Posted on 07/23/2003 11:00:50 AM PDT by yonif
Yet another plane filled with North American Jews immigrating to Israel landed this morning in Ben Gurion International Airport, after embarking yesterday from New York. This is the second such flight within a month, bringing the total number of immigrants sponsored by the Nefesh b'Nefesh (Jewish Souls United) organization this year to close to 650 - and more are expected. Hear coverage of the arrival on Arutz-7's English broadcasts at 9 PM tonight (2 PM Eastern Standard Time) at "http://www.israelnationalnews.com/english/radio/live/Flive.htm".
The new Israelis faced an excited and emotional welcoming ceremony from some 700 relatives, officials - such as Shimon Peres and other MKs - and other well-wishers. Although many of the Jewish Agency officials and Nefesh B'Nefesh staff members had attended a similar welcoming ceremony just two weeks ago, their enthusiasm did not wane. Arutz-7's Tamar Yonah reports that the olim were flanked by two rows of soldiers standing at attention as they disembarked and walked into a special hangar, where the crowds broke out into song and cries of joy upon seeing them.
One family had special cause for rejoicing, Yonah reported, as they had received permission from a judge to go to Israel - with their children - only ten hours before the flight: "The two parents are both married for the second time, and each of their previous spouses objected to having their children live in Israel. But the judge, after much deliberation, said that she would never forget this case, and that no one can tell anyone where they can live - even on the quote 'West Bank'... She said that even the city in which they live on the East Coast is a terrorist target. So the family ran home to pack the rest of their belongings - they had already sent a lift with most of their stuff on faith that everything would be OK. Today they came with about 14 boxes in addition to all their suitcases... An amazing story! I was even told that the whole courtroom was rooting for this family, and even the bailiffs were jumping up and down with joy when they heard the decision."
Arutz-7's New York correspondent reports that before the flight, many of the younger olim (new immigrants; literally: those who are ascending), wearing pins reading "Aliya Revolution," formed circles and danced across the JFK terminal singing joyous songs. The Hebrew lyrics invoked the Jewish people's 2000-year yearning to return to the Land of Israel.
Reporters from dozens of world news agencies milled around looking for immigrants to interview, asking them all virtually the same question: "Why move from the comfort of North America to the turmoil of Israel right now?"
Ari Abramowitz, from Houston, Texas, held a large placard reading, "I'm making Aliya" (immigration to Israel). "I'm moving to Israel now," he explained, "because it's the only place for a Jew who cares about his people to put his money where his mouth is. And besides, I can't think of any other place on this Earth where I would live such a meaningful life in such a beautiful country." Abramowitz plans to earn a Masters' degree in Business Administration given in English at Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan.
Yaniv and Elad, both children of expatriate Israelis, decided to return to Israel, having just graduated from college. They plan on joining a group of young North American immigrants who will be learning Hebrew and farming at a Kibbutz on Lake Kinneret. "We grew up on stories of the beauty of the Land, and its importance to our families and our people, and we just can't stay away," they said, headed toward the baggage check.
"If I could convey one message to all Jews still content living in the Diaspora," one father of two told Arutz-7 before his family whisked him off toward the departure gate, "it would be to take a look at me. I'm a simple guy, I've been sitting here for two years reading Israel news, sending money to terror victims and buying Israeli products - until I just couldn't lie to myself anymore about whether I was really fulfilling my potential as a Jew. If I can make this move, so can you. The Jews of America must step up to the plate and prove that we are truly one nation and that we are serious about our history, our destiny and the central role that our promised land plays in it all."
Malka Fleisher, of Kumah-American Return to Zion, an organization dedicated to encouraging and facilitating mass immigration to Israel by North American Jewry, was beaming as she took a picture of a large family, each child holding a word spelling out, "We are the future of Israel." "During these three weeks," she said, "when the Jewish people mourn the destruction of our Holy Temple, it is incredibly comforting to see hundreds of Jews fulfilling the words of our Prophets who relayed G-d's promise that He would bring us back to our Land."
Nefesh B'Nefesh founder Rabbi Yehoshua Fass addressed the departing immigrants and their families and friends. "You should all be very proud of yourselves and of your brothers, sisters, children and neighbors who stand today poised to leave what is so comfortable and familiar to enter the Land of Israel," he said, amidst applause and whistles of approval. "I invite every one of you to take a good look at the faces of these brave Jews; these are the faces of people who have pursued and are fulfilling their dreams and the dreams of the Nation of Israel."
Nefesh B'Nefesh statistics among the immigrants of the past year are very encouraging. Some 93% have found meaningful employment, 30 babies were born, and three marriages took place. Only one of last year's 519 immigrants has left Israel - and he plans on returning this summer. Of this year's arrivals, 65% are Orthodox, 15% Conservative, and 5% are Reform.
The largest private initiative of its kind, responsible for nearly 40% of recent North American immigration to Israel, Nefesh B'Nefesh was founded two years ago. It was born when Yeshiva University-ordained Fass, an associate rabbi at the upscale Boca Raton Synagogue (Orthodox) in Florida, learned that his 14-year-old Israeli cousin, Naftali Lantzkorn, had been murdered by a Hamas suicide terrorist. Rabbi Fass realized then that he "could no longer be a good Jew pushing for a strong Israel from Florida. I had to move and take Naftali's place." He made aliyah with his family last year.
Ari Abramowitz, from Houston, Texas, held a large placard reading, "I'm making Aliya" (immigration to Israel). "I'm moving to Israel now," he explained, "because it's the only place for a Jew who cares about his people to put his money where his mouth is. And besides, I can't think of any other place on this Earth where I would live such a meaningful life in such a beautiful country." Abramowitz plans to earn a Masters' degree in Business Administration given in English at Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan.
Dem troll alert. Registered all of a few hours.
I think if you asked these people who have chosen to immigrate to Israel like it here in America also. They don't come to this decision to immigrate to Israel lightly. There's no reason why they can't support America in Israel. Some on this forum do just that; are in just such a scenario.
Your comment was derogatory. For these to immigrate to Israel, our only real ally in the Middle East, in light of the dangers and turmoil that nation is facing, models the best of the ideals that makes America great. Courage.
With the marked demographic changes facing Israel, the more Jews in Israel countering those changes the better. Thus, the "Aliyah Revolution."
A strong Israel as an ally only benefits the American nation.
I escaped the DPRK several years ago. I'm more free (as in Freedom), infinitely happier, and richer in that order.
I'm also no longer a 'felon' for owning firearms.
I can't say that sounds like a case for "special rejoicing".
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