There was a jump in the participation of young people in volunteer programs in the country • At the same time, there was a hundred percent increase in applications to immigrate from North America • "Historic opportunity"
Immigrants to Israel during the Corona period
Photo:
the Jewish Agency
While in Israel there is a debate for and against vaccines, it seems that the world understands that the situation in Israel is better than the situation of other leading countries in relation to dealing with the corona virus crisis.
Organizations involved in immigration and bringing Jews to projects in Israel point to a huge jump in the demand for arrival in Israel, partly because of the opportunity given to everyone to get vaccinated, and also because the fields of culture and trade are fully open, ie back to normal life.
The "Journey" program, led by the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency, reports a 33 percent increase in participation in the programs, in addition to a 40 percent increase in the "Journey to Volunteers" program, in which young people come to Israel for a few months, volunteering and working there.
"Masa" notes that 5,000 participants are currently staying in Israel, and many thousands who have already signed up for the programs are expected to arrive in Israel when the skies open.
"75 percent of those who specialize in programs," say Journey, "stay in the country afterwards."
The plan received a significant boost yesterday in everything related to Corona, after Health Minister Yuli Edelstein officially announced the approval of the outline under which the interns of "Journey" against Corona will be vaccinated.
This is the first time that non-Israeli Jews will be vaccinated in the country, and a significant encouragement for more Jews to come to it as part of the various programs.
Ofer Gutman, CEO of Masa, said, "The Corona crisis has brought with it various opportunities for the organization.
We were able to bring to Israel many young Jews from various communities around the world who came to help promote education, health and the Israeli economy.
The trend that has grown and intensified in the past year has brought with it a 150 percent increase in the number of students coming to travel programs from prestigious universities.
During their stay here, the participants contribute to society and strengthen their connection with Israel. "
At the same time, the Nefesh Benefesh organization, which assists immigration from North America, reports a hundreds of percent increase in immigration case opening procedures since the outbreak of the corona and a record interest the organization has not known since its inception in 2002.
Rabbi Yehoshua Pess, CEO and founder of Nefesh B'Nefesh: "We are in the midst of a historic opportunity, and I say, 'If not now, when.'
On the part of the immigrants, this is definitely a time of desire, and therefore Israel must invest more in encouraging immigration while developing unique routes that produce a 'tailor-made suit' for each immigrant. "
There was a jump in the participation of young people in volunteer programs in the country √ At the same time, there was an increase of hundreds of percent in applications to immigrate from North America √ "Historic opportunity"
Participants in the "Journey" program
Photo: "Journey"
Hanan Greenwood
