By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency
New York — August 11, 2016 … North Americans are again illustrating their love for Israel but for 233 of them it will not be through sending donations. This coming Tuesday they will leave New York’s JFK airport to settle in their ancient, biblical homeland. These proud Jews will arrive in Israel on an El Al Boeing 777 chartered by Nefesh B’Nefesh and officially make Aliyah next Wednesday, August 17.
The flight is being facilitated in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel (KKL), JNF-USA and Tzofim-Garin Tzabar.
“Of these Jews 75 young men and women will be serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF),” said a spokesperson for Nefesh B’Nefesh. “They are moving to Israel as ‘Lone Soldiers’, youngsters who left their families in the US and Canada to move to Israel and volunteer for the Israeli Army, Navy and Air Force. They will join the over 900 Lone Soldiers from the US, and the 3,000 Lone Soldiers from around the world who are currently serving in the IDF.”
NBN states that the flight’s other passengers will include a diverse mix of people from 22 US states and one Canadian province, including 24 families, 78 children and 10 medical professionals. Ages of immigrants range from 3.5 weeks to 85 years old.
With this flight, NBN will celebrate making history with its 50,000 immigrant brought to Israel with the organization, which was founded in 2002.
A special welcome ceremony will be held at Ben Gurion Airport upon the flight’s arrival and will include: President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin; Minister Tzachi Hanegbi; Minister of Immigrant Absorption, MK Sofa Landver; Director of the Aliyah, Absorption and Special Operations Unit of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Yehuda Sharf; Chairman of Garin Tzabar, Eli Ben Yosef; and Co-Founders of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart.
Founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh in cooperation with the Israeli government and The Jewish Agency for Israel, is dedicated to revitalizing Aliyah from North America and the UK 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 almost 50,000 newcomers has ensured that over 90 percent of its Olim have remained in Israel.
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