(JERUSALEM: 1 September 2008) – Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency for Israel have reached a successful conclusion to the mediation process which has been held between the two parties over the last several months. The two organizations signed a new agreement this week, outlining an unprecedented collaborative venture for North American Aliyah. In this new “Collaborative Venture”, Nefesh B’Nefesh will have primary operational responsibility for marketing and promotion. The Jewish Agency continues its exclusive responsibility for the Aliyah eligibility process with the appropriate authorities in Israel, and to pay the airfare of every new immigrant to Israel.
The most significant implication of the new agreement is that North American Aliyah will now be processed through one application, meaning that all future Olim will be able to apply for both Nefesh B’Nefesh services and the Jewish Agency Aliyah eligibility process via one application with Nefesh B’Nefesh, which will be done in full collaboration with the Jewish Agency. Whereas in the past, new Olim had to open an Aliyah file with the Jewish Agency and then apply separately with Nefesh B’Nefesh for Aliyah services, the new streamlined process will provide a “one-stop shop” making it even more time efficient and convenient for Olim.
“The Jewish Agency is confident that as a result of this cooperation with Nefesh B’Nefesh, Aliyah from North America will grow,” said Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Zeev Bielski. “Since the creation of the State of Israel, The Jewish Agency has brought over three million olim to Israel. The Jewish Agency will continue to pursue its mission to facilitate immigration to Israel from all over the world.”
“We are pleased to have formalized a working agreement with the Jewish Agency, and are eager to continue facilitating and promoting North American Aliyah in our new enhanced capacity,” said Co- Founder and Chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh Tony Gelbart. “This agreement will enable Nefesh B’Nefesh to further fulfill our mission of making Aliyah as seamless and successful as possible.”
Nefesh B’Nefesh will continue to operate in the United Kingdom by providing its Aliyah services. The Jewish Agency will continue to subsidize the Aliyah flights of British Olim to Israel. The Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh will discuss in the near future the possibility of extending the agreement of North America to include the UK.
Both organizations expressed their deepest appreciation to renowned mediator Kenneth R. Feinberg, Dr. John Ruskay (Executive VP & CEO of the UJA Federation of NY) and Stephen Hoffman (President of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland) for facilitating the successful new agreement between the two organizations.
