As August comes to a close, more than 1,100 North American Olim have made Aliyah this month, marking a record-breaking month of Aliyah.
On Thursday, close to 100 Olim arrived in Israel within a span of just half an hour. Additional Olim landed throughout the day, bringing the total to 150 Olim aboard six different group Aliyah flights, joining the thousands of newcomers who have made Israel their home during one of the busiest summer Aliyah seasons in recent years.
The record August comes amid a robust summer that will see over 2,200 North American Olim make Aliyah, including Olim arriving on nearly 100 group Aliyah flights as well as those completing the Aliyah process from within Israel, all facilitated by Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA.
The record set this month follows an exceptionally strong start to the year. Since the beginning of 2026, approximately 2,700 North Americans have made Aliyah. Based on these figures, the organization estimates that more than 4,000 new Olim from North America will make Aliyah over the course of 2026, making it one of the strongest years for Aliyah since the organization was founded in 2002.
“I welcome the many Olim who have arrived in Israel today. As the summer comes to a close, it is inspiring to see so many young people and families choosing to build their futures in Israel, the home of the Jewish people," said Israel’s Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer. “In recent years, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration has taken significant steps to encourage Aliyah and strengthen the support available to Olim from Western countries and around the world. The programs and reforms we have introduced will help new Olim integrate into their communities and the workforce, while contributing to Israel’s social, economic, and national strength."
Among the Olim arriving this summer are approximately 1,100 singles, 480 families and 250 retirees. The average age of this summer’s Olim is just 29 years old, ranging in age from five months to 98 years old.
“Welcoming hundreds of Olim in this record-breaking month reflects the continued momentum of what has already been an incredible summer for Aliyah," said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “As we recently celebrated our 100,000th Oleh, it is particularly inspiring to see so many young people choosing to make Israel their home, to build their careers and families here, put down roots and invest their futures in this country. We are honored to continue playing a role in helping strengthen Israel through each one of these Olim."
The impact of this summer’s Aliyah will also be felt in classrooms across Israel as the new school year begins. Approximately 700 children who made Aliyah this summer will enter the Israeli school system in September, including 80 children who will begin first grade.
"Behind each of the 1,100 new Olim who arrived from North America over the past month is a story of choice. Families, children, young people and professionals who chose to build their lives here and be part of the future of the State of Israel," said Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Major General (res.) Doron Almog. “They arrive with their dreams, their skills and their desire to contribute, strengthening Israeli society and Israel as a whole. Our mission is to be there for them throughout their journey and help them turn their courageous choice into a home - a place where they can integrate, put down roots and build their lives."
The Olim have arrived from communities across North America, with the leading places of origin including New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland, Illinois, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas and Georgia. While Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut, Ra’anana and Beit Shemesh are among the most popular locations Olim are choosing to call home this summer, hundreds are choosing to establish their lives beyond Israel’s central cities. Some 650 Olim are moving to Israel’s North and South, contributing to the growth of the country’s peripheral communities.
The new Olim bring with them a diverse range of professional experience, with physicians, lawyers, accountants, educators and nurses among the leading professions represented this summer.
Nefesh B'Nefesh summed it up: "For the hundreds of Olim arriving today, their personal stories took on new meaning as they stepped off the plane and into the lives they have chosen to build in Israel. With the 2026 summer Aliyah season continuing through September, the record-breaking month highlights the scale of Aliyah this summer, which has already brought thousands of new Olim home to Israel, with more still to come."