Israel Launches National Program to Recruit Teachers from US and Canada Amid Shortage

The Israeli Ministry of Education, Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and the organization Nefesh B'Nefesh have jointly launched a new national program aimed at encouraging the immigration of teachers from the United States and Canada to address the ongoing teacher shortage in Israel. The initiative targets teachers eligible under the Law of Return and supports them from the initial consideration of immigration through their integration into Israeli schools.

The program will remove bureaucratic and professional barriers, allowing recognition of teaching certificates, academic degrees, and professional experience prior to immigration. It focuses on critical subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and language, especially in regions with acute teacher shortages. The Ministry of Education plans to match teachers with schools based on their expertise, experience, residence, and the education system’s needs.

Set to begin within the coming year, the program aims to identify hundreds of teachers in the immigration process and facilitate their absorption before the 2027-2028 school year. It builds on the successful model of the 2024 national program for immigrant doctors, which eased licensing procedures abroad and brought over a thousand doctors to Israel in two years.

Recruitment efforts will include job fairs, webinars, exposure meetings, and home gatherings across the US and Canada. A database of candidates and job openings will connect Israeli schools with prospective immigrant teachers. Support will continue post-immigration, including professional development, Hebrew language strengthening, mentorship by veteran immigrant teachers, and assistance for their families.

Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer emphasized the program’s role in enabling teachers to work immediately upon arrival and strengthening the education system. Education Minister Yoav Kisch described the teacher shortage as a major challenge and highlighted this program as part of broader efforts to expand and enhance the teaching workforce. Nefesh B'Nefesh Chairman Tony Gelbart noted the program’s goal to bring experienced educators to Israel and integrate them effectively, demonstrating how immigration can help solve national challenges.