Nefesh B'Nefesh and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism are launching 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 action oriented 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 that incorporate Israel and Zionist education in their communities, and present aliyah as a realistic option for Conservative Jews.

Synagogues vvill submit requests for one of nine grants, co-sponsored hy Nefesh B'Nefesh 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 Nefesh B'Nefesh.

"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 from all streams of Judaism."