Transnational Migrants Encounter the Workplace: The Case of Jewish Migrants from North America to Israel

This study examines how migrants` identities and experiences are shaped by their workplace and fields of activity, as well as the perceived impact they have on their workplaces and fields of activity in the host country. I focus on transnational migration theory and how it is manifested in the case of immigrants from North America in Israel and their involvement in three different complementary fields: philanthropy, diplomacy, and sport (baseball). These three fields represent the basic aspects of transnational transformative activity: economic, political, and cultural. That means that those are fields of employment that inherently include connection to the migrant`s country of origin. For this study I interviewed 45 Olim from North America (United States and Canada) to Israel that engaged in these fields of employment. The Olim I interviewed came to Israel in various years, were (at the time of the interview) in various ages, are men and women, all are active or were active in at least one of these fields. This study shows that working in these fields requires to maintain constant connection to United States and Canada, and that this connection contributes to the wellbeing of the Olim and to their self-perception as capable employees. That is also because their transnational activities and identity help them influence their workplaces, therefore, their fields of employment. That means that this group is adapting better to Israel, and influencing more on Israel, because of their Transnational traits.









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