The Jewish Agency for Israel and S-Cube Ltd have joined together to launch the first-ever Virtual Aliyah Expo – an interactive, informative, non-stop Aliyah exhibition, which provides immigrants and potential immigrants with a direct link to all the services Israel has to offer.

The Virtual Aliyah Expo is an exciting, new and innovative way for immigrants to explore and discover the Aliyah process 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year - from the comfort of their homes. It provides them with everything they need to know – before and after making Aliyah!

The Virtual Aliyah Expo is an online, three-dimensional (3D) trade show based on the Aliyah Expos that are hosted by the Jewish Agency in various countries, the first of which was launched in South Africa in November 2007.

“The Aliyah Expos have been an enormous success,” says Ofer Dahan, marketing director of the Jewish Agency’s Aliyah & Absorption department. “We take experts from various companies and organizations to the various countries so they can meet with the olim (immigrants) to answer any and all questions they may have about Aliyah. Taking these expos online was a natural progression and we are looking forward to launching the Virtual Aliyah Expo within the next few months.

“This online expo will benefit olim who are contemplating making Aliyah, especially those who do not live close to the cities in which the Jewish Agency’s offices are located. The Virtual Aliyah Expo will enable them to get in touch with the Jewish Agency, government organizations and service providers, such as banks, cellphone companies, health funds and many more, in a very different way from before,” he says.

What is the Virtual Aliyah Expo?

The Virtual Aliyah Expo is a virtual exhibition – a simulation or representation of the real thing. It looks like an exhibition and “acts” like one, but it’s not a “real” exhibition. It is virtual reality!

“The difference between a physical exhibition and the 3D, online version is the fact that there is no travelling involved and it’s far more convenient for visitors,” says Avi Spitz, MD of S-Cube Ltd, a company that specializes in virtual exhibitions.

“This means that visiting our Virtual Aliyah Expo is cheaper as there are no transport or accommodation costs; more convenient because visitors don’t have to leave their homes to attend the expo; and less exhausting as they don’t have to walk around from hall to hall or exhibition stand to exhibition stand among crowds of people just to find what they need,” Spitz says.

The Virtual Aliyah Expo is aimed at potential and new immigrants, returning Israelis, visitors on long-term programs and others wishing to live in Israel, and it will provide visitors with relevant information needed for a new life in Israel.

“And an added benefit is that the expo will eventually be available in five languages – Hebrew, English, Russian, French and Spanish,” he says.

Who will exhibit at the Virtual Aliyah Expo?

Exhibitors will come from various different fields of expertise relating to Aliyah. Relevant government departments, olim organizations, businesses, service providers and anyone else involved in Aliyah will be approached in order to ensure the Virtual Aliyah Expo, a Non-Stop Aliyah Shop, caters to everyone’s needs.

“The Virtual Aliyah Expo provides exhibitors with a reliable, valuable and cost-effective alternative to conventional exhibitions, and enables them to connect with potential olim (immigrants) in a more convenient, effective and efficient way,” says Spitz.

“Exhibiting at the Virtual Aliyah Expo is easy and equally accessible to small, medium and large businesses due to the low costs involved. We have designed some exciting packages to suit every organization's needs. We look forward to welcoming you to our Virtual Aliyah Expo.”

If you would like to find out more about the expo, please call Ofer Dahan on +972 (0) 2 620 2816 or email offerd@jafi.org, Darryl Egnal on +972 (0) 54 884 5237 or email darryl@s-cube.co.il (English) or Avi Spitz on +972 (0) 54 555 0766 or email avi@s-cube.co.il (Hebrew).