TORONTO — Sheldon Potter and Jonathan Moneta, co-chairs of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s aliyah committee, are trying to promote an image of Israel that goes beyond the Mideast conflict.
From left, Jonathan Moneta, Daniel Copeland, Liana Rose, Liane Sela, Sheldon Potter, Sarah Mali
From left, Jonathan Moneta, Daniel Copeland, Liana Rose, Liane Sela, Sheldon Potter, Sarah Mali
TORONTO —
Sheldon Potter and Jonathan Moneta, co-chairs of UJA Federation of
Greater Toronto’s aliyah committee, are trying to promote an image of
Israel that goes beyond the Mideast conflict.
“Israel is a world leader, and there are opportunities there that are unequalled anywhere in the world,” said Potter.
Israel is “unrivalled” in clean technology, smart agriculture, fresh water production and renewable energy, and it has one of the wealthiest economies in the industrialized world, he said. “There are incredible opportunities for new olim.”
He added that Tel Aviv University has a higher commercialization rate than the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “It has some [wonderful] success stories.”
Liane Sela, the Jewish Agency’s aliyah shlichah for Canada, said that Israel’s economic strength “puts it on the map. It is a tremendous place to raise a family and make a living.”
By having 24-year-old Moneta on the committee, Potter said, they hope to reach a new market. “He knows how young people think, and we’re trying to catch them while their lives are in transition.
“We want to [convey] the message that Israel is a good place to start their lives. We want them to research schools in Israel. New olim don’t pay for university. We’re trying to plant the seeds for them to live there.”
Sarah Mali, a former olah from England who is now a community shlichah for the Jewish Agency and director of Israel engagement for UJA Federation, said federation wants young people to go to Israel and discover the “grand narrative of the Jewish People and create their own personal story.”
“Between 10 and 15 representatives will be available for consultation about anything that has to do with Israel, and one-on-one interviews can be booked in advance,” she said
“We are also looking to partner events with other organizations so that we can carry out the message about Israel in a variety of ways.”
Sela said that since Montreal closed its aliyah office about a year ago, the Toronto office is the only one in Canada. “We help about 430 people a year make aliyah, and we have a higher per capita [aliyah rate] than the United States.”
She said that Canada represents about 12 per cent of the aliyah numbers from North America, “and we try to offer as many absorption plans as possible. People want to have something solid to go to, so we present them with their options.”
Torontonians are fortunate to have a local aliyah office, she said, because they can consult in person before they make a final decision, and afterward. “It is like having a friend nearby, helping them through every step.”
Daniel Copeland, 29, works in human resources here and is making aliyah in the next few month. He reviewed a number of options, he said, and chose to attend the Beit Canada-Ulpan Etzion program in Jerusalem, a five-month program geared toward single graduates or professionals aged 22 to 35.
He has been planning the move for about a year, he said, because he feels a strong connection to Israel and the Jewish People.
“I believe Israel will do something for my Jewish identity. It is hard for my parents, but they are being very supportive.”
Liana Rose, 26, a music therapist who has a fiance in Israel, is also planning to make aliyah. She fell in love with the country while on a Birthright Israel trip, she said. “The energy is unparallelled.”
Having a local office was important to her, she said. “My aliyah started here.”
