New olim from Nefesh B’Nefesh’s final group flight of 2017 with Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Zev Gershinsky, executive VP of Nefesh B’Nefesh, along
with Tzofim Garin Tzabar at Ben Gurion Airport

Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and JNF-USA, assisted 196 individuals in making aliyah last week. The group flight included 15 future lone soldiers, a soon-to-be bride, and 37 individuals moving to Israel’s North, South, and Jerusalem.

These new citizens bring the total number of North American olim in 2017 to 3,633. During this past year, Nefesh B’Nefesh facilitated 19 special aliyah flights from North America, bringing 377 families with 677 children, and an additional 1,677 singles. These olim ranged in age from five weeks to 102 years old, mostly from New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, as well as from Quebec and Ontario, Canada.

Nefesh B’Nefesh’s employment and government advocacy departments continues to assist medical professionals by streamlining the licensing process, making it easier for 61 doctors and 16 psychologists from North America and the U.K. to continue their professions in Israel, while contributing to the Israeli healthcare system. Other leading professions included education, marketing, finance, high-tech, and law.

Amongst the top cities to welcome olim in 2017 were Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ra’anana, and Netanya. The recently launched Nefesh B’Nefesh—KKL “Go Beyond” initiative successfully facilitated the aliyah of hundreds of olim to Israel’s northern and southern frontiers including Haifa, Tzfat, Zichron Yaakov, Karmiel, Tiberias, Nahariya, Hadera, Yokneam Illit, Pardes Hanna, and Maalot in the North, and Be’er Sheva, Ashkelon, Eilat, Ofakim, Mitzpe Ramon, Yerucham, Sderot, Arad, and Meitar in the South.

“We have had the incredible privilege of assisting thousands of olim this past year in fulfilling their Zionist dreams, and are pleased to see continued interest in aliyah from Jews living in the Diaspora,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “Today’s olim will begin building their homes in communities across the country, and will be making valuable contributions to strengthening Israel and the Jewish nation.”

Founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA, is dedicated to revitalizing aliyah from North America and the U.K. by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical, and social obstacles of aliyah. The support and comprehensive social services provided by Nefesh B’Nefesh to its over 50,000 newcomers has ensured that 90% of its olim have remained in Israel.

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