The Jewish Agency and Nefesh Bnefesh hosted a farewell celebration on Monday, June 13 in honor of Olim (new immigrants to Israel) from Florida.

Jacob Solomon, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, was the keynote speaker.

Each year, the Jewish Agency recognizes those people who make Aliyah, and choose to live their lives in Israel. This year 64 families, who attended the event, were recognized including 26 from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation region, 17 from the Broward County Jewish Federation region, 12 from the South Palm Beach County Jewish Federation region, 3 from the Palm Beach region and 2 families from central Florida.

Among the Olim are many young people who will be going to Jewish Agency absorption programs such as Kibbutz Ulpan (Hebrew language study), Ulpan Etzion (a special program for academics), a year of National Service volunteering in a variety of programs to help Israeli communities, Garin Tzabar (army service), and to study at Israeli universities.

Ninety-four Olim from Florida will have moved to Israel by the end of June 2011. In 2010, close to 4,000 people from across North America made Aliyah, approximately 280 people from Florida, which is the largest amount of people since 1973

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/14/2267050/jewish-agency-and-nefesh-bnefesh.html#ixzz1RPcuzZIU