ALIYAH EXPO
Last month, Telfed’s COO Nava Lapid and CEO Dorron Kline represented Telfed at the 2017 Aliyah Expo in Cape Town and Johannesburg, under the auspices of the Israel Centre. Delegates from a number of Israeli organisations came together to provide information for South Africans considering immigrating to Israel. In attendance were Israeli higher education bodies, municipalities, professional institutions (Aardvark and the Israel Student Authority) and a number of other Aliyah interest bodies (JAFI employment, tax and property advisors).
This year, over 150 Aliyah enquiries were fielded by the Telfed staff at the Expos. The number of olim from South Africa to Israel has consistently risen over the last few years, with a 48% increase noted in the last three years alone. 2017 is expected to be another consecutive record-breaking year.
On the subject of SASI: Dorron reported that “the hot topic this year was clearly focused on academic options in Israel, and how Telfed is able to assist SA scholars to study in Israel in English, without necessarily making Aliyah”. Dorron continued: “this was no more evident than at the Tertiary Education Fair at Sandton shul in Johannesburg, where Telfed’s table was thronged by crowds of youngsters and their parents interested to hear more about the Samson-led SASI programme, providing needs-based assistance for South African Students in Israel”. This follows a revolutionary idea conceptualised by Telfed that would enable international students to study Medicine in English in Israel at top-class Universities.
CELEBRATING YOM YERUSHALAYIM
In addition to the Aliyah Expo, Telfed’s CEO Dorron was invited to be the guest speaker on the eve of Yom Yerushalayim, where 150 members of the Cape Town Jewish community joined Jews around the globe in celebrating fifty years of Jerusalem as the united capital of the State of Israel. Following a special celebratory Ma’ariv Service in the Sephardi Shul, an Israeli style sit-down dinner was held in the Weizmann Hall, combined with entertainment by Jonny Sklaar and his band. This created the perfect atmosphere for opening speeches by Rowan Polovin and Israeli Ambassador Arthur Lenk. Dorron gave a detailed audio-visual presentation on the causes that led to the Six Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem.
STRENGTHENING BONDS
The Telfed Team utilised the opportunity to meet with Capetonian partners and friends, including Howard and Alison Katzeff (Berk), Jonathan Osrin, Dianna and Peter Yach, Myra Osrin, Julie Berman, Rowan Polovin and the Herzlia School Mancom, amongst others.
Telfed remains committed to serving the community and ensuring that all Southern Africans that choose to make Aliyah have a strong and comprehensive support network in Israel.
Enquiries: info@telfed.org.il
Toll-free from SA: 0800 997 495
