(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Amongst the Olim welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport were 26 physicians and medical professionals and 32 new residents of Israel’s periphery

With the second Nefesh B’Nefesh charter flight of the summer on Tuesday, 23 Menachem Av, Israel is gaining several medical professionals, future lone soldiers, and individuals committed to reinvigorating the country’s periphery, along with hundreds of other dynamic Olim. The flight was facilitated in cooperation with Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel, Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, JNF-USA and Tzofim-Garin Tzabar.

The brand-new Olim hail from 19 US states and two Canadian provinces, including 20 families, 64 children, six sets of twins and 26 medical professionals. The 70 future lone soldiers will join the over 1,000 lone soldiers from North America, and the 3,000 lone soldiers from around the world, who became Israeli citizens and later volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

From computer programmers, psychologists, future soldiers to fashion stylists and aspiring actors, the flight saw a diverse group of individuals representing all streams of Judaism and demographics.

Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Friends of the IDF (FIDF), cares for thousands of lone soldiers through the Lone Soldiers Program, which offers support for all lone soldier immigrants during each stage of their service, after release from the army, and during adjustment to civilian life.

A special welcome ceremony was held at Ben-Gurion Airport upon arrival and included: Chairman of Yesh Atid MK Yair Lapid; Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat; Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky; World Chairman of KKL-JNF Daniel Atar; Chief Rabbi of Israel, Dovid Lau Shlita and others.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Shahar Azran)