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The WZO Shlichim

Inspiring

European Jewry

In the 2020 World Zionist Congress elections, Mizrachi’s Orthodox Israel Coalition
(OIC) – a broad-based coalition consisting of Mizrachi and major Religious
Zionist and Modern Orthodox organizations in America – was highly successful,
winning 27 seats. The coalition’s strong showing, combined with Mizrachi’s
success around the world, enabled our community to assume influential
leadership positions in Israel’s national institutions. Mizrachi requested the
portfolio of the World Zionist Organization’s Education Department, a position
now filled by Mizrachi representative Mr. Gael Grunewald.
Last summer, the World Zionist Organization’s Department of Education sent
over one hundred new shlichim to destinations all over the world, bringing
the total number of WZO shlichim working with Jewish students to over 250
worldwide. About thirty shlichim are currently working in Jewish schools in
Europe, where they teach Jewish subjects and become Israel’s ambassadors in
their schools and communities.
Gael Grunewald, Vice Chairman and Head of the Department of Education of
the World Zionist Organization, previously served as a shaliach in Europe. “The
WZO’s shlichim in Europe play a critical role in the Jewish schools. The more
tight knit and cohesive the community, the greater the influence of the shaliach
in the community. Successful shlichim know how to make an impact in the
classroom, in the school generally, and in the broader Jewish community. The
shlichim bring Israel to the Diaspora, which is increasingly critical to the survival
of these communities. I have no doubt that the future of the Jewish people
in the Diaspora depends on their degree of connection to the State of Israel.”

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