Judging by the number of phone calls ....
by Dorron Kline
Judging by the number of phone calls from South Africa to Telfed's toll free line, the time has come to raise our projection of the number of Olim arriving in 2008. Over 130 Aliyah files were opened in South Africa during December 2007 and January 2008 - a figure not seen for many years.
"We are very excited about the challenges that a large wave of South African Aliyah poses for Telfed." said Maish Isaacson, Chairman of Telfed. "As the 'Mother and Father' of Southern African Olim, we eagerly await their arrival."The Israel Centre in South Africa has initiated a group flight of Olim on 5 July 2007 – a first for South African Aliyah. 100 Olim and 200 Bnei Akiva and Habonim summer programme participants are expected on this special flight.Telfed is sending its Director of Project Development, Dorron Kline, himself a past Israel Centre Shaliach, to South Africa in order to assist with the planning of the group flight. In addition, other Telfed personnel are planning to attend the upcoming Israel Center Aliyah Expo in May 2008 and join the Olim on the group flight in July 2008. The expertise of Telfed's Klita and employment counseling is vital to success of these endeavors.Telfed's newly formed Klita committee, together with the Aliyah Projects Committee and Regional Committees will work hand in glove with the staff to ensure that the planned increase in Aliyah is met with the necessary increase in services provided. These include matching professionals and families, cultural, social and educational activities, help with adapting to day-to-day life in Israel, employment and housing opportunities.We wish all the potential Olim best of luck with their Aliyah preparations and look forward to welcoming you all soon!
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For related stories on the situation in South Africa see the Telfed BLOG at
http://telfed.blogspot.com/2008/02/johannesburg-jewry-looks-abroad.html
http://telfed.blogspot.com/2008/02/power-failures-outrage-south-africa.html