2nd Group Flight arrives from South Africa

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(STOP PRESS - see brief report on pre-flight - click here )

On Wednesday 31st December - the Jewish Agency, Israel Centre South Africa and Telfed welcomed the nearly 70 new olim from South Africa at Ben Gurion Airport and the following day at a a special ceremony which will took place at the Kotel. For details....

 Staff and volunteers of Telfed and the Jewish Agency met the SA Olim from what has become known as Aliyah Bet on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

The following day - a moving ceremony was held at the Kotel in Jerusalem to welcome the olim and you can read Telfed Chairman Maish Isaacson's address below.

See the gallery of pictures - click here   or click on play below to see a video

clip of the ceremony at the Kotel click/copy paste this link into your browser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y966SkoEhgY

 To view a video clip of the group exiting customs and walking into the arrivals hall - click on the PLAY Button below - or click/copy paste this link into your browser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwPBm-dm5Zc

Welcome by SAZF Chairman to New Olim, Jan 1 2009

·    Mr Eli Af lalo - Minister of Aliya Absorption
·    Mr Zeev Bielski - Chairman of the Jewish Agency
·    Mr Nir Barkat – Mayor of Jerusalem
·    Mr Samson Pochwago – Liason Officer of the President of South Africa
·    Mrs Elna De Bruin – Founder of the White Rose Dawn
·    Mr Theodor Abbenhuis – Director of Eben Ezra
·    Mrs Shirley Lawrenson – Olim Liason of Eben Ezra
·    Mrs Marcia Parness – Vice Chairman of the SAZF
·    Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft – South African Communities Rabbi
·    Mr Ofer Dahan – Director of the Israel Centre in South Africa
·    Mr Sidney Shapiro – Director of Telfed
·    And last, but by no means least, our most important guests – Our Olim Chadashim, ladies and gentlemen



This morning, as we stand at this holy and historic site, which is the most powerful symbol of our longing to return home after 2000 years in exile, I feel privileged as Chairman of The South African Zionist Federation in Israel, affectionately known as Telfed, to welcome you to your new lives in Israel. There is no excitement or emotion that can compare with the feeling of arriving home at last, and you are now all at home. Bruchim haba’im.

As we stand here in these peaceful surroundings, the soldiers of the IDF are in the midst of a major military action in Gaza. Our prayers go out to every one of them and we wish them a speedy and safe return to their families. Your arrival shows your commitment to Israel and demonstrates for all to see – the eternal and everlasting link the Jewish people have to Israel and the continuity of our people as a free, independent and democratic state in our Jewish homeland.

Sometimes, unfortunately, this is the harsh reality of life in Israel. But I am happy to tell you that there is a flip side, which you will very soon get to experience. In Israel everyone around you cares about you and your family, whether they know you are or not; and in spite of the current situation, it’s a country where you and your children will feel safe walking its streets.  Another thing that you will soon learn is how fast time passes in Israel. From Wednesday taxi drivers and shop assistants start wishing you Shabbat Shalom. I am sure that many of you woke up this morning, and felt as if you have been in Israel since last year!

A big part of this welcoming environment is Telfed. As the Israeli network with a Southern African heart, we are here for you. One of Telfed’s core values is Absorption. What this means is that we open our arms to each and every Southern African oleh and olah and use all our strengths, resources and capabilities to help ensure your smooth integration into Israeli society. We have been doing this since the inception of the state of Israel, and continue doing it today.

Our doors are always open, and we are here for you. Take advantage of the wealth of connections, knowledge and experience that all our staff and volunteers have gathered over many years of living in Israel. We want to help you in any way we can to make your aliyah and Klita experience, as easy as it can be.

I wish you a happy, easy, safe and quick integration into our wonderful country, and I hope that you will be standing here alongside us as integrated Israelis to welcome the next planeload of Southern African olim.

Bruchim Haba’im, Welcome – WELCOME HOME!!!!