More Than Aliyah: How Nefesh B’Nefesh Is Redefining What It Means to Come Home

For many North American Jews, Aliyah is an expression of values—a deliberate step toward building a purposeful life in their Jewish homeland. It’s about raising children in a society shaped by Jewish culture and identity, contributing to the future of the State of Israel, and becoming part of something larger than oneself.

Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN) began 24 years ago when Tony Gelbart and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass set out to help North American Jews overcome the bureaucratic and emotional hurdles of immigration and support their transition to a new life in Israel. Since, then, the organization in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA, has helped more than 90,000 olim not only make Aliyah, but build meaningful lives as contributing members of Israeli society and finding solutions for many of the nation’s pressing needs.  The remarkable 90% retention rate is proof of how NBN has helped so many Olim integrate and thrive while building up the country.

Today, NBN’s work spans far beyond flight logistics, paperwork, and navigating bureaucracy. It’s become a strategic player in Israel’s national development, an advocate for Lone Soldiers, and an educational force that engages Jews around the world with the evolving story of Zionism.

“We’re not just helping people get here,” says Marc Rosenberg, Vice President of Diaspora Partnerships. “We’re helping them succeed. It’s about coming with honest expectations and discovering how meaningful life in Israel can be.”

Supporting Aliyah from Every Angle

Over the decades, NBN’s mission has evolved in response to the changing needs of Israeli society and its growing community of Olim. The organization’s activities have naturally expanded into four transformational pillars: the core mission of Aliyah and integration, support for Lone Soldiers and national service volunteers, initiatives that promote workforce development and regional growth, and educational programs that deepen global Jewish connection to Zionism. Together, these pillars address vital national priorities while reinforcing the long-term success of those who choose to call Israel home.

The changes emerged organically, as needs surfaced. When increasing numbers of Olim began serving in uniform, NBN launched its National Service initiative. What began as ad hoc support evolved into a robust system in collaboration with existing mechanisms, offering emotional support and practical guidance for Lone Soldiers and Lone Bnot Sherut from around the world. Recently, NBN unveiled the Bnot Sherut Residence, a state-of-the-art housing complex in Jerusalem that is set to open in August. This pioneering residence offers beautifully furnished apartments, onsite staff, a gym, lounge, and amenities—ensuring a true home away from home for over 100 serving volunteer women.

The National Development pillar reflects NBN’s growing role as a life-changing catalyst for professional integration and national workforce enrichment. Its signature initiative, MedEx, was launched in direct response to Israel’s pressing shortage of physicians, helping North American doctors fast-track their Israeli licensure through intensive lobbying of the Health Ministry and strategic coordination with key decision-makers. What began as a targeted effort has since evolved into the International Medical Aliyah Program (IMAP), in partnership with Israel’s Ministries of Aliyah and Integration; Health; Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience, as well as The Jewish Agency for Israel, and bolstered by key partners including the Marcus Foundation, the Gottesman Fund, Jewish Federations of North America, the Azrieli Foundation and Arison Foundation, now serving medical professionals from around the world and channeling their expertise into Israel’s healthcare system—where it’s needed most.

NBN’s National Development pillar also includes programs that encourage Olim to settle in Israel’s peripheral regions—the Negev and Galilee—by offering extra support, professional integration, and community resources. These efforts help bolster Israel’s geographic growth while offering Olim meaningful places to live and thrive.

The newest pillar is the Zionist Education Initiative (ZEI). This program hosts thousands of gap-year students, school groups, and visiting missions at NBN’s centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Through storytelling, seminars, and field experiences, ZEI fosters personal connection, Jewish identity, and awareness of Olim’s ongoing contributions.

“It’s not about urging people to make Aliyah,” says Rosenberg. “We’re telling the story of Israel through the people who choose to live it. That understanding deepens everyone’s connection—whether they decide to make Aliyah or not.”

From Vision to Action

A seasoned physician from Pennsylvania, Dr. Tiffany Schatz attended MedEx conferences in New Jersey in 2023 and 2024, intrigued by the opportunity to practice medicine in Israel. Her family had already begun considering Aliyah—but the trauma of October 7 transformed that consideration into a call to action. Within weeks, she and her husband, Yaakov, accelerated their plans and turned to NBN to help make the move a reality.

“After October 7, we felt we had to stand with Israel and contribute our skills,” Tiffany said. “That shift—from personal ambition to national service—made the decision clear.”

The sacrifices were steep. Tiffany left behind a thriving private clinic. Yaakov, a tech entrepreneur, walked away from a startup that was just weeks from launching. Their choice of Be’ersheva was guided by Tiffany’s previous ties to Soroka Medical Center, and a sense that this was where they could make the greatest impact.

Tiffany’s message to others is direct and heartfelt: “There are so many Jews who dream of Aliyah, but fear and the unknown hold them back. If that’s really what they want, nothing should stop them—not timing, not jobs, not kids. Sometimes you just have to take the leap to make the dream come true. We jumped—and thank God—we landed exactly where we were meant to.”

“It’s easier than ever to make Aliyah,” Rosenberg adds, “but that doesn’t take away from the challenge of uprooting and leaving everything behind. That’s why we’re constantly advocating, streamlining, and problem-solving. Every Oleh has a story—and it’s a privilege for me to be a part of it.”