(JNS) A first-of-its-kind charter flight from Mexico carried 230 new immigrants to Israel on Tuesday, August 11. Dubbed “Operation Home,” the flight was organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel and Hanoar Hatzioni, with support from Keren Hayesod.

Taking off from Mexico City, the special flight carried 50 new olim and 150 Hanoar Hatzioni graduates who will take part in Masa, a project co-founded by the Jewish Agency and Israeli government that connects young adults with immersive, long-term experiences throughout the Jewish state.

“Operation Home” also brought back dozens of Israelis who have been stranded due to the limited availability of flights during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mexico is home to the third-largest Jewish community in Central America (after Argentina and Brazil), with about 50,000 Jews. The Mexican Jewish community maintains close ties with Israel, and has an extensive education system featuring Jewish day schools and Zionist youth movements.

The Jewish Agency has opened 493 aliyah cases with Mexican Jews since January—an increase of 32% from last year.

Those who landed began the required two-week quarantine in compliance with Israel’s Ministry of Health guidelines and other COVID-19 regulations. At the end of their quarantine, they will leave for local communities and absorption centers throughout the country.