(NEWS) Making Aliyah From Mexico To Israel On Board A Yacht....Alone!

"Mexican citizen Galia Moss, 40, will spend 65 days sailing through the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea on her way to Israel. 'Anything is possible when you have the passion,' she says.

A 40-year-old Jewish woman from Mexico is currently making her way to Israel via a yacht in what is her very own private aliyah journey. Galia Moss, who departed from Veracruz on Tuesday, is expected to spend 65 days sailing through the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and will eventually dock in the Herzliya Marina.

She is equipped with a satellite phone, water and canned food. Moss is slated to cross no less than 12,000 km (roughly 7,500 miles) in a small 32-foot yacht and emerge a full fledged Israeli citizen."

(NEWS) Reform Aims To Attract Expats Back To Israel

"Interior Ministry program will allow children of Israelis living overseas to enroll in higher education studies in Israel without having to serve in IDF.

A series of reforms put forward by the Interior Ministry aims to induce Israelis living abroad to visit and study in Israel, in an effort to convince more expatriates to resettle in Israel.

The reforms are part of the 'Israel is home' program led by Interior Minister Eli Yishai and aimed at encouraging Jews and Israelis living abroad to make a permanent home for themselves in Israel. As part of the program, Jews eligible for Israeli citizenship will face less demanding terms in applying for permits to stay in Israel and will be entitled to better services in Israel."

(NEWS) Daniel Pereg: My Heart Is Here In Israel

"Teen who gained prominence after facing Pro-Palestinian protesters in US moves to Israel.

One of the defining symbols of the flotilla incident was Daniel Pereg, a Jewish teen from Beverly Hills, who marched alone, with an Israeli flag, in front of a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

The brave move was recorded on video, and got over 800,000 hits on Youtube.

Last week, Pereg realized a lifelong dream and made aliyah."

(NEWS) Jewish Agency: Immigration Increases For Second Year Running

"17,880 olim arrive in Israel during Hebrew year 5770, 7,340 of which from FSU; aliya from English-speaking countries roughly the same.

Some 17,880 olim arrived in Israel during the Hebrew year 5770, an increase of 2,700 people from the year before, according to data released by the Jewish Agency on Saturday.

The biggest rise in numbers came from immigrants from the former Soviet Union: This year 7,340 people moved from CIS countries to Israel in comparison to 6,340 the previous year."

(BLOG) Young Jews Emigrate In Greater Numbers To Israel

"The tough job market of these last two years has gotten many young people thinking outside the country's borders. In particular, young American Jews are turning to a long-standing immigration program of the Israeli government. It's called 'aliyah,' and it means accepting Israeli citizenship and moving to that country.

Couple Kate Holz and Robert Lux are planning to leave for Israel in October. For them, nothing about the process has been organized. Even the stairs leading to their attic apartment is cluttered with stuff. 'So when I warned you that this was messy, I mean really messy,' Holz apologized. 'It's my way of packing.'



Inside, clothes, shoes and books are everywhere. Also, Holz’s ex-husband, who’s seated, strumming a ukulele and belting out a tune. Chaos reigns. Somehow, everything has to be packed – into three bags each -- by tonight. But Holz and Lux aren't fazed. Holz says last-minute and spontaneous is their style.

Compared with most people who make this life change, their decision can be called impulsive. Though both Holz and Lux were born Jews, neither is observant. And they've only gone to Israel once. How long?

'Ten days,' replies Lux.

And that was enough to decide to move there?

'I think the first day was enough,' Holz jumps in. 'I mean, we fell in love with it immediately. The scenery, the people, the food. Just everything.'

Kate, a server, is 28; Rob, a cook, is 23. According to the Jewish Agency of North America, that’s about average for people who choose to emigrate to Israel from North America.

'Once they've visited and seen the opportunities and seen there are other options for them in Israel for higher education, I see an increase in young people going more than anything else,' says Shirah Ozery, director of the Jewish Agency’s Midwest office in Skokie.

Ozery's seeing the trend in the Midwest, but it's on par with the rest of the country. Eight years ago, about 2,000 Jews left North America to go to Israel, according to the Jewish Agency of North America. Last year the figure was nearly double that. The Jewish Agency expects the trend to continue.

All these emigrants, though, have to show paperwork to prove they're eligible for aliyah under the Law of Return. The law accepts those whose mother, father, or grandparents were Jewish, or who converted to Judaism by a recognized source.



'Ironically, actually, that was based on the definition of Hitler,' Ozery explains, 'which was used to send people to concentration camps.'

The Israeli government and another privately-funded group, Nefesh B'Nefesh, heavily subsidize this emigration. They cover a one-way ticket to Israel, taxi fare from the airport, five months of intensive Hebrew language training, six months of free health care, an income tax reduction, free college tuition. Ozery says all this makes immigrants' new lives in Israel easier, and encourages them to become highly educated and productive.

But Rob Lux and Kate Holz say all this assistance is not just a free ride.

'I have to serve six months, then I'll be a reservist for the rest of my life,' says Lux. He says if he were younger, he'd actually have to serve three years in the Israeli army.

Holz says it's hard to come to terms with Lux’s impending military service. But she still has a pleasant picture of a new life as an Israeli.

'It sounds so corny when I say it,' Holz laughs, 'but being able to wake up and go walk through the market and get coffee and do a little grocery shopping and cook a little breakfast, go to our Hebrew classes, walk on the beach, go to work...'

Kate and Rob are looking forward to a slower pace of life more than anything, because right now they work crazy hours and barely see each other. But they have at least one more frantic night in the US, packing for their new life in Israel." (source)

(BLOG) Immigrating To Israel Out Of Fear

"In last half year, faced with rising anti-Semitism, increasing number of Turkish Jews immigrating to Israel. Recent attempts made by Istanbul mayor to quell fears have not mitigated concerns. 'We are afraid,' says Turkish immigrant.

About a week ago, Turkish Jews invited about 200 Muslims to break the Ramadan fast at the main synagogue in Istanbul. The response was overwhelming, and even Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas, a supporter of the Jews, was present at the event.

'I have many Jewish friends even back from my studies,' he said to those present. 'The recent events are not only difficult for Israel, but also for us Turks. I ask of you to tell the Israelis to return to our country. It is a mistake to think that the Turks will not accept the Israelis with cordiality.'"

(NEWS) New Immigrants Get 5-Star Treatment

"Jewish Agency campaign spares new immigrants of bureaucratic hassles. 'Government workers here are much more polite than in France,' says one of new arrivers says.

Immigrating to Israel is usually accompanied by many bureaucratic hassles, but thanks to a campaign initiated by the Jewish Agency, 140 new olim who arrived in Israel on Tuesday were spared this headache.

Despite the warm weather, the new immigrants knelt on the floor upon landing and kissed the burning ground on the runway."

(NEWS) 10,000 Immigrants In 2010; Some Very Unique

"Meet observant gay couple with 3 adopted children.

Almost 10,000 olim have made aliya so far in 2010, of whom 2,426 came from English-speaking countries, according to data released by the Jewish Agency on Tuesday. Each one has a unique story to tell.

Some, however, are more unique than others.

Take Ian and Daniel Chesir-Teran, for example, an observant gay couple from New Jersey and their three adopted black children – Eli, Yonah and Tamar."

(NEWS) 93-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Immigrates To Israel

"Livia Shacter made a lot of people happy just by getting on a plane. Shacter, a 93-year-old great-grandmother of 35, made Aliyah, immigrating from the U.S. to Israel a few days ago. She told Israel National News her story, which goes all the way from Czechoslovakia, to Auschwitz, to L.A., to Baltimore, to Ramat Beit Shemesh:

INN: Why did you come to Israel?

Livia: I came to be with my daughter. I have two daughters, one is in Baltimore, and one is in Israel. Now, my daughter in Israel said I should come... I wanted to come years ago, and it never worked out. But she insisted, and I came. I arrived last Wednesday and already today I have joined a group of older men and women (called Melabev) who get together four days a week. They have so much fun there. Today they were singing and dancing and I joined them. They come from all countries."

(NEWS) Jewish Astronaut Considers Immigrating To Israel

"American Jewish astronaut Garrett Reisman is considering aliyah (immigration) to Israel, according to Minister of Science and Technology Daniel Hershkowitz, who met with Reisman during a recent trip to the United States.

Reisman, 42, told Hershkowitz that the question of whether or not he will live in Israel will be decided based on his ability to find suitable work."

(NEWS) Meet Today's New Nefesh B'Nefesh Immigrants

"In the following video, Nefesh B'Nefesh official Dudy Starck speaks with some of the new immigrants who arrived Thursday on the last summer flight from North America."

(BLOG) The Power Of Aliyah

"Israel’s demographic optimism can be further boosted by growing Jewish immigration.

In 2010, a surge in the Israeli Jewish fertility rate is a long-term, unique, global phenomenon, while fertility rates decline sharply in the Third World in general and in Muslim countries in particular.

In 2010, there is a 66% Jewish majority in 98.5% of the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean (without Gaza) – and a 58% Jewish majority with Gaza. That Jewish majority benefits from a demographic tailwind and from a high potential of aliyah (Jewish immigration) and of returning Israeli expatriates."

(NEWS) 1000 Immigrants From 17 Countries Arrive In Israel

"Also this week, Jewish Agency launches first summer camp program in country for teens from former Soviet Union.

The Jewish Agency for Israel brought 1,000 new immigrants from 17 countries to Israel this week, including 550 new olim from France, more than 100 from the United Kingdom, 60 from South Africa and 170 from South America.

Upon arriving in Israel, the new immigrants received all the initial absorption services – from opening a bank account to signing up for health insurance – at a mini-expo organized by the Jewish Agency. They also received their new Israeli ID cards at a ceremony at the Western Wall."

(NEWS) 1000 New Immigrants To Israel In One Week

"1,000 olim (new immigrants) from France, Britain, South Africa, and various countries in South America will arrive in Israel this week to build their lives in the Jewish state. The new arrivals will come in on 23 flights.

One of the flights will be the first-ever direct aliyah flight from Los Angeles to Israel. The flight is expected to arrive on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. Bearing 62 new olim from the West Coast of the United States. 48 of the 62 are young adults and children."

(NEWS) Success For American Innovative Immigrants

"The fifth annual meeting in Israel of Jewish innovators includes young immigrants who now are managers five years after coming with only a pilot plan, Return on Investments (ROI) official Justin Korda told INN TV.

The more than 120 Jewish innovators from 27 countries who are meeting in Jerusalem this week include several who came to the country five years ago with 'only a pilot program of one paragraph' and who now are managing their own organizations, he said."

(NEWS) 232 American Olim Due At Ben Gurion

"Flight is first of three Nefesh B'Nefesh planes to arrive this summer.

An El Al plane full of new Israelis from across North America – 232 of them – will arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport early on Wednesday morning, on a flight sponsored by the Nefesh B’Nefesh aliya organization.

The immigrants, who range in age from 5 months to 95 years, are made up of 40 families and 60 singles, and are bringing four dogs with them to the Holy Land."