Twenty-five new immigrants arrived in Israel Thursday as the country wages a war with the Hamas terror organization.
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The olim arrived courtesy of Nefesh B'Nefesh that worked in partnership with the Aliyah and Integration Ministry led by Minister Ofir Sofer, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA.
Spanning in age from 19 to 79, the olim hail from across America, including New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio. They plan to establish their new homes across Israel, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv-Yafo, Haifa, Netanya, Beit Shemesh, Petah Tikva, Rosh Ha'ayin, Ma'ale Adumim, and beyond.
"It is incredibly moving to welcome this week's olim, who despite extremely tragic and unsecure circumstances, are continuing to fulfill their Zionist dreams of moving to Israel," Co-Founder and Chairman of Nefesh B'Nefesh Tony Gelbart said. "As always, we remain steadfast in our mission to assist all future olim, as well as veteran olim, as they continue contributing to the growth and resilience of the State of Israel, each in their own dedicated ways. There is no doubt that today's olim send an unmistakable message that the Jewish nation is united, strong and resilient and we welcome them to their new homes."
Joshua Rosenthal, 36, from Baltimore, said, "My aunt immigrated to Israel nearly 45 years ago in 1979. She thought I was crazy when I told her I was still sticking with my plan to make aliyah now. But as far as I'm concerned, as long as I have a seat on the plane with my name on it – I'm there! It's very important that the people of Israel know that Jews all over the world still support Israel with everything we have and we're still coming. Hope is our secret weapon and it's what will get our people through this."
Acknowledging this is a time of crisis, Nefesh B'Nefesh is working around the clock to support its vast community of nearly 80,000 North American olim as well as the thousands of international lone soldiers (those without immediate family in Israel) in its dedicated FIDF – Nefesh B'Nefesh Lone Soldiers Program.
The projects include offering free therapy and counseling services to families in the south, distributing much-needed supplies for olim in problematic areas, hosting weddings at cost for northern and southern olim as well as lone soldiers, assisting to fly physicians from abroad to lend immediate support to the Israeli healthcare system, expanding the reach of its 24/6 "Answers" hotline, and allocating financial grants for olim families impacted by the war.
Nefesh B'Nefesh is also assisting thousands of lone soldier olim currently drafted (both in active duty and reservists), by offering free mental health support services, manning a dedicated hotline and information center for parents of lone soldiers, and offering informational broadcasts in multiple languages for olim and families of lone soldiers which has reached thousands of homes to date.
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