On August 21, EL AL Flight 28 carried 60 new olim, composed of nine families, three retired couples and three singles, from Newark to Tel Aviv. Over the course of one week (August 20-28), 600 newcomers made Israel their new home, on 14 group aliyah flights, offered by Nefesh B’Nefesh in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA. This latest wave of immigrants is part of a larger movement of 2,000 olim, ranging in age from just 2 months to 97 years, embarking on their journey to Israel this summer.

The new citizens hail from many U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas, as well as Ontario, Canada. Their new Israeli residences are equally varied, including Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in, Ra’anana and Tel Aviv-Yafo. The new residents include doctors and other medical professionals, lawyers, accountants and software engineers. This summer’s 510 school-age immigrant children will start school in Israel this September, marking the beginning of their own aliyah journeys.

After take-off, an EL AL flight attendant announced: “We would like to welcome Israel’s newest olim who are making aliyah and moving to Israel today with the assistance of Nefesh B’Nefesh. In these difficult times, making aliyah is even more exciting and meaningful as you come to support the State of Israel. On behalf of EL AL and the crew, we welcome you and wish you the greatest success as you begin your new life in Israel at this time. Mazel tov, good luck and always remember, Am Yisrael Chai!”

Most of these families had started their aliyah process between one and two years ago, yet their dreams of making aliyah had been brewing for years.

Hannah and Jacob Finkel from Teaneck, along with their three children, Libby, 5; Moshe, 2; and Tamar, 2 months, were part of the group. Hannah explained: “I lived in Israel with my parents in 2011 for one year and ever since then I always wanted to come back. I went every year by myself to visit my friends and I would tell my parents, ‘Next year I am making aliyah.’ I never did, since I didn’t want to do it by myself.”

After spending their gap year in Israel, Hannah at Tiferet and Jacob at Mevaseret, they both decided to only date people interested in making aliyah. Hannah continued, “We got married and settled in Teaneck, but always had Israel in our minds.”

Hannah credits COVID for helping them make the final decision to go. “Home prices started going up everywhere and we decided, ‘If we don’t do it now, when are we going to do it?’”

Jacob explained that since he is able to work from home, he can work from any location. Hannah shared that they were supposed to make their pilot trip after Sukkot, and aliyah this past winter, but due to the war everything was pushed back. A pilot trip allows future olim to look at different communities, schools, housing and employment opportunities.

Concerning the current situation, Hannah stressed: “Israel is where we want to be. We all need to be in Israel now. The strength of the Jewish people, especially now, is helping us stay strong in what we believe in.” Hannah said that their family would be following them in the coming years.

Ely and Elana Abelow-Kronenberg made aliyah 19 years ago with Nefesh B’ Nefesh and offered this advice to new olim: “Just smile, keep smiling and just know that Nefesh B’Nefesh is here to support.” Elana added: “I made aliyah twice, first in 1990 with my parents during the Gulf War. People weren’t making aliyah then, but I think it inspired other people. Since then, we have had so many family members make aliyah. The more people who come even today are inspiring more people to come on the next flight.”

Rena and Jerry Barta, also from Bergen County, retired in July and will be moving to Netanya. “We are Zionist. It’s our homeland. All our kids made aliyah. It made it very easy for us to make this transition,” explained Rena, proudly sporting a blue and white manicure, and, like Jerry, wearing an aliyah T-shirt. “I didn’t expect this to be as exciting. I love going to Israel all together, but this time feels different.”

The Bartas lived in Teaneck for 38 years. Last year they moved out of their house after 26 years and began the downsizing process. Rena noted: “We had so much stuff. It was good for us to transition and handle the emotional detachment a year ago.” On the war and potential for escalation, Rena said, “We pray the government will do the right thing, and we are there with our kids. If our kids can be there, we can be there.”

Riverdale residents Adin and Chaya Rayman and their three children, Abigail, 6; Itai, 3; and Daniel, 1, were also part of the group. “We decided two years ago that we are coming this summer. Our oldest is going into first grade. We know [that] every year after, the transition becomes a little harder,” explained Adin. “We are moving to Israel for a very simple reason. The Jewish people have been waiting for thousands of years. In our prayers and blessings before and after meals, it is part of our everyday life. We say we dream for this, hope for this, and, for centuries, it felt like an impossible dream. Now it’s possible. Why not head to a place where I have been praying three times a day every day to go?”

The Diamond family made aliyah from Fair Lawn. Ariel Diamond stated: “Israel is the place to be; it has always been in the back of our minds. We had decided before October 7 to make aliyah. It didn’t phase us or change anything. We want to raise our kids in Israel, and we want to be with our nation in our land.”

Chavie Diamond added: “For so many generations, it was hard for Jews to come back. Now it’s easier than it has ever been. As our family has grown, it’s hard to get up and move. As more people before us make the move, it becomes easier and easier for more people to follow. We are continuing that trend, and people will follow us.”

Landing one hour early, olim were greeted as they deplaned by Nefesh B’Nefesh staff, handing them Israeli flags. Before passport control, they boarded buses to a welcome-home reception and aliyah processing in Terminal 1. As the olim stepped off the shuttle buses, the music played and people were singing and dancing. In attendance were Minister of Aliyah and Integration MK Ofir Sofer, Director General of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration Adv. Avichai Kahana, NBN Co-Founder and Chairman Tony Gelbart, NBN Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, NBN Executive VP Zev Gershinsky, and Director of the Aliyah and Absorption Unit and Deputy Director General at The Jewish Agency for Israel Shay Felber.

Sofer began: “I want to thank you for coming here. What do our enemies think about this, that despite the war Jews continue to come to Israel? Despite our challenging days you have decided to come to Israel. Your decision strengthens us; it strengthens the state. It strengthens the power of the government to win the war.”

Gelbart added: “Welcome home! In what other country does the minister get up at 5 in the morning and go to the airport to meet a group of olim? Only in Israel. Today you are the good news. People are waking up this morning watching the news. There will be all kinds of stories, but the good news is each and every one of you.”

After processing all 60 olim and presenting each a new Teudat Zehut, the group returned to Terminal 3 to be greeted by balloons and Israeli flags and family and friends who sang and danced them through the arrivals hall to their transportation to bring them to their new homes in Israel.

In a separate NBN press release Sofer stated: “We are in the midst of a blessed month, of witnessing an impressive increase in aliyah from around the world, despite this complex period of conflict in the North and South. I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the new olim who arrived today and over the last week from North America, driven by a strong desire to become an integral part of the Zionist story.

“I am filled with renewed excitement each and every time I come to welcome the newcomers,” he continued. “The entire nation of Israel shares in this excitement, and we all feel the Zionist spirit and the tremendous support from the Diaspora Jewish communities. We are continuing to work with full vigor to encourage aliyah and enhance the integration process … which will help inspire thousands more to take this significant step.”

Fass added: “As we witness and celebrate the hundreds of olim arriving on flight after flight this summer, undeterred by the current situation, we see the exquisite expression of hope, optimism, solidarity and faith. This remarkable influx not only highlights their unwavering commitment to the State of Israel, but also underscores the incomparable spirit and unbreakable bond of the Jewish people worldwide to the State of Israel.”

Chairman of The Jewish Agency for Israel Maj-Gen (res.) Doron Almog noted: “The new olim bring hope to Israel. When I look at the infants to the elderly, I see the immense strength of the Jewish people. Their very presence expresses an unconditional love for the State of Israel. They choose to come and strengthen us, especially now, during these challenging times of war. They are the ones who serve as a source of strength and courage for us all. We welcome them with both open arms and endless love.”

KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia Luski said: “The Zionist vision is being realized, particularly during these challenging times as Israel endures a prolonged conflict. Hundreds of new olim now recognize more than ever that Israel is the safest place for all Jews around the world. By making aliyah, they have embraced the ultimate expression of Zionism. KKL-JNF, alongside Nefesh B’Nefesh, is committed to supporting all the olim as they integrate into Israeli society. We are confident that today’s olim will play a crucial role in strengthening the communities where they will establish their homes, both in the South and North of Israel.

To learn more about Nefesh B’Nefesh, visit www.nbn.org.il.