There’s a moment that thousands of new immigrants to Israel experience each year that’s become iconic: stepping off a plane, often a specially chartered flight, and being greeted not with bureaucratic indifference but with cheering, music, Israeli flags, and genuine excitement. News cameras capture families kissing the ground, children waving flags, tears of joy streaming down faces.
This is a Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah flight, and it represents something revolutionary in the history of Jewish immigration to Israel. But the real revolution isn’t the pageantry—it’s what happens before and after that flight, the comprehensive support system that has fundamentally changed what it means to make aliyah from North America.
Let me tell you the story of how one organization took the aliyah process—historically daunting, bureaucratic, and often lonely—and transformed it into something manageable, supported, and even inspiring. This is the story of Nefesh B’Nefesh, and how they’ve helped over 80,000 people make the journey from the Diaspora to the Jewish homeland.
THE OLD WAY: ALIYAH BEFORE NEFESH B’NEFESH
To understand the revolution, you need to understand what came before.
Making aliyah from North America used to be an exercise in determination bordering on stubbornness. You’d work with the Jewish Agency, fill out mountains of paperwork, navigate bureaucracy in multiple languages, and then… you’d arrive in Israel essentially on your own.
Sure, there were absorption programs. The government provided some financial assistance and Hebrew classes. But the process was fragmented, confusing, and often frustrating. You’d arrive in the country and immediately face a barrage of challenges: finding housing, opening bank accounts, registering with various government ministries, enrolling kids in schools, finding work, learning Hebrew, understanding Israeli systems that worked nothing like what you were used to.
Many people made it work. Generations of olim pushed through the difficulties and built successful lives in Israel. But many others struggled, and some even returned to their countries of origin, defeated by the obstacles and feeling unsupported in what should have been one of the most significant decisions of their lives.
The process seemed designed to test your commitment rather than support your transition. It was as if Israel was saying, “If you really want to be here, you’ll figure it out.” And while that approach might build character, it also discouraged many potential immigrants who wanted to come but couldn’t face the daunting practical challenges.
For North American Jews in particular—accustomed to efficient systems, clear processes, and customer service—the traditional aliyah experience was often shocking. The cultural gap between American efficiency and Israeli chaos felt unbridgeable. Professional people found their credentials not recognized. Families struggled to find appropriate housing. English speakers felt isolated and unable to navigate basic tasks.
This was the landscape when Nefesh B’Nefesh was founded in 2002. And they looked at it and said: this doesn’t have to be this way.
THE VISION: REMOVING BARRIERS, PROVIDING BRIDGES
Nefesh B’Nefesh was founded by Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart with a simple but powerful idea: what if we could remove the barriers that prevent Jews from making aliyah?
Not the logistical impossibilities—those are real. Not the emotional challenges—those are inevitable. But the unnecessary obstacles, the bureaucratic nightmares, the lack of support and guidance, the feeling of being alone in a foreign system. What if we could address all of that?
Their vision was comprehensive. They wouldn’t just help with one piece of the puzzle—they’d support the entire journey, from the first moment someone considers aliyah through their first years in Israel. They’d provide financial assistance, sure, but also practical help, emotional support, community connections, and advocacy.
And they’d do it with a level of professionalism and efficiency that North Americans would recognize and appreciate. Clear communication. Responsive service. Follow-through. Treating potential olim not as supplicants or charity cases but as valued customers making one of the most important decisions of their lives.
The name itself—Nefesh B’Nefesh—captures this. It means “soul to soul,” reflecting the personal, supportive nature of their approach. This wasn’t going to be a bureaucratic organization processing applications. It was going to be a movement of Jews helping other Jews come home.
What made this revolutionary wasn’t just the vision but the execution. Nefesh B’Nefesh combined philanthropic funding with professional management. They partnered with the Israeli government and Jewish Agency while maintaining independence. They built systems and processes that actually worked. They measured outcomes and constantly improved.
In other words, they brought the best of American organizational culture to the task of Jewish immigration, and it changed everything.
THE NBN MODEL: COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FROM START TO FINISH
So what does Nefesh B’Nefesh actually do? Let’s walk through the journey they’ve created for potential immigrants.
It starts before you’ve even decided for sure. Nefesh B’Nefesh runs information sessions—both in-person and online—where you can learn about the aliyah process, ask questions, and hear from people who’ve already made the move. There’s no pressure, no hard sell. Just information and access.
When you do decide to pursue aliyah, you’re assigned a personal advisor who stays with you throughout the entire process. This advisor knows your situation, understands your concerns, and guides you through every step. You’re not just a file number—you’re a person with a name, a family, specific needs and challenges.
The application process itself is streamlined. Nefesh B’Nefesh handles coordination between you and the various Israeli government agencies, translating both literally and figuratively between American and Israeli systems. They help you gather necessary documents, prepare for interviews, and understand what’s required.
Financial assistance is a major component. Nefesh B’Nefesh provides grants to help with the costs of making aliyah—moving expenses, initial setup costs, the gap before you’re earning income. The amounts vary based on your situation, but for many families, these grants make the difference between aliyah being financially feasible or not.
Then comes the flight—often one of those chartered group flights that have become so iconic. But this isn’t just about the ceremony. Flying together with other new immigrants creates an instant community. You’re not arriving alone; you’re arriving as part of a group, and those connections often last for years.
Upon arrival, the support continues. Nefesh B’Nefesh has absorption centers and staff throughout Israel. They help with immediate practical needs: temporary housing if needed, opening bank accounts, getting cell phones, registering with health providers, understanding the various government offices you need to visit.
They provide ongoing employment assistance—resume workshops, job fairs, connections to employers who value English-speaking immigrants, guidance on getting credentials recognized. They help with housing searches, school enrollment, Hebrew classes, and countless other practical matters.
And they do it all with a level of organization and follow-through that makes the impossible feel possible. They return phone calls. They answer emails. They show up when they say they will. For people used to Israeli bureaucracy, this alone feels revolutionary.
THE FINANCIAL PIECE: MAKING IT POSSIBLE
Let’s talk specifically about the financial assistance, because this is where Nefesh B’Nefesh really changed the game.
Making aliyah is expensive. You have moving costs—shipping your belongings, plane tickets for the whole family. You have setup costs—security deposits on apartments, buying appliances if your apartment doesn’t include them, getting Israeli driver’s licenses, countless other expenses. And you have the income gap—the period between arriving and starting to earn money in Israel, which can be months.
For many families, these costs are prohibitive. Even if you want to make aliyah, even if it makes sense for you, coming up with the tens of thousands of dollars required can be impossible.
Nefesh B’Nefesh provides substantial grants to help cover these costs. The amounts depend on your situation—larger families get more, people moving to priority development areas get additional bonuses, certain professions that Israel particularly needs get special incentives. But we’re talking about grants that can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.
These aren’t loans—they’re grants you don’t have to pay back. And they’re not means-tested in the traditional sense. Nefesh B’Nefesh understands that even financially stable families can struggle with the costs of aliyah. The goal is to remove money as a barrier for people who are otherwise ready and committed to making the move.
Beyond the direct financial assistance, Nefesh B’Nefesh also helps you navigate the various Israeli government benefits and programs available to new immigrants. There are tax breaks, mortgage assistance programs, customs exemptions on imported goods, and more. Understanding and accessing these benefits can save you thousands of additional dollars, but it requires knowing they exist and how to apply for them. That’s where NBN’s expertise is invaluable.
The financial component alone has made aliyah feasible for thousands of families who otherwise couldn’t have afforded it. This is revolutionary—democratizing aliyah, making it accessible not just to the wealthy or to idealistic young people with nothing to lose, but to middle-class families with careers and mortgages and responsibilities.
EMPLOYMENT: THE MAKE-OR-BREAK FACTOR
One of the biggest barriers to aliyah has always been employment. How do you support yourself and your family in a new country where you might not speak the language fluently, where your credentials might not be recognized, where you don’t have professional networks?
Nefesh B’Nefesh recognized early on that employment support couldn’t be an afterthought—it had to be central to the aliyah experience. If people can’t find work, they can’t stay, no matter how much they want to.
They’ve built an entire employment division dedicated to helping olim find jobs. This includes job fairs specifically for new immigrants, where companies actively looking to hire English speakers and people with international experience can meet potential employees. These aren’t charity positions—these are real jobs with real companies that value what olim bring to the table.
NBN provides professional career counseling, helping you understand how your skills translate to the Israeli job market, how to position yourself, which sectors are growing and hiring. They help you create Israeli-style resumes, prepare for Israeli-style job interviews, understand salary expectations and negotiation norms.
They’ve also built relationships with employers across sectors—tech companies, hospitals, educational institutions, non-profits, government agencies, and private businesses. These employers know that NBN olim come with strong work ethics, professional experience, and valuable skills. There’s a built-in network and reputation that opens doors.
For professionals whose credentials need recognition—doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, and others—NBN provides guidance on the licensing and certification processes. These can be complex and frustrating, but NBN has mapped the paths and knows who to contact and how to navigate the systems.
They’ve also been innovative in identifying employment opportunities that are particularly suitable for new immigrants. Remote work positions with international companies, jobs in growing sectors that need English speakers, entrepreneurship and startup opportunities—NBN actively helps olim explore these options.
The result is that employment rates for Nefesh B’Nefesh olim are significantly higher than for immigrants through other channels. People find work faster, find better matches for their skills, and build successful careers in Israel. This isn’t just good for the individuals—it’s good for Israel’s economy and society.
THE COMMUNITY FACTOR: YOU’RE NOT ALONE
One of the most innovative aspects of the Nefesh B’Nefesh model is the emphasis on community and connection.
Those group aliyah flights? They’re not just for show. When you make aliyah with 200 other families on the same flight, you instantly have a community of people going through exactly what you’re going through. You exchange phone numbers, add each other on WhatsApp, form support groups. Years later, people talk about “our aliyah flight” the way they might talk about their graduating class.
NBN also organizes olim into regional groups based on where in Israel they’re settling. These groups meet regularly, share information, support each other through challenges, and celebrate successes together. They’re formal enough to provide real support but informal enough to feel like genuine friendship.
There are specialized groups too—olim in specific professions, families with special needs children, single parents, retirees, and more. Whatever your situation, chances are NBN can connect you with others in similar circumstances who can provide advice and support based on firsthand experience.
Nefesh B’Nefesh has also worked to build connections between olim and veteran Israelis. They organize mentorship programs where established Israelis help new immigrants navigate various aspects of Israeli life. These relationships often become genuine friendships and provide invaluable cultural bridges.
The organization hosts social events, holiday celebrations, educational programs, and community-building activities throughout the year. These serve multiple purposes: they’re enjoyable, they provide opportunities to meet people and build networks, and they reinforce the sense that you’re part of something larger than yourself—part of the Nefesh B’Nefesh family.
This community aspect addresses something that’s often overlooked in immigration: the emotional and social challenges. You can have a job and an apartment and still feel lonely, isolated, and unsure if you’ve made the right decision. Having a built-in community of people who understand what you’re experiencing because they’re experiencing it too makes an enormous difference.
SPECIAL POPULATIONS: TARGETED PROGRAMS
Nefesh B’Nefesh hasn’t taken a one-size-fits-all approach. They’ve recognized that different populations have different needs and have created specialized programs accordingly.
The Medical Professionals program helps doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers navigate the complex process of getting Israeli medical licenses and finding positions in Israel’s healthcare system. This is crucial because Israel needs medical professionals, but the licensing process is notoriously difficult. NBN has streamlined this, providing specific guidance and advocacy that has helped hundreds of medical professionals successfully transition to practicing in Israel.
The MOVE program focuses on young professionals who want to make aliyah. These are people in their twenties and thirties, often single or newly married, who have career ambitions and need help finding appropriate professional opportunities in Israel. MOVE provides specialized employment services, housing assistance, and community building specifically for this demographic.
The Legal Professionals program helps lawyers navigate the Israeli bar exam and legal system. This is particularly challenging because Israel’s legal system is different from American law, and the bar exam is in Hebrew. NBN provides resources, study groups, and connections to help legal professionals successfully transition.
There’s also specialized support for families with special needs children, helping them navigate Israel’s special education system and find appropriate services. For retirees making aliyah, there’s guidance on pension transfers, healthcare for seniors, and finding appropriate communities.
By creating these targeted programs, Nefesh B’Nefesh ensures that specific populations with unique challenges get the support they need rather than falling through the cracks.
ADVOCACY: CHANGING THE SYSTEM FROM WITHIN
Here’s something that’s often overlooked: Nefesh B’Nefesh doesn’t just help individual immigrants navigate Israeli bureaucracy—they actively work to improve the systems themselves.
When NBN repeatedly encounters the same bureaucratic obstacle affecting many olim, they don’t just help people work around it. They advocate with government ministries to change policies, streamline processes, and remove unnecessary barriers. They’ve successfully pushed for reforms in various areas—credential recognition, business licensing, tax procedures, and more.
This advocacy work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is significant. Every policy improvement benefits not just Nefesh B’Nefesh olim but all immigrants to Israel. By combining on-the-ground experience with government relationships and credibility, NBN has become a voice for immigrant interests that actually gets heard.
They also serve as a bridge between the North American immigrant community and Israeli government and society. They help Israeli employers understand the value that English-speaking immigrants bring. They help government agencies understand the perspective and needs of professional immigrants. They make Israeli society more welcoming and accessible to olim.
This advocacy role is subtle but powerful. It means that the system itself is gradually improving, becoming more immigrant-friendly, more efficient, more understanding of the challenges that newcomers face.
THE NUMBERS: MEASURING SUCCESS
Let’s talk about impact, because the numbers are striking.
Since its founding in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh has helped over 80,000 people make aliyah from North America. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly equivalent to the entire population of a mid-sized Israeli city. That’s 80,000 Jews who’ve built lives in Israel, contributed to the economy and society, served in the IDF, started families, launched businesses, and become part of the fabric of Israeli society.
But it’s not just about quantity. Retention rates for Nefesh B’Nefesh olim are significantly higher than for immigrants through other channels. These aren’t people who try Israel for a year and leave—they’re staying, they’re succeeding, they’re integrating.
Employment rates for NBN olim are above 85%, well above the general immigrant population. They’re finding jobs in their fields, building careers, contributing to Israel’s economy at high levels.
Satisfaction rates are also remarkably high. When surveyed, the vast majority of Nefesh B’Nefesh olim say they’re happy with their decision to make aliyah and would do it again. This is huge—it means the support system is working, people are successfully adjusting, and the dream of aliyah is matching the reality.
The organization has also helped raise over 100 million dollars in private philanthropic funding to support these efforts. This is a testament to the confidence that donors have in the model and the impact. People give to Nefesh B’Nefesh because they can see concrete results.
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
Beyond helping individual immigrants, Nefesh B’Nefesh has changed how North American Jews think about aliyah.
Before NBN, aliyah was often seen as something only very religious people or very idealistic young people did. It was seen as difficult, risky, and probably not for regular, normal, middle-class families with careers and kids and mortgages.
Nefesh B’Nefesh has helped normalize aliyah for mainstream American Jews. By making the process manageable and providing comprehensive support, they’ve shown that aliyah is a viable option for a much broader range of people than previously thought.
The success stories matter here. When people see their friends, neighbors, or community members make aliyah through Nefesh B’Nefesh and thrive, it changes their perception of what’s possible. Aliyah becomes less exotic and more realistic.
The organization has also elevated the conversation about aliyah in North American Jewish communities. Their information sessions, their presence at community events, their publicity around aliyah flights—all of this keeps aliyah in the conversation, makes it something people talk about and consider rather than dismissing out of hand.
There’s also been an impact on Israeli society’s perception of North American immigrants. NBN olim have a reputation for being professional, educated, committed, and bringing valuable skills. Israeli employers actively seek out NBN job candidates. Israeli communities welcome NBN families. This positive reputation benefits all North American immigrants, even those who don’t come through Nefesh B’Nefesh.
CHALLENGES AND CRITICISMS: NOTHING’S PERFECT
Let me be balanced here: Nefesh B’Nefesh isn’t perfect, and it’s faced challenges and criticisms.
Some people argue that by focusing on North American immigrants, NBN creates a somewhat privileged track for aliyah. Immigrants from other countries don’t have the same level of support, which can create resentment and inequality. There’s a legitimate question about whether the Israeli government should provide the same level of assistance to all immigrants regardless of country of origin.
The financial assistance, while generous, still isn’t enough to cover all costs for everyone. Some families find that even with NBN support, the financial burden of aliyah is more than they can handle. The grants help, but they don’t eliminate the financial stress entirely.
There have been cases where people felt the support didn’t live up to the promises. Someone’s assigned advisor wasn’t responsive enough, or the employment assistance didn’t result in a job quickly, or the bureaucratic navigation wasn’t as smooth as expected. These are exceptions rather than the rule, but they happen, and they matter to the people experiencing them.
Some critics argue that the pageantry around the aliyah flights—the media coverage, the celebrations, the flags and cheering—sets unrealistic expectations. They worry that it makes aliyah look easier and more glamorous than it is, potentially setting people up for disappointment when reality doesn’t match the landing ceremony.
There’s also a question about sustainability. Nefesh B’Nefesh relies on philanthropic funding, and if that funding were to dry up, could the model continue? What happens if economic conditions change, or donor priorities shift?
These criticisms are worth taking seriously. But they don’t negate the fundamental success of what Nefesh B’Nefesh has accomplished. Every organization has limitations and areas for improvement. The question is whether, on balance, the impact is positive—and by that measure, NBN has been extraordinarily successful.
PERSONAL STORIES: THE HUMAN IMPACT
Statistics and policy discussions are important, but let me share what this actually means for real people.
There’s the family from New Jersey—father was a lawyer, mother a teacher, three kids. They’d always dreamed of aliyah but couldn’t figure out how to make it work financially. Nefesh B’Nefesh’s financial assistance combined with employment support for both parents made it possible. Today, he’s working for an Israeli tech company, she’s teaching in an international school, the kids are thriving, and they say it’s the best decision they ever made.
There’s the young professional from Chicago who wanted to make aliyah but worried about finding work in her field. Through NBN’s MOVE program, she connected with employers before even arriving, had interviews scheduled for her first week in Israel, and started working within a month. She’s now a director at an Israeli startup.
There’s the retired couple from Florida who thought they were too old to make aliyah. Nefesh B’Nefesh helped them understand the benefits available to retiree immigrants, connected them with communities of other retirees, and facilitated their smooth transition. They’re now living in Netanya, volunteering, learning Hebrew, and feeling like they’re part of something meaningful in the third act of their lives.
There’s the doctor from Los Angeles who spent three years navigating the Israeli medical licensing process with NBN’s help. It was frustrating and difficult, but NBN’s Medical Professionals program provided guidance, support, and connections that made it possible. He’s now practicing at a major Israeli hospital and training the next generation of Israeli doctors.
These aren’t exceptional cases—they’re typical Nefesh B’Nefesh success stories. Thousands of families have their own versions of these stories, each one representing a life changed, a family transplanted, a contribution made to Israeli society.
THE FUTURE: WHERE NEFESH B’NEFESH IS HEADING
Nefesh B’Nefesh continues to evolve and expand its impact.
They’re increasingly focusing on quality of life issues for established olim, not just new arrivals. Programs for second and third-year immigrants who’ve gotten through the initial adjustment but face new challenges. Support for olim entrepreneurs starting businesses. Resources for families considering moving between cities in Israel.
They’re also expanding their reach geographically within Israel. While Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have always had strong NBN presence, there’s increasing focus on helping olim settle in the periphery—the Galilee, the Negev, smaller cities that need professional immigration but often get overlooked. Special incentives and support programs encourage olim to consider these areas.
Technology is playing a bigger role. Virtual information sessions reach people worldwide. Online communities connect olim across distances. Digital resources and webinars provide information that previously required in-person meetings. This makes NBN’s services more accessible and scalable.
They’re also working more systematically on integration beyond the initial years. How do you help ten-year olim who still feel somewhat foreign in Israeli society? How do you support the children of olim as they navigate Israeli education and IDF service? How do you maintain connection and community as the initial intensity of the aliyah experience fades?
There’s also exploration of expanding the model to other countries. While Nefesh B’Nefesh focuses on North America, similar organizations inspired by their model are emerging in Europe and elsewhere, adapting the approach to different contexts.
WHAT NEFESH B’NEFESH TEACHES US
Beyond its direct impact on immigration, Nefesh B’Nefesh teaches some important lessons about how to approach complex challenges.
First, the power of comprehensive support. Helping with one piece of the puzzle isn’t enough—you need to address the entire system of challenges people face. The success of NBN shows that when you provide holistic support, people can overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable when faced alone.
Second, the importance of professional management applied to Jewish and Israeli causes. Many Jewish organizations are run more on passion than process. Nefesh B’Nefesh combines genuine commitment to the cause with professional standards of efficiency, communication, and accountability. This combination is powerful.
Third, the value of partnership between private philanthropy and government. NBN works closely with Israeli government agencies but maintains independence that allows flexibility and innovation. This public-private partnership model could be applied to other areas of Israeli society.
Fourth, the necessity of measuring impact. Nefesh B’Nefesh doesn’t just do good work and hope for the best—they track outcomes, measure success, and constantly evaluate and improve their programs based on data. This results-oriented approach should be more common in the non-profit world.
Finally, the importance of removing barriers rather than just helping people overcome them. NBN doesn’t just help immigrants navigate bureaucracy—they work to change bureaucracy so it’s less of an obstacle. This systems-change approach has broader implications.
FOR POTENTIAL OLIM: SHOULD YOU USE NEFESH B’NEFESH?
If you’re from North America and considering aliyah, should you use Nefesh B’Nefesh?
The short answer is almost certainly yes. Unless you have very specific reasons to go through a different channel, NBN provides levels of support and resources that would be difficult to access otherwise. The financial assistance alone can make a huge difference, and the comprehensive support system dramatically increases your chances of successful integration.
Even if you’re confident in your ability to handle bureaucracy, even if you’re fluent in Hebrew, even if you have professional connections in Israel—the NBN support still adds value. Why make things harder on yourself than they need to be?
The process starts with reaching out to them—attending an information session, speaking with an advisor, exploring what they can offer your specific situation. There’s no obligation, no pressure. They’re genuinely there to help you make the best decision for yourself and your family, even if that decision is to wait or not to make aliyah at all.
For those who do decide to proceed, working with Nefesh B’Nefesh gives you access to resources, expertise, and community that simply aren’t available through other channels. It transforms aliyah from a lonely struggle into a supported journey, and that makes all the difference.
FINAL THOUGHTS: A REVOLUTION IN HUMAN TERMS
When historians look back at this era of Jewish history, Nefesh B’Nefesh will likely be recognized as one of the most impactful Jewish organizations of the early 21st century. Not because they invented aliyah—Jews have been making aliyah since the state was founded—but because they revolutionized how it’s done.
They took a process that was difficult, daunting, and often discouraging, and they made it manageable, supported, and even inspiring. They removed obstacles that prevented thousands of Jews from making aliyah and helped those thousands build successful lives in Israel.
But more than that, they changed the conversation. They made aliyah something that normal, middle-class, professional Jews could seriously consider rather than dismissing as impossible or only for the very religious or very brave. They normalized something that was once seen as extreme.
The impact isn’t just measured in the 80,000 people they’ve helped make aliyah, significant as that number is. It’s also measured in the hundreds of thousands of children and grandchildren those 80,000 will have, growing up as Israelis, contributing to Jewish civilization in the Jewish homeland. It’s measured in the economic impact of skilled professionals contributing to Israel’s economy. It’s measured in the cultural contribution of bringing North American Jewish perspectives and approaches to Israeli society.
And it’s measured in something less tangible but equally important: the demonstration that with vision, commitment, resources, and professional execution, you can solve problems that seemed intractable. You can take a broken system and fix it. You can take a dream that seems impossible for most people and make it achievable.
That’s what Nefesh B’Nefesh has done, and that’s why they’ve earned their place as one of the most significant Jewish organizations of our time.
For anyone considering aliyah, for anyone wondering if it’s possible, for anyone who dreams of coming home but doesn’t know how—Nefesh B’Nefesh has shown that it can be done. They’ve built the bridge. All you have to do is decide to cross it.
Welcome home. The path has been prepared for you.
For more information about Israeli real estate and making aliyah, visit israelproperty.tv
To learn more about Nefesh B’Nefesh and start your aliyah journey, visit nbn.org.il