The rapidly plummeting economic recession in the United States is still having its effects on new immigrants to Israel in more way than one – not only those who haven't yet made the move, but also those who have already arrived.
The North American aliyah organization Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN) sent out an email notice this week to let its members know that the Tober Warehouse Company had gone bankrupt and offered information to those who might be affected.
A number of Jews making aliyah had stored their belongings with the firm prior to shipping them to Israel.
"We have heard that everyone who had goods coming to Israel has received their goods," wrote Danny Oberman, Executive Vice President of NBN's Israeli Operations in the email. "But in the event that you hear of someone who has not, or who has goods in storage there, here is the contact information for the firm that is working with the Federal Maritime Commission to locate the owners of goods abandoned at the Tober Warehouse."
More than 600,000 Americans lost their jobs last month, in addition to the close to 600,000 who signed up for unemployment in January.
As of January 2009, Nefesh B'Nefesh has brought 18,000 "Anglos" to Israel since 2002, providing immigrants with financial assistance, employment resources, social services and guidance through the governmental absorption process. The group recently launched the first-ever formal initiative to populate Israel's northern region with English-speaking immigrants. The program, supported in part by the Israeli government, provides NBN-linked immigrants who move to northern communities with enhanced financial assistance as well as social and career support.
The goal of the 'Go North' program is to create a catalyst for change and expansion of Jewish communities in the Galilee over the next several years, explains the organization on its website.
Immigrants who are affected by the Tober bankruptcy are encouraged to contact Stephanie L. Jones, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel of WEA Enterprises, Inc., 902 Broadway, Suite 1603, New York, NY 10010, USA, Tel: 212-889-8790, Fax: 212-889-8724.