Israeli ambassador, US defense attaché honor new olim
Michael Oren shares his personal decision to make aliya 30 years ago with 170 North American youths who will join IDF, study in Israel or participate in volunteer program
Some 170 new olim, returning Israelis and Masa participants were honored this weekend at an event organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization in Washington, DC.
The event was attended by Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren and his wife Sally, who spoke of their own decision to make aliya 30 years previously. Oren praised the Masa project and its importance toward strengthening the connection of diaspora youth to Israel.
Among those honored at the event were North American youths who were planning to enlist in the IDF after making aliya, as well as others who were planning to go to high school in Israel. Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni, Israel’s defense attaché to the United States, praised the work done by the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh in support of lone soldiers.
Recent data indicates that about 4,300 people made aliya from North America in 2011, with thousands more arriving in Israel to volunteer with Masa, which is run by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government.