Olim move amid war

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A bride with her wedding dress, 100 children, 29 families and 54 singles celebrated their aliyah from North America this week amid the rumblings and stress of the current security situation in Israel.

The 228 new olim were greeted as they deplaned from their Nefesh B’Nefesh flight (pictured), by Jewish Agency chair and former refusenik Natan Sharansky and others.

The bride, Ilana Barta from Teaneck, is scheduled to marry her fiance, a paratrooper on active duty in Gaza, on Aug. 17.

The group received a special booklet at JFK airport on security measures in Israel.

“Today’s aliyah flight demonstrates the great resilience of the Jewish people and its determination to build the State of Israel,” said Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass. “These olim, who are choosing to move to Israel in these difficult times, are instilling hope, optimism and strength throughout Israel and the Jewish nation.

“The outpouring number of requests we received to join the flight out of solidarity for the citizens of Israel is inspiring.”