Jews from several countries around the globe will be making aliyah [immigrating to Israel] this coming week.

Following the sounding of the shofar [ram’s horn] on Rosh HaShanah, 380 Diaspora Jews will arrive in fulfillment of the daily prayer, “Sound the great Shofar for our freedom and raise the banner to gather in the exiles from the four corners of the earth.”

The new immigrants are setting out from eighteen different countries: 172 from Russia, including many who are part of the Naaleh program that brings young people on Aliyah ahead of their families, who later join them; 63 from Ethiopia; 45 from France; 29 from Ukraine (also Naaleh participants); 29 from southern Kavkaz and Asia (also Naaleh participants); eight each from the United States, Eastern Europe, and Venezuela and the rest from England, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Mexico, South Africa, Canada and Turkey.

Young Jews Come to Israel For High School

The Jewish Agency has launched a program similar to the long-standing Naaleh framework to bring North American Jewish high school students to complete their studies in Israel.

Sixty students were accepted to the Elite Academy Program and arrived in Israel last week. This is the fourth year the program has existed.

Students will make up four complete classes, all at different affiliated Israeli boarding schools, yeshivas or Kibbutz high schools.

For more information on the program, call 212 339 6920.