A 747 jumbo charter aliyah flight arrived this week from JFK airport carrying 360 North Americans moving to Israel. The flight, which was organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, was sponsored by Friends of the IDF (FIDF). Among the 132 singles on board the flight were 104 young men and women who will be joining the IDF in the coming months, many through the Tzofim Garin Tzabar program. Over 450 soldier olim are expected to make aliyah from North America and the UK in 2011.

The flight also brought 52 families—including 120 children—who are joining over 2,500 North American and British olim heading to Israel this summer, many of whom are arriving on the two charter and seven group aliyah flights organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency.

This is the second year that Nefesh B’Nefesh and Friends of the IDF (FIDF) have partnered together to help newly arrived soldiers with their transition into their new lives in Israel and national service. As a result of this partnership, these soldiers receive additional assistance, including financial grants, social support, quarterly care packages, and post-army integrative services, including educational guidance, career counseling, and job placement.