No. 31: Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart: Turning aliyah into a force for strengthening Israel

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and businessman Tony Gelbart founded Nefesh B'Nefesh nearly 25 years ago with the goal of removing barriers to aliyah and empowering new immigrants to strengthen Israel. The organization has since facilitated the aliyah of over 100,000 Jews from North America, evolving from a grassroots initiative into a significant force in modern Zionism.

• Nefesh B'Nefesh operates under four strategic pillars: aliyah and integration, national service, national development, and Zionist education.
• Key initiatives include encouraging olim to settle in Israel's North and South, addressing healthcare shortages by assisting medical professionals, strengthening education with new English teachers, and supporting lone soldiers and National Service volunteers.
• The organization provides comprehensive support to olim, from initial considerations to long-term integration.

Fass and Gelbart's partnership remains central to the organization's impact, driven by their shared commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, and their belief that "aliyah is both a deeply personal journey and a national opportunity."