Gaia, a shooting instructor in the IDF, was born in Silicon Valley, California. Two years ago, after completing high school, she decided to make aliyah as a lone soldier, and, through Garin Tzabar, she joined the IDF. In her new life, she is responsible for training IDF soldiers in shooting a wide variety of weapons.
“In America, I was a cheerleader, and now I’m a shooting instructor,” she remarks. She says she has never looked back on her decision, and with all the threats of serving in the military, she feels safer living right here in Israel.
Since October 2023, the number of new immigrants to Israel has swelled to 53,765, according to the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, reflecting the growing desire of Jews from all over the world to make aliyah despite the challenges of missiles, hostages, and multi-front wars.
“The aliyah to the country during this period illustrates the strong solidarity of Jews in the Diaspora with the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” says attorney Avichai Kahana, director-general of the Aliyah and Integration Ministry.
“Immigrants arrive not only out of a desire to return home but also out of a shared sense of responsibility to build the state and strengthen it. The Aliyah and Integration Ministry dedicates all its efforts to supporting the immigrants through various and diverse programs, working to ease their absorption process and ensure their integral part in Israeli society.”
According to the ministry, aliyah in the past two years is characterized by a wide variety of countries from which the immigrants arrived, with the majority coming from Russia, alongside impressive waves of aliyah from Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Asia.
The ministry is impressed with the increase in new aliyah files coming from Western countries, integrating into various aliyah programs.
After arriving in Israel, immigrants settled in a variety of areas across the country, with the Tel Aviv and Central districts as the main destinations, but the Jerusalem, Southern, and Haifa districts are also attracting large populations of immigrants. Leading areas chosen by immigrants include Netanya and the Sharon region, followed by Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Holon. Eighty-seven immigrants joined the settlements of Samaria, adding to the contribution of immigrants to the development of Samaria and the region in general.
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer says, “Aliyah to Israel is a profound expression of Zionism and solidarity with the State of Israel. In recent years, the Aliyah and Integration Ministry has led a real revolution in programs and infrastructures to encourage aliyah from Western countries, with an emphasis on young people and families choosing to establish their future in the State of Israel.”
“The ministry has developed and will continue to develop programs tailored to the needs of each immigrant, with the aim of enabling them to integrate optimally and bring their full contribution to Israeli society,” says Kahana. “We work tirelessly to ensure that absorption is not only smooth but also promotes their rapid and effective integration and contribution to the country.”
IMMIGRANTS TO Israel bring with them a wide variety of fields of knowledge and professional skills, according to the ministry.
In addition to immigrants enlisting in the IDF and serving as lone soldiers, there was an impressive increase in the field of medicine, with 519 new doctors making aliyah in 2024. Additionally, there is growth in immigrants in the fields of engineering, programming, business, and many other areas, which indicates the ability of aliyah to enrich and strengthen the Israeli economy.
Of the many ministry programs for new olim, there is one that subcontracts to a service called MATI, a nonprofit dedicated to helping new businesses compete in a challenging new environment. It is specifically for entrepreneurs who want to build businesses in Israel.
“When you are new to Israel and building a business in Israel, it can often feel like the system wasn’t built for you,” explains Michael Horesh, one of MATI’s recognized business mentors. “There are new rules, a foreign language, and there doesn’t seem to be a road map. MATI literally takes you by the hand and leads you through the processes.”
The MATI mentoring service offers 20 hours with a recognized business mentor. It also gives webinars on relevant topics, such as How to Plan a Budget; How to Plan Your Cash Flow; How to Prepare a Social Media Campaign; and How to Manage Your Time.
MATI also helps entrepreneurs prepare an application for a business loan, up to NIS 300,000 and even higher.
Sofer adds, “The ministry’s programs provide immigrants with practical tools, professional training, and workshops that help them integrate into employment and Israeli society, thereby contributing to the empowerment and resilience of the State of Israel in every field.”
Six easy steps for making aliyah
While it is not an “easy” process, there are ways to smooth the transition to becoming Israeli. Here are some pointers.
- Stay organized: Keep your aliyah (and your family’s aliyah) documents filed separately and easily accessible. You will need to use them a lot in both their hardcover (apostille) form and online. When you receive your Teudat Zehut (ID card) and other documents, stay organized. The fun is just beginning. Unlike your Social Security number (which you would never share with anyone), your Teudat Zehut number gets shared everywhere. It is literally the way you can join memberships at stores and apply for just about anything in the country.
- Olim from North America should apply via Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN). They will need to gather proof (birth certificates, rabbi letters) as per requirements of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Israeli government. Begin here: www.nbn.org.il/the-aliyah-process/
- Open an Israeli bank account and start learning Hebrew before departure.Plan six to 12 months ahead: Plan a pilot trip, ship one free container, and secure ulpan and rental subsidy in peripheral areas. Claim sal klita (financial grant) stipend from day one.
- Secure work: Target high-demand jobs in tech or healthcare (NIS 25K-NIS 40K/month starting); use NBN job board and tax breaks for 3.5 years. Enroll kids in free gan/schools three months early.
- Settle fast: Get Teudat Zehut, health insurance, and RavKav transportation card at the airport. Join city WhatsApp groups for community support and security alerts.
Use your resources
The Aliyah and Integration Ministry and other programs provide help. Here are a few links to help you get started.
– Jewish Agency for Israel: The primary government-linked body for global aliyah. It offers eligibility checks, document guidance, and absorption centers for housing and Hebrew classes. www.jewishagency.org/aliyah/
– Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN): Specializes in North American applicants; handles joint applications with the Jewish Agency, including flight subsidies and step-by-step overviews. Ideal for US/Canada residents .www.nbn.org.il/ | Step-by-Step Process
– Garin Tzabar: Full details on applying, seminars, and testimonials. Start your application here. garintzabar.org/?lang=en_US
– Join WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups specifically for olim and for English-speaking Israelis. They include individual community olim groups (e.g., Efrat Olim), as well as:
- Keep Olim in Israel Movement
- Olim-Employment Centers
- Israel Hotel Jobs for Olim and Newcomers
- Ask an Israeli Lawyer
- Living Financially Smarter in Israel
- IWEN Israeli Women Entrepreneurs’ Network
- Anglos in Israel
- Secret Jerusalem (or Tel Aviv, Haifa, or wherever you are living).