Kumah-Americans Return to Zion , an organization dedicated to “encouraging and facilitating mass Aliyah to Israel by all Jews of the exile” launched their newest project today (Thursday), which organizers hope will help singles both in Israel and the Diaspora. The initiative, dubbed ‘Project SingOlim’, is geared towards eliminating the phenomena of young Jews in the Diaspora who postpone their Aliyah until they are married.
Recent years have seen an increasing number of single olim (immigrants). Several hundred singles will arrive in Israel this summer with an organization called Nefesh B'Nefesh. SingOlim’s founder Pinchas Orbach claims that despite the rising numbers, thousands "give up" their dream of making Aliyah, concluding that the criterion of seeking someone living in the Diaspora but serious about moving to Israel harms their chances of finding a spouse. Orbach, through Project SingOlim, seeks to prove that there is no need to "compromise" on Aliyah in order to find one’s soulmate.
“There are plenty of singles that have already made Aliyah and plenty more still in the exile planning to make Aliyah,” said Orbach. “Whether one chooses to look for their beshert (soul-mate) abroad or in Israel – giving up on Aliyah should not be an option. We seek to connect those who are already home with those who are on their way home and as Nefesh b’Nefesh was able to remove the financial obstacles holding back the floodgates of Aliyah – we seek to remove yet another perceived obstacle.”
Orbach says that numerous social opportunities already exist in Israel – but that singles not yet in the Jewish homeland are unaware of the broad range of social activities going on. “There's lots going on, and there is a definite Aliyah revolution afoot, of which singles play a major part - it's important for them to see all that is happening for themselves.”
The Project SingOlim website (www.singolim.org) reads: "Whether you have a pioneer spirit or would prefer to share this common goal with someone special, Aliyah can be the most powerful experience in the world! By providing Singles with all the proper resources Kumah's Project SingOlim seeks to remove the 'marriage excuse' as an obstacle from those with even the slightest desire to come on Home."
The project is still developing and hopes to allow perspective olim, as well as those already in Israel, to post their profiles. For now there is a message board and a listserv.
Orbach says the website will become the central hub for announcements regarding all events catering to the single-oleh population. "Although we will run our own Kumah events, we will list all Aliyah events going on anywhere - whether it's an wine and cheese Jazz night run by Aliyav in Jerusalem or a Yavneh Olami weekend in New York, a Aloh Naaleh lecture or a (Tehilla) Tzeira pilot trip – it will be listed on SingOlim.org,” said Orbach. “Singles are leading the way in the Aliyah revolution and we want to be there to help them out.”
Orbach, who has put the project together on a volunteer basis is seeking fellow volunteers to develop the initiative. He can be contacted at Pinchas@Kumah.org.
Recent years have seen an increasing number of single olim (immigrants). Several hundred singles will arrive in Israel this summer with an organization called Nefesh B'Nefesh. SingOlim’s founder Pinchas Orbach claims that despite the rising numbers, thousands "give up" their dream of making Aliyah, concluding that the criterion of seeking someone living in the Diaspora but serious about moving to Israel harms their chances of finding a spouse. Orbach, through Project SingOlim, seeks to prove that there is no need to "compromise" on Aliyah in order to find one’s soulmate.
“There are plenty of singles that have already made Aliyah and plenty more still in the exile planning to make Aliyah,” said Orbach. “Whether one chooses to look for their beshert (soul-mate) abroad or in Israel – giving up on Aliyah should not be an option. We seek to connect those who are already home with those who are on their way home and as Nefesh b’Nefesh was able to remove the financial obstacles holding back the floodgates of Aliyah – we seek to remove yet another perceived obstacle.”
Orbach says that numerous social opportunities already exist in Israel – but that singles not yet in the Jewish homeland are unaware of the broad range of social activities going on. “There's lots going on, and there is a definite Aliyah revolution afoot, of which singles play a major part - it's important for them to see all that is happening for themselves.”
The Project SingOlim website (www.singolim.org) reads: "Whether you have a pioneer spirit or would prefer to share this common goal with someone special, Aliyah can be the most powerful experience in the world! By providing Singles with all the proper resources Kumah's Project SingOlim seeks to remove the 'marriage excuse' as an obstacle from those with even the slightest desire to come on Home."
The project is still developing and hopes to allow perspective olim, as well as those already in Israel, to post their profiles. For now there is a message board and a listserv.
Orbach says the website will become the central hub for announcements regarding all events catering to the single-oleh population. "Although we will run our own Kumah events, we will list all Aliyah events going on anywhere - whether it's an wine and cheese Jazz night run by Aliyav in Jerusalem or a Yavneh Olami weekend in New York, a Aloh Naaleh lecture or a (Tehilla) Tzeira pilot trip – it will be listed on SingOlim.org,” said Orbach. “Singles are leading the way in the Aliyah revolution and we want to be there to help them out.”
Orbach, who has put the project together on a volunteer basis is seeking fellow volunteers to develop the initiative. He can be contacted at Pinchas@Kumah.org.