48 future IDF soldiers among 300 making aliyah with Nefesh B’Nefesh this week

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni welcomed 235 North Americans making Aliyah on NBN’s August 12th Aliyah flight

(JERUSALEM) – Nefesh B’Nefesh’s (www.nbn.org.il) third summer chartered Aliyah arrived today Wednesday, August 13th, bringing 235 North American Olim – including 43 young immigrants who will be joining the IDF. The newcomers are among 300 Olim arriving this week on the Nefesh B’Nefesh’s August 12th charter Aliyah flight from the USA and two group flights from Canada and the UK. Over 2,000 North American and British Jews will be making Aliyah this summer through Nefesh B’Nefesh.

The 43 IDF soldiers were among 65 singles who made Aliyah on this flight. The flight also brought Elan Bielski form North Woodmere, NY whose grandfather is the subject of ‘Defiance’, a movie starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber that will be released this year, and is based on the story of the Bielski Brothers who joined together during the Holocaust and helped rescue over 1200 Jews. Also on board were four rabbis including Rabbi Ari Berman – a leader and iconic figure of the New York's Upper West Side (young professionals) community, Rabbi Leah Kroll - a Reform female Rabbi, and Rabbi Robert Kahn – a Conservative Rabbi of Beth El Synagogue Minneapolis congregation. 

Family and friends around the world will be able to watch a live feed of the Olim landing in Israel and the following welcome ceremony on a dedicated online webcast. The broadcast can be viewed on Wednesday, August 13th at 12:40am EST (7:40am Israel time) at www.nbn.org.il/2008arrival.

The summer 2008 flight schedule is:

Hundreds of families and friends of the new Olim as well as Israeli dignitaries and flag waving guests greeted the charter Aliyah flights at Nefesh B’Nefesh’s arrival ceremony at Ben Gurion airport. Those present included: Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni; the new Minister of Immigrant Absorption Eli Aflalo; Director General of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption Erez Halfon; President of the Jewish National Fund Stanley Chesley; CEO of the Jewish National Fund USA Russell Robinson; Senior Foreign Press Coordinator of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office David Baker; and Co-Founders of Nefesh B’Nefesh Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Renana Levine, +972 54 244 9747 / [email protected]