Israel Gains With Emigration of French Jewish Entrepreneurs
With a degree from the prestigious HEC Paris business school, five years at a global consulting firm, and a three-floor dream apartment in the French capitals 10th arrondissement, Mickael Nadjar had a comfortable and prosperous life in his native France.
Four years ago, he left it all behind and headed for Tel Aviv. While he initially came to lead a business project in Israel, Nadjar ended up staying because he was tired of the daily frustrations and slights endured by practicing Jews in France. After the Paris attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a kosher supermarket this month, Nadjar says, more friends have started contemplating a similar move.
I would not raise my children in France, said Nadjar, 32, who now lives in Tel Avivs gentrifying Florentin neighborhood. When I was growing up, to say youre a Jew in France wasnt a problem. Now, Im not so sure.
Since his move, Nadjar has obtained Israeli citizenship and launched a technology startup that employs six people. His trajectory indicates an expected influx of French Jews to Israel may have an economic impact that goes beyond better baguettes and increased imports of Bordeaux grands crus.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-22/israel-gains-as-france-loses-entrepreneurs-among-persecuted-jews.html