In partnership with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, Nefesh B’Nefesh now offers expanded aliyah services to Olim who choose to move to Israel’s North, South and capital.

(Courtesy of Nefesh B’Nefesh) Jerusalem—Nefesh B’Nefesh and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) announced today the launch of a new joint initiative titled “Go Beyond” (www.nbn.org.il/go-beyond). The two organizations have been working together successfully since 2012 to develop Israel’s periphery, and recently decided to boost their efforts, resulting in the establishment of the “Go Beyond” initiative. The project aims to assist new Olim in maximizing the countless opportunities offered in the country’s northern and southern frontiers, as well as Jerusalem, by investing in its infrastructure and people.

Since the organization’s establishment in 2002, over 15 percent of Nefesh B’Nefesh Olim have chosen to establish their homes in Israel’s North and South. The noticeable growth in the number of Olim moving to the periphery is partially due to the success of Nefesh B’Nefesh’s “Go North” and “Go South” programs, which aim to energize these communities with talented and innovative Olim. Now, individuals who make aliyah through “Go Beyond” will be offered additional enhanced benefits.

With “Go North” and “Go South,” Olim have enjoyed employment mentoring and placement, social programming, community advisement, educational resources and close contact with regional staff. “Go Beyond” additional benefits will include:

• Grants up to $20,000
• Pilot trip grants: hotel stay, rental car and subsidized flight
• Special 2017 pilot trip planning incentives: personalized meetings with municipal contacts, community volunteers, realtors etc.
• Regional aliyah guidance: community research, employment opportunities and education options
• Assistance with aliyah documentation expenses
• Online Ulpan vouchers
• Assistance with college loans

The first “Go Beyond” event will take place in New York City hosted by Daniel Atar, KKL-JNF world chairman, entitled “Beyond the Start Up Nation.” The event will highlight the latest developments and new opportunities emerging from Israel’s evolving hi-tech hotspots throughout the country. The speakers will feature three key players in hi-tech from the North, South and Jerusalem: Noa Yaar, director of strategic partnerships for Israel Initiative 2020 (ii2020); Hanan Brand, co-founder of Cornerstone Venture Partners and Founder and Chairman of Made in Jerusalem; and Michael Kalantarov, co-founder & COO at Visual Estate, and the community relations manager at Tech7 in Be’er Sheva.

“Throughout the years, the Zionist movement has encouraged and supported making aliyah to Israel, settlement in Israel, agriculture and development of the land. Even in the year 2017, 70 years after the state of Israel was established, each new Oleh helps in the development and advancement of the state of Israel,” said KKL-JNF world chairman, Mr. Daniel Atar. “This ongoing strategic cooperation between KKL-JNF and Nefesh B’Nefesh is meant to assist and support new Olim interested in migrating to Israel and calling it their home, especially considering the many Olim who choose to plant their roots in the north and south, and help develop and strengthen these important regions. Our shared goal is to bring 500,000 new residents to the Galilee and 1 million new residents to the Negev, and there is where our main efforts reside. KKL-JNF is proud and excited to help in this initiative to encourage aliyah and support new Olim, and I am sure that throughout their lives here in Israel, they will come across KKL-JNF many times—through educational programs, development of settlements and natural landscapes.”

“It is an incredible privilege to be part of the ongoing development of Israel’s Northern and Southern regions as well as Jerusalem,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “Today’s Olim are infusing a vibrancy and energy into these areas of the country—socially, demographically and economically. These modern-day pioneers are not only fulfilling their personal dreams, but the dreams of the Jewish nation.”