Introduction
For Jews in North America, two organizations dominate the Aliyah landscape: Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN) and the Jewish Agency. They work together — NBN handles North American applicants in partnership with the Jewish Agency — but they offer different services, resources, and post-Aliyah support.
Understanding which organization to engage with (and when) can streamline your process, maximize your benefits, and ensure you have support throughout your journey. This guide compares their roles, services, and how to leverage both effectively.
The Organizational Landscape
Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN): Founded in 2002, NBN is a private organization that partners with the Israeli government and Jewish Agency to facilitate Aliyah from North America and the UK. It's not a government agency — it's an NGO with government partnerships.
The Jewish Agency: The historic, quasi-governmental organization responsible for Aliyah worldwide since 1929. For most countries, the Jewish Agency is the sole Aliyah facilitator. In North America, they partner with NBN.
The Partnership: NBN handles pre-Aliyah counseling, document review, and post-Aliyah support for North American/UK Olim. The Jewish Agency conducts the formal eligibility interview and issues official approval. You interact with both, but NBN is your primary point of contact.
Pre-Aliyah Services Comparison
Application Processing:
Table
ServiceNBNJewish AgencyOnline application portal✅ Yes✅ YesDocument review✅ Extensive✅ StandardPre-Aliyah counseling✅ Dedicated advisor✅ AvailableApostille guidance✅ Detailed✅ GeneralName issue resolution✅ Hands-on✅ StandardTimeline management✅ Proactive✅ Reactive
NBN Advantage: NBN's pre-Aliyah support is more intensive and personalized. They assign advisors who track your application, remind you of deadlines, and troubleshoot problems.
Jewish Agency Role: The Jewish Agency conducts the formal eligibility review and issues the official approval letter. Without their approval, you cannot make Aliyah.
The Interview Process
Jewish Agency Interview:
The Jewish Agency employs Shlichim (emissaries) who conduct formal Aliyah interviews. In North America and the UK, these are often NBN staff acting under Jewish Agency authority.
What Happens:
Document verification (bring originals)
Discussion of Jewish identity and Aliyah motivation
Explanation of benefits and next steps
Opportunity to ask questions
NBN Added Value: NBN prepares you for the interview, ensures your documents are complete, and often schedules the interview at their offices rather than requiring you to travel to Jewish Agency locations.
Flight Benefits
NBN Flight Program:
For eligible Olim from North America, NBN coordinates free one-way Aliyah flights. Options include:
Charter Flights:
Entire aircraft filled with Olim
Ceremonies at departure and arrival
NBN staff accompany the flight
Strongest community-building experience
Group Flights:
NBN staff accompany 5–40 Olim on commercial flights
More scheduling flexibility than charters
Still includes airport ceremonies
Individual Flights:
For those with special circumstances (medical needs, specific dates)
NBN books commercial tickets
Less ceremonial but more flexible
Baggage Allowance: Two checked bags at 50 lbs each, plus carry-on.
Jewish Agency Flight Role: Outside North America/UK, the Jewish Agency directly coordinates flights. Within the NBN partnership region, the Jewish Agency approves flight eligibility but NBN handles logistics.
Post-Aliyah Support
This is where the differences become most significant.
NBN Post-Aliyah Services:
Employment Support:
Job fairs specifically for Olim
Resume workshops adapted for Israeli market
Networking events with Anglo-friendly employers
LinkedIn optimization sessions
Industry-specific mentoring
Housing Assistance:
Rental guidance and neighborhood tours
Connections to Anglo-friendly landlords
Purchase tax benefit education
Real estate seminars
Social Integration:
Olim community events
Holiday celebrations
Volunteer opportunities
Alumni networks
Educational Resources:
Webinars on Israeli bureaucracy
Tax planning seminars
Hebrew learning resources
School choice guidance
Advocacy:
NBN actively lobbies the Knesset for Olim benefits
The 2026 tax exemptions and Bituach Leumi fix involved NBN advocacy
They represent Anglo Olim interests in policy discussions
Jewish Agency Post-Aliyah Services:
The Jewish Agency focuses more on:
Absorption center management
Ulpan coordination
General integration programs
Global Aliyah policy (not Anglo-specific)
For UK Olim: The Jewish Agency's post-Aliyah support is available but less intensive than NBN's. Most Anglo Olim rely primarily on NBN for ongoing support.
When to Engage Each Organization
Use NBN For:
Initial Aliyah application and document preparation
Pre-Aliyah counseling and timeline management
Flight coordination
Post-Aliyah employment support
Community building and social events
Advocacy and benefit questions
General "how do I..." questions during your first years
Use Jewish Agency For:
Formal eligibility interview
Official approval letter
Situations where NBN cannot assist (rare for standard Aliyah)
If you're making Aliyah from outside North America/UK (NBN doesn't serve these regions)
Use Both For:
Complex cases (conversion-based Aliyah, custody issues, medical needs)
Document authentication questions
Policy clarification
Regional Differences
United States: NBN has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities. The partnership with the Jewish Agency is seamless — most applicants never distinguish between the two.
Canada: Similar to the US, with NBN handling most logistics. Some French-speaking Canadians may interact more directly with Jewish Agency French services.
United Kingdom: The Jewish Agency operates a London office.
Other English-Speaking Countries: Australia, South Africa, and other English-speaking countries may have Jewish Agency direct service rather than NBN partnership. Check jewishagency.org for your specific country.
Special Programs & Partnerships
NBN Go North: Incentives for Olim settling in northern Israel (Galilee, Golan). Includes:
Housing subsidies
Employment grants
Community support
Available in partnership with the Ministry of Aliyah
NBN Go South: Similar program for southern Israel (Negev, Be'er Sheva). Focuses on:
Tech sector opportunities
Academic partnerships
Desert lifestyle
Student Authority Coordination: Both NBN and the Jewish Agency can connect you with the Student Authority for university benefits. NBN often provides more hands-on guidance through the process.
Lone Soldier Support: For young Olim enlisting in the IDF, NBN offers specific Lone Soldier programs including:
Pre-army preparation
Family matching programs
Holiday hosting
Post-army career support
Cost Considerations
NBN Services: Free for eligible Olim. NBN is funded by private donors and government partnerships. There is no cost to use their services.
Jewish Agency Services: Also free for eligible Olim. Funded by the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and Israeli government.
When You Might Pay:
Document apostilles (government fees)
Translation services
Private shipping (beyond NBN's basic assistance)
Optional NBN programs (some advanced seminars)
Making Your Choice
For Standard Aliyah (North America/UK): You don't really choose — you use both. NBN is your primary interface, and the Jewish Agency provides formal approval. The partnership works well.
For Complex Cases: If you have unusual circumstances (non-standard Jewish documentation, legal complications, medical needs), NBN's personalized support is invaluable. They have experience with edge cases.
For Non-NBN Regions: If you're making Aliyah from France, Argentina, Russia, or most other countries, the Jewish Agency is your sole facilitator. Contact your local Jewish Agency office.
For Those Already in Israel: If you're already in Israel on a tourist or student visa and want to complete Aliyah (Guided Aliyah), NBN can assist with the process even though you're already in the country.
Conclusion
Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Jewish Agency are partners, not competitors. For North American and UK Olim, NBN provides the hands-on, Anglo-specific support that makes the process manageable, while the Jewish Agency provides the formal authority that makes it legal.
Don't worry about choosing between them. Apply through NBN, attend your Jewish Agency interview, and leverage both organizations' resources. The real choice isn't which organization to use — it's whether to make Aliyah at all. And with the 2026 benefit window closing, that choice has a deadline.