Of the 4,478 new immigrants who arrived in Israel from North America in 2021, 762 — just over 17% of the total — were 55 or older, a 23% rise from the 580 who came in 2020.
The Jerusalem Post reports: “Israel is becoming a more attractive place, specifically for people at the age of retirement,” said Marc Rosenberg, vice president of Diaspora partnerships at Nefesh B’Nefesh. “With increasing technology, cellphones and internet use, Israel is much more international now, especially with apps that allow people to get around, navigate and do their banking online.”
The pandemic, Rosenberg said, has prompted people of all ages to recalibrate what’s important to them.
“The pandemic really shifted how many people connect and stay close to family without being in close physical proximity,” said Rosenberg, whose organization works in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and the Jewish National Fund-USA. “And they know the healthcare system in Israel is excellent. Israel handled the pandemic pretty well, and that’s been a significant factor.”
Read more at Jpost.
