5765 Posts Rise in Aliyah from N. America and France

Aliyah (immigration) to Israel reached a six-year high in 5765, as more Jews from France and North America decided to end their exile and live in the land of Israel

October 2, 2005

The Absorption Ministry and the Jewish Agency (a semi-official body dedicated to settling Jews in Israel) have reported that 23,124 Jews settled in Israel in 5765, as compared to 21,604 in 5764.

Nearly 3,000 Jews (2,928) from North America made their home in the Jewish State in 5765, up from 2,269 last year. Slightly more Jews, 2,975, came from France, which has witnessed an upsurge of anti-Semitism in recent years. That number was significantly higher than last year’s total of 2,389 Jews.

Rises in aliyah were also reported from more unusual locales such as Thailand, Pakistan, Brunei, the Philippines, China, Japan, and Zimbabwe.

As in the previous decade, most new immigrants, 9768, came from states that comprised the former Soviet Union, but that number was down significantly from last year when 11,174 persons arrived from that region.

Ze’ev Bielski, who heads the Jewish Agency, attributes the rise in aliyah to three major factors: an improving economic and security situation, new methods of “marketing” Israel among Jewish communities abroad, and natural trends affecting Jewish communities in the Diaspora.

Bielski explained that successful aliyah occurs in three stages. First, prospective individual immigrants are introduced to Israel on brief pilot trips. Afterwards, they return and become more acquainted with potential employment and housing opportunities, leading to permanent residence on Jewish soil.

Once settled in, their families follow, and the future of more Jews are preserved for centuries to come.

SOURCE: Arutz Sheva