Milwaukee Jewish leader joined French Jews on aliyah Journey to Israel, as harrowing events played out

Jews emigrating from France to Israel were singing and dancing, while headed into a possible war zone. 

The group arrived in Tel Aviv on July 10, little more than two weeks after Israel and Iran struck a deal for a ceasefire that could have been fragile and short-lived. Israel was still reeling, after the 12-day Iran-Israel war sent more than 1,500 missiles and suicide drones into the Jewish state. The weapons hit Israeli civilian areas — including a hospital — and at least a dozen military, energy and government sites. 

Wisconsin’s Julie Schack accompanied the French Jewish families on a passenger jet, from Paris to Tel Aviv. They were making aliyah to Israel amid rising antisemitism in France and the lingering aftermath of the Iran-Israel war.  

“I feel privileged that I got to witness it, and I also feel like I bear responsibility in my role to bring my experience back to the community, to share that,” said Schack, who is chief development officer for Milwaukee Jewish Federation 

The trip, originally organized as part of the Jewish Federations of North America’s annual campaign chairs mission, was intended to take participants from Paris to Israel. But as war broke out in the region, the Israel portion of the mission was canceled. Schack was told she was no longer needed on the plane but got aboard anyway.  

“While we were in the middle of the Iran war, the Israel portion was canceled,” Schack recalled. “However, part of that mission was to accompany French Jews who were making aliyah to Israel on a chartered flight.”  

Schack, whose daughter lives in Israel, chose to continue on the flight with about 150 French Jews and several Jewish professionals. “Those of us who still wanted to go to Israel and had somewhere to stay at a time of war, we were able to go,” she said.  

The flight, which departed Paris on July 10, was filled with families — many with young children — leaving behind a climate of fear and uncertainty. “The degree of antisemitism that we witnessed was truly alarming and unsettling,” Schack said. “These families are choosing to uproot themselves, at a time of great uncertainty in Israel, because they know they are giving their children a better future.” 

Onboard, the atmosphere was electric. “Everybody’s out of their seats. Music is playing, they’re dancing and singing,” Schack described. “They’re signing their declaration of making aliyah, and there’s celebration and hugs. It was really special.” Upon arrival in Israel, the new immigrants were greeted with fanfare — Israeli music, dignitaries, and a palpable sense of joy. “The head of the Jewish Agency for Israel Yehuda Setton was there along with president and CEO of JFNA Eric Fingerhut, and lots of other dignitaries were welcoming everybody. It was a very joyous welcome,” Schack said.  

The decision to leave France was not made lightly. Schack recounted stories of families who felt compelled to leave after facing discrimination. “It was heartbreaking to hear from a father whose child was kicked off the soccer team because he was Jewish,” she said. “Others shared that they were passed over for promotion simply because they were Jewish.” They all said, ‘We know we’re giving our children a better life.’” For Schack, the experience was startling and sobering. “You can read about it and see it in pictures, but to actually witness it and see it in real life — it was affirming that this is really happening, and we cannot put our heads in the sand,” she said.  

She sees her role as chief fundraiser to support Jews worldwide as more urgent than ever. “There’s nobody else that’s taking care of us except for us, and so now is our time,” Schack said. “We must stand up and take responsibility for each other and for those who can’t in this moment.”  

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Timeline of war and trip from France 
June 13: The 12-day Iran–Israel war begins.  
June 22: The U.S. joined the conflict, bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. 
June 24: Ceasefire between Iran and Israel after 12 days of war. 
July 1: Five IDF soldiers killed in Gaza by an explosive device. 
July 6: Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launch a ballistic missile at Israel. 
July 10: Chartered flight departs Paris, bound for Tel Aviv, with French Jews and Milwaukee’s Julie Schack aboard!