At the upcoming Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, which will be held in New York on June 1, Nefesh B’Nefesh will be presented with the Jerusalem Post Award for its efforts in addressing the country’s needs through four key areas – Aliyah and Integration, National Service, National Development, and Zionist Education, ensuring long-term commitment to building meaningful lives in Israel and contributing to the nation’s growth.
Since its founding in 2002, the organization has assisted nearly 100,000 olim (new immigrants) while maintaining a 90% retention rate, positioning itself as one of the central forces shaping Israel’s future through immigration.
Working in partnership with the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, and Jewish National Fund-USA, Nefesh B’Nefesh has expanded far beyond the traditional framework of aliyah assistance.
Today, it operates a wide range of initiatives that address some of Israel’s most pressing national needs, from healthcare shortages and workforce gaps to strengthening the country’s periphery and supporting lone soldiers serving far from their families.
“For more than two decades, Nefesh B’Nefesh has demonstrated that aliyah is not only a personal dream but a national solution,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “Every doctor, teacher, engineer, young professional, and retiree who comes to Israel strengthens the fabric of the country and helps address some of Israel’s most pressing challenges.”
Nefesh B’Nefesh's flagship initiatives
Among the organization’s flagship initiatives is the International Medical Aliyah Program (IMAP), which assists physicians and medical professionals in navigating Israel’s licensing and employment systems while encouraging them to settle in regions with critical healthcare shortages.
At the same time, programs such as Go Beyond encourage olim to build their lives in Israel’s North and South, helping revitalize communities outside the country’s major population centers.
Nefesh B’Nefesh also plays a major role in supporting thousands of lone soldiers and National Service volunteers through housing assistance, resilience programs, mental health support, and career guidance.
“Israel’s future depends not only on innovation and security but on people who are willing to build their lives here with purpose,” Fass said. “Our mission is to connect the passion and talent of Jews around the world with the evolving needs of the State of Israel, ensuring that aliyah continues to serve as a cornerstone of national growth, unity, and resilience.”
According to Tony Gelbart, co-founder and chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the organization’s long-term vision has always centered on harnessing the strength of world Jewry to help advance the State of Israel.
“Nefesh B’Nefesh was founded on the belief that aliyah could transform both individual lives and the future of the State of Israel,” said Gelbart. “Today, we see that vision becoming reality as nearly 100,000 olim contribute directly to Israel’s national priorities by strengthening its healthcare, advancing education, supporting economic development, filling critical workforce gaps, and helping communities across the country thrive.”
“Israel’s greatest resource has always been its people,” he added. “Our responsibility is not only to assist people with their aliyah dreams but to turn them into reality. Today more than ever, aliyah remains one of the strongest engines ensuring the continued vibrant development of the Jewish state.”
This article was written in cooperation with Nefesh B’Nefesh.