About 400,000 Jews live in Latin America. The largest communities are in Argentina (about 200,000), Brazil (about 100,000), Mexico (about 40,000), and Uruguay (about 17,000).

In June-July, the Head of the Department for Aliyah Promotion of the World Zionist Organization, Marina Rozenberg Koritny, made a working visit to Latin American countries. To say that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties and promote new projects is absolutely true, but not complete. This time, it seemed, official meetings had a completely different, new tone and atmosphere. Participants, regardless of status, were eagerly interested in how Israelis live today, what they think, how they cope with the tragedy of October 7th? And the discussion of joint projects and new initiatives presented by Marina received incredible response and support.

In June and July, the Head of the Aliya Promotion Department of the World Zionist Organization, Marina Rozenberg Koritny, made a working visit to Latin American countries. To say that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties and promote new projects is absolutely true, but at the same time does not take into account the incredible need for live communication with Israel, which Jews of the diaspora feel today. This informal aspect was especially important, not surprisingly all meetings took place in an amazingly warm atmosphere or, as they say, in one breath.

The visit had a busy work program.

Participation in the Zionist Congress of Latin American countries in Mexico City, the main theme of which was the support of repatriation after the events of October 7th, 2023.

Presentation of a new project, its purpose – to attract young Jewish athletes from diaspora countries to Israel. The project is an initiative of the Israeli Olympic Committee and the Department for Aliyah Promotion. Project presentations took place in all four countries included in the visit program. Meetings in Jewish sports clubs (“Centro Deportivo Israelita” – Mexico, “Hebraica Macabi” – Uruguay, etc.), as well as in the organizing committee of the Pan American Maccabiah, aroused keen interest and confirmed its prospects.

Meetings with the leadership of Jewish communities and organizations. But this time, official meetings seemed to have a completely different, new tone and atmosphere. Participants, regardless of status, were eagerly interested in how Israelis live today, what they think, how they cope with the tragedy of October 7th? And the discussion of joint projects and new initiatives presented by Marina received incredible response and support.

Very interesting and productive meetings took place at the branches of Jewish women’s organizations NAAMAT and WIZO (São Paulo, Brazil). They also invited Brazilian alumnae of the second stream of the “Geula” program – a project for training a new generation of women leaders for work in Jewish communities, conducted by the Department for Aliyah Promotion of WZO. They returned from Israel in June, full of ideas, and now have the opportunity to implement them.

And, of course, in each of the four countries, meetings were held with students of ulpans, at which Marina Rozenberg Koritny held Open Lessons and answered numerous questions. There are more than 150 ulpans operating in Latin America, created by the Department for Aliyah Promotion.

Marina Rozenberg Koritny: “The trip exceeded all expectations. Each meeting – another bridge of cooperation, manifestation of Jewish mutual assistance, solidarity with Israel, and support for repatriation. If previously the Jewish people needed their own state, today the Jewish state needs its people! I consider all Jews of the diaspora as Israelis, just living at a different address.”