NEW YORK (Press Release)– Elona Brage, 22 and Sagi Hebron, 18 from San Diego made Aliyah to Israel on Monday, August 13, on a Nefesh B’Nefesh charter Aliyah flight that left out of JFK airport in New York. Immediately after becoming an Israeli citizen, they will be joining the Israel Defense Forces. They boarded the flight Monday along with 350 other Olim (new immigrants), among them a record high 127 soon-to-be IDF soldiers. The special Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) – Nefesh B’Nefesh flight was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel and Tzofim Garin Tzabar.
The soon-to-be-soldiers, along with the other Olim, were to be greeted in Israel by PM Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a special ceremony at Ben Gurion airport. .
“Joining the IDF feels right and I want to be a part of something bigger than I am and support the people. It’s the best way to feel like a true Israeli,” said Elona Brage.
Nefesh B’Nefesh is celebrating its tenth anniversary this summer, marking a decade since its inaugural charter Aliyah flight in 2002. The milestone comes as the organization prepares to welcome over 2,500 North American and British Jews making Aliyah this summer on two charter and seven group Aliyah flights, in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and The Jewish Agencyfor Israel. In 2012, Nefesh B’Nefesh will bring 4,800 newcomers to Israel.
*
Preceding provided by Nefesh b Nefesh