Aliya: Israeli Groups for New Olim

Groups and Organizations

There are many groups, both abroad and here in Israel, which can help with pre- or post-Aliya needs. This is a partial list, with an outline of what they do:

• AACI (Americans and Canadians in Israel)
  AACI is a great resource, offering help with Job Placement, assistance on arrival, social activities, Financial planning, discounts at many Israeli Businesses for members, and all sorts of advice related to making Aliya and living in Israel.
  www.aaci.org.il

• ESRA
  (English Speaking Residents Association)
  ESRA offers assistance with absorption, Job Placement, and many other need for (English Speaking) people who have just make Aliya.
  www.esra.org.il

• TELFED
  TELFED is the South African Zionist Federation assistance organization. Offering the same types of help as AACI, and other issues specific to people who are, or have, made Aliya from South Africa.
  www.telfed.org.il

• VOLEH
  A group offering legal advice for new Olim.
  www.voleh.org

• MATI
  The Jerusalem Business Development Center is designed to help Israelis (both Native and Olim) set up small businesses and expand existing ones.
  www.mati.org.il/eng/

• Cyrus Foundation
  A non-profit organization which offers grants for new immigrants from the US to ship their goods to Israel (when making Aliya).
  www.restorationisrael.org

• Israel Business Connection
  A business offering free advice for Olim setting up small business and understanding the more intricate aspects of specific business models in Israel.
  www.infoisrael.co.il

• Jacob Richmond’s Aliya Pages
  Jacob is an amazing person, and a computer pro. His pages are filled with all sorts of information from Job Search (specific to people in computers and high tech), learning Hebrew, and all types of current events in Israel.
  www.jr.co.il

Aliya Organizations to Contact

There are basically two organizations involved in the pre-Aliya process.

• The Jewish Agency (JAFI in English, Keren Kayemit L’Yisrael in Hebrew):
  This is the group which is responsible for outreach throughout the world. In many countries, the Jewish Agency is solely responsible for Aliya, and in every country the Jewish Agency is integrally involved in the application process.
  
  Once you decide you might want to make Aliya, it is a good idea to contact them.
  www.jafi.org.il

• Nefesh B’Nefesh
  Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN for short) is deeply involved in the Aliya process for people coming from North America, the UK, and other English Speaking Countries.
  
  Nefesh B’Nefesh provides pre- and post-Aliya support, and tremendous help with the Aliya process.
  
  In some instances, Nefesh B’Nefesh offers grants for people or families making Aliya.
  
  In any instance, if you are making Aliya from North America, or the UK, you should be in touch with Nefesh B’Nefesh as soon as you think you might want to make Aliya.
  
  www.nbn.org.il