The IAC (Israeli American Council) National Summit in Florida has delivered a powerful message that Israelis living in America can be proud of their Israeli culture and also fit into the American Jewish community, according to Yishai Fleisher, international spokesperson for the Jewish community in Hebron.
“The Israeli American mix is exactly that. It’s Israeli and American. These people are Israeli and American, they are a mix of cultures,” he tells Israel National News at the conference. “I’ve been feeling really at home here and I’m having a lot of fun. I’ve been saying to people, ‘Are you connected to Hebron? The tomb of the father and mother, the foundation of Jewish peoplehood.’ People want it. They want Israeliness.”
There has long been the suggestion that cultural tensions exist between Jewish Americans and Israeli Americans. Fleisher says that is not the case.
“I haven’t felt a lot of tension. I’ve been feeling a lot of fun. It’s a good atmosphere. A lot of love of Israel,” he says.
He comments that Israeli Americans and Jewish Americans accept each other and bond over their shared love of Israel.
“I’ve encountered a very positive atmosphere. People who know their culture [and are] proud of it. Proud of being Israeli. I’ve really enjoyed the fact that the people yearn for a love of Israel.”
He adds: “Israeliness is a culture. There’s something awesome about being Israeli.”
The conference has provided amazing examples of Israeli Americans passing their culture and love of Israel to their children, Fleisher remarks.
He notes his own Israeli parents brought the family to America when he was eight, but he then he made aliyah when he grew up. After that, his mother and siblings followed him back to Israel.
“That’s what these people are. They love Israel. They’re here for now for one reason or another. But they’re not forgetting their culture,” he says. “And it’s fun. The fun is very important, being Jewish, being Israeli, having a Jewish culture.”