Nearly 50 Olim arrive this week on group flight from South Africa

image: 

December 23, 2010- Nearly 50 Olim arrived on a group flight from South Africa this week and were welcomed at the airport by Telfed, helped through immigration and then taken by bus to their hotel in Jerusalem for a two-day absorption seminar culminating in the receipt of ID cards at a moving ceremony at the Western Wall.

The group were flown in by El Al (after much lobbying by Telfed to stop the previous Air Ethiopian flights) and Telfed Chairman Maish Isaacson and Vice Chairman Dave Bloom were on hand as they stepped off the plane to steer them through their initial steps in Israel.

The tired but excited olim immediately started firing questions about which kupat cholim (health insurance) company to join, which cellphone company, internet service provider, learning Hebrew and Telfed and Jewish Agency officials gave answers and suggestions. 

"We are so pleased to finally be in Israel and just want to be able to contribute to the Jewish State," said one olah chadasha with a huge grin on her face.

The average age of the olim is mid-30s with several young families (one with 6 children!), several singles and a few couples in their 70s / 80s joining their families in Israel.  Their destinations included Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem, Modiin, Beit Shemesh, Netanya and Raanana. Most of the olim are from Johannesburg with a small number from Cape Town.

Ministry of Absorption officials interviewed the olim at the airport and gave them their Teudat Oleh (aliyah document) with which they could proceed to process other services like health care, Ministry of Interior ID cards etc.

Telfed assisted the olim onto a bus which took them to Jerusalem for well deserved rest after the long flight and the few hours of processing documentation at the airport.

To view some gallery pictures of the group - click here

For additional photos from the Jewish Agency - see

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewishagencyforisrael/sets/72157625656936640/

more reports and pictures to follow.....

______________________________________________________________________________________

Update report written by Dorron Kline

The Jewish Agency Red Carpet Aliyah group flight of December 2010 had blue and white stripes as 50 Olim landed from South Africa, smiling from ear to ear. “What a relief to arrive Home at a normal hour on an El Al flight and not have to stop over in Addis Ababa,” was a statement made my many of the new arrivals. After a year and a half of Aliyah group flights from South Africa utilising Air Ethiopia, the return to El Al was welcomed by all. Praise is due to the new director of the Israel Centre, Shaliach Shimon Shamila for brokering the deal, thereby ensuring that the Olim arrived in the early hours of Monday evening instead of the wee hours of Tuesday morning!

The new Olim were welcomed at the airport by Telfed Chairman Maish Isaacson and Vice Chairman Dave Bloom, together with Jewish Agency officials. The Ministry of Absorption issued each Oleh with their Teudat Oleh (Oleh Certificate), luggage was collected and the emotional bus ride to Jerusalem began. For some this was their first time in Israel, yet for all this was one of the most meaningful bus rides of their lives. 

Gone are the days of arriving in Israel and immediately trying to fit bulging suitcases into a small Absorption Centre apartment. The Olim all checked into the 5 star Ramada Renaissance Hotel, situated in the entrance to Jerusalem and were soon tucked in bed, dreaming of their new future in Israel.  

The next morning, after a well earned breakfast, the Olim, young and old, were ushered into the Amnon Hall in order to sign up for their Israeli ID books and to hear the Telfed presentation. Telfed Klita staff and regional committee volunteers from Gush Etzion, Jerusalem and Modi’in were on hand to explain exactly how the organisation can assist the Olim with every step of their absorption process. Telfed also invited representatives from the Michael Levine Lone Soldier’s Organisation to address the issues surrounding service in the Israeli army.

Following the Telfed presentation, the Olim received detailed explanations of the Israeli health and banking systems by 3 experts in the field.

The free afternoon was utilised for visiting friends and family and viewing the beautiful scenes and sites that our capital city has to offer. What a wonderful way to start one’s Aliyah!

Wednesday morning brought with it the main Jewish Agency Klita Fair whereby the National Insurance, Post Office, health funds, cellular phone companies and banks all provided their wares for the new Olim. No need to run from office to office – here every Oleh is sought after by the companies instead!

The beautiful clear and crisp air of Jerusalem greeted the new Olim as they stepped of the buses at the Kotel on Wednesday afternoon for the “ID book ceremony”. After a short tour organised by the Kotel Heritage Organisation, the archeological garden opposite the Kotel was packed to full capacity as speakers from the Aliyah Department, Israel Centre, Telfed and a representative of the Olim, welcomed the new comers to the Nation of Israel in the Land of Israel.

“It is an honour and a privilege for Telfed to be here to serve you. Please utilise us – we are only a phone call away,” was the message brought by Maish Isaacson, Telfed’s chairman.

 Cheers and clapping accompanied each Oleh as they received their coveted Israeli ID book. Tears flowed, mixed with smiles as the photographer struggled to capture each special moment.

 A group photograph of 50 Southern African Olim proudly holding up their Israeli ID books, with the Kotel in the background, was the fitting end to this unique ceremony. See links above for Telfed and JAFI photos.

 Tired and fulfilled, the Olim made they way back to the Ramada Renaissance Hotel where each one was transported for free, courtesy of the Jewish Agency, to their first address in Israel, to be welcomed by the Telfed regional committee volunteers and to begin a new chapter in their lives. We wish the new Olim Mazal Tov and Be’Hatzlacha – we at Telfed look forward to keeping in touch!

The photos of the UK, SA and Aussie olim who got their ID's at the Kotel on the 23/12/10 are up at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jaforisrael/RedCarpetAliyah23Dec2010#

Pictures by Brian Hendler