Shlichut - Managing - Articles about Israel

Israel needs emissaries in order to represent its interests abroad.

Thus, people with good control of English or other languages, as well as interpersonal skills, may be invited to go abroad for several years in order to represent Israel's needs and affairs.

It's not always a good idea for the potential Shaliach to accept this offer.

On the one hand, that Shaliach may be able to earn more money than in his salaried Israeli position. Although this may be considered a positive issue, the ostensibly higher salary would not be greater than a regular paycheck outside of Israel.

This fact raises various questions.

If you are managing in Israel, then why go abroad in order to manage?
Did you come to Israel in order to live outside of Israel?
What is your real reason for going on Shlichut?
- The desire to help Israel as an emissary?
- Your confidence that you can help Israel as an emissary better than others?

That last set of questions is important. If you do believe that your skills point in this direction, then go for it. If you just want to make more money, then move to a country that will offer you a better salary.

Of course, you may want to consider some additional issues, such as your family's stability.

You did live abroad for the first part of your life. At a certain point, you chose to move to Israel, after which you began to get settled. Your children are now in school, you do have a place of employment, and everybody has new friends. Should you put all of these stable issues aside while you go abroad with your family?

Undoubtedly, some people will feel that there is an advantage to maintaining their family's stability in their new home, Israel. That fact may make the offer of going on shlichut less inviting.

On the other hand, some people may use shlichut (just as they may use Israeli army reserve duty) as a means of escape. Did you come to Israel in order to escape from people or issues in your "home" country? If so, then shlichut might be another way of escape.

In other words, it would be wise to give sufficient thought to the real reason for doing shlichut. Be honest with yourself when carrying out that introspection.

Do not assume that shlichut will benefit you when you return to Israel. It will not enhance your status in most places of work.

In some cases, it may even affect your tenure at work. Although this issue is protected by law, some major offices determine your salary and retirement benefits based on the number of years physically on the job or in a related position. How will your years abroad be calculated in your own place of work?

Do you see your future in politics? If so, then shlichut can definitely be to your advantage. Of course, it will depend on the mark that you are able to make abroad, as well as how the people relate to you after your shlichut.

Clearly, the shlichut recruitment brochures, leaflets, and lectures are not as beneficial as they may seem.

Where do you want to go now?