The current delegation that arrived this week visited Jerusalem, where they spent their first Shabbat engaging in deep conversations with members of the "Eretz Hemdah" synagogue in the Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem. During Shabbat, they held discussion circles about the differences and connections between life in Israel and in the Diaspora, and toured sites around Jerusalem.

Throughout the week, members of the delegation visited cities and communities across the country. On Sunday, they volunteered in Efrat, participating in volunteer activities at the "Orot Zion Boys" and "Orot Zion Girls" schools, and contributing to the establishment of a community garden at the "Oseh Chayil" school. Afterwards, they continued to Hebron for a tour of the Cave of the Patriarchs and a meeting with local families.
Later, they participated in food packaging activities for the needy with the "Chasdei Naomi" charity organization, as well as toured and volunteered in Tel Aviv. On the last day, they headed to the north of the country, where they volunteered in agricultural harvesting in Kfar Tavor.
Beyond hands-on volunteering, the program also includes educational interactions with local schools and communities, and delegation members give lectures and enrichment activities. The goal is to create honest dialogue, share knowledge, and gain a deep understanding of Israeli community life through shared values.

Avi Cohen-Scali, Director General of the Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, stated: "The connection with Jews in the diaspora is a strategic cornerstone for the future of the Jewish people. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, together with its partners, works to strengthen Jewish identity and the connection to Israel through programs that connect young people from the Diaspora to Israeli society, through experiences, discussions on Zionism and values, and hands-on volunteering. Especially at a time when Jewish identity is being challenged and antisemitism is on the rise, these encounters create a deep sense of partnership, mutual national responsibility, and the understanding that we are all one people."
Golan Vach, Executive Director of "Israela" and a retired IDF colonel, explained: "Israela is an organization that encourages aliyah, and beyond that - connection with Israeli communities. And to connect, nothing compares to coming to Israel, meeting communities, sharing the challenges and characteristics of Diaspora communities, volunteering, and giving. Volunteering is our way of feeling that we are also giving, at least a little, to the communities in Israel."
This current visit is part of a large-scale program led by Mosaic United - a partnership between the State of Israel and Jewish communities around the world. Based on surveys and feedback, such encounters create a real change in the perception of Jewish identity and the connection to Israel among the young generation in the Diaspora.