The last Nefesh B'Nefesh chartered flight of the civil calendar year 2007 is set to touch down on Thursday, bringing 191 new Jewish immigrants to Israel from North America.

The El Al plane will be greeted at Ben-Gurion International Airport by the head of the IDF Manpower Division, Major General Elazar Stern, Director General of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Erez Halfon, other officials and show hosts of IsraelNationalRadio.com. Hundreds of family members,

Over the course of 2007, more than 3,000 North American and British Jews immigrated to Israel through Nefesh B’Nefesh.

friends, well-wishers and previous Nefesh B'Nefesh beneficiaries are expected to be on the tarmac to greet the newcomers.

The Thursday flight includes immigrants from the United States and Canada. The oldest immigrant is 96 years old, while the youngest was born just three months ago. According to Nefesh B'Nefesh, the new immigrants will be moving to over 27 cities throughout Israel. Popular destinations for North Americans who made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in recent years include Beit Shemesh, Modi'in and Jerusalem.

Over the course of 2007, more than 3,000 North American and British Jews immigrated to Israel through Nefesh B’Nefesh, on eight specially-chartered planes and eight Aliyah group flights. About 10,000 Jews made Aliyah through Nefesh B'Nefesh since 2002.

Nefesh B’Nefesh is an organization dedicated to revitalizing North American and British Aliyah by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles to coming to live in Israel. The organization provides comprehensive emotional and material support for immigrants before and after their Aliyah. Among other efforts, Nefesh B'Nefesh offers financial assistance, employment resources, social services and guidance through governmental absorption procedures. Although a private initiative, Nefesh B'Nefesh worked with the Jewish Agency until earlier this year.

Originally focused on North American Jews, in 2006, Nefesh B'Nefesh extended its efforts to the United Kingdom. In September of this year, the organization was in discussions with Latin American Jewish community leaders regarding assistance for Jews in that region who were planning Aliyah.

Click here for a photo essay on the previous Nefesh B'Nefesh flight landing.