Australian interest in aliyah is growing

A total of 110 Australians have made aliyah so far this year, according to Israel-based absorption organisation Telfed, which says it has increased its focus on the needs of Australian olim over the past 12 months.

Earlier this year, Telfed hosted a hackathon with Australian olim to gather feedback on what they needed, what they wished they had known before aliyah, and what would have made their first months and years in Israel easier. The organisation said the feedback had already shaped its programs and services.

“As interest in aliyah from Australia has grown, we recognised that we needed to do more than simply tell people about the services available to them. We needed to listen,” Telfed CEO Dorron Kline said.

“We asked Australian olim directly what they needed and what could have made their integration easier. Their feedback has already shaped changes to our programs and services. Our goal is to ensure Australians know that this professional support is available to them, free of charge, both before and after aliyah.”

Earlier this year, Telfed held Aliyah Week, with in-person events in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.