- The US Reform movement is placing a major new emphasis on aliyah, with an explicit goal “to impact Israeli society.� In 2006, only 136 Reform Jews moved from the US to Israel. (The Jerusalem Post)
- Rob Eshman concludes that if the TAGLIT-Birthright Israel �mega-gathering is closer to a grunion run at low tide than a Zionist congress, so what?� (Jewish Journal)
- Dina Kraft warns that those coming to Israel to get married may need to let go so such expectations as signed contracts, having ” the ceremony start on timeâ€? and keeping the music “volume within reason.â€? (Jewish Journal)
- Religious American immigrants are being enticed to settle in Israeli settlements in the West Bank by the suburban lifestyle: “five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a Jacuzzi, a fireplace and a manicured lawn.� Prices are much cheaper than in Israel proper; instead of the police, you are protected by the IDF, instead of the full law of Israel there is the “military rule� and “to prevent unwanted types from moving in, the communities subject potential newcomers to entrance exams.� (Forward)
- The head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, wrote Olmert saying he would request the German government’s help in preventing Israel from encouraging Jews to make Aliyah from Germany. (Israel National News)
- A Diaspora custom comes to Israel: the Jewish sleep-away summer camp. (Haaretz)
- A poll shows that 46% of Jewish Israelis believe that all Jews should make aliyah. And 88% said they support spending tax money on Israel experience programs such as Masa and birthright-Israel. (The Jerusalem Post)
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