JERUSALEM (JTA) — Scores of new immigrants from North America were welcomed to Israel at a ceremony.
The 245 new immigrants, who landed Tuesday, were greeted by hundreds of families and friends as well as Israeli dignitaries.
The group included 45 families, including more than 100 children, and more than 50 singles, of whom 15 will be joining the Israeli army.
“As we celebrate our 10th summer of facilitating aliyah, it is rewarding to see how western aliyah is continuing to grow and is having a tremendous impact on the State of Israel,” said Tony Gelbart, co-founder and chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh.
More than 200 other new olim were expected to arrive later Tuesday, with another 220 on Wednesday.
More than 2,500 Jews making aliyah from North America and the United Kingdom are slated to arrive in Israel this summer on two charter and 10 group aliyah flights.
The groups are arriving under the auspices of Nefesh B’Nefesh, The Jewish Agency and Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.
