E
Esther
Guest
Bonjour everyone. Esther here, 38, from Brussels. Belgian Jewish community — my family has been in Belgium for three generations, originally from Poland. I work as a lawyer specialising in European Union law which is an interesting professional situation to be making aliyah from — my entire expertise is geographically specific to the EU.
I have been thinking about aliyah for years and the last two years have accelerated the timeline. The sense of security in Belgium — and in Europe generally — has changed in ways I find difficult to explain to non-Jewish friends.
My Jewish identity is entirely through the maternal line — clean documentation, no complications. The professional challenge is the main thing I am thinking about. EU law expertise has limited direct application in Israel but I understand the Israeli Bar Association has a recognition pathway for overseas lawyers and that some Israeli firms with international practice value European legal expertise.
Applying through the Jewish Agency Belgium. My Hebrew is limited — synagogue Hebrew and a few holidays in Israel. Ulpan will be essential.
Targeting Tel Aviv. Would love to connect with other European lawyers who have made the Israeli Bar transition or with anyone from Belgium or the French-speaking olim community.
I have been thinking about aliyah for years and the last two years have accelerated the timeline. The sense of security in Belgium — and in Europe generally — has changed in ways I find difficult to explain to non-Jewish friends.
My Jewish identity is entirely through the maternal line — clean documentation, no complications. The professional challenge is the main thing I am thinking about. EU law expertise has limited direct application in Israel but I understand the Israeli Bar Association has a recognition pathway for overseas lawyers and that some Israeli firms with international practice value European legal expertise.
Applying through the Jewish Agency Belgium. My Hebrew is limited — synagogue Hebrew and a few holidays in Israel. Ulpan will be essential.
Targeting Tel Aviv. Would love to connect with other European lawyers who have made the Israeli Bar transition or with anyone from Belgium or the French-speaking olim community.