Last of 3,633 North American immigrants for 2017 arrive in Israel

19 special aliyah flights in past 12 months brought new immigrants aged from 5 weeks to 102 years

By JTA 28 December 2017, 5:58 pm

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Some of the 93 North American immigrants to Israel who arrived on a December 27, 2017, Nefesh B’Nefesh flight. (Courtesy)

With the arrival of a flight carrying 93 new immigrants, a total of 3,633 people from North America immigrated to Israel in 2017, Nefesh B’Nefesh reported.

The group flight that landed at Ben Gurion International Airport on Wednesday included 15 future lone soldiers and a soon-to-be bride, according to the organization.

Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA, helps facilitate aliyah — the Hebrew term for Jewish immigration to Israel — from North America and the United Kingdom.

Another 103 Americans and Canadians already living or studying in Israel made aliyah on Wednesday at the Nefesh B’Nefesh offices in Jerusalem.

Many of the 3,633 new immigrants arrived on 19 special aliyah flights from North America, bringing 377 families with 677 children, and an additional 1,677 singles. The oldest immigrant in 2017 was 102, and the youngest five weeks old, according to NBN. Most of the new immigrants settled in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ra’anana, and Netanya.