The Jewish Agency for Israel
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| Native name | Hasochnut Ayeudit |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1929 |
| Key people | Natan Sharansky, chairperson |
| Office location | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Country | Israel |
| Website | www.jewishagency.org |
The Jewish Agency for Israel (Hebrew: הסוכנות היהודית לארץ ישראל, HaSochnut HaYehudit L'Eretz Yisra'el) is the largest Jewish nonprofit organization in the world. Its mission is to "inspire Jews throughout the world to connect with their people, heritage, and land, and empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and a strong Israel."
It is best known as the primary organization fostering the immigration ("Aliyah") and absorption of Jews and their families from the Jewish diaspora into Israel. Since 1948 the Jewish Agency for Israel has brought 3 million immigrants to Israel, and offers them transitional housing in "absorption centers" throughout the country.
The Jewish Agency played a central role in the founding and the development of the State of Israel. David Ben Gurion served as the Chairman of its Executive Committee from 1935, and in this capacity on May 14, 1948 he proclaimed independence for the State of Israel. He became Israel's first Prime Minister. In the years before and after the founding of the state, the Jewish Agency oversaw the establishment of about 1,000 towns and villages in Mandate Palestine. It serves as the main link between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
As of 2017[update] the Jewish Agency operates and/or funds programs worldwide that:
By law, the Jewish Agency is a para-statal organization, but it does not receive core funding from the Israeli government. The Jewish Agency is funded by the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, major Jewish communities and federations, and foundations and donors from Israel and around the world. The dozens of programs it supports or operates benefit well over a million Israelis and Jews worldwide every year.
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