Amichai Chikli is a busy man. As Israel’s Minister of the Diaspora and Combating Anti-Semitism, he is feverishly at work, always concerned with the welfare of the Jewish people around the world. A decorated IDF combat veteran and dedicated public servant, what makes his current position unique is its recently updated name: Misrad Hatefutzot Vehama’avak Be’antishemiut—Ministry of the Diaspora and Combating Anti-Semitism.
Never before has there been a designated position dedicated to protecting the Jewish People in such an overt way. And it is Minister Chikli’s job to lead it. And as he introduced Chikli to the crowd at Chabad of Aventura South, Rabbi Yossy Gordon, CEO of Chabad on Campus International, stressed this very point.
On a brief visit to the United States, Chikli made sure to stop by the Chabad community in South Florida. It only made sense for Gordon to introduce him, as Chabad on Campus International enjoys a longstanding relationship with the Ministry, credit to its commitment to promoting Jewish education on college campuses throughout the world.
Through the efforts of the Ministry in partnership with Mosaic United, Chabad on Campus International has been stewarding grants to hundreds of Campus Chabad Houses throughout the world, with funding to assist efforts of increasing Jewish student’s education about Judaism in general, as well as their unique ties to our collective Holy Land—Eretz Yisrael.
“Minister Chikli works tirelessly to empower every Jew in the Diaspora to have the courage and the strength to overcome all hatred,” Gordon said passionately as he introduced Chikli. “It is my honor to welcome a man who is dedicated to promoting Jewish identity and pride and protecting the global Jewish community.”
Chikli spoke eloquently thereafter, impressing upon the crowd the responsibility of the Jewish community today in light of the enormous self sacrifice of the generations that preceded our current times. He also shared the manner in which the Knesset works that makes opportunities flourish.
Minister Chikli took questions and answers at a sumptuous breakfast hosted by Chabad of Aventura South led by Rabbi Mendel and Raizel Rosenfeld. In attendance were local community members, as well as local shluchim, among them Rabbi Bentzion Korf, Rabbi Mendy Katz, and Rabbi Berel Garelik.
