Musician Ishay Ribo headlines Aliyah Day events in London this weekend

Hundreds of British Jewish considering moving to Israel are expected at Sunday’s free Aliyah Day fair in central London.

Led by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the World Zionist Organization, together with the Jewish Agency and many partner organisations, the event will bring together experts in Israeli taxation, employment, higher education, local authorities, and additional support services that assist new immigrants throughout the aliyah process.

For the first time, the Manchester Jewish community is joining Aliyah Day for an additional day on November 24th. Following the terror attack it endured on Yom Kippur, holding the event in the northern community is a message of strength, renewal, and a deep connection to Israel.

The day will end with a special concert by Ishay Ribo, an oleh from France who has become one of the most beloved artists in Israeli music. His shows in London and Manchester are sold out and expected to be major cultural moments for British Jewry.

This event reflects a year of significant activity to strengthen the connection between the Jewish diaspora and Israel, and to encourage aliyah, with plans to continue expanding this work in the coming year.

Israel’s minister of aliyah and integration, Ofir Sofer, tells Jewish News: “We see a real opportunity to increase the number of Olim from the UK, and I am pleased with the strong response to the Aliyah fairs we have held over the past two years.

“The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration is undergoing a significant transformation in its absorption programs, adapting them to the needs of olim from Western countries. Tax benefits, rent assistance, Hebrew studies, personal guidance and dedicated academic programs are all meaningful and major benefits.”

He notes that “we are seeing that those who choose to return to Israel do so out of Zionism, partnership, and solidarity, Anyone fleeing antisemitism could choose to immigrate elsewhere. The UK government must act decisively against the wave of antisemitism sweeping the country.”

Matan Bar Noy, WZO executive representative in the UK & EU, said: “It is deeply moving to see the Jewish people standing strong in such a challenging time. From Manchester to London to Jerusalem, we are Am Echad Belev Echad ((עם אחד בלב אחד: One people, one heart. The thousands preparing to make aliyah and help build our homeland are the most powerful answer we can give. I thank the Minister of Aliyah and Integration and his team for their partnership throughout the year, and we will continue to strengthen our efforts in the year ahead.”

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