Itongadol.- A new online contest is getting American Jews interested in aliyah (immigration) to Israel through voting for the lucky olim (immigrants) who will win prizes including wedding gifts and jobs at Israel’s top companies.
The Nefesh B’Nefesh group, which assists immigrants from English speaking countries, has launched two contests: the Best Job Contest and the Wedding Gift Challenge.
Dozens of contestants have entered each contest, and nearly 15,000 people have cast a vote for the Wedding Gift Challenge alone.
At the contest website voters can see each entrant’s picture, background and professional credentials, and the story of their personal connection to Israel.
Contestant Melody Mastow told Nefesh B’Nefesh, “I don’t even think I’ve been in a contest before…. [but] when I saw the contest on Facebook I knew this is a campaign I can really get behind.” Melody and her fiancé Avi are planning to move to Israel 16 days after their August wedding.
Another entrant, 23-year-old Brandon Cohen, said he became interested in aliyah after visiting his older brother Ian at medical school in Tel Aviv. Brandon is hoping to win one of the positions in the Best Job Contest. “Getting a full-time job in Israel would definitely speed up the process,” he said.
Brandon noted that his own interest in aliyah has increased awareness among his friends and relatives. “Since I began sharing what I’ve learned from Nefesh B’Nefesh, my friends and family have all been positive about it. It’s actually started some of them thinking about aliyah as well,” he said.