Record Day For Aliyah
by Jeremy Last
Friday 18th August 2006

There was a palpable air of excitement at Ben Gurion airport this week as the first ever flight from the UK specifically for new immigrants touched down in Israel.

Bringing more than 150 British olim to the Holy Land on Wednesday, the plane joined two others - from Toronto and New York - carrying 400 passengers making aliyah – the largest ever influx of new Israeli citizens from the west on a single day.

As Israeli music pumped out of speakers near the tarmac, where two lines of flag-waving soldiers welcomed the new arrivals, David Nussbaum was full of smiles as he disembarked from the plane with his wife and young daughter.

Reflecting on the five-hour flight which took off from Stansted at 2am, the 29-year-old Mancunian, who has lived in London for the last three years said: “It was very tiring, but now I'm so pleased to be here.”

The majority of arrivals appeared to be young families or professionals in their mid 20s. But former Northwood residents Barbara and Esmond Hellerman definitely broke the mold.

The couple, both in their 70s, decided now was the time to come and join their four children, their grandchildren and great grandchildren in Israel. One of their grandchildren, Gavriel, was tragicaly killed in a terrorist attack on the Otniel Yeshiva in December 2002. But despite that assault and the tense security situation of the past few weeks, Barbara was undaunted: “It just made me want to be closer to our children. Why should we be worried if my kids live here?”

Sharon Benjamin from Liverpool, who arrived with her husband Ilan and two children, Jacob, 8, and Sadie, 6, said: “This is the realisation of a dream. We have been planning this for two years. No matter what the situation was we would have come.”

Addressing the 550 new olim, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said: “The last few weeks have not been easy although we have seen that we have not been alone as much of the international community has been supportive. But there is no support stronger and more significant than that of Jewish people and no stronger support than your decision to come to live in the State of Israel.”

He added: “Its not easy to live here, we have many challenges, but there is not other home but this one. I offer you partnerships, to share in our difficulties, our triumphs, and most of all the pride of being Israelis.”

The mass aliya was arranged by Nefesh B’Nefesh. Charley Levine from the organisation told TJ: “There are thousands of people who have been sitting on the fence for a long time, wanting to move to Israel, but have been prevented from doing so because of certain factors, such as securing jobs after they have made aliyah, and finding schools for their children. Nefesh B’nefesh helped remove these obstacles for them, so that they can live their dream.”