A new study found that recent North American immigrants to Israel are a major economic asset to the Jewish state.Each adult North American immigrant represents about $200,000 in value to the Israeli economy upon his or her arrival, according to a study commissioned by Nefesh B’Nefesh, a grassroots organization that encourages North American aliyah. The findings of the report and the announcement that almost 3,000 North American Jews immigrated to Israel in 2004 a 20 percent increase from last year — were presented at a news conference Tuesday sponsored by Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jewish Agency for Israel, which works with the private group. The study calculated the immigrants’ value based on their high level of education, work experience, savings and ability to contribute to the Israeli labor market. Nefesh B’Nefesh said the immigrants they have helped bring to Israel in the past three years are “the group with the greatest potential economic contribution! in the history of aliyah.”The report was criticized by some who said it suggests that bringing North American immigrants should be more of a priority than those from less developed countries.
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