During the last quarter of the year nearly 4,200 people submitted requests to open immigration files, according to data from the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, which assists Jews from North America in making aliyah to Israel.
This is an increase of 120% compared to the corresponding period last year.
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The last week of 2023 saw the arrival to Israel of about 200 new immigrants from North America. They join another 520 new immigrants who immigrated since the start of the Gaza war, amid the tense situation in the country.
In the last quarter, 4,175 people submitted applications to open aliyah files in order to immigrate to Israel, according to Nefesh B'Nefesh data. By comparison, in the same period in 2022, some 1,985 people started the immigration process.
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Family from North America arrives on aliyah in the midst of the war against Hamas in Gaza
(Photo: Courtesy of Nefesh B'Nefesh)
Of those who submitted applications this year, 3,709 currently live in North America (compared to applicants who start the naturalization process from in Israel) and have show a willingness to board a plane to Israel. This is a 142% increase compared to 2022, when the number of applications from immigrants who lived in real time in North America was only 1,528.
Analysis of the data also shows that half of the potential immigrants indicated in their application forms that the main reason for their immigration was "Zionism," while the issue of antisemitism occupies a marginal place and was found to be relevant for on less than 6% of all applicants.
“The significant number of new immigrants to Israel during the Iron Swords War and the tremendous increase in requests to open aliyah files are an important demonstration of Zionism and a beautiful expression of solidarity with the country, providing us with a much-needed boost to our morale,” according to the Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer. “Together with our partners at The Jewish Agency for Israel and Nefesh B’Nefesh, we are working to improve the absorption process by easing the bureaucracy as well as helping with Hebrew learning and job placements. We believe that full integration of the newcomers will contribute greatly to Israeli society and economic growth.”
As part of the summary of the year 2023, Nefesh B'Nefesh, working in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, the Jewish Agency, KKL-JNF and JNF USA, said that during the year 2023, some 3,020 immigrants from the US and Canada immigrated to Israel. Among the newcomers who arrived this year with the assistance of Nefesh B’Nefesh are 545 families, 616 children, 958 single men and women, and 432 retirees. The average age of olim over the last year is 32 years old, with the oldest being 100 and the youngest a 3-month-old baby.
“Our olim never cease to amaze us as they prove their commitment to fulfilling the Zionist dream of making Israel their home,” said Tony Gelbart, co-founder and chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “These individuals have not only remained steadfast in their desire to make aliyah despite the war and escalating regional tensions but have felt an even stronger impetus to do so out of a profound sense of connection and solidarity with the Jewish people and our homeland. In light of the significant surge in aliyah submissions, we are entering 2024 with optimism and, together with our partners, are prepared to welcome every individual who chooses the State of Israel with open arms.”
The olim who arrived in Israel in 2023 hold a variety of occupations, the most prominent of which is the field of medicine. In 2023, 65 doctors and 28 nurses arrived in Israel, most of whom began the process of converting their medical licenses during the annual Nefesh B’Nefesh MedEx, established to expedite the license conversion process and enable the medical practitioners to swiftly integrate into Israel society upon their arrival.
"Aliyah in these times is another expression of the partnership of world Jewry in building, and now in rebuilding, the State of Israel,” said chairman of The Jewish Agency, Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog. “I embrace each and every one of the olim who are building their lives in Israel these days and call on all of Israel to receive them with love and open arms. The Jewish Agency will continue to work, together with its partners in Israel and around the world, to strengthen the resilience of Israel’s society as a whole."
Among the group of young people who made aliyah in 2023 are 231 young individuals who serve as lone soldiers in the IDF as part of the FIDF-Nefesh B’Nefesh Lone Soldiers Program, and 35 young women will be lone national service volunteers with the Ori Program.
The immigrants come from all over North America, with the leading states and provinces being: New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Maryland and Ontario. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Beit Shemesh, Netanya and Ra'anana are among the most sought-after cities that immigrants choose to settle in.