Life as a Lone Soldier or Oleh (new immigrant) is undeniably challenging. And, when faced with the additional complexities of war, these challenges become even more daunting. Lone Soldiers, lacking the support of their families, and Olim, navigating the security situation while simultaneously acclimating to a foreign environment, both encounter unique obstacles. Recognizing this, Nefesh B’Nefesh, dedicated to aiding North American Olim and Lone Soldiers from around the world, has adapted its services and resources to meet the urgent needs of these vulnerable groups.
As the conflict unfolded, the organization sprang into action. Nefesh B’Nefesh swiftly provided financial grants to families of Olim affected by property damage, displacement, or hospitalization of family members. Additionally, mental health services were funded for over a hundred families, and wedding celebrations were hosted for Lone Soldiers at their campus in Jerusalem. Demonstrating unwavering commitment, Nefesh B’Nefesh emphasized events for Olim and support for those spearheading initiatives to assist Lone Soldiers.
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Immigration in the shadow of the war - hundreds of immigrants from North America have landed in Israel since the beginning of the 'Iron Swords' war
(Photo: Yonit Schiller)
“Recognizing our responsibility towards the populations we serve, was not only a natural decision, but a crucial one to adapt our regular processes to meet the urgent needs of all those in need,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “With thousands of Lone Soldiers called up for reserve duty, supporting them directly contributes to the war effort, and vice versa. Immediately following the outbreak of the war, we established a 24/7 hotline for both Lone Soldiers and families abroad seeking information about their loved ones. Collaborating with JNF-USA and the Friends of the IDF (FIDF), we funded flights for parents of Lone Soldiers to visit their children in Israel. We ensured our presence at every funeral and Shivah for a fallen Lone Soldier, and provided support for North American families of hostages in any way we could.”
“In the last six months, we’ve worked closely with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Ministry of Health, and the Jewish Agency for Israel, focusing on strengthening Israel’s medical infrastructure due to the increase in wounded patients. Together, we compiled a comprehensive list of Jewish doctors interested in volunteering. Each underwent a thorough evaluation, including license verification and Hebrew language assessments. Within 24 hours of approval, we arranged their travel to Israel.”
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Immigration in the shadow of the war - hundreds of immigrants from North America have landed in Israel since the beginning of the 'Iron Swords' war
(Photo: Yonit Schiller)
How prepared were you to tackle these unexpected issues?
“Successfully navigating throughout the Covid-19 crisis taught us how to quickly adapt to unexpected challenges. During that time, we made significant changes to our operations and found effective ways to serve our different communities. The current situation has proven even more challenging, as we faced unexpected emergencies, personal pain, hardships, and worry. Despite these obstacles, we were still able to fulfill our responsibilities. With 14 staff deployed to the reserves, the remaining employees took on additional roles to ensure that the care for each Oleh and every soldier were not compromised. We worked together as a united team to overcome these challenges and maintained our level of service.”
Coping Through Challenges
Nefesh B’Nefesh was founded in 2002 by Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart to promote and facilitate Aliyah from North America, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA. Since then, Nefesh B’Nefesh has assisted over 80,000 Olim to move to Israel, all of whom contribute to the economic, cultural, and demographic well-being of the country. Today, the organization strives to remove any professional, logistical, and economic obstacles that Olim face during the Aliyah process and acclimation to Israeli society. It also represents Olim's interests with relevant authorities to ease bureaucratic barriers.
According to a study conducted by Deloitte Israel, Nefesh B’Nefesh Olim have made a direct economic contribution of approximately NIS 10.1 billion over two decades. For Lone Soldiers, the IDF has an official agreement with Nefesh B’Nefesh, ensuring their well-being. Rabbi Fass noted that approximately 80% of Lone Soldiers who make Aliyah are keen on significant combat roles in the IDF.
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Signing of an agreement for a national program for the immigration of doctors at the MedEx conference.jpg
(Photo: Shachar Azran)
The “Iron Swords War” presented Nefesh B’Nefesh with unprecedented challenges. Besides emergency initiatives, routine responsibilities continued amid a significant rise in Aliyah requests.
What tools were used to handle the crisis?
“I’m not sure we created new tools. Rather, the infrastructure we have built over the past two decades is capable of handling such challenges. Our dedicated team worked tirelessly, putting in extra hours every day, and we are fortunate to have such strong partnerships with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency for Israel. We are also in the process of building systems to support the anticipated influx of thousands of Olim. We have the base, knowledge, and tools to continue offering assistance. It’s of utmost importance, and we are committed to fulfilling it. We have families of Olim who are experiencing their first major crisis during this war, some of whom have children drafted to the army. While it was understood and expected that they would be drafted, they could not have anticipated that their children would be fighting in Gaza. We must provide them with strength, information, and stand by them during this unnerving time. We flew 30 Olim to Israel at the onset of the war, and already on that flight we explained to them the ‘red alert’ alarm, which they had experienced for the first time a mere two hours after landing. This situation is not simple, but we are here for them every step of the way.”
Do any Olim regret their decision due to the current situation?
“Nobody. On the contrary, it is during such challenging times that they feel a stronger sense of belonging. Amidst adversity, they find solace in the warmth and unity of their community. While some have lost loved ones, it is from this place of sorrow and mourning that a resilient spirit emerges, uniting both new and veteran Olim alike. It’s a collective spirit that transcends individual grief, anchoring them to a larger purpose and deepening their connection to this land. This embodies the true spirit of being Israeli. Even those whose sons are fighting in Gaza will say, ‘I haven’t slept in three months; now I truly feel Israeli.’”