Making Aliyah, What you should know....

Aliyah is the process of immigration to Israel based on the Israeli Law of Return, for each person the journey and reasons for doing so are different, What ever leads you to your decision, here’s what you need to know: 
When approaching the subject of “Aliyah”(immigrating to Israel) most applicants usually enter a state of confusion.Why?

The process has changed constantly over the years and incorporates several organizations and government offices. This, together with considering what your family or friends may or may have not told you regarding their Aliyah process, which has probably changed drastically since then, is a recipe for disaster!

So how dose it all work today?

In order to make Aliyah your objective is to receive an Aliyah Visa.

An Aliyah Visa is a Visa, which is issued by an Israeli consulate after approval of each Aliyah candidate based on the “Law of Return.”

The “Law of Return”(which has many amendments) states that any person who can prove Jewish roots such as a Jewish parent or grandparent or that they themselves are Jewish and did not personally change their religion, can be eligible for Aliyah . However this is only the first Criteria and applicants can be denied Aliyah for reasons such as, criminal background, certain infectious illnesses, crimes against the state of Israel, or belonging to a terrorist organization, so if you’re sitting in jail for any of those or on the FBI’s most wanted list, theirs a “slight” chance you will be denied.

In addition, in order to receive a Visa based on the “Law of Return” it is not enough to state that you are Jewish or of Jewish heritage. You need to prove your Jewish roots. Acceptable proofs range from a letter by a recognized rabbi, stating that the applicant was born to a Jewish parent/grandparent to more complex options. these requests are derived from the Law Of Return, and the Ministry Of Interior. and unfortunately as nice as they are they tend not to take peoples “word for it”   therefore even if you have lived as a Jew for your whole life and go to a Synagogue and your father is a Rabbi …you will still be required to provide proof.

So now that you know if you are eligible, how can you start your Aliyah process?

Generally, a person who wishes to make Aliyah can contact The Jewish Agency in their country of origin in order to begin a process.

The process will include two major steps, the paperwork and documentation step, and an Aliyah interview.

The paperwork requested ranges from papers you simply need to fill out and sign such as a Health Declaration, to requirements such as “Proof Of Living Abroad” which to some may seem a strange request as the wording is confusing.

“Proof of living abroad” is, in fact proof to the Israeli government that you have not been living in Israel. The wording “abroad” refers to your home country and not Israel. This proof is asked for, as certain stays in Israel or long visits may influence your potential benefits. Most people when asked to provide this information have the same question.

Doesn’t the government know when I entered or left Israel?

The simple answer is, no!

Some government offices do hold that information but that does not mean they share it, in fact every government office requests its own paperwork and proofs.

You will also be requested to provide original documents such as your birth certificate, passport, and any documentation, which has to do with your marital status. If you were divorced or widowed, you may be asked to provide notarized documentation and court orders.

While you may not always understand the relevance or why it is required, each and every document serves a certain purpose. (Which is not “driving you mad”)

You may look at a questions and say: why are they asking me for my spouse’s information I am not married?

It is easy to forget sometimes that the forms are not individual, if you were never married than you do not have to fill it out. You will not be denied Aliyah since you do not have a spouse, and will not be asked asked to get one.

The Interview:

The interview is a one on one meeting with an Aliyah representative. It usually takes about an hour but can take longer depending on the subjects, which need to be covered.

During the interview, each applicant must provide all his original documents for viewing. You will be asked general questions about your current life, background, and plans. The primary objective of this interview is to see how to best assist you, give you a realistic perspective of Israel and present your integration prospects. It should be taken lightly the intention is not to rule out prospective applicants but to ensure every applicant is properly prepared for challenges ahead, and their will be  many challenges.

The Jewish Agency:

Since approval for Aliyah is generally given by the Israeli ministry of Interior. Making Aliyah would constitute arriving physically in Israel to complete the process. This would mean arriving in Israel without the certainty of your file being approved, not knowing how long the process would take, and if you have all the documentation you need with you. It would also mean arriving in Israel without Health insurance or legally being able to work. Without proper financial means, this would create a huge financial burden, making the prospect of Aliyah impossible.

The Jewish Agency's assists applicants from all over the word to make Aliyah from abroad, without prior arrival to Israel utilizing a network which combine’s offices in Israel with offices around the world which all work together to guaranty that each applicant has a file complete with all the applicants necessary documents,forms,requirements.

The Agency provides the Ministry of Interior with the completed files for approval as well coordinating with the Ministry of Absorption regarding each applicant’s individual benefits. In essence, the Jewish agency acts as a mediator between the Aliyah applicants and the Governmental offices. Once in Israel, the organization helps by offering different absorption options and assistance.

Nefesh B Nefesh:

A Nonprofit organization established in 2001 in order to assist North American and British Jews with make Aliyah.

What Nefesh does? As part of their assistance, they provide financial aid, Aliyah information, conduct special events, and organize absorption programs and group flights with on board assistance. Much of an Oleh's paperwork needed during the first days in Israel is handled on the flight. Nefesh also plays a major part in the application process from North America.

The Jewish Agency, Nefesh B Nefesh and Aliyah from North America:

During the past two years, both organizations started working together with regards to Aliyah from North America. Each organization took on certain responsibilities to ensure a smoother Aliyah process. Today, if someone wishes to make Aliyah from North America. They start the process with an online application on The Nefesh B Nefesh website. Nefesh then open an Aliyah file for them. They then are asked to contact their local Jewish Agency office in order schedule an Aliyah interview, usually held by a Jewish Agency representative.

While the documentation is gathered by Nefesh it ultimately is viewed by the Jewish Agency eligibility department which than sends it to the Ministry of Interior for final approval. In order to ensure that both organizations are in harmony with one another, both work on the same computerized system. The only drawback is that the person making Aliyah needs to know who to contact for what and when and may be confused at first.

Therefore, if you are thinking about Aliyah the main things to keep in mind are:

Aliyah is a process, and may take time. Understand that immigrating to other countries sometimes takes years, and Aliyah in most cases is a matter of months. There might be some bumps along the way, but there are many organizations there to help you. You simply need to know who to turn to and what to ask. Take your time to prepare, start the process in advance without pressure, and make sure you have a good plan.

 please feel free to comment and ask questions 

Good luck