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.

According to Telfed, a recurring message from the events was that many Australians were unaware of the free support available to them, including pre-aliyah planning, employment guidance, scholarships, housing assistance, social work support and community connections. In response to requests, the organisation has also developed online workshops on practical preparation for life in Israel and the mindset for successful integration.

Telfed pre-aliyah adviser Ramona Freedman, who made aliyah two years ago, was the first Australian to join the organisation’s staff. She is in ongoing contact with Australians across the country at varying stages of planning, with some in the early stages, some selling their properties and others factoring in wider family timelines.

The organisation’s social workers provide support relating to mental health, special needs, disabilities and elderly care, and a Telfed representative typically meets new arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport.

Telfed chairman Maish Isaacson said the organisation provided “essential support on a daily basis to those interested in aliyah and those who have already landed”.

To learn more visit telfed.org.il