Special to the Ledger

Micah Hanocka of Norwalk just prior to boarding a Nefesh B’Nefesh plane at JFK airport. Photo credit: Shahar Azran.

Three young people from Connecticut were among 331 North Americans who made aliyah earlier this month on what is being called the “Soldiers Flight” organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh, a non-profit group that helps ease the obstacles inherent in making the move to Israel. Like 125 other young Jews on board the flight, the Connecticut olim – new immigrants – the three Connecticut olim were set to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) upon their arrival. The flight also included 41 families (including 88 children) and 92 olim moving to Israel’s periphery as part of the Nefesh B’Nefesh and Keren Kayemeth L’Israel Go North and Go South programs.

The Connecticut olim were: Micah Hanocka, 17, of Norwalk; Adina Israel, 19, of Stamford; and Ilana Zur, 21, of Stamford.

The 125 young North American olim headed for the IDF, moments after arriving in Israel.

“I’m so excited to make Aliyah. To go back to my homeland and be with the Jewish people,” said Hanocka, who hopes to serve in the Golani- Northern Brigade.

Founded in 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh has helped more than 35,000 new immigrants settle in the Jewish state in its 11-year history.

“It is remarkable that after 50 charter Aliyah flights, the excitement and emotion we experience on board the plane is as inspiring and heartwarming as the very first flight,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, the organization’s co-founder and executive director. “It is especially moving to see so many idealistic and brave young men and women on this special flight, volunteering to join the IDF and help protect this country.”

The special Nefesh B’Nefesh flight was organized in cooperation with the Friends of the IDF (FIDF), Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel and Tzofim Garin Tzabar.