Aliyah Isn’t Just a Dream—It’s a Calling: Orthodox Leaders Chart New Path

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Minister Meir Porush Meets Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Founder Duvi Honig in NYC to Bolster Aliyah Support and Strengthen Community Relations

In a meaningful step toward addressing the growing challenges faced by American Jews making Aliyah, Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Meir Porush met on Sunday, March 30 with Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce. The meeting focused on the socioeconomic obstacles confronting American Jews relocating to Eretz Yisrael, particularly the difficulty of leaving behind established careers and financial stability in order to fulfill a lifelong spiritual and ideological connection to the Jewish homeland.

The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, which plays a leading role in advancing economic development for the Anglo community in Israel, presented a sobering picture: many families make tremendous sacrifices, uprooting successful lives in the United States only to face a lack of infrastructure and targeted support upon arrival in Israel. The English-speaking community, in particular, remains underserved and disadvantaged in the realms of employment, business integration, and access to public services.

In response, Honig proposed the creation of a Chamber of Commerce office in Jerusalem that would serve as a central hub for assisting American olim. The initiative would offer critical services such as employment assistance, business relocation guidance, access to government programs, and vocational training. The goal is to empower immigrants from all sectors to achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency and successful integration into Israeli society.

The envisioned Business Center would include dedicated caseworkers, English-language workshops, and professional development opportunities—all tailored specifically to the needs of American olim. By bridging the cultural and bureaucratic divide, the Center would fill a major gap in the current system and provide real solutions for the Anglo community.

Minister Porush expressed enthusiastic support for the initiative and committed to close collaboration with the Chamber to ensure its success. He emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive framework that empowers immigrants, helps them navigate Israeli society, and maximizes their potential contributions to the state.

The meeting also addressed broader economic opportunities, including ways to strengthen ties between American and Israeli business communities. Minister Porush noted that Jewish immigration is unique—no other country sees accomplished professionals uproot their lives based solely on faith, heritage, and national identity. He underscored the moral imperative to support these individuals and help them succeed.

Turning to internal challenges, Minister Porush raised concerns over efforts by certain political actors—especially from the far-left—to portray the chareidi community as avoiding national responsibility, particularly military service. He clarified that only 0.5% of the population is engaged in long-term Torah study that qualifies for legal exemption, yet this small group is frequently used as a political scapegoat. The reality is that 95% of chareidim actively participate in the economy, many of them serving in discreet or lesser-known roles within the IDF and national infrastructure.

Duvi Honig responded by highlighting the deep and consistent support for Israel from the Orthodox community in the United States. He stressed that the chareidi world in America is not only vocal in its advocacy but also highly engaged, regularly working with Congress and the Senate to promote financial and military aid to Israel. In stark contrast, he noted, many secular advocacy groups support progressive politicians such as Bernie Sanders, whose agendas often include reducing or restricting support for Israel.

“The Orthodox Jewish community in the United States,” Honig said, “represents millions of unwavering advocates for Israel. Their voice is strong, their presence is felt, and their commitment must be respected.”

In these times of heightened polarization, both leaders emphasized the urgent need for unity. Misconceptions and divisive narratives do more than cause political damage—they erode the very foundation of our shared identity. Among Jews, we must recognize and celebrate the dedication of the chareidi community, including those who serve bravely in the army and others who support the nation through economic and communal infrastructure.

A powerful example is the grandson of the revered Satmar Rebbe, who proudly serves in the IDF—an embodiment of the complex and deeply rooted love many chareidim hold for the state.

To single out a legally exempt minority and use them as a political weapon is not only unjust but dangerously misleading. Framing the 0.5% of rabbinical students as emblematic of Israel’s challenges distorts the truth and dismisses the overwhelming contributions of the broader chareidi public. These narratives must be challenged forcefully and replaced with a deeper, more honest conversation.

Minister Porush concluded by emphasizing that the economic influence of the Orthodox community is immense—so much so that a coordinated response from this sector could immediately impact major Israeli companies. With that in mind, he called for a renewed national effort to combat misinformation, acknowledge communal contributions, and promote authentic unity among all Jews in Israel and around the world.

This pivotal meeting marked an important milestone in efforts to support American olim, and opens new doors for dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect between sectors in Israeli society.

Am Yisrael Chai.