CPCL #4 • Editor: Batsheva Pomerantz, contact - aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il

This “from time to time” feature is geared towards encouraging Aliya... AND encouraging veteran & new Olim to become more involved in encouraging and easing the Aliya of others.

Aloh Naaleh's conference held on the first anniversary of 9/11 was attended by about 200 people, many from the various organizations dealing with North American aliya, showing the groundswell in interest and cooperation between them.

MK Zvi Hendel, chairman of the Knesset's immigration and absorption committee, stated that while some would like to see American Jews remain in the US as an influential lobby, Israel is strengthened by the presence of North American olim who come out of Zionist motivation.

Although it's still too early to assess the effects of 9/11, speakers noted trends that indicate potential interest in aliya among North American Jews.
To encourage aliya there is a need to build on the growing sense of belonging and spirituality felt by many Jews since 9/11, according to Prof. Chaim Waxman, sociologist at Rutgers University. His statistical presentation compared data between the North American Jewish population and the olim population, as well as comparisons with other olim groups. He noted that while religious and ideological motivation is important to promote aliya, practical solutions are also needed.

One organization that eases the obstacles of olim is Nefesh B'Nefesh which provides a grant if the oleh stays in Israel for three years. Nefesh B'Nefesh cofounder and director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass presented a film about the highlights of the first planeload of 400 olim that had arrived in July. He noted the increasing interest in aliya. Some 1300 families have applied to Nefesh B'Nefesh about coming next year. Rabbi Fass recommended that Aloh Na'aleh rabbis speak to American Jews about aliya since they have successfully made aliya. American rabbis avoid the topic out of guilt.

Rabbi David Marcus, of the RDM consulting firm for non-profit organizations reviewed organiza- tions like AACI, the Jewish Agency and Tehilla that promote and facilitate the aliya and absorption processes. Other organizations like Hillel, Yavne Olami, and Tehilla Tzeira work with young people. Rabbi Marcus sees Aloh Na'aleh's role as offering human resources needed by these organizations. It can also serve as an advocacy group to encourage congregational rabbis to push aliya.

Rabbi Chaim Moshe Sosevsky, rosh yeshiva of Ohr Yerushalayim, suggested encouraging graduates of the one-year programs in Israel, as well as young people charting out their careers. He stated that nearly 70% of US yeshiva graduates work in finance-related fields, a demanding, competitive field leaving many drained by their mid-thirties. Therefore, potential for aliya exists among young people establishing themselves career-wise. Rabbi Sosevsky noted the positive perception held by potential olim of communities like Har Nof, Efrat, Ra'anana, Beit Shemesh and Ginot Shomron with a high concentration of English speakers.

Rabbi Aaron Adler, rabbi of Jerusalem's Ramot Alef congregation, a community popular with English speakers, and rosh yeshiva of the Ner Tamid Yeshiva High School in Chasmona’im, spoke of the importance of publicizing success stories which then generate enthusiasm and identification. Promoting tourism also generates enthusiasm. Rabbi Adler noted that ten-percent of the one-year program graduates make aliya. This figure is growing.

Rabbi Yerachmiel Roness, director of Aloh Na'aleh, thanked its founder and benefactor Rabbi David Hollander, and informed participants of recent developments. The weekly Torah Insights published by the OU in the United States and sent to 1500 synagogues will include a Torah Thought dealing with aliya. Think tanks are being set up that deal with motivation and education. Aloh Na'aleh is developing promotional activities for Yeshivas with one-year programs.

Assistance was requested for volunteers in administrative work, coordinators and people who can speak to groups about aliya, either in Israel or in North America.

Financial assistance is needed to undertake the various tasks of Aloh Na'aleh. Checks can be made payable to: Friends of AACI - Att: Aloh Na'aleh.

Eretz Yisrael in Our Sources • Jewish nationality is different from all others. Our love of the Land is a function of its sanctity. This sanctity has stayed with us because it is an inheritance of our souls, from Avraham Avinu. — Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler

Assisting the Oleh • Yavneh Olami, the Religious Zionist Student Organization, organizes programs throughout the world for Orthodox students, with the purpose of strengthening their Jewish identity and their connection with Israel.

In Israel, participants in the Summer Internship Program (SIPs) get the feel of Israeli life by being part of its workforce. The year-long Activists Training In Diaspora program (ATID) is geared for one-year seminary, yeshiva or university students who want to develop leadership skills.

Yavneh Olami is launching a Big Brother program which matches veteran olim with new olim. "Chayalim bodedim" and National Service girls who made aliya are also assisted by Yavneh Olami.; Tel: 02-625-8829; Email: yavneh@yavneholami.org; Web site: www.yavneholami.org

Aliya Pen Pals • We are interested in publishing pen-pals in different professions who can communicate via email with potential olim. Send your name, email address, profession, year of aliya and city of origin to David Magence: magence@netvision.net.il
Here to Stay • Inspiring stories of olim from all years of aliya, professions and different parts in Israel for the "Here to Stay" column are welcome. The essay should be up to 450 words long and emphasize motivation for aliya, contributions to Israel, how Israel contributed to the oleh, the main challenge or difficulty in aliya and overcoming it. Please avoid publicizing businesses and commercial enterprises. Send the essay to:
aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il.
Living in Israel but working overseas? • The Shemesh Directory web site - "The Virtual Home of Beit & Ramat Beit Shemesh", has composed an online questionnaire to examine the effects on families of olim where the husband works outside of Israel for a significant portion of the year. The questionnaire is COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL. Input from anyone in Israel who falls into this category would be appreciated. Results of the study will be used for pre-aliya counseling by various aliya organizations and to counsel those olim in Israel currently in this situation. You can view and fill out the questionnaire online at: www.shemeshdirectory.co.il/questionnaire.php

Only in Israel • (Acknowledging Harry Goldin’s Only in America — similar BUT different.)

It looks like this “corner” will be a regular feature of CPCL. As long as CPCL Editor Batsheva Pomerantz allows me to contribute some of my “Only in Israel” stories and other musings, I’ll do it. — Phil

Got onto a bus once before Yom Kippur. Said SHANA TOVA to the CHILONI bus driver. Received a lecture in return about the proper pre-Yom Kippur greeting: He said in a very kindly way, “The appropriate greeting is G’MAR CHATIMA TOVA.” Only in Israel.

Which didn’t really teach me about the greeting, because I already knew what to say before Yom Kippur. But it did teach me a lot about the word CHILONI. It’s usually a misnomer if you translate it as “secular”. Of course, if we translate it as “not your religious”, then maybe the term will fit.

When I came on Aliya, there still was a SHLAV BET (second tier) program in the army for “older” olim. My unit had 23 guys all in our thirties, from 13 different countries. On the first morning of TIRONUT (basic training), 5:00am to be specific, the M’FAKED announces: “DATIYIM to Beit Kneset, CHILONIM come with me.” Later in the day, one of the non-religious guys tells me how upset he was to be labeled a CHILONI. “I’m not observant and I don’t go to shul, but I don’t think of myself as CHILONI.” I took the opportunity a bit later to tell the M’FAKED the story. Next morning he announced: “Those who go to Beit Kneset, go to Beit Kneset; those who don’t, follow me.” It made a difference to all of us.