Though the Jewish Agency is not specifically directing new immigrants to communities in Judea and Samaria, spokesman Ephraim Lapid says that \"every location in Israel should be ready to absorb new immigrants (olim). This week, for instance, 646 olim will be arriving in Israel, from the Ukraine, Argentina, France, and elsewhere...\"
Lapid said that the current emphasis in aliyah-encouragement is on \"community aliyah [Jewish immigration to Israel].\" He said that tomorrow,
\"over 40 French Jews will arrive in Israel, and they will visit three places: Kokhav Yaakov (in Yesha), Beit Shemesh, and the Netivot area (Negev), and they will then decide where they want to live. A number of months ago, a Conservative congregation from Argentina arrived in Kiryat Bialik [in northern Israel], and another large group of Orthodox Jews from Argentina is considering moving to the new city of El\'ad [near Rosh Ha\'Ayin]. Congregations from France are considering options in Beit Shemesh and Ashdod, while another Orthodox group from [the New York-New Jersey area] is making concrete plans to move to Kokhav Yaakov. There is no doubt that \'community aliyah\' is very appealing because it allows for easier social integration...\"
Lapid announced with great satisfaction that 400 American Jews will be making aliyah in one day next month - July 9:
\"This is due largely to the efforts of two organizations: the Keren HaYedidut [Friendship Fund] headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and Nefesh B\'Nefesh... We see this as possibly the beginning of a new wave of aliyah from the largest Jewish community abroad. We\'re waiting for them!\" Asked what these 400 have in common, he said it\'s \"their sincere desire to live in Israel. As opposed to being driven out by economic difficulties, or anti-Semitism, they simply have a love of Zion.\"
Lapid said that the current emphasis in aliyah-encouragement is on \"community aliyah [Jewish immigration to Israel].\" He said that tomorrow,
\"over 40 French Jews will arrive in Israel, and they will visit three places: Kokhav Yaakov (in Yesha), Beit Shemesh, and the Netivot area (Negev), and they will then decide where they want to live. A number of months ago, a Conservative congregation from Argentina arrived in Kiryat Bialik [in northern Israel], and another large group of Orthodox Jews from Argentina is considering moving to the new city of El\'ad [near Rosh Ha\'Ayin]. Congregations from France are considering options in Beit Shemesh and Ashdod, while another Orthodox group from [the New York-New Jersey area] is making concrete plans to move to Kokhav Yaakov. There is no doubt that \'community aliyah\' is very appealing because it allows for easier social integration...\"
Lapid announced with great satisfaction that 400 American Jews will be making aliyah in one day next month - July 9:
\"This is due largely to the efforts of two organizations: the Keren HaYedidut [Friendship Fund] headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and Nefesh B\'Nefesh... We see this as possibly the beginning of a new wave of aliyah from the largest Jewish community abroad. We\'re waiting for them!\" Asked what these 400 have in common, he said it\'s \"their sincere desire to live in Israel. As opposed to being driven out by economic difficulties, or anti-Semitism, they simply have a love of Zion.\"