On Monday, March 10, Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN), in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) and Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA), hosted the Annual Aliyah Fair at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe.

Over 600 people from 12 different U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia, and from Canada’s Quebec and Ontario, attended the Aliyah Fair, which provided a one-stop hub for essential services and expert consultations for those considering aliyah. Forty-four percent of attendees were between the ages of 20 and 40, while over 60 was the second largest percentage (26%) of attendees. There were many young children running around enjoying sweet treats, snacks and aliyah-themed coloring books provided by NBN.

For years, aliyah was a strenuous process. NBN recognized the difficulties that many olim encountered before their aliyah and sought to make the process smoother. Now, the technicalities of making aliyah are much simpler. One uploads documents, some of which must have an international notary (apostille), required by the Israeli government on a personalized NBN application with a personalized NBN adviser to guide one through the whole process. Upon completion of the application, prospective olim must interview with The Jewish Agency for Israel to receive official approval for their aliyah. Once prospective olim receive approval, they are eligible to book their aliyah flight to Israel.

Apostille companies, background check companies and a passport picture photographer were present at the Aliyah Fair to enable prospective olim to complete these different aspects of their application. Additionally, The Jewish Agency for Israel conducted interviews for prospective olim who had completed their applications and were at the interview stage of their aliyah journey.

In addition to the paperwork and the interview requirement of making aliyah, there is significant planning involved to ensure a smooth move to and life in Israel. To aid with the planning, NBN hosted over 20 vendors including insurance brokers, real estate lawyers, tax consultants, financial advisers, moving companies and more. Representatives from Israeli municipalities including Jerusalem, Haifa, the Negev and the Galilee, The Israel Student Authority, EL AL Israel Airlines and Yeshiva University had prominent booths at the Aliyah Fair. Additionally, NBN staff and Ministry of Aliyah and Integration employees were circulating throughout the Aliyah Fair to assist attendees. Ministry employees met with prospective olim one on one to answer their questions and provide information regarding their immigration benefits upon their arrival in Israel, including monetary stipends to assist with transferring professional licensing and student scholarship eligibility. Attendees enjoyed hearing aliyah stories and chizuk from the vendors, many of whom were olim themselves as well as practicing their Hebrew with the native-born Israeli vendors and government employees.

The Aliyah Fair also had four tracks of lectures delivered by NBN staff and vendors. The lectures included topics applicable to those who plan on making aliyah imminently and for those who are thinking about it down the line. Topics included finding a community in Israel, buying and renting a home in Israel, transitioning one’s finances to Israel and opportunities for higher education in Israel, among others.

“It is always uplifting to observe hundreds of individuals attending our events to learn more about their aliyah options while translating their aspirations into actionable plans. Participants ranged from those finalizing summer aliyah preparations to those strategizing their five-year plans. However, all attendees at the Aliyah Fair gained valuable resources regardless of their current stage. The over 600 attendees at the Aliyah Fair underscores the continued viability and active pursuit of aliyah we are seeing on an ongoing basis. Such events are crucial for both celebrating aliyah and sustaining the momentum of individuals actualizing their dreams by making the move to Israel,” said Sarah Kantor, head of marketing and events at NBN.

Rivka Katz, who traveled to the Aliyah Fair from Philadelphia with her husband and young child, is planning on making aliyah this summer. She was very pleased she and her family made the trip to the Aliyah Fair and said, “It is very organized, very informative and it was really great to meet other people making aliyah.”

A Ministry of Aliyah and Integration official emphasized how important they see their branch of government in supporting olim. She said, “The state of Israel sees it has an important goal, especially at this time, to help, support and encourage as many people as possible in coming to the Holy Land. We are all going through the same thing right now and we need to focus on supporting each other.”

In addition to the Aliyah Fair, NBN hosted multiple aliyah fairs and events, including concerts featuring Yonatan Razel, throughout North America during the second week of March. Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of NBN, said, “From our dynamic Aliyah Fair to personalized consultations at events and concerts, we are proud to offer a comprehensive platform that provides each individual with the resources and guidance needed to turn their dream of building a life in Israel into reality.”

Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer said, “Since October 7, tens of thousands of new immigrants have chosen to come to Israel, even in the midst of the war. They did so out of a deep belief in the return to Zion and the future of our country. Aliyah is the central value of Zionism. It is the essence of the return to Zion. This is our message to the world, to our children and to future generations.”