Zionism with a Big “Z” On A warm summer day in mid-July, 300 people boarded an EL AL flight at JFK airport with their one-way ticket to Israel. Excitement surrounded the families, singles, children of all ages, professionals, and future soldiers who made up the full flight. This was the first Nefesh B’Nefesh chartered EL AL flight for Summer
As celebrations began when the 50th El Al chartered flight landed in Israel, he added: “we won.” n For more information on Nefesh B’Nefesh, visit nbn.org.il.
15 JNF.org
2013 that was bringing North Americans to Israel to make aliyah and start a new chapter of their lives in Israel. JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson was also on board, representing the brand new partnership Jewish National Fund and Nefesh B’Nefesh are launching. “It’s a new Israel,” he said. “The Israel today is about partnership, about building, about Americans being part of the process. It’s the most exciting time in Israel’s history and as JNF works to build the Negev and Galilee,
(L-R) Gilad Shalit and Russell F. Robinson.
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
Passengers from the Nefesh B’Nefesh flight upon landing in Israel.
we are thrilled to partner with Nefesh B’Nefesh to help populate those regions as well.” Nefesh B’Nefesh has revitalized twenty-first century western aliyah and has brought over 35,000 olim from the USA, Canada, and UK. Before the flight, they offer a seamless process for potential olim. Upon arrival in Israel, they also help ensure successful acclimation to Israel for the new immigrants with a 97% retention rate. Nefesh B’Nefesh—which means Jewish Souls United—has turned into the gateway for North American Jews to make Israel their home. “Nefesh B’Nefesh is honored to partner with JNF and work together to help build a stronger Israel by assisting passionate, modern-day pioneers in populating the northern and southern regions of the country,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, founder of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “Building upon JNF’s historic efforts to develop and nurture the land of Israel, this partnership and JNF’s Go North campaign is helping cultivate the entirety of the country with an infusion of human capital and idealism— the blueprint for Israel’s future.” Attracting new residents to the Negev and Galilee has long been a JNF priority, and an essential component of its Blueprint Negev campaign to sustainably develop Israel’s southern region for the next generation of Israelis. Go North is JNF’s new campaign to work similarly in the Galilee. The partnership of JNF and Nefesh B’Nefesh will encourage new olim to settle into these areas. “This is Zionism with a big ‘Z’,” said Robinson. “We are proud to be Zionists, proud that JNF has the largest Zionist education program in the U.S., and proud to be part of this momentum.”
(L-R) Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Shammai Keinan, Tony Gelbart, Melinda Wolf, Russell F. Robinson, Efi Slenzler, and Lesley Sachs.
What’s Fact? What’s Fiction? • Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation diagnostic instrument for breast cancer. • The technology for AOL Instant Messenger was developed by four young Israelis. • When the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya was bombed, Israeli rescue teams were on the scene within a day—and saved three victims from the rubble. • An Israeli company was the first to develop and install a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant, in southern California’s Mojave Desert. • Israel sent 120 physicians to the tsunami-stricken areas of Asia, as well as 82 tons of medical equipment and humanitarian aid. • Children orphaned in the Rwandan genocide are being trained by Israeli foresters in agro-forestry and agriculture to help fight famine.
Truth is they’re ALL fact. Are you surprised? Learn more at PositivelyIsrael.org