The first Nefesh B’Nefesh charter aliyah flight since the October 7, 2023 attacks landed at Ben Gurion Airport on August 20, 2025, bringing 225 new immigrants (olim) from North America and marking a rare moment of communal uplift during a tense period. The 65th charter flight, which departed from JFK Airport in New York, carried 45 families, including 125 children, alongside 10 singles and 3 retirees. The youngest passenger was 9 months old; the oldest was 72.
For an organization that has helped anchor North American aliyah for more than two decades, the return of a full charter operation signals both resilience and pent-up demand.
Flight composition and specialties
Among the new arrivals were:
- 5 doctors and 19 other healthcare professionals
- Additional engineers, lawyers, and specialists across multiple fields
- More than 30 olim joined under the Nefesh B’Nefesh–KKL Go Beyond initiative, aimed at strengthening Jerusalem and Israel’s peripheral regions
The Go Beyond program has become a cornerstone of long-term development efforts, directing families and skilled workers to cities and towns that need them most.
Symbolism and official reactions
This charter aliyah flight—the first since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War—carried more than people: it carried a message. Israeli officials said the influx of new arrivals at this time reflects a unified stand and a deep sense of shared future.
- The Minister of Aliyah and Integration stated that immigration is reaching a peak and sends a strong message of unity to Israelis and Jews worldwide.
- Many olim told organizers they intend to contribute in every way they can, including military service for those eligible, and to help build the communities they join.
The flight was coordinated by Nefesh B’Nefesh in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), and Jewish National Fund-USA, with EL AL operating the charter.
Why the timing matters: broader numbers
- August 2025 is on track to see over 1,000 new immigrants from North America, the highest monthly total in more than two decades.
- Since October 7, more than 7,000 North Americans have moved to Israel, according to the organizations involved.
For many families, the mix of group travel, structured onboarding, and clear support on arrival removes a major barrier at a time when regular travel and settlement have been anything but simple.
A historic return to charter aliyah
For Nefesh B’Nefesh—an organization that has assisted more than 90,000 immigrants since 2002—the August 20 landing represents a turning point. Charter flights are more than transportation; they are large-scale logistics missions packed with community spirit and practical help.
After initial disruptions to aliyah logistics following October 7, the resumption of a full charter to Ben Gurion signals a return to organized, large-group immigration that many in North America have been waiting for.
Policy and human implications
Many of the newest arrivals include young families who had been preparing documents for months or years, making decisions against a backdrop of regional turbulence.
- Experts note the mix of families and skilled professionals reflects both long-held ideals and a current readiness to help on the ground.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests steady interest in aliyah from the United States and Canada has been bolstered by strong organizational support systems that reduce uncertainty at key stages.
Impact on healthcare and regional services
Healthcare professionals on the flight provide a timely boost. Israel’s hospitals and clinics have faced increased pressures since the Iron Swords War.
- The arrival of doctors and nurses can reduce wait times, fill gaps in specialized fields, and strengthen regional clinics.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh provides support on licensing and job placement—steps that can otherwise delay newcomers’ entry into the workforce.
The Go Beyond participants on this flight embody a concrete plan to grow Jerusalem and peripheral regions that have long needed investment, population growth, and more services.
How the charter model helps families
The charter model includes coordinated support that begins well before boarding:
- Clear baggage allowances and consistent rules
- Coordinated airport processing and team members who know each traveler’s dossier
- Assistance managing children, pets, medical equipment, and other special needs
Parents were met by staff who helped funnel them through the first steps in Israel, with guidance on picking up initial documents, connecting to local communities, and preparing for school calendars.
Current planning and potential future charters
Officials and organizers say the summer wave often sets the tone for the rest of the year. With August projected to top 1,000 new arrivals, organizations are assessing:
- Capacity and airport handling
- Regional absorption in real time
- Potential for additional charters if demand holds and logistics allow
The Ministry of Aliyah & Integration continues to review support policies in light of conditions on the ground, potentially adjusting benefits or procedures if needed.
Diversity of passengers and destination matching
The flight’s composition shows aliyah today is both diverse and mission-driven:
- Retirees joining family, singles seeking new starts, and families with infants and teens
- Destinations include Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva, and smaller towns where Go Beyond partners assist with housing, schools, and job placements
Nefesh B’Nefesh and The Jewish Agency for Israel coordinate to match local capacity to incoming families’ needs, aiming to avoid bottlenecks in schools, clinics, and city services.
How the aliyah process works now
The North American aliyah pathway follows a structured process:
- Counseling and documentation with Nefesh B’Nefesh
- Submission of required documents and approvals
- Background checks, identity verification, and eligibility screening with partner agencies
- Travel planning (charter or commercial), with preferences submitted for dates, airports, and special needs
Nefesh B’Nefesh assists with booking but notes that not all preferences can be guaranteed and changes may involve fees.
Baggage and special items (charter benefits)
Each approved traveler on current charters typically receives:
- Two checked bags (up to 50 lbs each)
- One carry-on
- One personal item
Travelers can often purchase up to three additional checked bags per person for a fee, subject to airline limits. Organizers advise relying on written guidance from Nefesh B’Nefesh if airline receipts show different allowances.
Families with strollers, car seats, medical devices, or sports equipment should check in advance so staff can plan seating and boarding. On arrival, teams guide newcomers toward obtaining a Teudat Oleh (new immigrant status document) and related onboarding tasks.
Contacts and official resources
- US & Canada hotline: 1-866-4-ALIYAH
- Israel hotline: 02-659-5800
- Website and email support: www.nbn.org.il
For official rights and benefits, review Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Integration portal: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_aliyah_and_integration. The ministry provides the final word on statutory benefits and eligibility.
Practical tips for prospective olim
- Keep copies of all ID documents and approvals in print and digital form.
- Label luggage with Hebrew and English names and contact details.
- Confirm special medical needs with staff at least two weeks before departure.
- Start early on professional licensing—set up an initial call to map steps.
- If joining Go Beyond, discuss target communities early so housing and school options can be lined up.
Post-landing support
Nefesh B’Nefesh’s role continues after landing, offering:
- Logistical, financial, and social support
- Help with job searches, professional licensing, Hebrew study, and community integration
- Connections to service providers for banking, health insurance, pet relocation, and shipping
Organizers say many passengers plan to contribute their skills immediately—nurses joining hospital staff, engineers working on infrastructure, lawyers exploring public interest roles—demonstrating aliyah as both personal fulfillment and practical contribution.
“Aliyah has not paused. It has adapted.”
The first charter since October 7 shows large-group arrivals can proceed under careful planning—both a logistical achievement and a human milestone.
Community and long-term implications
The flight’s effects will ripple across several areas:
- Healthcare: even a small influx of specialists can ease local shortages and reduce appointment backlogs.
- Demographics and economy: placing families in Jerusalem and peripheral regions addresses long-term gaps and supports local growth.
- National morale: a full charter landing can lift public spirits and symbolize unity.
Organizers stress the deliberate strategy of matching new arrivals to communities that can absorb them—where each new professional or educator can meaningfully shift local capacity.
Looking ahead: capacity, policy, and timing
- Demand remains high; August’s projected 1,000+ arrivals is the strongest August in over 20 years.
- Since October 7, over 7,000 North Americans have moved to Israel, prompting consideration of additional charters.
- Final decisions on more flights depend on logistics, airline schedules, and ongoing assessments.
- Policy reviews on security, integration, and support are underway, with possible adjustments to make aliyah smoother.
Charters simplify many parts of the journey but fill quickly. Prospective olim—especially families and professionals requiring licensing—are advised to start early with an aliyah advisor.
Practical first steps for newcomers
In the first days and weeks, typical tasks include:
- Setting up bank accounts
- Enrolling children in school
- Arranging health coverage
- Starting Hebrew studies
Nefesh B’Nefesh tailors support to family needs, from job interview prep and community selection to everyday tasks like mobile service sign-up. The group also connects olim to volunteer networks, synagogues, and municipal offices.
Final note and contact information
For those ready to take the next steps, contact Nefesh B’Nefesh:
- US & Canada: 1-866-4-ALIYAH
- Israel: 02-659-5800
- Website: www.nbn.org.il (email contact available on the site)
Applicants should also consult the Ministry of Aliyah & Integration for official policy and benefit details: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_aliyah_and_integration.
For now, the plane is on the ground, and the 225 olim are beginning their new chapter. The work that follows—helping families settle, connecting professionals to jobs, and steering growth to communities that need it most—will determine how far the impact of this one aliyah flight travels. If August is any sign, many more arrivals may soon be stepping onto the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport, ready to begin.
This Article in a Nutshell
On August 20, 2025, Nefesh B’Nefesh’s 65th charter brought 225 olim from JFK to Ben Gurion, including healthcare professionals and 30+ Go Beyond participants, marking a major return to organized large-group aliyah amid ongoing conflict.
