New Israel Educational Materials by ARZA
The Jewish Agency for Israel
The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
Faces of Reform Aliyah: Content details
Liane Sela, Director & shlicha
Israel Aliyah Centre, Toronto and Western Canada
Tel: (416) 633 4766; Fax: (416) 633 2758
Toll-free: 1-877- WE GO 2 IL (1-877-934-6245)
LianeS@jafi.org
Liane was born in Israel in 1972, the 6th generation of her family to be born in Israel and grew up in Ramat Gan. She served in the IDF (Israel Defense Force) for two and a half years, as an Educational Officer , and has a B.A in Business and Sociology
During the last 12 years, she has been working in the Public Relations and Marketing field, including working for 8 years for the Israeli office of BBDO, an international advertising company and running a private office for Finance P.R. After her army service she worked as the Israeli counselor in summer day camps in North America, and that is when she realized, how fascinating, the Jewish community in North America, is to work with!
As the director of the Aliyah center, Liane's responsibility is to help those who are eligible to make Aliyah to Israel (according to the Law Of Return) from Toronto and Western Canada. In the Aliyah approval process we actually focus on 2 main parts – approving the Eligibility for Aliyah, and Planning the Aliyah; what can the future Oleh do in Israel, and how can Israel assist the immigrants.
The Aliyah Center is in charge of marketing the idea of Aliyah, and promoting Israel as a suitable life option for Jewish people from North America as well. Through the Aliyah center we also operate a big Volunteer Center – and send many young people every year to volunteer in Israel for a minimum of 6 weeks period of time – giving them the option to experience Israel not through the bus window.
In the Toronto Aliyah center we always hope to increase Aliyah from Toronto, to encourage more people from the community to consider it strongly, and to give the Olim (those who make Aliyah) from Toronto, more support.
Congratulations on deciding to take a step toward fulfilling the Zionist dream by making Aliyah!
Kol HaKavod!
The first step you should take is to contact the Reform Movement’s Shlichat Aliyah, Liane Sela, or Liran Avisair Gazit. They will help you to open an Aliyah file. For the next step, you should find out about organizations that can assist you with Aliyah:
Professional Shlichim at the Israel Aliyah Centre assist you step-by-step in the Aliyah process. understanding that each individual has his/her own needs and requires personal attention, they will patiently guide you through, addressing everything from employment opportunities and educational options for your children to housing options, health care, olim benefits and more!
Nefesh B’Nefesh works in partnership with the Jewish Agency, providing olim financial assistance, group chartered flights, employment resources, absorption support, social services and guidance through governmental absorption, in order to help make each individual’s Aliyah as successful as possible.
The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) is a voluntary, Zionist organization serving approximately 120,000 North Americans living in Israel. They are dedicated to the successful absorption of these North American Israelis into Israeli society. AACI actively encourages Aliyah, helps newcomers acclimate, provides ongoing services to veteran olim ("vatikim"), engages in programs to enhance the quality of life for all Israelis, provides social activities and works towards building stronger ties between North American Jewry and Israel.
The English Speaking Residents Association is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. It was started in 1979 by a group of English Speaking residents primarily to fulfill a social need and to assist olim with integration into society.
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption is responsible for providing government assistance to new immigrants and returning residents who have arrived in Israel within the last decade - from their first steps in the country to their integration into every area of life in Israeli society.
B'hatzlachah! Good Luck!
Kol HaKavod!
The first step you should take is to contact the Reform Movement’s Shlichat Aliyah, Liane Sela, or Liran Avisair Gazit. They will help you to open an Aliyah file. For the next step, you should find out about organizations that can assist you with Aliyah:
Nefesh B’Nefesh works in partnership with the Jewish Agency, providing olim financial assistance, group chartered flights, employment resources, absorption support, social services and guidance through governmental absorption, in order to help make each individual’s Aliyah as successful as possible.
The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) is a voluntary, Zionist organization serving approximately 120,000 North Americans living in Israel. They are dedicated to the successful absorption of these North American Israelis into Israeli society. AACI actively encourages Aliyah, helps newcomers acclimate, provides ongoing services to veteran olim ("vatikim"), engages in programs to enhance the quality of life for all Israelis, provides social activities and works towards building stronger ties between North American Jewry and Israel.
The English Speaking Residents Association is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. It was started in 1979 by a group of English Speaking residents primarily to fulfill a social need and to assist olim with integration into society.
B'hatzlachah! Good Luck!
Making Aliyah
Livnot u’L’hibanot: To Build and be Built
Upon declaring the founding of the Jewish State of Israel, David Ben Gurion appealed to world Jewry, saying, "We call upon the Jewish people throughout the Diaspora to unite with us in our homeland by making aliyah, by building the land, and by taking part in the momentous undertaking of the redemption of the Jewish people, which has been the dream of generations."
The decision to become increasingly involved with life in Israel culminating in Aliyah has implications not only for Reform Jews personally, but also for the State of Israel and the Jewish people collectively.
As a Reform Jew living in Israel, you will be blessed with the challenge and opportunity to actively shape the nature of the Jewish State, still so fragile and in formation, and the future of Reform Judaism there.
More Israelis are coming to understand that a viable, meaningful alternative to the two poles of Jewish life in Israel – Orthodoxy and secularism – does exist. Reform olim can help ensure the movement’s continued momentum among Israelis searching for new links to their Jewish identity and modern ways to experience and celebrate Jewish traditions. In addition, new immigrants coming to Israel from countries where religious pluralism and democracy are well established can, in very concrete ways, help to advance these principles in Israeli society.
Reform Jews from abroad can also shape and influence Israeli Reform programs and institutions. The energy, creativity, Jewish passion and pioneering spirit that engender Aliyah can benefit Israel’s synagogues, schools and community centers and contribute immeasurably to the movement as a whole.
As a young and evolving nation, Olim (Jewish immigrants) may be surprised by the extent to which they can play a role in shaping and developing institutions, professions and fields of interest. Reform Jews from abroad can certainly play a vital role in influencing Israeli Reform programs and institutions. The energy, creativity, Jewish passion and pioneering spirit that lead individuals to come to Israel can benefit our synagogues, schools and community centers and contribute immeasurably to the movement as a whole. Just one example: the IMPJ’s elementary school in Jerusalem (Tali Bayit Vagan) would not have come into existence were it not for the determination of a group of immigrant parents from English-speaking countries.
Reform olim who have made their home in Israel find that there is no equal to the beauty, the spirit and, in many ways, the freedom of living in the Jewish State: to celebrate the cycles of the Jewish calendar in the land where these cycles were created; to speak the modern language of our ancient, ageless Torah; to witness the daily miracle of the rebuilt Jewish nation and to take part in shaping its future; there is joy and inspiration even as there are challenges.
To be certain, as a Reform Jew in Israel your life will be filled with opportunity, promise and excitement. Reform Jews today bring a new spirit to the land, one which is echoed in the words of a classic Zionist pioneering song: We have come to Israel to build - and to be built in return.