As Jerusalem marked Yom Yerushalayim, or Jerusalem Day, this week, the city welcomed a new immigrant from Washington D.C., Haddass Engel, who was personally greeted by the mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, and the co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass.
Engel landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport alongside 20 other new immigrants from North America in time to celebrate Jerusalem Day. Since its founding in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh, together with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and the Jewish National Fund-USA, has assisted more than 85,000 olim who have moved to Israel, among them some 25,000 who have immigrated to Jerusalem.
“I was pleased to meet with Haddass Engel, who made aliyah after being deeply affected by the events of Oct. 7 and by the sense of commitment she felt toward the people of Israel. Haddass decided to start a new chapter, to leave Washington, make aliyah to Israel and settle in Jerusalem. She will be joining her son, who also made Aliyah and settled in the capital,” said Lion, Jerusalem’s mayor. “I would like to thank my friend, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of the wonderful aliyah organization Nefesh B’Nefesh, for his dedicated work in bringing Jews from around the world to Israel, and for this wonderful gift ahead of our national holiday, Jerusalem Day.”
Jerusalem continues to be the leading destination for new arrivals to the country. Since Oct. 7, 2023, 1,725 new immigrants from North America have moved to Jerusalem, including 1,154 in 2024 and 967 in 2023. Since last Yom Yerushalayim, 1,074 North Americans have made aliyah to the capital. So far this year, 275 people have chosen Jerusalem as their new home.
“Haddass’s arrival in Jerusalem in time for Yom Yerushalayim beautifully reflects the spirit of this meaningful day—celebrating not only the reunification of our capital but also the ongoing return of the Jewish people to our historic and holy city,” said Fass. “Year after year, Jerusalem remains the top destination for North American olim, underscoring the deep connection so many feel to this city. It is profoundly moving to witness individuals like Haddass shaping the future of Jerusalem.”
Deeply impacted by the events of Oct. 7, Engel said she felt a need to join the Jewish people in Israel. A former U.S. government employee, she transitioned seamlessly into a new role at Israel’s Ministry of Health, reflecting her commitment to contributing to Israeli society from day one.
Media Contact: Miki Dubery at miki@acomstrategies.com.
