JERUSALEM - Nefesh B'Nefesh and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have launched a joint project intended to deepen the connection between Conservative communities and Israel, and enhance aliyah awareness. The initiative aims to strengthen the partnership between Nefesh B'Nefesh and the United Synagogue through an actionoriented project with members of the Conservative movement.

The new program empowers leaders of the Conservative movement to increase the profile of Israel, as well as contribute to aliyah consciousness within their own congregations. Rabbis, lay leaders and synagogue staff in three pilot regions - Metropolitan New York, Empire and New Jersey - have been invited to submit proposals for a grant to help develop programs which incorporate Israel and Zionist education in their communities, and present aliyah as a realistic option for Conservative Jews.

Synagogues will submit requests for one of nine grants, cosponsored by NBN and the USCJ through * its Israel Commission. Recipients of the grants, which will be allocated in September, will take responsibility for developing and implementing their proposals, and working together with their regional director, the United Synagogue's Israel Commission and NBN.

"By involving congregational leaders in the process of deepening the Israel dimension within their congregation, this important project will help strengthen the connection between North American Conservative Jews, the Jewish people and the State of Israel," said Rabbi Paul Freedman, director of Israel Commissions of the United Synagogue. "At the same time, we see our partnership with Nefesh B'Nefesh as instrumental in presenting aliyah as a viable and attractive option to Conservative Jews."

"Nefesh B'Nefesh is honored to be partnering with the United Synagogue to create this exciting program, which will help raise the profile of Israel and aliyah among Conservative Jews," said Tony Gelbart, co-founder and chairman of Nefesh B'Nefesh. "This program is part of the wider ongoing efforts of the partnership between Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Jewish Agency to cultivate relationships with Jewish organizations from all denominations, ensuring that we meet the needs of olim (newcomers to Israel) from all streams of Judaism."

Founded in 2002, Nefesh B'Nefesh, in cooperation with the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency for Israel, is dedicated to revitalizing aliyah from North America and the United Kingdom by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of aliyah. For information, call 212-203-0071 or email Renana Levine, renana@nbn. org.il.