‘Mixed feelings’ as Nisell returns to Israel
JNF farewells education shaliach, who's moving back to Israel with his wife Noa and their three children.
AFTER completing his seven-year posting as JNF Australia’s education shaliach, Yigal Nisell will receive an official farewell at the end of the month before moving back to Israel with his wife Noa and their three children.
The role was initially meant to be for four years, but it was extended “because it was such a good experience”.
Nisell had never been to Australia before arriving for a 10-day trip in November 2015, but he and his family soon fell in love with the country and decided to stay.
“I’d worked as a lawyer in Israel, but I was always very involved in the JNF, and I’d been a shaliach in Sweden, so I applied for the Australian posting,” Nisell told The AJN.
“Giving back to the Jewish community was always in my veins, as I grew up in a family that had made aliyah from Sweden.
“Noa and I brought two children here, enrolled at Moriah College, and we’ve had one baby boy born here in Australia, and Noa worked as a pastry chef in the heart of Sydney’s Jewish community, so we felt straight away a sense of community and belonging.”
Nisell said working for JNF opened doors to all aspects of the Jewish community and he was welcomed with open arms.
“That made the experience very special, and it is something I don’t take for granted,” he said.
“And I think it is one of the most unique things about Australia, with its Jewish community being one of the most Zionist in the Diaspora.
“JNF is not just an organisation, it’s a family, with a passion for Zionism, giving to Israel, and building bonds between Israel and the Diaspora.
JNF also has a mission in education, and as an organisation that raises funds, it is the only one of its kind that has an education shaliach position based in Australia.
“That shows its focus on valuing educating Jewish kids, students and the community in Australia about Israel.”
Nisell said his highlights include the JNF’s My Israel Passport sticker book project, visiting every Jewish day school and working for the annual JNF Australia Educators’ Tour of Israel – “a program that really makes a difference”.
“In my time here, that program has seen 300 educators participate – including Jewish and non-Jewish teachers, principals and other education staff – who return with a greater understanding of Israel, it’s people and culture, and Judaism, which they can share with their students,” he said.
Nisell said he leaves Australia “with mixed feelings”, but knows he will remain connected to the Australian Jewish community despite the distance.
Visit jnf.org.au to book for the JNF NSW fundraising gala on September 6.
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