Any other way to make aliyah?

Posted: Wed, Mar 03 2010, 7:58 pm Post subject: any other way to make aliyah?

Is there any other option to make aliyah without Nefesh b Nefesh?
We want to make aliyah asap but I think it will be shlepping with Nefesh b Nefesh since they ask for letters of reccomendation and all kinds of forms to be scanned or faxed (and we have no scanner or fax).

You can mail in the forms-- isn't the minor annoyance worth the free flight? (plus the help they give you with Israeli paperwork on the other side which is probably much more annoying?)

True, the free flight is a big perk, howver I just don't know if I will be able to get all the forms to them quickly, I felt like I was getting somewhere with filling out the online application and then the last page I am on has a list of like 20 documents they need it just seems like it will take me a long time to get them all in and we were hoping to make aliyah right after Pesach...

I think the deadline for Spring NBN flights passed anyway. Why don't you call the Jewish agency and ask them what you need to do? You'll just make Aliyah the old fashioned way Wink

Gold Member Joined: Sep 13 2008 Age: 39 Posts: 2031

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 3589

While you have to do the paperwork and get the approval through NBN, I believe you can then use the free tickets on any El Al flight.

OP here.

Thank you all for your responses.
I never thought of photographing and uploading the picture! I will try it and see. Thanks for the idea.

I just don't know what the "right" answers are for the online application...I had to fill out our debts and then explain our plan to pay them...and then it asks how much assistance we want...well I have no idea, since I don't even know what we can ask for or what we should ask for...I would rather have an in person interview...but then they are all booked for the conference on next tuesday where I live, and other than that they don't have an office here anymore...so I don't know how that works...

NBN has nothing to do with the free flight. That's done by the Jewish Agency. NBN group flight wasn't an option for us because it got cancelled practically at the last minute. We paid something like $60 (Canadian) for each adult and told them when we want to fly and they handled the tickets.
What NBN does do is provide grants to people who meet their qualifications and offer advice and counselling sessions and tell you what needs to be done and are just generally available to answer questions which is more useful once you're actually here.
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Posted: Thu, Mar 04 2010, 3:21 am Post subject:

JOOC, what's the rush?
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Posted: Thu, Mar 04 2010, 3:34 am Post subject:

Yup, the cheap flights are a JA/Ministry of Absorption thing. You pay a processing fee/ticket and book directly with ElAl. MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM IT'S AN ALIYAH TICKET!!!!! (You might have to go into the ElAl office in person.)
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Platinum Member Joined: Aug 12 2007 Posts: 20496

Once upon a time you just went to the sochnut, got processed and made Aliya. Another way is to come to Israel and make "internal aliya" once you are here already.

The forms that NBN requires are what the Jewish Agency or what you would need when you showed up at the misrad Hapanim anyway. I'm not sure it will save you any time not to go through them.

NBNs financial forms are only if you are applying for a grant.

Other than the grant, there is nothing you need them for -- all other benefits are given through the Jewish agency.

late in my aliya process I found that the JA is really all that mattered, that there is very bad communication between the nbn and them, even though NBN has the role of passing your info onto JA--really NBN has no authority at all. They are very nice people and have good educational info, but it would probably be dooable without them., maybe faster.

Why not call the jewish agency Global office and ask -- it can't hurt

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Senior Member Joined: Mar 05 2009 Posts: 215

I made aliyah without Nefesh B Nefesh.

Basically I contacted the Jewish Agency and Filled out some Paperwork they sent me. Then I bought a ticket and was reimbursed after I got to Israel. When I got to Israel I had to go to a lot of government offices to get my teudat zehut and teudat oleh and things like that so that was kinda annoying but all in all it was pretty easy.

Also, I sent a letter to Nefesh b Nefesh after I was in Israel telling them I had to make Aliyah quickly in order to start a program in Israel and did not have time for the whole process beforehand and they gave me $1,000.

OP here.

THanks for your replies.
So can we just show up in EY? They ask the purpose of our visit and we just answer aaliyah and they let us enter and do paperwork? OR will they just send us back and say nope, sorry go with NBN only.?