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Nefesh B’Nefesh Welcomes 75,000th Oleh On Summer Aliyah Flight

Among the Olim welcomed were 40 future lone soldiers, 100 children, 27 medical professionals – and one Canadian

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A group of 40 future lone soldiers made Aliyah to serve in the Israel Defense Forces on Aug. 17, 2022. (Photo: Shahar Azran).

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On Aug. 17 in Tel Aviv, 225 new immigrants (Olim) from North America landed at Ben Gurion Airport this morning on the 63rd Nefesh B’Nefesh chartered Aliyah flight through El Al Israel Airlines. The flight was coordinated in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), Jewish National Fund-USA and Tzofim-Garin Tzabar.

Coming from a variety of backgrounds, the passenger manifest would show 19 US states and one Canadian province represented.

The flight brought 40 future lone soldiers who will join the 3,500 men and women from around the world who are currently serving as part of the FIDF-Nefesh B’Nefesh Lone Soldiers Program. Once they become Israeli citizens, these men and women will be required to enlist in the IDF, as are all Israeli citizens at the age of 18. 

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Thirty are part of Tzofim-Garin Tzabar, a Friends of Israel Scouts program, who before and throughout their military service are adopted by Israeli communities that serve as their home away from home. Their absorption period includes ulpan Hebrew studies, educational tours in Israel, introduction to the military structure and the different positions.

“These young men and women leave their families and friends to help the Jewish state,” said Tomer Schorr, Director of the Tzofim-Garin Tzabar Program. “In choosing to make Aliyah and serve the State of Israel, these future lone soldiers illustrate the importance of developing and maintaining the strong connection between Israel and North American Jewry.”

Also arriving was a diverse group of professionals bringing their unique talents to communities throughout the Jewish State. Israel’s medical system will be improved by 27 medical professionals now arriving, who will aid in the growing medical shortage in the country. Seventy-two Olim on the flight are part of the Nefesh B’Nefesh-KKL Go Beyond initiative, which is aimed at developing Israel’s peripheral regions and Jerusalem.  

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“I would like to congratulate the 225 North American Olim who made Aliyah today with Nefesh B’Nefesh,” said Pnina Tamano-Shata, Minister of Aliyah and Integration. “They are joining the other 50,000 Olim from around the world who made Aliyah this year. It is our duty to ensure they experience a swift transition, and we will do everything in our power to make sure their absorption process is as seamless as possible.”

She continued, “I also congratulate the terrific organization, Nefesh B’Nefesh, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, and wish them continued success in serving new immigrants. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration hopes to continue its fruitful partnership with them and its shared mission of bringing Olim home.”

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, said “Every Aliyah flight carries hundreds of inspiring Olim who are fulfilling their dreams of making Israel their home. This summer, we are thrilled to be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Nefesh B’Nefesh as well as our 75,000th Oleh, and we remain steadfast in our mission to facilitate, advocate, educate, and celebrate the miracle of the Jewish state and Aliyah.”

Sam Leeman, the 75,000th “oleh,” or new immigrant to Israel, arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport on a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight on Aug. 17, 2022. (Photo: Shahar Azran)

“Although I have traveled to Israel many times, it is surreal to finally be landing as an official Israeli citizen,” said Sam Leeman. “Being recognized as Nefesh B’Nefesh’s 75,000th Oleh makes this moment even more meaningful, and I am really looking forward to beginning this new chapter of my life here in Israel as a current medical student at Ben Gurion University’s Medical School for International Health and a future physician in the Israeli medical system.”

“El Al was founded to enable people from around the world to make their way to Israel,” said Omry Cohen, VP of Operations at El Al Israel Airlines. “It is our honor and privilege to partner with Nefesh B’Nefesh on these charter flights and help hundreds of people live their dream of Aliyah. Mazel Tov and Aliyah Tova!”

Nefesh B’Nefesh is expecting to conclude the summer with approximately 2,000 new Olim, among them 494 families, 315 single men and women, 205 retirees, and 626 children, with the oldest Oleh being 101 years old and the youngest a two-month-old baby. Of the 2,000 Olim, there are 51 doctors and 87 health professionals who will be integrating into the Israeli medical system.

Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Acting Chairman of The Jewish Agency, Yaakov Hagoel stated: “The Jewish Agency will continue, together with Nefesh B’Nefesh and other organizations, to help Jews from every corner of the world who wish to fulfill the Zionist dream and make Aliyah.”

The leading cities where the Olim have chosen to settle are Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Ra’anana and Netanya. About 330 of the Olim have chosen to settle in the south, the north and the capital of Israel.

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Thank you for choosing TheJ.Ca as your source for Canadian Jewish News.

We do news differently!

Our positioning as a Zionist News Media platform sets us apart from the rest. While other Canadian Jewish media are advocating increasingly biased progressive political and social agendas, TheJ.Ca is providing more and more readers with a welcome alternative and an ideological home.

We revealed the incursion of anti-Israel progressive elements such as IfNotNow into our communities. We have exposed the distorted hateful agenda of the “progressive” left political radicals who brought Linda Sarsour to our cities, and we were first to report on many disturbing incidents of Nazi-based hate towards Jews across Canada.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your HELP!

Our ability to thrive and grow in 2020 and beyond depends on the generosity of committed readers and supporters like you.

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