The “Bridge to the Diaspora” delegation of the “Gesher” organization, in collaboration with the Ministry of Diaspora and the Directorate of Ami, went on a trip to the United States. During the trip, the members of the delegation met with members of Congress, senior leaders, educators and students, all with the aim of building and strengthening understanding and connection Between Israel and Diaspora Judaism.
Prominent figures from the various sectors and currents of Israeli society took part in the delegation, and among the participants can be found the CEO of the Hebrew University, Yishai Frankel; Chief Education Officer in the IDF, Lt. Col. Samuel Bomandil; CEO of Hilma Michal Ophir; actress Nelly Tager; Director of Public Policy and Real Relations at Google, Noa Elephant and more.
During the trip, the members of the delegation met with prominent members of Congress, including Richie Torres, an ardent supporter of the State of Israel, who emphasized his commitment: “My fight for the recognition of the crimes of Hamas is not only for the Jewish people, but for all of humanity.” The delegation even met Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and White House Jewish Relations Officer Shelley Greenspan, who took the delegation on a special tour of the White House, and they also expressed their support for Israel and emphasized the importance of the connection between the Jewish community and America.
The delegation visited Columbia University, which has become a symbol of conflict and anti-Semitism on campuses, where it met with Jewish students who shared the feelings of alienation and rejection they experience as a result of their Zionist views.
“Shira Zik, director of the Gesher Institute for Leadership and the leader of the delegation: “It was important for us to go out precisely at this time when the State of Israel is still at war and to continue to strengthen the strategic and important connection with American Jewry, which mobilized on our behalf after the October Seventh. The relationship with them must be mutual and we also need to show care and interest towards them. It is a great privilege to lead a delegation of senior Israeli officials and connect them to this important issue”