Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of aliyah (“ascent”), the practice of diaspora Jews immigrating to Israel, generally facilitated by its Law of Return.
Aliyah
The Latest
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The Schmooze Ex-New York Knicks Player Converts To Judaism — Joins Israeli Team
The Jewish people have added an unlikely new member to the team — a pro basketball player whose journey took him from Catholic prep school to a cameo stint with the New York Knicks to Israel. Chris Smith, the younger brother of Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith, converted to Judaism earlier this year, and made…
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Fast Forward Aliyah From U.S., France Down Sharply Despite Anti-Semitism Fears
(JTA) — Bucking a slump in Western immigration to Israel under its law of return for Jews, movement from Russia has increased in 2017 and more than doubled from Turkey. In total, the 23,415 immigrants who have come to Israel from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 constituted a 2 percent increase over the corresponding period…
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Life The Kurdish Immigrants Who Built Israel
In Israel, there is often a singular narrative told about immigration and the creation of the Jewish state: Ashkenazi pioneers came from Eastern Europe at the end of the 19th century and built the country. They established kibbutzim, moshavim, and cities like Rishon LeTzion, and created pre-IDF militias. Streets in every city in Israel bear…
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Fast Forward Is ‘Pedophile Aliyah’ A Threat To Israeli Children?
A Jewish children’s advocacy group is raising the alarm about what it says is a concerning trend: dozens of pedophiles immigrating to Israel under its Law of Return and putting kids at risk. “While the State of Israel in theory does have the right to restrict somebody from coming here if they think they will…
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Fast Forward Venezuelan Jews Fleeing Chaos Immigrate To Israel
RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) — Twenty-six Jews from Venezuela immigrated to Israel fleeing the South American country’s political, social and economic unrest. After several years of discontent with the far-left government under President Nicolas Maduro and his slain predecessor and political godfather Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has been racked by protests that began in April against…
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Fast Forward 200 French Jews Arrive In Israel To Make Aliyah
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Two hundred French Jews arrived in Israel on a special aliyah flight. The flight organized by The Jewish Agency for Israel, the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, and Keren Hayesod-UIA arrived in Israel on Monday. Among the new immigrants to Israel were 74 children and teens. The youngest immigrant is two…
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Fast Forward 7 Immigrants Win Nefesh B’Nefesh Prizes For Israel
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Seven immigrants to Israel from English-speaking countries have been awarded the 2017 Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize. The $10,000 prizes announced Tuesday are awarded to English-speaking immigrants who have made a major contribution the State of Israel. The prizes will be awarded at an official ceremony at the Knesset at the end of…
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Fast Forward 240 Ukrainian Immigrants Arrive In Israel
JERUSALEM (JTA) — A plane carrying 240 Ukrainian immigrants landed in Israel on Monday. The flight was chartered by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. The group of immigrants is made up of 62 families, including 60 children and adolescents and 10 immigrants above the age 70, as well as 14 cats and dogs….
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