When I made Aliyah in 1993, I wasn’t thinking about markets. I was thinking about building a home.
I moved to Israel to reclaim the Land of my forefathers. To make a difference with my life. I saw what God was doing with our people and how fast the nation was growing and succeeding. I wanted to be a part of this modern miracle; to participate in what our ancient prophets had foretold.
Like a lot of people who make that leap, I came for reasons of the heart. What I didn’t expect was how much my professional world, finance, would change the way I saw this country’s future. Because once I was here, on the ground, I started to notice something that the headlines back home almost never mention: Israel isn’t just a place worth defending. Israel represents a distinct global market for investors to consider.
I want to tell you why, and I want to tell you honestly.
Israeli markets have shown remarkable strength through an extraordinarily difficult period.
Here is what stopped me in my tracks. During 2024 and 2025, amid ongoing war and elevated geopolitical uncertainty, Israeli financial markets exhibited significant price movements. The country’s major stock indices posted substantial gains. In 2025 alone, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s blue-chip TA-35 index rose approximately 52% in local currency terms (or approximately 73% on a USD basis). Over that same year, the S&P 500 rose approximately 16%. That wasn’t a one-off, either. Tel Aviv’s TA-35 had already climbed approximately 28% in 2024, a year that included significant regional conflict.
The shekel told another part of the story, appreciating approximately 12.5% against the U.S. dollar during 2025 and strengthening further in 2026, at one point reaching levels against the dollar not seen since the mid-1990s. I’ve spent my career around markets, and what struck me was seeing both Israeli equities and the currency strengthen during a period of significant geopolitical stress. That historical performance does not tell us what will happen next, but I believe it is worth understanding. For me, it has also reinforced my confidence in the resilience of Israel’s capital markets and the people and companies that participate in them.
I share these numbers as history, not a promise. It is important to emphasize that these figures represent specific historical periods and are not representative of all market conditions or future expectations. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Markets rise and fall, and international investments carry unique risks, including currency volatility, political factors, and market liquidity constraints. But the pattern I’ve watched here up close has reinforced my own conviction in the long-term potential of Israel’s economy and capital markets.
For me, there’s a spiritual dimension I won’t pretend isn’t there.
I came to Israel in part because of what I believe. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you” has always meant something to me, and I know it means something to millions of others, Christian and Jewish alike. Investing here, for me, became one more way to put that conviction into action: to stand with this Land not only in words but with my resources. I’m not promising anyone a blessing on their balance sheet. Nor do I believe faith eliminates investment risk. I’m telling you that aligning what you do with your money with what you believe can be personally meaningful; and for a lot of people I talk to, that alignment is exactly what’s been missing.
And here’s another thing I’ve learned: investing directly in Israel has clear pathways that can be effectively navigated.
The most common thing I hear is, “I’d love to invest in Israeli stocks and bonds, but I wouldn’t even know where to start.” I understand that completely. Investing across two countries involves specific complexities, including currency conversion, tax implications, regulations, and local market structure. Wise Money Israel was established to help clients navigate these distinct challenges.
Wise Money Israel is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and licensed by the Israel Securities Authority, with advisers on the ground in Israel. Our professionals live and work in Israel and can help clients understand the investment process and associated considerations. Our goal is to assist clients in understanding the risks, requirements, and potential pathways for international portfolio diversification.
If you are considering whether Israeli investments fit your financial goals and risk tolerance, we invite you to learn more. With appropriate guidance, the account setup and execution process can be clearly defined.
I made Aliyah to build my future here. I’d be honored to talk with you about whether investing a portion of your portfolio here may fit your own future financial objectives and circumstances whether your interest comes from Israel’s economic potential, a desire to support the Israeli economy and Land, your faith, or a combination of those reasons.
Visit WiseMoneyIsrael.com to request an educational consultation with a qualified representative in Israel and discuss whether investing here aligns with your overall portfolio strategy.
DISCLOSURE :
This article is sponsored content produced by Wise Money Israel. Wise Money Israel is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and licensed by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA). Registration with the SEC or licensing by the ISA does not constitute an endorsement by either regulator or imply any particular level of skill or training. This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not take into account any individual’s specific circumstances or objectives.
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investments in foreign securities involve additional risks, including currency exchange fluctuations, differing accounting standards, international taxation, and political or economic instability. Past performance is not indicative of, and does not guarantee, future results. Index performance figures reflect unmanaged market benchmarks, do not reflect the performance of any actual client account, and do not account for advisory fees, trading fees, or taxes, which will reduce actual investment returns. Index performance figures are historical, reflect the periods stated, and are sourced from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and S&P Global; indices are unmanaged, do not incur fees, and cannot be invested in directly. Any decision to invest should be made only after consulting a qualified professional in light of your individual financial objectives and risk profile. SEC CRD #304753, ISA license #776.