Nefesh B'Nefesh has announced the launch of Israel's first National Educators Aliyah Program, developed jointly with the Education Ministry and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry to recruit Jewish teachers from North America in response to a significant teacher shortage in the country.
The shortage is most acute in English, math and science subjects, and particularly in central regions. The organization noted that thousands of current teachers lack full certification or are teaching outside their areas of expertise.
The program allows prospective teachers to complete credential recognition and licensing before immigrating, enabling them to begin teaching soon after arrival rather than undergoing certification processes afterward. Hundreds of prospective teachers are expected to be identified during this year, with placements anticipated for the 2027-2028 academic year.
The Education Ministry will assess staffing needs by subject, region and school type, with a centralized database used to match candidates with available positions. Recruitment efforts across North America during 2026-2027 will include aliyah fairs, webinars and parlor meetings. Support for new arrivals will encompass job placement assistance, certification coursework, Hebrew-language instruction for classroom use and mentoring from established immigrant teachers.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch stated that "the teacher shortage is one of the greatest challenges facing Israel's education system, and we are committed to addressing it with every tool at our disposal."
The program follows the International Medical Aliyah Program, launched by Nefesh B'Nefesh in 2024, which the organization reported has brought more than 1,000 physicians to Israel.
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer remarked that "when the government removes barriers, actively facilitates professional licensing and credential recognition, and supports new immigrants as they transition into the workforce, the results speak for themselves."
