Jewish Agency, Israel Immigrant Ministry Celebrate Aliyah Day 2008

Photo: Leyden Communications (Israel) - International PR / Internet Marketing.

By Israel News Agency Staff

Jerusalem ----- May 4, 2008 ....... Part of the following news report was communicated directly from the Jewish Agency for Israel to the Israel News Agency.

Hundreds of new immigrants from around the world will arrive in Israel together on "Aliyah (Aliya) Day 2008"

The reception for new immigrants will take place at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Monday, May 5 2008 at 3:00 pm, at Terminal One.

The Jewish Agency and the Israel Ministry of Immigrant Absorption have declared this coming Monday, May 5, as "Aliyah Day 2008", marking the immigration and absorption of more than 3,000,000 new immigrants over the 60 years since the State of Israel was established.

On this day, approximately 400 new immigrants will be arriving from 23 countries, among them the United States, Brazil, Argentina, England, France, Honduras, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, South Africa and Turkey, and they will settle and be absorbed in over 50 communities throughout Israel.

In addition to the new immigrants, around one hundred parents of "lone soldiers", young people who came to Israel without their parents and are serving in the Israel Defense Forces, will arrive with the "Keshet" project in order to spend Independence Day with their sons and daughters.

The ceremony marking "Aliyah Day" will be attended by the Israel Minister of Immigrant Absorption Mr. Jacob Edery, the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Mr. Zeev Bielski, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Chairman of Keren Hayesod Mr. Avi Pazner, a representative of the United Jewish Communities, a representative of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, hundreds of new immigrants and their families, and additional dignitaries.

"On this day, we are receiving a poignant gift for the 60th birthday anniversary of the State of Israel", said Israel Minister of Immigrant Absorption Jacob Edery. "The State of Israel is the national homeland of Jews around the world and we in the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption are ready and prepared with special absorption tracks to ensure their quick and good absorption and integration."

 

This is a day of celebration for the State of Israel and the Jewish People", said Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski. "The new immigrants that have arrived in Israel with the assistance of the Jewish Agency over the 60 years of the state's existence are the people that built this country, and it is thanks to them that we are celebrating our 60th anniversary. The Jewish Agency will continue to strive to increase aliyah to Israel from around the world."

From 1948 until today, the total number of immigrants who have been absorbed in Israel is more than 3 million, including 1.2 million from the Former Soviet Union, more than 130,000 from North America, more than 80,000 from Ethiopia, around 70,000 from Argentina, around 35,000 from England and around 85,000 from France. Tens of thousands of additional immigrants have arrived to Israel from other countries and the immigration continues.

Another respected organization responsible for creating Aliyah to Israel is Nefesh B'Nefesh. Nefesh B'Nefesh provides comprehensive support for olim by directly interfacing with them, both in the pre-and post-Aliyah stages. NBN offers financial assistance, employment resources, social services and guidance through governmental absorption procedures in order to help make each individual's Aliyah as successful as possible.

In 2006, NBN extended its Aliyah expertise and success experience in initial efforts to assist in boosting aliyah from the United Kingdom.

The Jewish Agency is a global partnership committed to the Jewish future that stands on a history-making track record. Together with the United Jewish Communities (UJC) in North America, and Keren Hayesod - United Israel Appeal around the world, this partnership has brought over 3 million people to Israel. The Jewish Agency has effectively and successfully built a nation. Not by the daring acts of a few, but by the power of their collective commitment and action.

Photo: Leyden Communications (Israel) - International PR / Internet Marketing.

For almost 75 years, the Jewish Agency for Israel has been synonymous with the efforts to rescue Jews at risk and the resettlement of the Jewish people in its homeland.

The Jewish Agency has been pivotal to Israel's remarkable growth. As the only global Jewish partnership organization, linking Jews around the world with Israel as the focal point, it continues to play a central role in the lives of countless Jews. Major activities include the rescue of Jews in distress, facilitating aliyah and absorption, Jewish Zionist education, and building a global Jewish community.
In addition to extensive programs in Israel, the Jewish Agency for Israel operates in close to 80 countries on five continents through a network of over 450 emissaries, including hundreds of formal and informal educators.