Hundreds of North American Teachers Prepare to Immigrate and Teach in Israel

A joint initiative by the organization Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Israeli Ministries of Aliyah and Education is set to support hundreds of teachers from North America who are considering immigration to Israel. The program will assist candidates from the initial decision to immigrate through to their integration and placement in schools across the country. It aims to remove bureaucratic and professional barriers by facilitating recognition of certificates, degrees, and professional experience even before arrival in Israel.

The program, inspired by the success of the national initiative for immigrant doctors, is expected to launch within the coming year. It targets hundreds of teachers currently in the immigration process, aiming to integrate them into the education system in time for the 2027-2028 school year. Concurrently, the program will advance professional recognition and retraining for additional candidates.

The Ministry of Education will assign teachers based on system needs, matching their qualifications, experience, expertise, age group, region, and educational institution. A database of candidates and job openings will be created to connect teachers with schools nationwide. Support will continue post-immigration, including assistance with absorption, placement, professional development, Hebrew language proficiency, mentoring by veteran immigrant teachers, and support for teachers and their families.

Officials highlighted the success of the doctors’ immigration program as proof that removing obstacles and actively promoting professional recognition leads to rapid employment integration. The initiative reflects a strategic effort to address teacher shortages and enhance the education workforce in Israel.