Article published by Iton Gadol on November 18, 2022

Yaakov Hagoel, president of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), came to visit Argentina on Friday the 11th of this month, accompanied by Rafael Cohen, director of the WZO’s diaspora projects.

During his brief stay, Hagoel prioritized visiting the Great Rabbinate of the Sephardic Community. He was received by a delegation headed by Rabbi Gabriel Sacca, director of Menora and President of the Sephardic Community, Mr. Marcos Daniel Mayo. Rabbi Shelomo Sacca, director of Menora Judaic Studies, and David Yosef Sacca were also present.

Yaakov Hagoel took office in October 2020 as president of the WZO, and since then, he has made available to the diaspora actions and tools that improve and revitalize Jewish life, the fight against anti-Semitism, and the strengthening of the Hebrew language and Aliyah.

During the meeting at the Sephardic Chief Rabbinate, they discussed the importance of fortifying the Jewish identity throughout the world, in order to unite the Jews of Israel with the Diaspora.

 Hagoel was enthusiastic about the level of teaching of the Hebrew language in the Menora Midrashah. Likewise, he felt identified with the Sephardic Community, since part of his family is originally from Izmir. He highlighted the role of Bereshit School, belonging to the Sephardic Community, in strengthening the Jewish identity.

Lastly, Yaakov showed great admiration for the more than 3,000 young people who frequent Menora and the trips to the different destinations, Israel, New York and Madrid, whose objective is to promote union, strengthen roots and fight assimilation.

Both institutions agree that the future is in the hands of young people and that is where effort and dedication must be invested.