Departs July 5

2,300 North American Jews Immigrating to Israel, Increase of 15% from 2005

Among them:

 -- Bukharian Community of New York under the leadership of their rabbi,

Hurricane Katrina survivors making Aliyah and other amazing personal stories

NEW YORK, June 22, 2006 – On Wednesday, July 5, 2006, the first specially chartered EL AL flight of the year will depart from JFK International Airport in New York City at 3:10 PM, bringing 240 North American Jews to their new homes in Israel, an immigration process known as “Aliyah.”  This EL AL flight, sponsored by The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), in cooperation with Nefesh B’Nefesh, marks the culmination of this record-setting year of immigration to Israel.  There will be a total of five such flights this summer, transporting an estimated 2,300 Olim (immigrants to Israel) from all across the United States and Canada, including prominent rabbis, professionals in various fields, teachers, homemakers, and their families.

The most high-profile Olim this year include: survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and 100 Bukharian Jews from New York who will be moving under the leadership of their rabbi, Michael Boruchov.  If Rabbi Boruchov’s 'pioneer' group succeeds, thousands more Bukharian Jews may follow their lead in the years to come. 

According to Michael Landsberg, Executive Director of JAFI’s North American Immigrant Department, “A recent study confirms the positive experiences of immigrants to Israel from the United States and Canada, a great deal of which is due to the services provided by the Jewish Agency.  We have been very involved in assisting North American families move their lives to Israel.  An unprecedented number of Jews have made this commitment to Israel, seeing Israel as an attractive destination for raising their families.  We at JAFI support their decision and are working hard to insure a smooth transition.”  Since 1929, JAFI has helped to advance the immigration and absorption of approximately three million Jews, from all over the world, roughly two-thirds of Israel's current population. 

You are invited to cover the event and meet with/ interview the Olim on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at JFK International Airport (Terminal 4) as well as JOIN THE FLIGHT.  Please arrive at JFK Airport at 12:00 PM for the Farewell Ceremony.  JAFI will be offering journalists the opportunity to fly with the Olim on the group flight, and subsidize their return flights, in an effort to gain full coverage of the historic event: before, during, and after the flight.

For statistics, personal stories, to cover the event, and to learn more about JOINING THE FLIGHT, please contact Michael Landsberg, Executive Director of JAFI’s Aliyah Department in North America (www.aliyah.org), at 212-339-6066 or 973-277-2623. 

About the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)

The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is a global organization in which Jews from Israel and the Diaspora work together to: rescue Jews in distress; promote immigration of Jews and their absorption in Israel; support Jewish education; and foster relationships between Jews around the world and their links to Israel.  Since its inception in 1929, JAFI has brought approximately 3.3 million new immigrants to Israel.  It is governed by an executive assembly composed of elected representatives from the World Zionist Organization, United Jewish Communities (UJC) and Keren Hayesod (United Israel Appeal). It is primarily funded by the UJC and KH.  Carole Solomon is chairman of the JAFI Board of Governors and Zeev Bielski is chairman of the JAFI Executive.  For more information, please visit www.jewishagency.org.