Mega Aliyah programming part of Nefesh B’Nefesh goal to assist over 5,000 Olim in 2010

NEFESH B’NEFESH & THE JEWISH AGENCY TO CONDUCT MEGA ALIYAH EVENTS REACHING 1,500 PEOPLE ACROSS N. AMERICA

(JERUSALEM; 23 February, 2010) – As part of Nefesh B'Nefesh’s expanded programming aimed at providing the most comprehensive Aliyah information, guidance and inspiration to potential Olim, the organization will be conducting eight Mega Aliyah Events in major cities across North America next month. The Mega Events, which officially launch a year in which the organization plans to assist over 5,000 Olim from the countries it operates in will incorporate a major Aliyah fair featuring Aliyah-related seminars and workshops, as well as representatives from various Israeli ministries, Israel’s National Insurance, health funds, hospitals and shippers. Personal consultations with Nefesh B’Nefesh and Jewish Agency Aliyah experts will also be available.

The events, which will be held between March 7 and 14 in New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, Baltimore, Toronto, San Francisco, Chicago and South Florida, will be attended by over 1,500 people who will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Israeli Ministries of Absorption, Health and the Development of the Negev and the Galilee.

Seminars and workshops will also be presented, covering a range of topics, including: Employment in Israel, Real Estate & Mortgages, Financial Planning, Taxes & Budgeting, Retiring in Israel, Choosing a Community, The Israeli Healthcare System, Navigating Israel's Education System, Overview of the Aliyah Process, Shipping and Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Go North program.
In New York and Los Angeles, the Mega Events will also include an Aliyah Seminar for Medical Professionals focusing on the specific needs of those employed in the medical field. In addition, for the first time, dentists who are making Aliyah will be able to take the first part of the Israeli Dentistry Licensing Exam in order to start their Israeli licensing process while in the USA.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Cooperation and Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee MK Silvan Shalom will attend the Mega Event in New York to promote a new joint initiative with the Israeli government and Nefesh B’Nefesh encouraging Aliyah to Israel’s periphery. As part of the initiative, the Ministry of the Development of the Negev and Galilee and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption will provide increased support for Olim who move to the North and South of the country as of 2010. Minister Shalom will be accompanied by staff who will be on hand to discuss opportunities for moving to Israel’s periphery. Other dignitaries who will be attending include Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office, Eyal Gabai and Israeli Consul General of NY, Asaf Shariv.

To date, over 36,000 North American and British Jews have attended Nefesh B'Nefesh pre-Aliyah informational seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and UK, including specially tailored programs, events and individual counseling sessions. For a full listing of programming please visit the Nefesh B’Nefesh online calendar https://www.nbn.org.il/nbncal/main.php

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