June 14, 2011 / 12 Sivan 5771

The June 16th event will honor 65 Olim from the Mid-Atlantic region who are making Israel their new homes

Washington, DC – On Thursday, June 16th, the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh will host a farewell celebration in honor of Olim (new immigrants) from the Mid-Atlantic region. Each year, the Jewish Agency recognizes those people who make Aliyah, and choose to live their lives in Israel. This year, 65 Olim who will be attending the event, are being recognized, including 17 Olim from Baltimore, four from Philadelphia, two from southern New Jersey and the rest from the greater Washington area.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, The Embassy of Israel, the Jewish National Fund, the Baltimore Zionist District, the Baltimore Jewish Council, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Among the Olim are many young people who will be going to Jewish Agency absorption programs such as Kibbutz Ulpan (Hebrew language study), Ulpan Etzion (a special program for academics), and Garin Tzabar (army service). Additionally, there are many families among the Olim, six of which are participating in special absorption programs in Conservative communities in Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces Military Attaché, Major General Gadi Shamni, will be the keynote speaker. Also speaking will be the Director of the Israeli Embassy’s Hasbara Department, Ms. Galit Baram, Rabbi Yoel Tessler, whose daughter is among the Olim, and representatives of Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Federations. Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive, Mr. Natan Sharansky, will also be sending pre-recorded greetings to the evening’s participants. In addition, the Olim will  be presented with certificates for trees planted in their honor in Israel by the Jewish National Fund.

Last year, some 400 people made Aliyah from the Mid-Atlantic region out of a total of close to 4,000 people who made Aliyah from across North America in 2010, the most amount of people since 1973. The expectation is for a similar amount of Olim from the region in 2011.

The event, will take place at 7:00 pm at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC.

To attend the event or for more information, please contact: dcaliyah@jafi.org. Please note that advanced reservation is required to attend.

Press Contact:
Barry Spielman
Director of Communications
barrysp@jafi.org
Office: 212-339-6069
Mobile: 201-956-9517