Some people go on Shlichut. They represent Israel's interests in other countries. They are also expected to help the population in their target region.
However, how does this Shlichut affect the shlichim? Does it help them? Are they involved in their work? Do they even know about the existence of resources such as the Shaliach or Olim forums?
The author of this website knows many Shlichim. The rest of this page is based on personal knowledge, rather than official sources or research.
A number of high-ranking army officials become Shlichim after retiring from the military in their 40s. They had already reached their occupational peak, but they were not yet ready to stop working. They chose Shlichut as a socially acceptable alternative. They were retired army generals or other senior officers when they left, and they were still retired army officers when they returned.
Some Shlichim had responsible jobs in government offices. They needed a break, so they opted for Shlichut as an alternative. They then returned to their jobs after a breather of two to three years. It helped them see another part of the world. It is questionable whether it really helped the State of Israel.
Some important and respected neighborhood Rabbis went on Shlichut in order to set up or strengthen kollels in other countries. Although they were still respected when they returned, they often discovered that another Rabbi had replaced their status in the neighborhood. Shlichut had limited or hurt their overall position.
Do some people benefit from going on Shlichut? Yes, but there are certainly no guarantees.
Does the State of Israel benefit from sending out Shlichim whose credentials are a fine military, civil service, or Rabbinical background?
Not necessarily.
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Keywords: Accomplishments, Complaining, Employment, Involvement, Military, Rabbis, Shlichim
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