(JTA) — More than 1,000 Jews gathered in New York’s Times Square to learn about moving to Israel.
Jewish-Americans and Israelis living in the United States attended the “aliyah mega” event on Sunday organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh, a group that eases the path to move to Israel.
In addition to the New York event, aliyah fairs were scheduled for six other North American cities — Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Baltimore; Chicago; and Los Angeles, along with Toronto and Montreal in Canada — organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh along with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA.
The fairs include aliyah-related seminars and workshops, and personal consultations with staff from The Jewish Agency for Israel, the Tzofim Garin Tzabar youth movement and Nefesh B’Nefesh. Jewish Agency representatives were scheduled to speak about the process for verifying aliyah eligibility, including proving Jewishness under the Law of Return.
“It’s important to encourage you in this moment, when you are about to take a major step that will change your entire life — aliyah to Israel,” Israeli Minister of Aliyah and Absorption Sofa Landver told the gathering in Times Square. “As a former olah myself, I know it’s not easy. But we will be there for you, to support you and ensure your absorption into Israel society will be the best it can be.”
