This new initiative, from The Jewish Agency in partnership with the Ruderman Foundation, will help educate Israelis about what it’s like to be a Jew outside of Israel and help create bridges to foster an understanding between Jews in the Jewish state and those living elsewhere.

“Many Israelis don’t understand Jewish life overseas,” said Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog. “Shlichim are a powerful tool for spreading the message about our sisters and brothers around the world. The service of Jewish Agency Shlichim is a central component in strengthening Israel’s standing in global Jewish communities… And through this initiative, the Shlichim will return to Israel and act to strengthen the standing of Diaspora Jewry among Israelis.”

The 20 returning emissaries, the first to serve as Diaspora ambassadors, will spend a year participating in courses and getting professional guidance and financial assistance to work on projects that promote building connections between Israel and global Jews. How to strengthen connections between the American Jewish community and Israeli will be a prominent area of focus.

Through this initiative, the Shlichim will return to Israel and act to strengthen the standing of Diaspora Jewry among Israelis.

Director of the Ruderman Family Foundation Shira Ruderman said it was “imperative” to maintain the connection between Israel and world Jewry for both “moral” and “security reasons,” and that the new initiative would help do so.

“In recent years we have witnessed serious challenges between the two sides, and it is up to us to change the discourse and the direction,” said Ruderman. “Israelis who were Shlichim and then returned to Israel are a tremendous force. Together we can transform them into an army of social change that will connect Israel to American Jews. With their help, I hope we will bring the dialogue from a place of crisis to one of positivity and construction.”

This elite group of 20 returning Shlichim will make a real difference in Israel, acting as agents of change in Israeli society and serving as bridges between Israel and Jewish communities overseas.

“Many thousands of Israelis from all over the country and from every social sector have undergone a meaningful experience as a shaliach,” Ruderman added. “We believe in their ability to connect Israeli society to overseas communities and to strengthen this strategic bond.”