North American Aliyah Hits Record High in August

More than 450 new immigrants from North America participated in a "Nefesh B'Nefesh" event in Jerusalem, celebrating a significant surge in immigration. In August alone, over 1,100 immigrants arrived from the U.S. and Canada, marking a record for a single month since the organization's founding in 2002. Throughout 2026, over 2,700 immigrants have arrived from North America, with 640 choosing to settle in Jerusalem, making it the leading destination.

The event, held at Cinema City in Jerusalem, was a collaborative effort between Nefesh B'Nefesh, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency, KKL-JNF, and Jewish National Fund USA. Attendees, including Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer and Nefesh B'Nefesh Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, were offered workshops and children's activities, alongside integration support services.

The recent wave of immigrants comprises a diverse demographic: an average age of 29, approximately 480 families, 1,100 singles, 250 retirees, and 700 children and teenagers. Around 300 young adults are slated to enlist in the IDF or national service, and many are professionals such as doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, and accountants.

These new immigrants hail from various U.S. states including New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California, as well as Ontario, Canada, and are settling across the country. Additionally, about 650 immigrants are expected to settle in the Negev and Galilee regions as part of the "Zinuk Ba'Aliyah" program, a joint initiative with KKL-JNF.

Minister Sofer expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Hundreds of families and thousands of young people choosing to make Aliyah to the State of Israel is a powerful expression of Zionism." Rabbi Fass added, "Every oleh who arrives here brings with them strength, experience, and a new spirit that contributes to Israeli society and its national resilience."