We have all heard the rumors. And as someone who just made aliyah, let me tell you…

They're true.

That is why K'Cholmim is creating this page. One of the first things you will be told at an Aliyah Agency is that you should only use them, and not trust information spread on the internet about aliyah, since it is not "official". This is not entirely good advice, and K'Cholmim is presenting here information about aliyah, all of which comes directly from various sectors of the Aliyah Agency.

So how should you use this information?

What you should NOT do is take this information as the last word on how to make aliyah. Rather, use it as a GREAT starting point, but double and even triple check all the information you see here. Some of it may not be up to date, and some of it may not apply to you for whatever bizarre reason. What this does do however, is make it much easier to get the information you need about aliyah. Instead of having to ask 12 different people from 3 different offices these questions, the questions and answers are all right here. You have a cheat sheet so to speak. Make good use of it. Ya'aleh V'yavo.

Take advantage of the new offer to have your own counselor on aliyah - someone who will guide you through all the red tape and who speaks your language as a 'sphat em'.

1. Make an appointment at the Aliyah Agency!

No planning on making aliyah for three months, three years, or God forbid more? Doesn't matter. Make an appointment. It is never to early to do this. Open a file with the Aliyah Agency, develop a relationship with the shaliach, and start getting the information you need.

2. What do I need to open a file?

To open a file with the Aliyah Agency you will need the following things:
A. 2 passport photos (but you are going to need MANY more, so you may just want to get all the ones you need right away).
B. Proof of Judaism. You will need a letter from your Rav saying that you are indeed a Jew. It is best to get this from an orthodox Rav, and to make sure that it is in Hebrew and English. This will make it much easier for you when you get to Israel.
C. Fill out TWO (they sometimes only give you one, so ask for a second) Aliyah File applications.
D. You will need names/addresses/phone numbers for any relatives you have in Israel.
E. A check for sixty dollars to the Aliyah Agency.

3. What do I do after I open a file?

SET A DATE! Perhaps the most important thing about your aliyah is to set a date. It doesn't matter when it is (again, three days, three months, three years) just set a date and stick to it. Promise yourself that on such and such a day I AM making aliyah. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you make it to the Holy Land in your lifetime. So if you haven't set a date yet, go and do it.

4. Make sure you leave yourself enough time when making aliyah!

I tried to do this entire process last minute and make aliyah quickly. Thank God it all worked out, but this is not a good idea. Once you open a file and formally declare that you want to make aliyah, it often takes at least one month for the files to get processed in Israel and your native nation. So give yourself time.

5. Once you have opened a file, and you actually want to start the aliyah, you will need to plan a meeting at the Aliyah Agency. They will sign off on some papers and you will have to take these to the Consul in order to get your visa as an Oleh Chadash! (Very exciting). (The Aliyah Center in NYC which many of you will be using is located at: 633 3rd Ave Between 40th and 41st on the 21st floor. You need an appointment to get in. Call 212-339-6063 to schedule). For those outside of NYC, simply look up Aliyah Agency/Center on the internet and you will get your listing. It usually takes one week to get your visa back. You will need the papers from the Aliyah Center and your passport in order to get your visa. There will also be a new form you have to fill out in duplicate, which does not require any new information from the other file you filled out to start your aliyah process. You will also need two more passport photos which you need to bring with you.

6. Reserve your flight with El-Al! (Isn't it free you ask? Yes, sort of, but for now, just reserve a flight, on the date you want, and tell them you are an oleh chadash.

7. Go to the bank and get either a bank check or a money order for fifty dollars made out to the Israel Aliyah Center. (Remember, verify all this information!)

8. After this you have to have a 'check out' appointment at the Aliyah Center. They will give you some informational packets, and instructions about what to do as you get to ISRAEL! And what to do once you are in Israel. They will also give you a voucher for your flight to Israel. You give them the check for fifty dollars (so it isn't free, it is fifty bucks) and they give you a voucher for your ONE WAY TICKET TO ISRAEL! Then…

9. Take this voucher to El-Al and your flight will be all set. In NYC El-AL is located at 120 West 45th street on the 18th floor (between 6th Avenue and Broadway). They are open 9-5. Again, for those outside NYC, please find out either from your Aliyah Center or by using the internet where your local branch of El-Al is located. (You can also ask them when you call to book your reservation).

10. That's it! Time to go pack, say those good byes and get ready for your trip! One quick piece of advice…

Make sure you have a place to settle into when you first arrive. It doesn't have to be permanent, but it should be semi-permanent. It is very psychologically difficult and disorienting to make aliyah. (When people start asking, "where are you from?" you may not know what to say, "Israel? America? Britain? South Africa? France?"). Your concept of and identity of 'Home' becomes very confused. Sure, obviously Israel is Home. That is why you and, God willing, the entire Jewish People will return to Eretz Yisrael. But that doesn't change the impact on your psyche, and having a place to unpack, put your stuff, make a little homey, decorate, to let people call to, write to, send to, etc. is surprisingly reliving and helpful in your aliyah.

Another Aliyah Page from K'Cholmim on the rights (zechuyot) of olim and what to do once you arrive in Israel shall be posted in the near future. We hope this helps all of you, and if you have any questions, corrections, criticisms, please don't hesitate to share them. You can write us at: Suggestions@KCholmim.org

B'ahavat Yisrael,
Yehuda Adam
Founder of K'Cholmim
www.KCholmim.org