In the shadow of the severe shortage: A program to bring teachers from the USA has been launched
The severe shortage of teaching staff ahead of the start of the school year has given birth to a joint initiative to encourage Aliyah from North America, with the goal of integrating Olim into the education system. The program will provide a comprehensive support package and degree recognition before they arrive in the country. However, due to the complexity of the bureaucratic process and adaptation to the system, the impact will only be felt on the ground starting from the 5787–5788 school year.
The Israeli education system is facing the start of the 5787 school year against the backdrop of a significant shortage of teaching staff. The distress is evident in teachers entering classrooms without teaching certificates, the conversion of teaching assistants into educators, and the filling of positions by professionals who have not been trained for this, especially in core subjects such as English, mathematics, sciences, and language.
Against the backdrop of this ongoing crisis, a joint national program of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and the "Nefesh B'Nefesh" organization has been launched, aimed at identifying and integrating hundreds of teachers from the United States and Canada who are eligible under the Law of Return into the Israeli education system. However, the program will not provide a solution for the upcoming school year, but is aimed at the 5787–5788 (2027–2028) school year, partly due to the complexity of the bureaucratic procedures involved in recognizing professional training, required retraining, and the mental gaps between the education systems.
As part of the project, candidates will be accompanied from the stage of deliberation in their country of origin, and dedicated job fairs, webinars, and home circles will be held throughout North America during the coming year. Participants will be able to begin the procedures for recognizing degrees and teaching certificates even before making Aliyah, alongside the establishment of job and candidate databases tailored by districts and regions that will connect them with schools. The support package will continue after arrival in Israel and will include assistance with absorption, placement, strengthening Hebrew proficiency, and guidance for professional completion for the teachers and their family members.
Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer emphasized the importance of the move:
"This program well expresses the concept that Aliyah is a growth engine for the State of Israel. The success of the national program for bringing in doctors has proven that when the state removes barriers, acts actively to promote professional recognition, and accompanies the Olim until they are quickly integrated into employment - the results speak for themselves."
He was joined by co-founder and chairman of "Nefesh B'Nefesh" Tony Gelbart, who noted:
"Aliyah has always been a national growth engine, bringing knowledge, experience, and high-quality human capital to Israel. Our goal is to bring high-quality educators to Israel, accompany them in the process of absorption and integration, and prove that Aliyah can also be part of the solution to the country's national challenges."
