Israelis shaping life in Australia

Once upon a time, Israelis who emigrated abroad faced stigma as ‘Yordim’, meaning ‘descending’.  But today, there is greater understanding that Israelis will move to the diaspora including Australia for a variety of reasons whether professionally or personally, and many will continue to be strongly connected to Israel.  Israelis within Australia have also provided an invaluable bridge between the local Australian Jewish community to Israel – bringing the latest Israeli music, food, culture and innovation.

University lecturer and analyst Dr Ron Porat referred to the Israel-born Jewish population of Australia in his doctorate as ‘Ausraelis’ – a combination of ‘Australians’ and ‘Israelis’. Porat estimates that people born in Israeli living in Australia are around 15,000 people – 10 per cent of Australian Jewish population. He notes that Israelis in Australia are multifaceted with different cultural, religious and political backgrounds.

The AJN spoke with Israelis in Australia to hear their insights, and some reflected that there is significant difference amongst Israelis who came to Australia since 7 October 2023, and those who arrived many years before.  As many new arrivals from Israel have experienced trauma from multiple conflicts.

“I see a big difference between me and the people who came here a decade ago. For example, we can be at the same age, we can be Israelis, we can even attend the same community functions… But we are different. I see myself only as Israeli at this stage, who lives in Australia for the last year and a half,” Urit Eshel-Sirton shared, who came to Australia to work in cyber technology.

Chairman of Global Israeli Leadership (GIL) Eitan Drori said GIL was founded to recognise the business and diplomatic benefits of Israelis living abroad for Israel and for Jewish communities in the diaspora.