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President Moshe Katzav, Absorption Minister Ze'ev Boim and other officials were on hand today to greet Israel's newest 240 citizens. Their move to Israel was facilitated by the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, which has similarly helped some 7,000 Jews to come home over the past four years.
IsraelNationalRadio show hosts and Aliyah activists Yishai and Malkah Fleisher, who were on the plane, were visibly moved at being part of the homecoming of so many Jews. "But the most powerful moment of all," Yishai later said, "happened when I was talking to a little girl, 9 years old, who calls herself Mickey. I asked her why she wants to make Aliyah to Israel, and she said, 'Well, it's the holiest place in the world; G-d lives there, so that's where I'm going to be too.'" [Stay tuned to the IsraelNationalRadio homepage to hear the full conversation, as well as others, to be posted in the following days.]
Another of the new olim, Dan Lande, in his 20s, told Yishai, "One of my most memorable moments was a few years ago, when I was at a wedding in Hevron... and the groom got up and called out to everyone, 'This Land' - and everyone answered him back all together, 'is our land!' I get goose bumps even now just thinking about it..." He will be learning Hebrew on a Kibbutz for the next five months: "It would have been a lot easier staying in America, but the main thing is living a life full of meaning - and tomorrow I will wake up knowing that I'm home."
Yishai said that he spoke with one hareidi-religious family - a Pupa hassid, his wife and several children - but only after the woman ascertained that their talk would help bring more olim to Israel. Coming from Monsey, New York, she said that she feels that "every Jew, deep down, wants to come to Israel, and I am happy to have the opportunity to do so."
Hand in Hand
"I was also talking to a couple in their late 80s who arrived together, hand-in-hand, to their new home in Israel," Yishai recounted. "I asked how they came to make Aliyah. The woman told me that their daughter, who lives in Israel with her family, had recently asked her father where he might want to be buried when the times comes. He said, 'In Israel.' So she said, 'Why don't you come here before then and get to see your grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up?' He right away agreed - and she right away went to the internet to download the Nefesh B'Nefesh forms..."
Nefesh B'Nefesh - Jewish Souls United - was formed in late 2001 to "revitalize North American Aliyah and to expand it for generations to come by removing the financial, professional, social and logistical obstacles that are preventing many 'would-be' Olim [immigrants] from fulfilling their dream." It has been a great success, having helped over 7,000 American and Canadian newcomers come home to Israel, on 16 flights since 2002. 99% have remained in Israel, at least one spouse in 94% of the families are employed, 300 babies have been born to them, and 100 weddings have been celebrated among them.
The organization provides pre- and post-immigrations services such as loans that become grants, employment information and opportunities, and help in education and other areas.
"Our comprehensive Aliyah services, and the cooperative support of Israel's governmental and organizational resources [such as the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Interior Ministry], have played a pivotal role in our ongoing success," says Nefesh co-founder and chairman Tony Gelbart.
Gelbart's rabbi and co-founder, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, welcomed the new Olim that no matter how many similar flights of new immigrants would arrive in Israel, "each one was just as momentous and miraculous as any other one. You are here today in fulfillment of the words 'bring us upright to our Land' - you are here, standing proud and tall, not running away from anything, but rather running towards something great and invaluable..."
The two, Rabbi Fass and Tony Gelbart, authored an inspirational letter to today's 240 olim, emphasizing the momentous decision they made:
"...We are on our way home... Please take a moment to reflect and consider the enormity of your precious undertaking. For centuries we have prayed, sung, studied about returning to Israel. What many Jews throughout history could not accomplish in their lifetime, you will be fortunate to be actualize in less than 11 hours. You will soon be calling Israel your home... Thank you for making the courageous choice of picking up your lives, taking on the challenges of Aliyah, and making this significant and life-altering dream a reality."
(Photos: Yishai Fleisher)
President Moshe Katzav, Absorption Minister Ze'ev Boim and other officials were on hand today to greet Israel's newest 240 citizens. Their move to Israel was facilitated by the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, which has similarly helped some 7,000 Jews to come home over the past four years.
Nathan Kluger sports an Aliyah Revolution T-shirt as he waits to check his baggage at JFK. He is making Aliyah on his own.
"Your not cool unless your making Aliyah!"
The new olim take part in a pre-flight briefing.
IsraelNationalRadio show hosts and Aliyah activists Yishai and Malkah Fleisher, who were on the plane, were visibly moved at being part of the homecoming of so many Jews. "But the most powerful moment of all," Yishai later said, "happened when I was talking to a little girl, 9 years old, who calls herself Mickey. I asked her why she wants to make Aliyah to Israel, and she said, 'Well, it's the holiest place in the world; G-d lives there, so that's where I'm going to be too.'" [Stay tuned to the IsraelNationalRadio homepage to hear the full conversation, as well as others, to be posted in the following days.]
Yishai Fleisher interviews an oleh.
Pets make Aliyah too!
Another of the new olim, Dan Lande, in his 20s, told Yishai, "One of my most memorable moments was a few years ago, when I was at a wedding in Hevron... and the groom got up and called out to everyone, 'This Land' - and everyone answered him back all together, 'is our land!' I get goose bumps even now just thinking about it..." He will be learning Hebrew on a Kibbutz for the next five months: "It would have been a lot easier staying in America, but the main thing is living a life full of meaning - and tomorrow I will wake up knowing that I'm home."
Dan Lande, who is making Aliyah to Kibbutz Maagan Michael from Indiana, wears a T-shirt reading: "Israel Doesn't Need Your Sympathy - Israel Needs You!"
An ad hanging in JFK airport the olim passed on their way to the plane.
Yishai said that he spoke with one hareidi-religious family - a Pupa hassid, his wife and several children - but only after the woman ascertained that their talk would help bring more olim to Israel. Coming from Monsey, New York, she said that she feels that "every Jew, deep down, wants to come to Israel, and I am happy to have the opportunity to do so."
Binyamin Stark, a Pupa hassid from Monsey, New York is moving to Ashkelon. "Going to Israel is the most important thing to do. Life there is better in every way."
The Kirruses, holding hands during take-off.
Hand in Hand
"I was also talking to a couple in their late 80s who arrived together, hand-in-hand, to their new home in Israel," Yishai recounted. "I asked how they came to make Aliyah. The woman told me that their daughter, who lives in Israel with her family, had recently asked her father where he might want to be buried when the times comes. He said, 'In Israel.' So she said, 'Why don't you come here before then and get to see your grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up?' He right away agreed - and she right away went to the internet to download the Nefesh B'Nefesh forms..."
Young and in their 80s, Norma and Sam Kirrus are making Aliyah from West Palm Beach. "I am going to Israel and I will never ever again have to put my arms around my grand-daughter and hug her goodbye," Norma said. "Never again."
A young olah enjoys the flight.
Nefesh B'Nefesh - Jewish Souls United - was formed in late 2001 to "revitalize North American Aliyah and to expand it for generations to come by removing the financial, professional, social and logistical obstacles that are preventing many 'would-be' Olim [immigrants] from fulfilling their dream." It has been a great success, having helped over 7,000 American and Canadian newcomers come home to Israel, on 16 flights since 2002. 99% have remained in Israel, at least one spouse in 94% of the families are employed, 300 babies have been born to them, and 100 weddings have been celebrated among them.
The organization provides pre- and post-immigrations services such as loans that become grants, employment information and opportunities, and help in education and other areas.
Immigrants fill out paperwork in-flight, using computer tablets provided by Nefesh b'Nefesh, with programming developed by the organization as well.
The day's newspapers await the immigrants on the flight.
Kayla Kowal prays on the flight shortly after sunrise.
John and Sara Kowal follow their daughter's lead and make Aliyah.
Olim watch in anticipation as the dream comes closer to reality.
"Our comprehensive Aliyah services, and the cooperative support of Israel's governmental and organizational resources [such as the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Interior Ministry], have played a pivotal role in our ongoing success," says Nefesh co-founder and chairman Tony Gelbart.
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart on the flight.
Gelbart's rabbi and co-founder, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, welcomed the new Olim that no matter how many similar flights of new immigrants would arrive in Israel, "each one was just as momentous and miraculous as any other one. You are here today in fulfillment of the words 'bring us upright to our Land' - you are here, standing proud and tall, not running away from anything, but rather running towards something great and invaluable..."
The two, Rabbi Fass and Tony Gelbart, authored an inspirational letter to today's 240 olim, emphasizing the momentous decision they made:
"...We are on our way home... Please take a moment to reflect and consider the enormity of your precious undertaking. For centuries we have prayed, sung, studied about returning to Israel. What many Jews throughout history could not accomplish in their lifetime, you will be fortunate to be actualize in less than 11 hours. You will soon be calling Israel your home... Thank you for making the courageous choice of picking up your lives, taking on the challenges of Aliyah, and making this significant and life-altering dream a reality."
Teary good-byes take place in the airport as "the children return to their borders."
A young woman, Eleanor Gehr, arrives, joining her fiance in the Holy Land.
(Photos: Yishai Fleisher)