Over 1,100 New Immigrants from North America Arrive in Israel During August Wave

In August, Israel witnessed a significant influx of new immigrants from North America, with over 1,100 olim arriving as part of an unprecedented summer immigration wave. On a particularly busy day at Ben Gurion Airport, nearly 100 new immigrants landed within half an hour, with a total of about 150 expected to arrive that day across six flights. This surge is part of a broader trend from June to September, during which more than 2,200 immigrants from the United States and Canada are expected to arrive via nearly 100 group flights.

The organization Nefesh B'Nefesh, in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), and the Jewish National Fund USA, facilitates this immigration process. Their teams assist immigrants from preparation in their home countries through arrival and absorption in Israel. Since the start of 2023, approximately 2,700 North American immigrants have arrived, with projections for 2026 exceeding 4,000, marking one of the strongest years since Nefesh B'Nefesh was established in 2002.

Demographically, the current wave is young and dynamic, averaging 29 years old, including about 480 families, 1,100 singles, 250 retirees, and around 700 children and teenagers starting school in Israel, including 80 first graders. Approximately 300 young immigrants are expected to contribute to national service in the IDF or national service programs. The immigrants bring diverse professional skills, including doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, and accountants.

They come from major North American hubs such as New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland, Illinois, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Georgia. Upon arrival, they plan to settle in cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Beit Shemesh, Ra'anana, Modiin-Maccabim-Reut, and Haifa, with about 650 choosing communities in the Negev and Galilee under the "Leap in Aliyah" program promoting settlement in national priority areas.

Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, praised the large number of young immigrants and families choosing Israel as their home, highlighting ongoing reforms to support their integration. Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and CEO of Nefesh B'Nefesh, called the historic wave a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people and the strong connection of North American Jewry to Israel. Doron Almog, Chair of the Jewish Agency, emphasized the immigrants' choice to build their lives in Israel and the agency's role in supporting them throughout the process.