July 8, 2003
8 Tammuz, 5763
Jerusalem500 North Americans Immigrating to Israel this Week
-The Jewish Agency for Israel Sponsors Charter Flight-NEW YORK, NY, July 7, 2003 -The Jewish Agency for Israel, is pleased to announce that 500 Americans and Canadians will be flying to Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel-Aviv this week, arriving as new citizens of Israel. The historic flight departs from New York's John F. Kennedy International airport on Tuesday July 8, 2003, at 4 p.m.
The new immigrants, known in Israel as 'olim,' will fly on a specially configured, El-Al flight, chartered by the Jewish Agency for Israel. Sending off the olim from JFK will be many dignitaries including Effi Eitam, Israeli Minister of Housing and Construction; Danny Ayalon, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S.; Meir Nitzan, Executive Director of the Jewish Agency in North America; Michael Landsberg, Executive Director of the Jewish Agency's North American Aliyah Delegation; Rabbi Joshua Fass, Executive Director of Nefesh B'Nefesh; and Michael Meyer, Director General of El Al in the U.S.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will formally welcome the olim, as new Israeli citizens, at Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday morning, along with Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Sallai Meridor; Israeli Minister of Finance, Benjamin Netanyahu; Israeli Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Tzipi Livni; and Co-founder of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Tony Gelbart.
The flight represents a continuing trend of growing immigration to Israel-commonly known as Aliyah, or ascension-from the United States and Canada. In 2002, there was a 20 percent increase in Aliyah from North America, with 1,664 individuals choosing to make Israel their new home. Prior to this month, over 500 individuals have already made to Aliyah to Israel in 2003.
A second flight with 350 olim will fly to Israel on July 22, 2003. This month alone, the Jewish Agency is sending 1,000 olim, a 30 percent increase from July of 2002.
"We are extremely pleased to see a continued rise in Aliyah from North America," said Michael Landsberg, Executive Director of the Israel Aliyah Center. "This growing trend of immigration represents a new ideological wave of Aliyah to Israel. Typically, olim arrive in Israel for a variety of reasons including Anti-semitism and extreme financial hardship. This wave of Aliyah features an optimistic group of Americans and Canadians, moving to Israel to be a part of the Jewish National Homeland.
Many of the olim are receiving financial incentive to make Aliyah by a private organization entitled Nefesh B'Nefesh. In addition, olim receive numerous benefits from the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Government. Benefits include free tuition for three years of undergraduate and graduate study. University programs are available in English, Russian and Hebrew, enabling new students from the U.S. and Canada to easily pursue their studies. In addition to university study, all new citizens are entitled to five free months of intensive Hebrew language study.
The Jewish Agency for Israel is the official immigration arm of the Jewish people to Israel. The Israel Aliyah Center assists Americans and Canadians wishing to move to Israel, or travel on long-term programs. Since the foundation of the State of Israel, nearly 115,000 Jews have made aliyah from North America.
New citizens receive monthly rent or mortgage subsidies, and tax advantages on the import or purchase of household items, for up to three years. Free health insurance is provided for up to six months as well.
In addition, immigrating citizens are now entitled to a "Sal Klita" or "Basket of Absorption Benefits." The basket includes over $3,300 spread over three years, with approximately $400 dollars given immediately upon arrival to Israel.
For those who may be considering living in Israel or wish to spend time there, the Israel Aliyah Center offers a variety of experiential and volunteer programs for students and adults. The programs provide the opportunity for young Jewish adults to participate in Israeli society, and to create and strengthen a powerful bond with the State of Israel. Programs include: Israel Professional Internship; Magen David Adom Ambulance Volunteers; Kibbutz Ulpan; WUJS International Graduate Center; Marva Outdoor Course; and Project Otzma.
For more information on Aliyah and Programs in Israel, please call (212) 339-6063 or visit www.Aliyah.org. For more information on the July 8 flight, please call (917) 991-6512 or (917) 825-0358.
For additional information contact
the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013