Can I Really Make Money in Israel?

Guest Post by Natan Solomon

This week’s podcast talks a lot about the finances of Aliyah. In parallel, here is a guest post on the same topic by my friend Natan Solomn.

Over Pesach Bein Hazmanim, while many of my friends headed for the beach, I spent my break in Tel Aviv—networking with Israeli finance professionals and exploring the real answer to a question I’ve heard again and again: “How do you plan on making money in Israel?”

It’s a question that never made much sense to me. There are over 10 million people in Israel—are we really saying it’s impossible to earn a stable parnassah here? That can’t be the whole story. I decided to find out for myself.

I started by posting on LinkedIn, sharing my background and my mission. My name is Natan Solomon. I’m 21, recently married, and a new Israeli citizen. I moved to Israel at 18 to learn in yeshiva and quickly realized that this is where every Jew is meant to be. With Hashem’s help, I made Aliyah and never looked back. While continuing my learning, I completed a bachelor’s degree in business online, began pursuing a master’s in financial management, and co-founded Aish Tamid Hats with my brother—all while building my new life as a husband. (We had a fascinating conversation about Torah and Sports with Rav Ari Solomon, Natan’s brother, a few months ago. YW)

My post caught traction. Dozens of professionals, mostly Olim who had once stood where I stood, reached out to help. I offered to travel from Yerushalayim to Tel Aviv to meet anyone who was willing to chat—just to sit down over coffee and hear their story. Every single person I met took time out of their day to speak with me purely out of goodwill. I didn’t know what to expect, but what I found was inspiring. Despite their packed schedules and senior roles, these professionals made space for me—not because they had to, but because that’s what we do for each other here.

Family Dynamic

There was a clear theme running through these encounters: in Israel, everyone is family. Whether you show up in a white shirt and black pants or sandals and a t-shirt, there’s a deep sense of mutual responsibility and warmth. The headlines might talk about division, but on the ground, the unity is real.

I learned that the culture in Israeli offices is very different from what you’d find in the U.S. For one, there’s a strong respect for family life. It’s completely normal for someone to leave a meeting to pick up their kid from gan, and no one bats an eye. More than that, there’s a powerful sense of purpose. One JP Morgan executive in Tel Aviv, echoed a similar sentiment I heard from Michael Eisenberg on the Shtark Tank podcast, who said, “When you work for Procter & Gamble in America, you’re making money for Procter & Gamble. But when you work for Procter & Gamble in Israel, you’re bringing prosperity to the Jewish people.”

Holy Work

That line hit me hard. Here in Israel, helping a company grow isn’t just business—it’s part of building the nation. When you work in finance here, you’re helping Jewish entrepreneurs raise capital, you’re supporting the economy of Am Yisrael, and ultimately, you’re creating a kiddush Hashem through your work. There’s a spiritual element to everyday life here that’s hard to describe until you experience it firsthand.

Opportunities Abound

As for the original question—can you make money in Israel?—the answer became more and more obvious after each conversation: yes, absolutely. There are countless opportunities across industries, and most major multinational companies have Israeli offices. What matters isn’t whether you went to an Ivy League school. What matters is your skill set, your drive, and your willingness to contribute to the broader mission of the Jewish people. If you come here with emunah and put in the hishtadlus, the doors will open.

I also realized that if you want to thrive here, you have to integrate. It’s tempting to stay in a comfortable Anglo bubble and look for remote jobs from the U.S., but that’s rarely sustainable. Learning Hebrew—and more importantly, learning Israeli culture—is essential. As Eisenberg joked on another podcast, “If your boss in an Israeli office isn’t yelling at you, that’s a bad sign.” Israeli workplaces are intense, direct, and deeply invested in growth.

Common Concerns

That said, I spoke with several professionals about the challenge of living in Yerushalayim and commuting daily to Tel Aviv—it’s not always easy, but it’s definitely doable. The train ride can actually be one of the most beautiful and productive parts of your day. You get nearly an hour to learn, read, or decompress, all while taking in the breathtaking views of the Judean hills. And importantly, there are thriving Torah communities all over the country—not just in Yerushalayim. Cities like Modiin, Beit Shemesh, Raanana, and Givat Shmuel offer a strong frum infrastructure while placing you within reach of Israel’s business centers.

There’s also a common concern that Israeli salaries are too low to live on. It’s true that pay is often lower than in America—but so is the cost of living, if you’re thoughtful. Health care is drastically cheaper. Public education is strong. There’s no crushing tuition or summer camp bills. Even housing can be more affordable: I pay about $1,300 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Yerushalayim, while a friend in Washington Heights pays over $2,600 for a similar place. The bottom line is this: you don’t have to be wealthy to live a meaningful, Torah-observant life in Israel. With the right mindset and a bit of planning, it’s entirely possible to build a life that’s both spiritually rich and financially sustainable.

Yes, bureaucracy can be frustrating. Yes, cars are expensive. But making Aliyah was the second-best decision of my life—right after marrying my wife.

And now, after this Bein Hazmanim experience, I’m committed to paying it forward. Just like others made time for me, I’ll make time for anyone who’s serious about building a future here. If you’re curious about business in Israel, reach out. Ask questions. Sit down for coffee.

My final takeaway is this: no matter how awkward networking might feel at first, it’s one of the most valuable skills you can build. The connections you make now—especially here—can shape your life in ways you never imagined. And in a place like Israel, they might even change the future of the Jewish people.

No, I haven’t held a 9-to-5 job yet. I’m still at the beginning of my journey. But I’m confident that with the right guidance, determination, and community, I’ll have my opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Israel’s business landscape. My dream isn’t just to find a job—it’s to create them. I want to help build companies that create new opportunities for Olim just like me. That, to me, is what it means to truly cultivate the Land of Israel.

The professionals I met showed me what’s possible. Now, I hope to do the same for others—helping pave a smoother path for future Olim who are ready to get to work and join the growing movement of people building Am Yisrael’s economic future. Because with faith, hustle, and heart, Israel can become one of the world’s great economic powerhouses—and we get to be the ones who help build it.