Upon arrival in Israel, the new immigrants were greeted by Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver and Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky.

Nefesh B'Nefesh and The Jewish Agency, in cooperation with EL AL Israel Airlines, hosted the first of 15 Aliyah (immigration to Israel) flights this summer for a total of 3,000 olim (immigrants). On Monday, July 6th's flight, 93 children and 139 adults, ranging in age from seven weeks to 83 years old, plus seven dogs and one cat all moved to Israel. Included in this group were 22 IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers, 60 singles and 42 families. They represented 18 states in the USA and one Canadian province, Quebec.

Family and friends from anywhere in the world were able to watch a LIVE feed of the olim landing in Israel and follow the welcome ceremony online at www.nbn.org.il/live

Upcoming summer Aliyah flights from JFK are August 3, August 18, and September 7. EL AL has been a partner with Nefesh B'Nefesh since 2002. By the end of summer 2009, 40 dedicated flights and 39 group flights will have carried over 22,000 immigrants to Israel. Nefesh B'Nefesh (www.nbn.org.il) is an organization committed to revitalizing North American and British immigration to Israel by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical and social obstacles of Aliyah. The organization works in close cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel.