Fourteen people turned out Dec. 2 to learn how the path to Aliyah has become smoother since the creation of Nefesh B’Nefesh and how they can follow that easier road to move to Israel.

Prior to the 2001 creation of Nefesh B’Nefesh, 52 percent of American Jewry who immigrated to Israel returned to America. Of the 23,000 North American and United Kingdom Jews who have made aliyah through NBN in the past eight years, 97 percent of those olim have remained in Israel.

Nefesh B’Nefesh is dedicated to removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of Aliyah, NBN education coordinator Avi Silverman told those who gathered at the Aliyah Planning Workshop held at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.  

Last year, Silverman said in recognition of that success the Israeli government made the NBN application the official immigration application for all olim from North America. The new NBN Aliyah application allows potential olim to apply simultaneously for NBN assistance and Jewish Agency for Israel Aliyah approval based on Israel’s Law of Return. Regardless of whether Americans use the other services of NBN, they must complete the NBN application.

However, Silverman made it plain that NBN has much to offer to smooth the entire process of moving to a new country to start a new life.

Aliyah support services offered by NBN include: Aliyah flights, financial assistance, guidance and community resources, employment services, absorption services and overseas programming.

NBN’s Aliyahpedia on its Web site www.nbn.org.il includes 28 categories to help people through the process.

In Israel, NBN has a staff of 104 people who’s “purpose is to help you explore Aliyah and make it as seamless as possible.”

Showing slide after slide of smiling olim, Silverman said, “We try to keep you smiling as much as we can so that when you get here, you stay there.”

Silverman said the first step in planning to make Aliyah is to determine if it is financially possible. He said NBN can help potential olim determine that as well as directing them to benefits available to immigrants to Israel.

For instance, the Israeli government gives each new single 15,000 shekels (about $4,000) for their first year in Israel. NBN also offers grants, including added incentive for those who settle in the north.

NBN also helps olim with social planning such as finding the right community to live in, school options, health care and Hebrew.

“Health care is socialized medicine,” he said. “From the moment you land, you are covered. We don’t look at pre-existing conditions.” NBN offers help with new olim who do have one responsibility on that front: “Research which of the four health plans is best for me.”

He also adviced everyone considering Aliyah to learn as much Hebrew as possible before going to Israel even though new immigrants do get Hebrew instruction at an Ulpan for free.

“Hebrew is the essence of your Aliyah,” he said.

For more information, visit www.nbn.org.il or call 1-866-4-ALIYAH.