Shalom!  We at Restoration Israel are here to assist you as you prepare to make Aliyah* from North America to Israel. We will be praying for you. If there is any way we can be of service, please let us know.

God promised..."And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord GOD. - Ezekiel 34:13-15 
 
"Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the East, and gather you from the West..." - Isaiah 43:5

Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel
"The Homecoming" by Jonathan Allen
North American Aliyah Has Arrived
Not only has North American aliyah [immigration to Israel] reached a 21-year high, but also the new immigrants have been absorbed with remarkable success. So say officials of the Nefesh B’Nefesh.  According to a study, over 70% of.... [new immigrants] have found jobs in their fields within a year of moving to Israel. "Impressive figures," the officials said at a Jerusalem press conference December 14, "especially considering that the olim arrived in Israel as the country faced a very deep recession."

Nefesh B’Nefesh hopes to make that percentage even higher, embracing the phenomenon of outsourcing for the benefit of North American olim. “Many individuals have outsourced their old jobs here to Israel—staying up late and connecting to their old offices, doing the same work, from here,” NBN cofounder Rabbi Joshua Fass said. He added that the organization plans on encouraging the phenomenon. “We are trying to harness the time difference. There are many businesses that want to have 24-hour productivity [for] legal work, radiology, and graphic design. We want to harness that potential and thus create jobs for olim.”

The study also shows that the olim themselves are not the only ones to benefit from the move to Israel. "The Jewish state itself is the big winner," the officials said. According to the study, the average adult newcomer represents approximately $200,000 in instant value to Israel’s economy. This is based on education, professional experience, and financial assets the olim bring with them. As many as 90% join the labor pool, and unemployment for the group is on par with the national average after a very brief time in the country. The average family will generate output worth almost US $1 million during their first 10 years in the country. Over 50% of these newcomers bought homes in Israel by the end of 2004, many doing so within three to nine months of their arrival.

“There have been many waves of aliyah,” said NBN cofounder Tony Gelbart. “We feel it is time for the wave of North American aliyah; it's our turn. There is a wellspring of idealistic, Zionist Jews who will contribute to Israel from the moment they arrive at the airport.”....  - Arutz Sheva, December 15, 2004

Reduced Bureaucracy for New Immigrants
  Jews from across the world who wish to make Aliyah (immigrate to Israel) are no longer required to spend "40 years in the desert" like their biblical ancestors, says Arutz Sheva. They don't even have to wander through the bureaucratic wilderness alone anymore. Starting today, new olim will be assigned a personal advisor to guide them through each stage of the Aliya process.
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption (Misrad Haklitah) has announced the new approach under the motto, "One on One - Changing Over to Personal Absorption," and has begun assigning "Personal Absorption Counselors" to new olim. "New immigrants and their families will be assigned a personal absorption counselor who speaks their language and will accompany them throughout their absorption process," read an announcement from the Absorption Ministry. "A personal absorption track will be formulated for each immigrant and tailored to meet each individual's needs."
This is an exciting and very welcome development in the world of Aliya and is being applauded as an excellent step forward in facilitating the return of the Jewish people to our Homeland. - The Lekarev Report, August 6, 2004
Aliyah Testimonies
Aliyah Information Packet
Helpful Tips for Making Aliyah:  (see below)
 
  1. You must show some kind of proof that you are of Jewish decent. You must have at least one Jewish grandparent.  Gather as many of the following as you can obtain:
     
    • Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah Certificate (yours, parents or grandparents)
    • Grandparents or parents Katuba (marriage certificate)
    • Grandparents or parents Marriage License
    • Birth Certificates of parents or grandparents
    • Death Certificate of parents or grandparents
    • Letter from Synagogue or Rabbi, which you, your parents or grandparents were members of or that can attest to your Jewishness.
    • Any other documents that would mention your family's Jewishness.
  2. All documents should be originals or have an official seal/stamp on them. Make at least two copies of each document.
     
  3. In order to complete the Application Form you will need the following:
     
    • Name, address and telephone number of an Israeli resident/citizen.
    • Name, address and telephone number of a Jewish friend within the U.S. or elsewhere.
    • If possible, ask a Hebrew-speaking friend to assist you in completing the form, since the first few lines of the form must be completed in Hebrew and English.
    • If you are part of a family, each member of the family will need an Application Form completed.  You may all use the same references.
  4. Complete the Application Form.
     
  5. You will need to write a personal letter (a few paragraphs) explaining why you desire to become an Israeli citizen. If you are able to translate your letter into Hebrew that would be helpful. Make two copies of the letter (English and Hebrew versions), and include with the other documents.
     
  6. All family members who are making Aliyah must be present when filling out the application.

 

*Aliyah: Hebrew word meaning "going up" -- often refers to Jewish people moving to Israel (Going up to Israel)