The results of the extreme policy could be seen on the facade of the Bikur Cholim synagogue over the weekend. "I am sure that the government in Chile will fight antisemitism in the country," wrote Israel's new ambassador in Santiago, Peleg Lewi, in a tweet that contains quite a bit of cynicism on social network X, because it is clear that the Boric government not only has no intention of curbing antisemitism in the country, but is careful to fan it.

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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.

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Pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to disrupt a Passover celebration held in an unusual location when Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz hosted a seder on the New York City subway Tuesday.

Damn they really did a Passover Seder on the subway? Watch what happens lol. #Passover #subway everyone is invited ! #koshadillz pic.twitter.com/kc2xDzwzic

— Kosha Dillz (BRING THE FAMILY HOME!) (@koshadillz) April 12, 2025

 Kosha Dillz, a successful Jewish and Israeli-American hip-hop artist with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, continued his annual tradition of holding Passover celebrations in non-traditional settings by setting up a Seder table on the New York subway.

The rapper uploaded videos of the celebration to his social media accounts, which were joined by clips from many passengers who enjoyed participating in the event. The festive gathering also received coverage from American media outlets and local television channels.

Dressed as Moses, Dillz poured wine for subway riders, distributed matzah, sang traditional songs, and energized the diverse group of passengers. Among them, unsurprisingly, were pro-Palestinian protesters who visibly objected to the celebration. One video captures a woman shouting "Free Palestine" while displaying her middle finger toward him. The viral videos show both the celebration and the attempted disruption.

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The violent attack last Saturday, in which the chief rabbi of Orléans, France, Rabbi Aryeh Engelberg, was assaulted in the middle of the street, has shocked the Jewish community in the city, which numbers about 200 Jewish families.

As previously reported, a difficult-to-watch video shows a 16-year-old Muslim youth brutally beating Rabbi Engelberg in front of his 9-year-old son with kicks, punches, and even biting the rabbi's shoulder. A complaint was filed and the attacker was arrested, but the incident has raised a red flag for the city's Jews, who have experienced very quiet years in terms of antisemitic incidents of this magnitude.

WATCH: Rabbi Aryeh Engelberg, 45, the chief rabbi of Orléans (France) being violently attacked in front of his son while walking home from synagogue on Saturday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/WwItizbH2q

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) March 23, 2025

 "According to the community president, they always had good relations with different segments of the population in the city, including Muslims," Rabbi Elie Kling, an expert on French Jewry who was born in the country and whose father was one of the chief rabbis in Lyon and Nice, told Israel Hayom. "There has never been such a case of violence, so they are somewhat in shock about it. He claims that like everywhere in Europe, there are instances of antisemitism, but it's no longer considered an issue."

What will be the implications for the atmosphere in the community going forward?

"It's too early to draw conclusions. They filed a complaint, and fortunately, there were cameras there, and they identified the young attacker very quickly."

Will people be afraid to walk in the street?

"They will be more cautious, yes, but they don't want to consider that everything will completely change there. They place their hope in the fact that this was an isolated incident in a quiet community."

"I reminded him about the 'Orléans rumors,'" Rabbi Kling recalled, "it was a scandal that erupted in 1969, according to which young girls and women who entered six clothing stores in the city (all Jewish-owned) disappeared. The city's residents believed that in the fitting rooms there was some sort of hidden shaft through which Jews transferred the women to traffic them and sell them to brothels. The rumors somehow subsided, and the media showed there was nothing to them, but many people believed it. I reminded him of this and said, 'Don't say there was never anything in Orléans.'"

How is the rabbi doing?

"He was bitten on the shoulder, and his hand is very swollen. He received minor medical treatment."

The migrant and Muslim population in France and Europe is only growing.

"Right, these are not incidents that will calm down, but only worsen. What has happened since October 7, in France at least, is that there is a significant recognition that there is no chance this will calm down. Jews throughout France are beginning to think, 'Is there a future for life here?'"

Meaning more and more Jews are considering leaving France?

"I can testify about what's happening with me. For 30 years, I've been managing a program for girls from France who come to Israel for Hebrew studies (ulpan), Judaism, Israeli heritage, knowledge of the land, and Bible study plus psychometric exams, and we've never had so many registrants. Currently, I'm already full for the next session. Regarding the older generation, I can't say, but regarding the youth – there is a great awakening of immigration to Israel."

"These fluctuations, and it's important for Israelis to understand this – are not just due to escaping antisemitism there, but also and mainly because of what's happening here. Since the beginning of the war, 'they don't want to miss out' on what's happening here. Jewish history is being written again now, and they want to feel solidarity with what's happening in Israel. But yes, antisemitism is also one of the factors."

Rabbi Elie Kling is the head of the "Hemdat Future Program" for young women immigrants from France at Hemdat Academic College for Education in Sdot Negev.

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