Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate Nefesh B’Nefesh
has helped 2500 Ukrainian refugees make Aliyah (immigration to Israel).
Nefesh B’Nefesh is also working with Russian Jews to
facilitate the Aliyah process for this population as well.
Ukrainian refugee update:
- Nefesh B’Nefesh’s one-stop shop helped ensure a fast and respectful processing experience for the Ukrainians where they could quickly receive their eligibility benefits, including health insurance, startup funds, and employment help. This proved to be an efficient solution for the government as well, as Nefesh B’Nefesh coordinated the paperwork and processing and saved the government hundreds of thousands of dollars in extended hotel stays.
- At the outset of the war, the IDF had 471 Ukrainian Lone Soldiers in Israel with families “back home” desperately trying to flee the Ukraine. This placed tremendous stress upon the soldiers as they worried about the safety of their families. They were also concerned about not losing their Lone Soldier status and the benefits the army provides, knowing they would need these benefits upon the arrival of their families in Israel. Nefesh B’Nefesh was able to relieve some of the stress by providing the families of those Ukrainian Lone Soldiers with the funding needed to assist them in their Aliyah, enabling the soldiers to continue to take care of the safety of Israel.
- The generosity of JNF-USA donors helped rescue and integrate these Ukrainian refugees.
- By the numbers: Ukraine has not allowed men between the ages of 18-60 to leave the country, so the majority of these refugees are women, children, teens, and elderly parents. 50% of them are close to or beyond retirement age, 46% are engineers, and 32% have higher degrees.
The Israeli government has now asked Nefesh
B’Nefesh to manage the Aliyah
process
for Russian Jews!
- With increased tensions in Russia, Russian Jews are concerned for their safety and worried about both the current economic situation and their future. Many want to make Aliyah.
- As of March 2023, The Jerusalem Post stated that January 2023 saw the second most Russian immigrants in a month since the war broke out, with more than 5,500 coming to Israel. This was an increase of 637% compared to the same time last year, and the numbers are expected to continue to rise.
- Yuli Edelstein, a Knesset member born in Ukraine and known for his role as a refusenik, feels a sense of déjà vu as he sees history repeating itself. Edelstein acknowledges that danger has been a constant part of the Jewish experience in Russia for generations. However, the current situation is different, as people are leaving in a rush, and their Aliyah is driven by fear.
- At this time, Russian Aliyah does include families.
Please help support this new wave of refugees.
Help Nefesh B’Nefesh facilitate an empathetic, efficient, and professional
Aliyah experience for Russian Jews desperately fleeing their country.
Written by Carole Salzberg, WFI Sapphire, Atlanta and Roni Wolk, Assistant VP National WFI Executive Board and Chair, WFI
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