North American olim. Actualizing dream
Photo: AFP
Over 1,000 attend Israel Planning Expo in NYC
Jewish Agency event attracts unprecedented turnout in anticipation of record high year in North American aliyah
Over 1,000 people attended the Jewish Agency’s Israel Planning Expo in New York City on Sunday, a record turnout for such an event, in anticipation of a record high year in aliyah from North America.
On Monday, the expo toured Washington DC, Tuesday it was in Toronto, Wednesday in Ft. Lauderdale, and concluded Thursday, in Los Angeles.
In 2009, some nearly 3,800 North Americans moved to Israel and this year over 4,000 are expected to immigrate.
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The event in New York on Sunday was attended by several hundred single young professionals, and included a special wine and cheese reception for young adults to network and meets others who are also considering or about to make aliyah.
The expos feature professionals from Israel providing one-on-one meetings and personal guidance on employment, higher education, Hebrew language and housing and real estate.
For those who will be moving to Israel in the coming months, the expos provide access to important services in Israel, including unique Jewish Agency absorption programs, banking, small business support, medical insurance, taxes, shipping, etc. Nefesh B’Nefesh, the Jewish Agency’s partner for aliyah in North America, present their services to prospective immigrants.
“The unprecedented turnout in New York is a sign that we can expect another significant increase in aliya this year,” said Liran Avisar, head of the Jewish Agency's aliyah delegation in North America and organizer of the expo.
Last year, there was an increase of 17% in the number of immigrants to Israel from North America compared with 2008. “Our expos provide opportunity for over 2,000 people around North America to see how to actualize their dream of moving to Israel.”
