July 18, 2019 7:30 pm
A total of 200 new Olim from France, Russia, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela landed in Israel on Wednesday, July 17th, on special flights organized by The Jewish Agency for Israel.
The newcomers – including 70 children who will enter the Israeli education system when school starts after summer vacation – were greeted at Ben-Gurion Airport with a festive reception called “Choosing Israel,” hosted by The Jewish Agency, the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal.
Chairman of The Jewish Agency, Yitzchak Herzog, told the new immigrants at the welcome ceremony: “In the name of the Jewish people the world over, I’m proud and excited to welcome 200 new Olim who just arrived in their historic homeland. We’re also celebrating the arrival of the thousands of new Olim arriving in Israel this summer. I’m especially excited to welcome home two families who, with assistance from The Jewish Agency, made a long and secretive journey from Venezuela.
“The Jewish Agency works around the clock all over the world, including in countries with complicated geopolitical and security challenges, to ensure the safety and security of Jews everywhere. The Jewish Agency will help these new immigrants settle in absorption centers throughout Israel and, with the help of the Israeli people, enable them to become part of the rich mosaic of Israeli life. I wish them every success.”
Other dignitaries who welcomed the Olim included Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, Minister of Aliyah Yoav Gallant, and World Chairman of Keren Hayesod-UIA Sam Grundwerg. In addition to new Olim, the reception featured 200 young adults aged 18-35 who recently moved to Israel from 27 countries and are participating in special programs for new immigrants sponsored by The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah.
100 of Wednesday’s Olim arrived from France on Flight 100, including young Parisian families that will settle in Jerusalem, Netanya and Tel Aviv. The youngest immigrant on the flight was 2 months old, and 35 school-age children were part of the group. The Olim come to Israel as French Jewry continues to grapple with rising anti-Semitism.
Among the hundreds of excited immigrants, two families from the Jewish community of Venezuela also made Aliyah. According to data from The Jewish Agency, over the last two years (2017-2018) around 330 immigrants arrived from the South American country and another 60 have immigrated since the beginning of 2019.
Also present on the flight were Brazilian and Argentinian singles participating in The Jewish Agency’s Aliyah program for young adults. This group is set to participate in intensive Hebrew-language studies (ulpan) for several months, and then begin employment and higher education programs in Israel.
Additionally, nearly 80 new immigrants arrived Wednesday on a separate flight from Russia. Primarily hailing from Moscow, the group included 25 school-age children. Most of the Russian immigrant families will settle in Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Rishon L’Tzion.
Minister Gallant: “I am pleased to welcome 200 new immigrants from three continents today, including young people who will soon enlist in the IDF and dozens of children and young adults who will join the Israeli education system in September. The absorption of immigrants from all over the world in Israel is essential for strengthening the country and the Jewish people. We have seen a 25% increase thus far in Aliyah this year from last year, and the Ministry does everything in its power to enable these immigrants to acclimate successfully in Israel.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/ Photo Credit: The Jewish Agency for Israel)