Your top performer just informed you that they’re moving to Israel. Before you get lost in tax codes, time zones and whether they can still work as a W-2, you may be wondering why they are moving to Israel in the first place.
Israel is home
For many Jews, Israel isn’t just another destination; it’s their homeland. The Bible tells the story of how God promised the land of Israel to Abraham and his descendants, and the ancient Israelites occupied the land until they were exiled by the Romans. Even after the exile, Jews continued to live in Israel in small numbers, and Jews everywhere prayed to return to it. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Jewish people have returned to their homeland in great numbers.
In recent years, the rise in antisemitism around the world and the ongoing need to support Israel’s security have encouraged many more Jews to consider being a part of what is now the largest Jewish community in the world.
In Hebrew, the word for immigration to Israel is aliyah (literally “going up”) and this move is deeply personal, often spiritual and sometimes decades in the making.
A better life rhythm
Israelis work hard, but they also believe strongly in work-life balance. They celebrate milestones like weddings, bar mitzvahs, IDF ceremonies and kindergarten graduations. They enjoy traveling the world and spending school vacations exploring the country with their families.
Because Shabbat is a biblical day of rest, the workweek runs Sunday to Thursday for most people. Even those who work on Friday take off starting at about midday. Friday night and Saturday are spent far away from the noise that is emails and Slack.
Jewish holidays are national holidays, so there’s no need to take off work in order to observe them. School vacations are also aligned with these holidays, so the entire life rhythm centers around the Jewish calendar. This is a relief to Jews who have spent most of their adult life trying to balance religious observance with corporate jobs.
Career opportunities
Israel is the land of innovation. For someone in tech, education or entrepreneurship, moving there can be a leap forward. They’re plugging into a network that includes world-class R&D, global startups and serious brainpower per square meter.
If they can keep their current job and work remotely, even better. The global shift to remote and hybrid work has made it easier than ever for employees to live where their lives make sense, without leaving the companies they love. They can help their teams tap into new connections and insights from Israel’s thriving innovation ecosystem while earning well and cutting out the exhausting commute.
Family and community
As aliyah becomes more common, many people decide to make the leap because their family members are already there, or because they want to join friends and the strong sense of community that isn’t replicated anywhere else.
The lure of raising children in Israel is also strong. Israeli children have strong Jewish identities and beliefs. They are independent, resilient and infused with purpose. They grow up as part of the majority culture, proud of being Jewish and of their place in the world.
Making it a win-win situation
Employees who make aliyah or relocate to Israel aren’t trying to quit working with you. They’re realigning their life around values, family and new possibilities. If you respond with curiosity instead of fear, you can turn their move into a win-win: they get to live the life they’ve dreamed of, and you get to keep a loyal, motivated and globally savvy employee.
Practically speaking, this might mean adjusting payroll through an Employer of Record, revisiting communication schedules or aligning expectations across time zones. But these are small shifts compared to the value of keeping someone who already knows your systems, your culture and your customers.
