The economic crisis has spurred increased interest in employment opportunities in Israel

The current global economic crisis has spurred interest in immigration to Israel, according to the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). In recent months, JAFI reports a dramatic rise in the number of immigration applicants due to the declining economy, in which the US has been hit the hardest. 

In response to the economic crisis, JAFI, together with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, will be running employment seminars throughout North America, Great Britain, and France. An Israeli team of experts will speak on job opportunities, new tax incentives, and health issues that new immigrants and returning Israelis face. In addition, officials will be available to field questions on tuition-free higher education grants for new immigrants, and internship and volunteering opportunities.

“The economic crisis has spurred increased interest in employment opportunities in Israel,” Jewish Agency Aliyah Department liaison Liran Avisar states. “A large number of new immigrants and Israelis in the U.S. have recently inquired into making aliyah (immigration) or returning to Israel. We are privileged to host a team of leading Israeli experts specializing in employment, health insurance, higher education and the new tax reform in order to answer pertinent questions from those considering living in Israel these days.”

Over 2,000 North Americans immigrated to Israel last year, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. Hundreds of Israelis returned from North America. A total of 18,129 new immigrants came to Israel in 2007, while 11,400 people have immigrated between January and October this year. The vast majority of immigrants came from the former Soviet Union, with 6,502 immigrants arriving in 2007. Statistics show a 50 percent increase in the number of Israelis returning in recent months compared to the same time frame last year. Although the economic crisis has also affected Israel, numerous employment options are currently available.

The aliyah conferences will run from Sunday to Thursday in major North American cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, Miami, Montreal, and Toronto.

The New York conference took place on Sunday and the Baltimore conference will take place on Monday. For further information and reservations, contact 212-339-6063, or email [email protected]

In related news, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption offers a voucher for vocational training for immigrants who are unemployed or who wish to upgrade their skills.

Immigrants who have been living in Israel for less than 10 years are eligible to receive a grant of up to 80 percent of tuition costs. Immigrants must complete all paperwork by December 15 to prevent delays in receiving the voucher due to pending budgetary approval in January. “If you know what you’re interested in studying, or an employer requires a particular course, you can choose a particular institution by yourself," Ministry of Immigrant Absorption’s director of employment opportunities, Claudia Katz told Israel National News. “Alternatively, we could build an individualized educational program based on the immigrant’s interests and the current job market requirements,” Katz added. For more information, immigrants can click the link of the Absorption Ministry's contacts: http://www.moia.gov.il/Moia_en/Employment/VoucherProject.htm?SearchText