From: Nefesh B'Nefesh
August 12, 2014

MKs, President Rivlin Attend Aliyah Ceremony for 338 Olim

Despite war in Gaza, North American immigrants land in Israel 
to start a new life; 108 to enlist in the IDF.

Despite tensions surrounding the war in Gaza, 338 new Olim 
(immigrants) from the United States and Canada arrived in Israel 
Tuesday on an Aliyah charter flight to Israel. Of them, 108 will be 
enlisting in the IDF.

The special Nefesh B’Nefesh flight was organized in cooperation 
with the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption and Keren 
Kayemeth Le’Israel, The Jewish Agency for Israel, JNF - USA and 
Tzofim Garin Tzabar. 

The large group of immigrants included 37 families with 107 children. 
The passenger list was also comprised of 65 immigrants moving 
to Israel’s periphery as part of the Nefesh B’Nefesh and Keren 
Kayemeth L'Israel Go North and Go South programs. Altogether, 
the immigrants will be settling in every part of Israel, from Ma'alot 
in the North to Eilat in the South.

The immigrants hail from 27 states and three Canadian provinces, 
from Arizona to Quebec, and range in age from a six-week-old baby 
to a 93-year-old great-grandparent in a family of four generations 
making Aliyah together.

As the new immigrants made their first steps on Israeli soil upon arrival, 
KKL-JNF presented each of them with a personalized certificate 
announcing that KKL-JNF will plant a "first tree in the homeland of 
Israel" in their honor, encouraging the development of the Southern 
communities.

"The fighting spirit which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for 
thousands of years is not only found among IDF soldiers, but also 
among the immigrants who chose to come to Israel alone, without their 
families, at this particular period of time, and join the elite combatant units 
of the Israel Defense Forces,"  KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler said. 

"As a central partner in this important project, KKL-JNF is proud of the 
new immigrants and assures them with its support and promise to 
accompany them throughout their absorption in the Negev and Galilee, 
in favor of strengthening the Israeli society," noted Stenzler.   

"It is heartwarming to see young men and women, who despite these 
challenging times, are leaving their comfortable lives in the Diaspora 
to make Aliyah and serve and defend the State of Israel," Minister of 
Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, Sofa Landver added. 

"The Olim who are continuing to move to Israel are strengthening us all, 
especially these determined young people who will be joining the IDF in 
combative and significant roles. You are the symbol of Zionism and the 
future of the State of Israel."

Speaking about the timing of the flight, Co-Founder and Executive Director 
of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Yehoshua Fass remarked "I find it profoundly 
inspiring that we have a 747 jumbo jet filled to capacity with people from 
the North American Jewish community making Aliyah, especially at such 
a challenging time. To see that Jews everywhere, young and old, religious 
and secular, are determined to fulfill the dream of helping to build the 
Jewish State is truly amazing."

Chair of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Natan Sharansky, also addressed 
the new wave of Aliyah.

"That so many Jews from the West are joining us of their own free will 
is the best answer to those who still try to destroy us," Sharansky said. 
"This flight is yet another step in the ingathering of the exiles, and we 
look forward to welcoming these new Israelis home."

Several MKs and dignitaries attended the welcoming ceremony and 
personally met some of the immigrants.

Among them were President of Israel, Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin; 
Minister of Interior, Gidon Saar; Director-General of the Ministry of 
Aliyah and Immigration Absorption, Mr. Oded Feuer; Chairman of 
the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, Natan Sharansky; 
Chairman of the Board of Directors of KKL-JNF, Effie Stenzler; 
CEO, Jewish National Fund, Russell Robinson; Chairman of the 
Israel Scouts Tzofim, Mr. Eli Ben-Yosef and Co-Founders of 
Nefesh B'Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass & Tony Gelbart.