191 new Jewish immigrants head to Israel from North America.*

by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz

(IsraelNN.com) The last Nefesh B'Nefesh chartered flight of the civil
calendar year 2007 is set to touch down on Thursday, bringing 191 new
Jewish immigrants to Israel from North America.

The El Al plane will be greeted at Ben-Gurion International Airport by
the head of the IDF Manpower Division, Major General Elazar Stern,
Director General of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, Erez Halfon,
other officials and show hosts of IsraelNationalRadio.com. Hundreds of
family members,
Over the course of 2007, more than 3,000 North American and British Jews
immigrated to Israel through Nefesh B’Nefesh.
friends, well-wishers and previous Nefesh B'Nefesh beneficiaries are
expected to be on the tarmac to greet the newcomers.

The Thursday flight includes immigrants from the United States and
Canada. The oldest immigrant is 96 years old, while the youngest was
born just three months ago. According to Nefesh B'Nefesh, the new
immigrants will be moving to over 27 cities throughout Israel. Popular
destinations for North Americans who made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel)
in recent years include Beit Shemesh, Modi'in and Jerusalem.

Over the course of 2007, more than 3,000 North American and British Jews
immigrated to Israel through Nefesh B’Nefesh, on eight
specially-chartered planes and eight Aliyah group flights. About 10,000
Jews made Aliyah through Nefesh B'Nefesh since 2002.

Nefesh B’Nefesh is an organization dedicated to revitalizing North
American and British Aliyah by removing or minimizing the financial,
professional, logistical and social obstacles to coming to live in
Israel. The organization provides comprehensive emotional and material
support for immigrants before and after their Aliyah. Among other
efforts, Nefesh B'Nefesh offers financial assistance, employment
resources, social services and guidance through governmental absorption
procedures. Although a private initiative, Nefesh B'Nefesh worked with
the Jewish Agency until earlier this year.

Originally focused on North American Jews, in 2006, Nefesh B'Nefesh
extended its efforts to the United Kingdom. In September of this year,
the organization was in discussions with Latin American Jewish community
leaders regarding assistance for Jews in that region who were planning
Aliyah.