According to reports on aliyah figures down at the end of the Jewish year in September, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of Jews who chose to make  their homes in Israel. According to the Jewish Agency, some 21,300 Jews moved to Israel from around the world in 5771. This is an increase of 19% compared to 5770, during which Israel absorbed 17,883 immigrants.

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said that “the choice of thousands of Jews to build their homes here is the deepest expression of a Diaspora Jew’s identification with Israel.”

Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver added that “this data demonstrates the continuing trend of rising aliyah and the strengthening of Zionism. In recent years we have seen consistent aliyah, and at this important time the State of Israel must work to maintain the trend and continue to encourage Jews in the Diaspora to immigrate to Israel.”

Of the 21,300 immigrants to Israel this past year, about 18,500 came from the former Soviet Union (FSU), North America, Latin America, Europe and other countries in the world. This is a significant increase of about 12%, compared to 16,560 immigrants from these countries in the previous year. Roughly 2,780 immigrants from Ethiopia made aliyah in 5771, compared to about 1,320 in the year 5770. The rate of immigration from Ethiopia is set by the government.

The statistics also show that most of the immigrants are young: From January to July 2011, approximately 62% of the olim were aged 0-34, of which about 36% are young adults between the ages of 18-34.

Approximately 8,290 immigrants arrived from the former Soviet Union, including from Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Central Asian countries. This represents a dramatic increase of about 19%, with only 6,970 FSU immigrants in the previous year.

North American aliyah reached about 4,070 as opposed to 3,720 the year before (an increase of 9%) and immigration from France rose to approximately 2,100 from 2,000 last year (an increase of 4%). From Latin America, 1,380 immigrants were absorbed in Israel compared to about 1,360 in 5770.

Over the past year, Israel has welcomed small numbers of immigrants from unexpected countries, including Hong Kong, Honduras, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Monaco, Suriname, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Angola, Japan, Malta, Congo, South Korea and Nicaragua.

Diaspora Jews’ affiliation with Israel has also been reflected in their visits to the country: tens of thousands of young Jews from communities around the world came for visits and tours in Israel in the framework of the Jewish Agency’s  Israel experience programs and Birthright Israel. Of these, more than 10,000 students spent 10 months volunteering and studying in Israel as part of “Masa Israel Journey”, an umbrella program framework of the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government.

Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Alan Rosenthal was the guest speaker who discussed at length a number of his works and his experiences in producing them, particularly what he observed during the filming of the  Eichmann Trials. Rosenthal describes Eichmann’s chilling façade which has been imprinted in his mind and together with Eichmann’s letters written in Prison, Rosenthal went on to produce an award winning film entitled “Eichmann’s Secret Memoirs.” Rosenthal is currently in Australia filming his next documentary.

After 14 years as a lay leader for UIA, with the last 5 as the Victorian Chairman, Esther Frenkiel relinquished her role at the AGM.  The Esther Frenkiel UIA Leadership Scholarship has been established. Australian candidates with a vested interest in the work of KH-UIA will be selected to participate on a leadership program in Israel. In doing so,  we will create new young leaders to follow in her footsteps.

Mazal tov to the following award recipients; Federal Askan Award – Ian Samuel, Askan Award – Alex Grossman, Lucy Zoubkova, Volunteer Awards- Brian Turner (AMI), Judy Gerzchuk (Women’s Division), Ann Turner (Community), Aron Vinkler (Shalom Association), Kol Nidrei Recognition Award- Highest Percentage of Members who Donated- Or Chadash and Ohel Dvora.

Click here to view the photos from this event.

There are many youth and Olim like Benjamin that still need your help and Kiryat Yearim is working hard to assist these youth-at-risk.

*name has been changed to protect the identity of the child

To view the photos from this meeting, click here.

After morning tea, we enjoyed a talking tram tour throughout Bendigo, followed by lunch at Lake Weeroona. The afternoon consisted of a visit to the Jewish section of the cemetery which included interesting  commentary on its history. Before heading home, we stopped into the Pottery Museum and watched a vase making demonstration.

Click here to view all the photos from the day.