Nefesh B'Nefesh

“My dream was always to make Aliyah, but the real dream has always been to be on the NBN social media pages 😎 My name is Maya Stiefel. I made Aliyah from Teaneck, NJ and now I live in Yerushalayim! Since I was 9 years old my dream has been to make Aliyah. My heart has always yearned to live here and I can’t wait to see where the journey leads me next. After the Chaggim, I’ll be starting a Master’s degree in Neuroscience at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I’m looking forward to contributing to the academic pursuits of Israel. Even during such challenging times in Israel, I have never felt more connected to the people, the land and my love for Israel has only grown. I have never wanted to be here more than I do now” - Maya Stiefel #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #WelcomeHome

Meet some of the New Olim who completed the process within Israel today at the Population and Immigration Authority in Tel Aviv alongside others who have landed at home over the last week 🎉🇮🇱 Welcome home to all and Mazal Tov on becoming #OfficiallyIsraeli 💙🤍 #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #NBN #WelcomeHome #OfficiallyIsraeli

"Israel is home. The air, the vibe, the Meshugana people—all of these elements come together to create the environment where the truest version of myself fully belongs. I made Aliyah from Los Angeles, where everyone is 'nice,' but somehow nice doesn’t compare to the authenticity and liveliness here. I’ll take the spicy flavors of this country over LA any day. Now, I live in Old Jaffa near Tel Aviv, a place that pulses with history and life. I’m a licensed therapist and a perpetual student of wisdom traditions, blending traditional western therapy with ancient spiritual psychologies for personal transformation and communal growth. While I have a waitlist for private clients, I’m most passionate about facilitating Conscious Community events for English speakers in the Tel Aviv area. Each month is different, but lately, it’s often Kabbalah-related. Everything popular in pop psychology today, like manifestation and the law of attraction, has roots in Kabbalah. By studying these principles with the nuance and depth of their source, we can create real miracles in our lives and find meaning in the chaos around us. If you’re interested, join this Thursday’s Kabbalah workshop by DMing The Wild and Authentic Path Coaching and Community! Conscious Community is for seekers and skeptics alike, for deep souls who feel the heaviness in the collective and want to elevate both themselves and their communities. This isn’t about distraction; it’s about learning from the wisdom of our ancestors how to transmute and transcend darkness. It’s about generating light that overpowers the darkness and creating real, soul-level transformations that ripple into the lives of those around us. One thing I’ve learned from my Aliyah experience is that if you’re waiting in line and the person behind you is suddenly ahead of you, speak up, or you’ll be stuck at the back forever. And also, Sabich Frishman is better than all other Sabichs." - Liat Alon NBN TLV #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #TLV #ConsciousCommunity #Yaffo

“I made Aliyah from South Florida and now live in Tel Aviv. Since my first visit to Israel in high school, I’ve been in love with its culture and people. I felt a deep sense of belonging and a strong connection to the current chapter of Jewish history. I wanted to be part of the project that is Israel and build my life here. I’ve also started a podcast and Substack called Sababoosh that focuses on Israeli culture. We’ve done episodes on comedy, food, and literature, creating a space to connect with Israel beyond the headlines. While the current events and the war are important, I believe Israeli culture is a powerful way to foster love and connection with this country. Some of our recent guests have included Dan Ariely, Adeena Sussman, and Etgar Keret. Living in Israel has infused my life with a stronger sense of meaning. I feel deeply connected to Israelis in a way I never experienced, even in Jewish day school or summer camp. Since October 7th, there has been a sense of brokenness, but I’ve been moved by our resilience. We’ve shown that we can weather even the greatest tragedies, and out of this darkness, light will emerge. One thing I’ve learned from my Aliyah experience is the sense of peoplehood that comes from living amongst Jews from around the world. I’ve always been active in Hillel and other Jewish programs, but here, living with so many different customs and traditions has taught me how connected we really are as one Jewish people. This understanding has become a passion of mine.” - Jake Gillis #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #Sababoosh #TLV

Last Friday, I had the privilege of being a part of the team that brought 60+ Jewish content creators (over 2M followers combined) for a Meet Up at the Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Campus in Jerusalem 🇮🇱 For me personally, it was fun (and a bit stressful, but the fun kind of stress 😅) being both on the side of a content creator representing Jewish Original Media and a host / content creator representing Nefesh B'Nefesh - a beautiful culmination of 4+ years of hard work in the Jewish content space all in one room. Most importantly, with the ongoing war almost at its 1 year mark, it was refreshing and exciting to be in the same room as so many others that have been working tirelessly online (and on the ground) to support Israel and the Jewish people 💪🏽 Shoutout to our incredible Nefesh B'Nefesh Marketing Team (Shara 🇮🇱 Shetrit, Shira Kahn (Gottlieb), Devon Conway) and Maayan + Ashriel (The Jewish Nomads) for coming together to make this a reality. Thank you all for coming! See you at the next one 💙🤍 (Recognize someone? Zoom in on the group pic or better yet: check out the NBN Instagram to see who was there!) #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #CreatorsMeetup

Why should you make Aliyah? 🤔🛬🇮🇱 Some of the top Jewish content creators in Israel share their reasons at our recent Creator’s Meetup at the NBN Aliyah Campus in Jerusalem hosted alongside The Jewish Nomads 🙌🏽 Thank you all for coming! See you at the next one 💙🤍 #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #CreatorsMeetup

Louis Kemp, a longtime friend and confidant of Bob Dylan, recently made Aliyah. Mazal tov! Welcome home 😁 🇮🇱 "Bob and I have been close since we were kids in Minnesota, where we bonded at summer camp. Our friendship remained strong over the years, with Bob even serving as the best man at my wedding. I had the privilege of producing his Rolling Thunder Revue tour in 1975, and in 2019, I published 'Dylan and Me', a memoir about our unique friendship. Now, at 82, I’ve decided it’s time to fulfill my lifelong dream of making Aliyah. Despite the ongoing war, I felt the best way to stand by Israel and show solidarity was to be here with my people. When I told my friends about my decision, many were shocked and asked, 'Why move to Israel during a war?' My answer was simple: Israel is my home, and my people are under attack. I’ve always had a strong Jewish identity, and even before I became religious, I proudly wore my Star of David necklace and felt connected to Israel. My children were supportive of my choice. I’ve taken them to Israel since they were young, and they’ve grown to love the country as much as I do. I believe the rest of my family will join me here eventually. I’ve always been deeply involved in the Jewish community in Los Angeles, helping to found Chabad of Pacific Palisades and creating the Discovery Program at Aish HaTorah, a seminar in Jewish history which has reached over half a million participants. Now, with the ongoing war, I’m working to establish an 'oasis' in the U.S. for those affected, offering healing and recovery programs in Orlando. I also plan to write a book about my Aliyah and life in Israel. In the 80's, I talked to Bob about buying a house in the Galilee, so he knows how much Israel means to me. He’s always had warm feelings towards Israel, and I’m sure he wasn’t surprised by my decision. For me, moving to Israel now feels like reuniting with family. I bought a one-way ticket because this is where I belong." - Louis Kemp Text adapted from originally published piece at ynet by Itamar Eichner. #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #WelcomeHome

Over 450 New Olim from 2024 came to the Nefesh B'Nefesh Aliyah Campus in Jerusalem last night for a Welcome Home Party and Moshav Band concert! Present to welcome them home were both Minister of Aliyah and Integration, אופיר סופר - Ofir Sofer and Minister of Interior, Moshe Arbel. 100 Olim received their Teudot Zehut while also enjoying falafel, a variety of activities like face paint, inflatables, and arts and crafts. NBN Advisors and Post-Aliyah staff were present to provide information and post-Aliyah guidance services as well employment assistance on professional opportunities in Israel. Ministry of Aliyah and Integration משרד העלייה והקליטה staff was on hand to provide information on benefits for New Olim, senior citizens’ rights, and in addition a representative of the Ministry of Education Israel was there to help parents navigate Israel’s educational system. Welcome home to all! We are continually here for you 🇮🇱 #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #WelcomeHome

How long have YOU been waiting for them to make Aliyah?! We asked family and friends greeting their loved ones last week this question and this is what they had to say 👇 #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #Aliyah #ComingHome

Meet Mia Hahn, the new co-director of our Here Next Year program for this coming year! "A bit about me: After growing up in Teaneck, NJ, I took a gap year in Israel at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY). Even before coming to Israel, I had a strong sense I was going to stay here for good. When I finally came here, that sense was only strengthened. After MMY, I completed a year of Sherut Leumi in Jerusalem at a therapy Gan for kids with autism called Alutaf. There, I was trained in both ABA and DIR therapies. Living here was definitely an adjustment! I was immersed in a whole different life, culture, and language. This was also essentially the first time really living on my own. Still, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I had the most incredible experience, met amazing people, and really got to see Israel for the wonderful land that it truly is. Last year, I began studying at Reichman University in Herzliya, where I am continuing my studies this year. I have been attending Here Next Year events since I arrived in Israel and had the privilege of being on the board as the Sherut Leumi representative last year. I am really looking forward to rejoining this important organization and assisting the next generation in finding their place in Israel. So excited to keep moving forward and to see what this world brings!✨💖" - Mia Hahn from our Here Next Year program. Here Next Year helps yeshiva & seminary students with their decision to stay in Israel by making the process accessible, attainable and fun! #LiveLoveIsrael #Israel #HereNextYear #Aliyah