March 6, 2003

In Support of Israel’s Nefesh B’Nefesh Foundation:

OU ANNOUNCES FUND DRIVE TO ASSIST HUNDREDS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES PLANNING ALIYAH TO ISRAELTHIS SUMMER

With the goal of assisting hundreds of American families to make aliyah (emigration) to Israel this summer, the Orthodox Union is calling on its member synagogues across the United States and Canada to conduct fundraising campaigns in support of a Jerusalem-based foundation which in 2002, its first year of existence, sponsored the largest simultaneous relocation of new immigrants from North America in Israel’s history.

The drive will culminate on May 7, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, by which date all contributions are due.

Nefesh B’Nefesh (Jewish Souls United), founded to revitalize aliyah through financial support and other assistance, provides grants averaging $18,000 to families seeking to relocate. In July 2002 Nefesh B’Nefesh organized a charter flight of 400 North Americans making aliyah, the largest mass relocation of American Jews since Israel’s founding. The 400 were followed later that summer by 150 more Americans. Nefesh B’Nefesh has determined that within six months of arrival, most of the olim (those who made aliyah) who were seeking jobs found suitable employment.

Nefesh B’Nefesh is currently processing hundreds of applications, representing a dramatic increase in interest in aliyah over the past few years. In December, Nefesh B’Nefesh was presented by Israel Cabinet Minister Natan Sharansky with “The Light Unto the Nation Prize for meritorious service in bringing our people home.”

The OU has always been highly supportive of aliyah, but now for the first time it is aiming to provide financial assistance to those intending to do so. The organization is seeking full or partial $18,000 sponsorships from its synagogues, with Nefesh B’ Nefesh agreeing to sponsor three or four families for each one subsidized by an OU affiliate.

In a letter to member synagogues, OU President Harvey Blitz and Executive Vice President Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb declared, “Hundreds of families have turned to Nefesh B’ Nefesh this year in search of assistance for their planned aliyah in the summer of 2003. Almost 80 percent of these families originate from Orthodox Union synagogues. We are therefore asking each and every OU congregation to mount a campaign to sponsor – either fully or partially – one family making aliyah in the summer of 2003. We are asking this with the full realization of all the other demands made on you and on your membership, but also with the realization that this is the need of the moment that must be met.”

Mr. Blitz and Rabbi Weinreb declared that even if a synagogue funds only a partial sponsorship, it will be accorded credit as a full participant.

According to Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Executive Director of Nefesh B’ Nefesh, “It takes several years for a young family to save the necessary funds to relocate. By the time the requisite amount is saved, the children are at an age that makes a move socially and educationally difficult.” After a thorough screening of families, Nefesh B’Nefesh provides grants to qualified olim, and supplies help to those seeking employment; guidance in handling Israel’s government processes; and a support network in the olim’s new communities.

Synagogues participating in the fund-raising campaign will receive a variety of Nefesh B’Nefesh materials and visual aids, including an emotional 20-minute video focusing on last July’s historic flight; a pamphlet with information on Nefesh B’Nefesh, its goals, and ideas synagogues can utilize to promote the campaign; and posters to assist in publicizing the campaign and in keeping a congregation informed of progress towards its goals.

In their letter the OU leaders declared, “Together, we can present Israel with the greatest gift of all – the gift of aliyah. We often talk about encouraging aliyah,” they wrote. “Now, your community can actually be part of making it happen.”

For further information call Rabbi Mayer Waxman at the OU at 212-613-8285, or Nefesh B’Nefesh in Boca Raton, FL at 561-955-1908.

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the (OU), is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 250,000 products manufactured in 68 countries around the globe.

www.ou.org

# # #

Comments? Requests? Questions?

Orthodox Union Department of Communications and Marketing David Olivestone Director Stephen Steiner Director of Public Relations Main Office: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212.613.8318 Fax: 212-613-0763 E-mail: steiners@ou.org  |  media@ou.org

OUPR Archives Recent statements to the press Articles and statements from 2000 Articles and statements from 1999 Articles and statements from 1998