A Summer of Aliyah: Over 1,100 immigrants from North America arrived in Israel during August

A busy day for new immigrants at Ben Gurion Airport: this morning, Thursday, nearly 100 new immigrants from North America arrived in Israel within a half-hour window. Additional immigrants are expected to land later today, with a total of about 150 people arriving on 6 different flights.

These immigrants are part of an unprecedented wave of Aliyah taking place during the summer months, from June to September. During this period, over 2,200 new immigrants from North America are expected to arrive in Israel, including about 480 families, via nearly 100 group flights departing from across the United States and Canada. More than 1,100 of these immigrants arrived during the month of August alone, which, according to data from Nefesh B'Nefesh, is one of the organization's most fruitful months since its founding.

The Aliyah is being carried out with the assistance of the Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, which operates in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency, KKL-JNF, and Jewish National Fund-USA. The organization's teams accompany the immigrants throughout the entire process, from the preparation stage in their countries of origin to their landing in Israel and the completion of integration procedures.

The record set in August joins a particularly strong start to the year. Since the beginning of the year, about 2,700 new immigrants have arrived in Israel from North America. Based on these data, the organization estimates that the year 2026 will total over 4,000 new immigrants from North America, marking one of the strongest years of Aliyah since the organization's establishment in 2002.

A demographic breakdown of the current summer immigrants presents a young and dynamic profile: the average age is 29, and the wave includes about 480 families, 1,100 singles, and about 250 retirees. In addition, about 700 children and teenagers are expected to start the upcoming school year in Israel, including 80 children entering first grade. Among the immigrants, about 300 young men and women are expected to contribute to the state's service in the IDF and National Service. Alongside this, the immigrants bring with them high-quality and diverse human capital, including doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals.

The new immigrants are arriving from across North America, led by states such as New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, and the province of Ontario (Canada). Upon arrival, they plan to settle across the country, including in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Beit Shemesh, Ra'anana, Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, and Haifa. At the same time, about 650 immigrants are expected to choose the Negev and Galilee regions as part of the "Zinuk Ba'Aliyah" program in cooperation with KKL-JNF, to encourage settlement in areas of national priority.

Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, welcomed them:

"I welcome the many immigrants who have landed and will land today in Israel. As the summer months come to an end, it is moving to see the large number of young immigrants and families who have chosen to determine their future in the home of the Jewish people. In recent years, we at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration have led significant processes and laid the infrastructure to encourage Aliyah and the optimal integration of immigrants. The variety of programs and reforms we have promoted will assist in the integration of immigrants into the community and employment, and will contribute to strengthening the State of Israel socially, economically, and security-wise."

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and CEO of Nefesh B'Nefesh, stated:

"The historic wave of Aliyah we are experiencing this summer is the most moving testimony to the resilience of the Jewish people and the deep connection of North American Jewry to the State of Israel. The fact that thousands of families and young people choose to relocate their lives and build their future here, especially at this time, is a Zionist boost of energy and a tremendous growth engine for Israeli society and the economy."

Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Major General (Res.) Doron Almog, added:

"Behind each of the 1,100 immigrants who arrived from North America in the last month stands a story of choice. Families, children, young people, and professionals who chose to build their lives here and be part of the future of the State of Israel. They arrive here with their dreams, their abilities, and their desire to contribute, and in doing so, they strengthen Israeli society and the entire country. Our mission is to be there for them along the way and to help them turn their great choice into a home, where they can integrate and build their lives."