Department of Irgoon and Israelis Abroad - WZO

Israel 78 — "Strokes of Hope" Exhibition Around the World**

As Israel celebrates its 78th Independence Day, Israeli communities, Jewish communities, and Zionist federations across the globe joined the celebration by hosting the special exhibition of our Department — **"Strokes of Hope"** by artist Zeev Engelmayer.

From Toronto to São Paulo, from Mexico City to Barcelona — hundreds of people stood before these works of art and found in them a bridge between their hearts and their homeland.

A heartfelt thank you to our partner communities: the communities in Toronto, the Zionist Council in Mexico, the Zionist Federation in Paraguay, the community in Cleveland, Comunitat Bet Shalom in Barcelona, Holy Blossom Temple, Oshman Family JCC Palo Alto, and the Jewish community in São Paulo.

Because Zionism isn't just a place — it's a feeling, a connection, and roots that hold us together, wherever we may be.

Wishing all of Am Israel a joyful Independence Day 🎉🇮🇱

To our dear partners and friends in the Zionist Federations and in the Jewish communities around the globe;

In recent days we have been following with concern reports of the horrific attack on Temple Israel, a Reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan. That assault followed other attacks on synagogues in recent weeks; in Toronto, Canada, in Liège, Belgium, and most recently in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

We breathed a sigh of relief when we learned that thanks to the resourcefulness and courage of its security guards, the incident at Temple Israel ended without casualties.
We know that since October 7, 2023, the price paid by Jewish communities around the world, solely because of their Jewishness, has been unbearable. We also know how deeply intertwined these things are and how events in the State of Israel powerfully affect your lives in the Diaspora. It is therefore important for me to convey a clear message of solidarity and support, and to say that we stand by your side to bolster your resilience and to reinforce your strength. The deep bond between Israel and the Jewish communities around the world is a one of mutual responsibility, and our fate is one of shared destiny.
Your ability to continue leading full Jewish communal lives as well as supporting us, your brothers and sisters in Israel, even in the face of complex challenges, inspires admiration and strengthens our own spirit.
We will continue to stay in touch, to assist in every way required, and to work together for the security of the communities and for strengthening the sense of belonging and of Jewish and Israeli pride everywhere.
In steadfast friendship,
Yair Lootsteen Yair Michael Lootsteen
Head of the Department

🎭✨ Community Purim Masquerade Ball – Purim 5786 ✨🎭

The Department for Irgoon and Connection with Israelis Abroad at the World Zionist Organization is pleased to share a festive digital activity kit for your community Purim celebration — fun for the whole family!

What’s included?
🎨 Creative craft stations
🧩 Hebrew-themed activities
🎉 Israeli-Purim Bingo

And the highlight:
🏆 “Royal Jeopardy” – A Competitive Trivia Experience for adults!
A dynamic group game designed for large events, built in a digital format and ready to be projected on a big screen during your celebration.
The questions are engaging, entertaining, and connect participants to Israeli culture and community spirit — all in the spirit of masks!

All materials are provided in digital format.

📩 To receive the full kit, register here:
https://www.tfaforms.com/5211741

Singing with You Suddenly
It's Like a Dream
It's Like a Dream
A Gate of Wishes Opens
To Sing with You"
Last Friday, we held a joint Canadian-Israeli Kabbalat Shabbat at Holy Blossom Temple with an impressive attendance of over 250 participants – in honor of Tu B'Shvat and Shabbat Shira.
We began the special gathering with Tu B'Shvat activities, and with wine, cheese, and dried fruits.We continued with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service filled with a mix of Jewish tradition, Israeli songs, and a true coming together of the communities, culminating in a moving duet of "Sing with You" in Hebrew and English. The ceremony was led by the senior rabbi, RabbiYael Splansky, with Senior Cantor David Rosen, and the synagogue musicians, along with the Shali'ach Tzibur and North American Regional Director at the department, Lior Sagi, and the talented Israeli musicians Amit Rosenblum and Tal Katz.
Thank you to the synagogue staff for their cooperation, led by Executive Director Rachel Malach and Rabbi Taylor Baruchel, and the North American Program Manager at the department, Yahav Barnea

Yair Michael Lootsteen
Lior Sagi

The Forum of Israeli Community Leaders in North America, which the department has been leading for the fifth year, met yesterday for the first time with the new head of the department Yair Michael Lootsteen. Yair introduced his values and visioni for working with Israeli Communities in the Diaspora, which are growing significantly. The community leaders shared the main challenges they are currently facing, and discussed ways to continue deepening their important collaborations with the department.
In addition, we welcomed the return of the last hostage Ran Gvili z"l, and prepared together to mark Israel's upcoming national holidays
Lior Sagi
Yahav Barnea

Yair Michael Lootsteen, Head of the Department of Irgoon and Israelis Abroad at the World Zionist Organization, concluded his significant and important visit to North America at the IAC Conference in Miami.
During this visit, Yair met with representatives of Israeli communities in North America and representatives of Zionist federations, together with Lior Sagi, Head of the North America Desk at the Department, strengthening the ties between Israel and the Diaspora in critical times for our people.
As the conclusion of this tour, Yair participated in the panel "The Work of Healing: Rebuilding Lives, Communities, and Hope" at the IAC Conference, where he shared the stage with Omer Lachmanovitch (Editor-in-Chief of Israel Hayom), Clara and Ilan Hamami (Assaf Foundation), and Sagi Balasha, who are dedicated to rebuilding and strengthening our communities.
A meaningful encounter that reinforces our commitment to Israeli communities and Zionist federations around the world and to the future of the Jewish people.
Yair Michael Lootsteen
American Zionist Movement

Over the past week, the Department Head, Yair Michael Lootsteen, accompanied by the North American Regional Director, Lior Sagi, conducted tours and meetings with prominent leaders and activists in the Miami area Israeli community. They heard about the current challenges, concerns and insights of the local Israeli community, such as the younger generations, and shared in the strategy and fruitful collaborations.
In the photos Dennis and Ofer Tamir, two of the founders and heads of the Israeli community in Miami, Shelley Benizri, director of the Israeli division at the Jewish Federation of Greater Miami, and activists from across the city, organized by Dganit Mintz

This week, the American Zionist Movement (American Zionist Movement) convened its Biennial National Assembly in New York City.
Inspired by Herzl's vision and celebrating the diversity of Zionism today, the Assembly was an enriching two-day immersive experience of learning, connecting, and collaborating as we shape the future of our shared Zionist mission.
The Assembly also included the election of new leadership: Debbie Eisenbach Isaac completed her distinguished term as President, and was succeeded by Mark Levenson. Michael Laufer concluded his service as Board Chair, and was succeeded by Shoshana Dweck.
We thank Debbie and Michael for their dedicated leadership and wish Mark and Shoshana great success in their new roles.
It was an honor to meet with Zionist Federation leaders Alberto Lobaton from Mexico and Niki Galabov from Bulgaria, and to be graced by the presence of the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog. יצחק הרצוג - Isaac Herzog
Together, we continue to strengthen the bond between Diaspora Jewry and Israel and advance the Zionist vision for generations to come.
Yair Michael Lootsteen
Nachmias

Last night, the first meeting took place between the new Head of the Department, Yair Lootsteen, and the President of the of Canadian Zionist Federation , Stan Greenspan Stan Greenspan, along with representatives from the senior leadership of the Reform Movement in Canada, the Conservative Movement's Canadian center, and the Likud Movement. The meeting discussed the meaning of being a Zionist in Canada and the current challenges facing Jewish communities across Canada in the present situation.
The Department is responsible for, among other things, Zionist Federations around the world 🌏

Strengthening Ties and the Zionist Vision in Canada 🇨🇦🇮🇱

Yair Michael Lootsteen, Head of the Department of Irgoon and Israelis Abroad, visited Canada this week to strengthen connections with local communities and leadership.
Yair met with Rabbi Yael Splansky at Holy Blossom Temple, a Reform synagogue where we've been active for years, fostering ties between Jewish and Israeli communities. The visit continues this longstanding partnership.
He concluded the visit with department representatives Lior Sagi and Yahav Barnea at the HERZL. HOPE. HOME exhibition - David Matlow 's collection of Herzl artifacts, the world's largest. Standing before Herzl's personal belongings reminds us that the Zionist dream began with one man's vision and a generation's courage. Today, we continue strengthening bridges between Israel and the diaspora, faithful to that vision. 🇨🇦🇮🇱