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NYC Fair Welcomes Tri-State Area Residents Considering Move to Israel

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Nefesh B’Nefesh, which facilitates the Aliyah process for Jews in North America and the United Kingdom, hosted an Aliyah Fair at Crowne Plaza Times Square on Sunday, March 6th

Fourteen years since beginning its life-changing work, Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN) is touring the U.S. and Canada as it approaches the milestone of having facilitated 50,000 North Americans in making Aliyah (immigration to Israel).

Nefesh B’Nefesh, which facilitates the Aliyah process for Jews in North America and the United Kingdom, hosted an Aliyah Fair at Crowne Plaza Times Square on Sunday, March 6th, as part of a tour of eight North American cities. In each community, NBN is convening potential Olim (those considering making Aliyah), to provide critical information and answer questions about the immigration process.

The Aliyah fairs, also being held in Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, south Florida, Montreal and Toronto, are co-hosted by Nefesh B’Nefesh, Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA.

“It is always so exciting to see the outstanding turn-out of thousands of potential Olim attending our Aliyah fairs and taking additional small steps toward fulfilling their Aliyah dreams,” said Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass. “The Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah fairs are a beneficial way for those contemplating moving to Israel to consult with an array of professionals in person and to learn firsthand, through tailored employment, social and educational sessions, how to build a plan for creating a successful Aliyah.”

The Aliyah fairs, themed “Make Yourself at Home,” give people the chance to explore through workshops and one-on-one conversations with Israeli professionals from Aliyah-related fields the many short-term logistical details and long-term implications of making Aliyah, including choosing a community to move to, finding a new home, enrolling children in school, attaining professional licensing, getting a driver’s license, securing health and other insurance, etc.

Participants meet with accountants, financial planners, shippers, and representatives from industries including insurance, healthcare, real estate, higher education, and more. Those present benefit from workshops and seminars on topics such as careers in Israel, taxes and budgeting, Israeli healthcare, and Aliyah rights and benefits. Representatives of The Jewish Agency for Israel are also on site to discuss the process for verifying Aliyah eligibility and the Agency’s programs to help people transition to Israeli life.

“There’s no way to be fully prepared for everything that comes along with picking up and moving to Israel, but Nefesh B’Nefesh has been an invaluable support system for me the whole way,” said Rebekah Friedman, who formerly lived in Teaneck, N.J., made Aliyah in 2013 and spoke at the recent Aliyah fair. “Details such as finalizing the logistics for my group flight and helping me get my resume in order once I made Aliyah may seem trivial, but they make all the difference once you start going through the process.”

Aliyah fair participants are also learning about unique Nefesh B’Nefesh programs through which they can resettle in communities amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Israel, as well as in the Negev, in Southern Israel, which while it constitutes 66% of Israel’s land, is only populated by 8% of its people. Israel’s Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee is represented at the fairs to discuss the various options and benefits available to new Olim interested in heading to these areas.

In addition, Israeli Ministry of Health officials are on hand to discuss and expedite the medical licensing process for Olim who plan to move to Israel soon, to ensure a rapid transition to work in medical fields. These officials will also offer seminars on licensing procedures in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, nutrition, pharmacology, and more – and provide personal information sessions.

Since it was founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh has chartered more than 50 Aliyah flights from North America, and more than 90 percent of Olim have remained in Israel since arriving. The organization has changed the lives of both those who have relocated and those already living in Israel, by bringing newcomers to almost 200 Israeli communities, who have met and married their spouses, raised children, and become educators, scientists, medical professionals, among many other careers.

Those in other communities interested in registering to attend an Aliyah fair near them can find additional information at: NBN.org/il/MakeItHome

About Nefesh B’Nefesh

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. Since it was established in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh has assisted almost 50,000 newcomers to Israel. More information: www.nbn.org.il

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