Russian immigration

Meet the seven-foot tall Russian Jew making history in Israel

Georgi Krimantsky has become a legend not only for his extraordinary height but also for his remarkable journey from Russia to Israel.

  Georgi Krimantsky, the tallest oleh to Israel.
 The last aliyah flight of 2021 will land in Israel on Friday.

Israel should 'deploy planes' for Russian Jews - former minister

Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group stand on a tank outside a local circus near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Israel warns citizens against Russia travel amid revolt as Netanyahu holds talks

 Smoke is seen rise from buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan. April 22, 2023.

Blinken: US concerned about Wagner in Sudan, looking how to help Americans


Aliyah from Russia still high: More than 5,000 immigrants in January

The number of immigrants from Russia isn't coming down - in fact, this January saw the second most immigrants in a month since the war broke out.

 New immigrants from USA and Canada arrive on a special " Aliyah Flight 2016" on behalf of Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, at Ben Gurion airport in central Israel on August 17, 2016,

Russia to restrict travel, require advance booking to cross border

The planned amendments come as the government continues to mobilize men of draft age for the war in Ukraine.

 Soldiers build razor wire fence on Poland's border with Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad near Bolcie, Poland November 3, 2022.

Less than 10% of Russian, Ukrainian olim find jobs in their fields - public lobby data

72% of immigrants have not yet started studying Hebrew in an intensive program, also called an ulpan, while 30% gave up ulpan studies because they could not afford it.

 SOVIET OLIM celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1990 great wave of aliyah, at the Jerusalem Convention Center, 2015.

Law of Return: Grandchildren of Jews have Jewish blood - opinion

Let's look at the glass half full: For those who are confident of their culture, their land and their peoplehood, there is simply no fear, no trepidation and no worry.

 REVELERS WATCH a fireworks display on Independence Day in Tel Aviv, last year. Immigrant grandchildren of Jews will come to value a restful Shabbat and the excitement of Independence Day and will undoubtedly teach it to their own children, says the writer.

Aliyah: Immigration to Israel from Russia up by 400% in 2022

According to Ofek Israeli’s numbers, 32,494 Russian citizens have made aliyah to Israel in 2022 according to Israel’s Law of Return.

el al plane

Ben-Gurion University launches prep year program in Russian for new Olim

The program will allow Russian speakers to continue their studies immediately and prepare for potential matriculation to the University.

A man kisses the ground as new olim arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport.

Religious parties to demand reforms to Law of Return as coalition bargaining chip

Their demand is to cancel the ‘grandson clause,’ which states that even a person who is the grandchild of a Jew can immigrate to Israel.

MK BEZALEL Smotrich addresses the Knesset plenum. The unusual state of Israeli politics has highlighted the attraction of its extremities, says the writer

We can’t abandon the Jews of Russia -opinion

Unless we wake up and do everything in our power to assist Russian Jews out of the trap, tens of thousands may find themselves once again behind the Iron Curtain.

 FINANCE MINISTER Avigdor Liberman attends a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, last Sunday. We would expect Liberman, who was elected on the votes of Russian-speaking immigrants, to allocate the necessary resources for an emergency rescue effort, says the writer

Russian Jews are trying to make their way over to Israel - editorial

The fear of a rise in antisemitism inside of Russia has many Russian Jews immigrating to Israel, trying to find a way out.

 A view shows a sign at the entrance to a Russian branch of the Jewish Agency for Israel, in Moscow, Russia July 21, 2022.

Where have Russians been fleeing to since mobilization began? - explainer

As numbers of those fleeing Russia increase, the numbers seem nearly impossible to track. Thanks to new flight data, the world can better understand where Russians are seeking refuge.

 People flee from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia

Is the Israeli gov't not taking Russian aliyah seriously? - activists

The Million Lobby, an organization representing young Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel, launched a campaign calling Prime Minister Yair Lapid to understand the failure at absorbing the olim.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid speaks during a ceremony to welcome US President Joe Biden in Israel, at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel, July 13, 2022