‘An entire nation is breathing again’

On Sept. 1, not long before Rosh Hashanah, Elad Strohmayer stepped into the role of Consul General of Israel to the Midwest.

What a monumental couple of months it has been since he took the helm, succeeding Consul General Yinam Cohen in the position.

I interviewed Strohmayer just before Yom Kippur. During our conversation, we both prayed that the hostages would come home by the time this issue hit homes Nov. 1.

As you know, our prayers were answered.

A native of Bat Yam, a suburb of Tel Aviv, Strohmayer is a career diplomat with 16 years of experience in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chicago–where the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest is based–marks Strohmayer’s third American diplomatic post. Before coming to the Windy City, he served as the Director of the Department for Congressional Affairs at the North American Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, overseeing Israel’s relations with the U.S. Congress.

From 2018 to 2023, Strohmayer acted as the Spokesperson of the Embassy of Israel to the U.S. in Washington, D.C. He also previously served as Deputy Consul General at Israel’s Consulate in Philadelphia, and as Deputy Ambassador in Luanda, Angola.

Prior to entering the Israeli Foreign Service, Strohmayer worked for the Jewish Agency for Israel in both Israel and in the U.S., where he served as a sheliach–an emissary–to a summer camp in Washington, D.C.

In addition to his official role, he looks forward to exploring Chicago with his husband, and can’t wait to try lots of deep-dish pizza.

Q. How has the Chicago Jewish community embraced you since your arrival?

A. The amount of Rosh Hashanah dinners I was invited to speaks volumes about the strength and the welcoming [nature] of this community. It’s so heartwarming to see such a warm, Zionist, embracing, caring community.

Q. Where does your passion for service come from?

I grew up in a house that was very involved in the community, and my parents instilled in me the [obligation] to do something for your community, for your country…I also loved international affairs, and would…stay up all night watching U.S. election returns. Diplomacy was the natural route.

Q. What’s your biggest message to the Chicago Jewish community?

We’re here for you–the Israeli Consulate, the State of Israel, and me personally. We’re here for you, to stand up with you against hate and antisemitism. We’re in this together. Israel is the Jewish State; it’s the homeland of all Jews so every Jew that lives here in the United States, and in Chicago… you are stakeholders because that’s your state as well.

Q. What’s the mood in Israel now that the hostages have been released?

The excitement across Israel is immense. An entire nation is breathing again as hostages are reunited with their families…We embrace those who have returned, their families, and the families of the fallen. We will [also] continue, until the very last moment, to demand the return of every hostage still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Q. What are your major goals in your new role?

It all comes down to building bridges between people. By building bridges, we’re strengthening the relations between Israel and the broader community, and also the Jewish community.

Israel and the United States face similar challenges-both of our countries are seeing a rise in polarization and the best answer to polarization is building bridges, showing what we have in common. My predecessor brought a lot of delegations to Israel, both Jews and non-Jews. I hope to continue his work, and to show people all of Israeli society.

How can the Chicago Jewish community help Israel?

Be involved! Be involved with your community, be involved in advocacy for Israel, talk to your neighbors, your elected officials, and your co-workers. Be Jewish and proud. Most importantly, get the younger generation involved, and make sure that future generations know about their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.