November 12, 2008 / 14 Chesvan 5769

Having made aliyah with the Jewish Agency Community Absorption program, Alessandro Menashe, a Jewish architect of Italian origin, plans on making a contribution based on his education, talents and experience as an architect and designer of the first rank in Europe in general and in France and Italy in particular.

He was born in Milan and had a two-pronged course of studies: the Jewish community school in Milan, and the Milan Polytechnic College.  "I spent all my life in a Zionist atmosphere, and as a teen I worked in the framework of "Hashomer Hazair"" in Kibbutz Dalia.  As a result, my decision to make aliyah was nothing unusual from my standpoint " he relates.

After he completed his studies in Italy he moved to France to work there is an architect.  On his French website one can view his many works in the field: www.alemenashe.com.  But his desire to make aliyah Israel never left him.  He wanted to make aliyah to Israel via France already in 2003, but personal matters intervened to prevent him from realizing this ambition.

However, a short time later, a project that he performed in collaboration with the Teknion, a furniture company,  in the field of design brought him to Israel and he admits that this only reinforced his ties with Israel. He's happy to be here but he hopes that he will be able to work and contribute to Israeli society as well as to his children.  "I would like to work without them calling me Jew, for such are conditions in contemporary France. It's difficult to be a Jew when the atmosphere is so hostile to Jews."  He relates.

Orly Zuckerman, the director of the Jewish Agency Information Center in Haifa, relates that Alessandro has fit into to the Community Absorption program in Haifa where he now resides.  The "Design" supplements of the daily newspaper "Maariv" (November 2008) photographed his architectural and remodeling work of an apartment in the Carmel region.

Exploiting his vast talents he managed to transform a small dim apartment that has breathtaking scenery of the Carmel  Mountain range into a luscious treat.

The Jewish Agency actively encourages individuals of all ages to move to Israel through its diverse aliyah programs. With your help, the Jewish Agency can continue to facilitate their smooth integration into Israeli society through its absorption programs. Donate here.

To learn more about the programs and activities of Department of Immigration and Absorption,
click here.