To an outside observer, it seems almost strange. An event in the heart of New Jersey with hundreds of visitors, citizens of the United States, interested in relocation. And not just any move, but to a country at war on seven fronts, some highly active and others hidden from view, simmering beneath the surface.

"After October 7, I decided I wanted to be with my people," is a common phrase repeated when approaching potential immigrants about why Israel has become a destination for them, especially now.

Nefesh B'Nefesh organizes together with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, Ministry of Health, and additional partners, the MedEx immigration fair for families and individuals day after day. This transforms a lengthy bureaucratic process into a quick experience with several stations in one hotel. While outside, anti-Israel protesters remind us that antisemitic persecution is not concentrated within Israel's borders but extends far beyond them.

At this event, which takes place annually, I met not only Jewish American citizens interested in immigrating to Israel but also those who want to specifically move to the Gaza border communities and the north, seeing it as a mission. While they circulate among the booths of hospitals and health maintenance organizations from Israel to explore job opportunities, I also meet Professor Salman Zarka, manager of Ziv Hospital in Safed, who came to the conference for the second consecutive year, this time to recruit a thoracic surgeon.

"The ratio of doctors in the north is the lowest in the country"

When I wonder if any of the immigrants expressed interest in Ziv Hospital, he responds: "They see things differently than Tel Avivians. What the north can offer is impact – influence, because proportionally the ratio of doctors in the north is the lowest in the country, so sometimes you arrive and you're the first doctor in your field."

Professor Zarka clarifies: "It's not just Zionism – as mentioned, you're looking for influence. Doctors in their 50s who already have established careers, what speaks to them and influences them is the desire to come and create change. I also have doctors in Israel who 'immigrated' from the 'State of Tel Aviv' to Safed," he says with a half-smile.

Ziv Hospital, which bore the burden of treating soldiers when the northern front was active, treated 1,330 wounded, some from the two most memorable and difficult events: the ground entry into Lebanon on the eve of Rosh Hashanah when large numbers of soldiers were wounded, and the missile strike on the children's playground in Majdal Shams. "The entire country is in post-traumatic stress," says Zarka. "Ziv's psychiatry department is considered a national center of excellence for all ages, including early childhood. The need for us will grow after the war for soldiers and the returning population."

"Now I want to immigrate to Israel"

Later, among the booths, I meet Amy Davis from Philadelphia, a palliative care physician who had been seeking ways to volunteer in Israel throughout the war. Among hundreds of volunteer doctors from the United States who came to Israel, Amy arrived for three months of volunteering at Herzog Hospital.

"Now I want to immigrate to Israel," she says. "I can offer my medical skills to people in Israel. They need doctors in the center of the country too, but I spent four weeks on a preliminary trip in Beersheba and Zichron Yaakov, and everything was so beautiful and quiet that I realized I love the more remote places."

Amy Davis also examined the war situation up close. She downloaded the Home Front Command app and assessed the time required to reach a protected space in the places she visited. "A 30-second alert is fine for me, but not less," she says. "With less time, you can't even run from the shower to the shelter."

Davis is expected to arrive in Israel this coming summer. Like her, Leandra and Paul Forman from Toronto, both family physicians, are exploring the possibility of immigrating and settling in Ashkelon and the Negev.

"It was a small dream that after October 7, we wanted to fulfill," says Leandra, and Paul adds: "We understood that we could give something back to our people. After 30 years of practicing family medicine, we want to do it for our people." Paul's parents are already in Yad Binyamin, which should make the transition easier.

"If everyone gives what they can to the people and the state – it will be a lot for the State of Israel," they describe their motivation and focus on the south of the country, as Professor Zarka explained earlier: "You want to be in a place where you're needed most, not in Netanya or Tel Aviv."

At the MedEx fair – which is part of a broader national program led by the Ministries of Aliyah and Integration, Health, Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience – together with Nefesh B'Nefesh and in partnership with the Jewish Agency, the Marcus Foundation, the Gottesman Foundation, Jewish Federations of North America and the Azrieli Foundation – Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer, Director General of the Ministry of the Negev and Galilee Yohanan Mali, and Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Sefi Mendelovich are also circulating among the attendees, along with senior officials from Nefesh B'Nefesh.

Two birds with one stone

The fair for doctors and medical professionals is a kind of flagship program for everyone. On one hand, it encourages immigration, and on the other hand, it addresses the worsening shortage of doctors in Israel, with an extra "encouragement" in the form of grants for doctors who will come to the Negev and Galilee. "In the past year, we have implemented the absorption of 519 immigrant doctors," says Minister Sofer. "This year's conference is larger than last year's, and this is significant news for Israeli citizens, alongside the strong desire of many Jews from around the world to support Israel and be part of the Zionist story."

Yohanan Mali, whose ministry budgets a grant of 400,000 shekels for doctors who decide to come to the Negev or Galilee, explains that often the decision hinges on other questions from potential immigrants. "They ask us about the education system, transportation, and employment opportunities for spouses.

"When we look at the willingness to move northward – these are the three main legs. Through this conference last year, we managed to bring a brain neurosurgeon to the south. We provide money for research and laboratories." In the end, or at the beginning, Mali says, doctors who come to Israel know they will have a dramatic decrease in income. "We can't compete with that, but once they've made the decision – we can provide them with a supportive framework."

The cooperation between the organization and government ministries also addresses Israel's current real need for doctors. In a conversation with Dr. Sefi Mendelovich, he explains that "There will be a dramatic drop in the number of doctors from 2026 following the Yatziv reform, but the vacuum is also a wonderful opportunity for renewal.

"These people here are our strategic rear"

"The Zionism of immigrant doctors aligns with a very specific need for doctors, especially in the periphery, where they will feel they are contributing much more." Regarding the war and the rehabilitation of the north, Mendelovich says: "We saw health funds that maintained clinics in Kiryat Shmona and other evacuated communities for over a year, this is the new plowline. Difficult years are coming in terms of doctor numbers, and these people here are our strategic rear. One doctor can elevate an entire department."

Among the booths at the conference, I was surprised to discover one belonging to the Tekuma Administration for the rehabilitation of Gaza border communities. At the booth sits Maya, who describes the enormous investment in healthcare (750 million shekels) in the Gaza border region, as well as the effort to recruit doctors for the community. "We offer a 300,000 shekel grant for doctors and require them to work in the region but not necessarily live there. Last year we brought one doctor to Sderot – and that's a world of difference for the residents. We're mainly working on the additional level for people who experienced trauma, and they are generally much more ill."

Converting a year into an hour

In another part of the world, immigrants take their certification documents out of large boxes. Just this morning they were hanging on the wall, but now they are brought to be verified on the way to receiving a license to practice medicine in Israel.

A process that takes an average of a year is shortened to just an hour. Deputy Director General of Nefesh B'Nefesh, Zeev Gershinski, says: "We have become the executive arm of the State of Israel in addressing the shortage of doctors. Just weeks after October 7, we handled, together with the Ministry of Health, hundreds of requests from doctors to come and volunteer in Israel. Now we are simply continuing that wave of solidarity and Zionism with those who want to make it permanent."

Just before evening falls, I meet Jonathan Hensch. He is walking around the fair with two suitcases, and it turns out that just a few hours ago he landed in the United States on his way back from Israel, where he had gone to accompany his eldest son who enlisted in the Golani Brigade.

While his wife and younger children wait in the car, he handles some of the immigration procedures at the fair and shares: "Israel has always been important to us, and October 7 is part of the reason we're doing this now. We were with my son in Israel, and a friend told me about this conference. It turned out we landed on the day it's taking place – it was meant to be."

While his son decided to give up a scholarship of excellence at a university to volunteer for the IDF, Jonathan decided on the complementary action. "Our children already study in Zionist schools today. My grandfather escaped from Budapest during the Holocaust and came to the United States, and he was sent to Egypt from where he transferred a great deal of weapons to Palestine for the fighting organizations. It's in our DNA. We're planning to immigrate this coming summer, but before that, we'll come to Israel for our son's beret ceremony."

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Ariel University in Samaria is set to make history Wednesday by conferring doctor of medicine degrees on 53 graduates from the Adelson School of Medicine. This milestone comes after an intensive 4-year journey, culminating in a ceremony attended by the president of Israel, where the graduates will officially become doctors. The cohort, completing their final year of their practicum, boasts a strong female representation, with approximately 40 women among the graduates.

Dr. Shany Shperling-Mordo, 31, an Ariel University medical graduate now interning at Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer, reflects on the mixed emotions of the moment. "It's a complex time given the current situation in the country, especially working in a hospital and witnessing everything firsthand," she says. "But I'm also incredibly excited about this event. After all the hard work, it's deeply rewarding to reach this point. There's a real sense of accomplishment."

The past five years have been transformative for Shperling-Mordo. "I've met extraordinary people, both fellow students and faculty members," she recalls. "One particularly remarkable individual was Moshe Yedidyah Leiter, who tragically fell in battle in Gaza last November at age 39. He was a commander in the Shaldag unit and played a significant role in my journey. He encouraged us to join the 'Arrow' program, which integrates top students into research at various Sheba departments. Both of us were accepted. It was a pivotal moment in my career, and I owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. He was an exceptional person who could have been an outstanding physician. His loss is profound for our country."

Looking to the future, Shperling-Mordo expresses hope: "I wish for myself and my colleagues to become skilled doctors capable of truly helping our patients. I hope we can fulfill our aspirations while remembering our roots, and importantly, that we choose to stay here to work and live in Israel. To me, that's crucial."

The Adelson School of Medicine at Ariel University opened its doors in October 2019 and currently hosts about 350 students. The four-year program is designed for those with a bachelor's degree. The inaugural class is now completing their internships, with some already securing positions in various specialties nationwide.

Dr. Dan Sagi, 32, now an intern at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, reminisces about his first day of medical school over four years ago. Since then, his days have grown longer and his nights shorter. But the journey has brought him more than just a medical degree; it's given him love and family."

"My wife is also a medical student at Ariel, a year behind me," Sagi shares. "We met while preparing for the entrance exams. By chance, I was accepted before her, even though she's far more accomplished. Ten months ago, we welcomed our beautiful daughter. It's been an incredibly intense period. Before starting, I couldn't have imagined what I was getting into," he admits. "There have been countless sleepless nights, especially this past year, but the satisfaction is immeasurable. I love this profession beyond words. Most days, I'm up before dawn, but I genuinely enjoy what I do."

In anticipation of the ceremony, Professor Shai Ashkenazi, dean of the Adelson School of Medicine, wrote to the graduates: "You're entering a noble profession that is truly a calling. It uniquely combines sophisticated science with the act of giving, helping others, and saving lives. Always treat your patients with humility, warmth, empathy, compassion, and words of encouragement. Guide them wisely and sensitively towards recovery."

Tonight's ceremony at Ariel University will be attended by President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal, Dr. Miriam Adelson, Ministry of Health Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Israel Medical Association Chairman Professor Zion Hagay, University President Professor Ehud Grossman, University Rector Professor Albert Pinhasov, and School of Medicine Dean Professor Shai Ashkenazi.

The establishment of the School of Medicine at Ariel University was a pioneering move, breaking years of stagnation in opening new medical schools in Israel, partly due to resistance from established universities. The preparatory process spanned several years, involving extensive consultations with experts in Israel and abroad. The school's innovative curriculum aims to produce high-quality physicians with a strong foundation in both basic sciences and clinical medicine.

Israel is currently grappling with a shortage of doctors, a problem expected to worsen. The country's physician ratio is 3.1 per 100,000 people, significantly below the OECD average. Recent recommendations propose an immediate increase in medical student intake from 1,200 to 1,400 annually, with plans to potentially double this figure in the future.

Dr. Miriam Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom. The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.

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To mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, which this year begins on the eve of April 7, International March of the Living, together with the Maimonides Institute for Ethics and the Holocaust, the Miller Center at Rutgers University, the USC Shoah Foundation and Teva Pharmaceuticals, will be holding hold an online symposium on "Medicine and Morality: Lessons from the Holocaust and COVID-19."

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The program, scheduled to air at 7 p.m. EST, will include testimony from survivors who were both persecuted by Nazi doctors as well as saved by medical professionals during the Holocaust. It will also feature world renowned medical professionals and researchers who will discuss medical resistance during the Holocaust, the legacy of Nazi medicine and what the Holocaust can teach us about the ethics of care.

During the symposium, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisor to the US president, will receive the "Moral Courage in Medicine" award for his work in combatting COVID-19, his long history of leading the battle against infectious diseases, and his dedication to the health and wellbeing of humankind.

The event will also include a moving performance of "Schindler's List" by Grammy Award winner and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador of Music, Miri Ben-Ari, herself the descendant of Holocaust survivors.

Participating organizations include the World Medical Association, the Department of Education of the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics, the Israeli Medical Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Indian Medical Association, the South African Medical Association and many others.

Vice-Chairman of the International March of the Living, Professor David Machlis, and Founding Director of the Maimonides Institute for Ethics and the Holocaust, Dr. Stacy Gallin, noted that this year in particular, it was appropriate to honor the activities and heroism of the medical community during the Holocaust by inviting practicing medical professionals to participate in all March of the Living events.

"We believe that hundreds of medical staff and medical students will tune in to watch a program that will be both informative and poignant," Machlis said.

Anyone interested in watching the symposium can register here.

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Doctors and nurses are always needed, but a year into the COVID pandemic, the Jewish Agency is developing a comprehensive program designed to help medical professionals from all over the world make aliyah and join the Israeli healthcare system.

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In 2020, about 950 medical and paramedical professionals immigrated to Israel from around the world, including more than 300 physicians who made aliyah with the assistance of The Jewish Agency.

Accordingly, The Jewish Agency decided to develop a unique program for immigrant doctors in order to ease their rapid integration into hospitals and clinics throughout the country. The program will enable medical professionals to start studying Hebrew while still living abroad. Upon arrival in Israel, they will be integrated into joint programs with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and Ministry of Health, as well as the Masa Israel Journey.

Among other benefits, the medical professionals will receive housing in absorption centers and kibbutzim, afterschool programming for children, assistance in preparation for Israeli licensing exams, and internship placements.

During the Board of Governors conference scheduled for this week, global Jewish community representatives will meet with doctors who have already immigrated to Israel to hear about their experiences making aliyah at the height of the pandemic.

"Olim [immigrant] doctors who will join medical teams working day and night on the COVID-19 health crisis," said Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog.

"In addition to benefiting the health care industry, Aliyah also holds huge potential to boost the Israeli economy as the country continues to navigate a challenging economic period," Herzog said.

As part of its work to rehabilitate Jewish communities that have been hit hard by COVID-19, The Jewish Agency will utilize its international emergency preparedness network, JReady, to provide community leaders and organizations with training in dealing with traumatic events. Representatives of the Board of Governors will meet during the conference with heads of Jewish communities from Turkey, South Africa, Brazil, and Italy to hear about the state of emergency preparedness in their communities.

The Jewish Agency will also operate a special fund to boost the security of Jewish communities worldwide and send emissaries to 65 countries to support the education and social support systems in local Jewish communities.

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