Last Updated on November 27, 2021
Making Aliyah to Israel from South Africa.
Hebrew: עליה מדרום אפריקה
Howzit and mazzies on your decision to make Aliyah from South Africa to Israel! It will be hard to leave sunny South Africa and your loved ones behind; the lifestyle, Woolies food market, lekker boerewors and pap, biltong, Castle Lager and rooibos tea… Don’t worry boet, it will all come right in time.
Southern African olim have made a major impact on Israeli society and the economy. Outstanding members of the community have dedicated their time, money and love for the country and have helped it grow and improve.
A few notables with Southern African roots
Abba Eban – Aubrey Solomon Meir Eban
Foreign Affairs Minister, Education Minister, Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, ambassador to the USA and to the United Nations. Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly and President of the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Maxine Fassberg
Maxine made Aliyah in the 1960’s. She went back to South Africa and then returned for good in the ’70s. She began her career as an educator but switched careers some years later when she joined Intel as a lithography engineer. Slowly she worked her way up and in 2007 she got the ultimate promotion and was named CEO of Intel Israel. Under her leadership, exports increased from $1.54 billion to $2.7 billion. She was responsible for 7,300 employees!
Paul & May Arieli-Goldschmidt z”l
The Golschmidt’s made Aliyah in the 1950s. Paul, a building engineer worked on many notable projects in Haifa including some of the construction on the Bahai World Center. Both Paul and May (a qualified pediatrician) were respected members of the Haifa Anglo community. Upon the tragic death of their son Louis (Heb: Ariel, aged 18), Paul and May changed their surname and then dedicated much of their time to honouring Louis’ memory. Thanks to the Arielis, the Haifa Zoo was enlarged and refurbished and the Louis Promenade was built in the Central Carmel overlooking the Bahai Gardens, with a view that stretches to Israel’s northern border. The Arielis were benefactors of Beth Protea as well as of the Denya Shul, close to where they lived in Haifa, as well as of many, many other projects.
There are hundreds of South Africans who have made memorable contributions, in fact every South African oleh has done his/her bit and made us proud.
In the workplace, South African olim are known to be hard working, serious, motivated, honest, reliable and nice people all round.
For sporting enthusiasts you can join a cricket team or play some rugby and lawn bowls too.
Telfed Office
Dorron Kline – Director of Telfed and his amazing team in Raanana and the Telfed regional volunteers around the country are available to help and guide new olim from Southern Africa, Australia & New Zealand.
South African Embassy in Israel
The South African embassy is located in Tel Aviv.
The South Africa Israel Center
The South Africa Israel Center is the representative of the Jewish Agency (Sochnut) in South Africa.
Tel: 011 645 2560
Downloadable list of Facebook groups for English speakers in Israel
Facebook Groups
You might want to join these groups on Facebook:
- Telfed: South Africans & Australians in Haifa
- Telfed Rishon LeZion
- South Africans contributing to Israeli society
- Proudly South African olim
- South Africans in Israel, and of course
- Anglo-List
Check These Out
- Is Modiin the place for you or Haifa with its stunning views? Compare different Aliyah communities around the country
- Lynn Durlacker, drove up Africa, along the Great North Road in a Morris Minor to get to Israel. Her incredible aliyah story
- Braai or bunny-chow? No, shawarma, schnitzel and limonana – some of Israel’s favorite foods
