Two weeks ago we ran an article about North American aliyah
that discussed the activities of a Florida-based group
entitled Nefesh B'Nefesh in promoting aliyah from America to
Eretz Yisroel through substantial monetary grants.
In publishing the article we were not aware that several
people had investigated the sources of the group's funding in
some depth. They found, among other things, that some of the
group's funding was derived from various Christian sources.
The gedolei haposkim were consulted about the matter
some time ago with all the facts brought before them, and
they said that accepting money that is derived from such
sources for coming to Israel is "repugnant" (mechu'ar)
and should not be done.
Yated contacted Nefesh B'Nefesh last week and a
spokesman from the group admitted that they had once taken
money from Christian sources but said that when they heard
about such a psak they decided to stop taking money
from such sources. For the last 12 months, they say, all
their funding is from Jewish philanthropists. One of the co-
founders is an Orthodox rabbi and he said that the other co-
founder is also shomer mitzvos.
Yated regrets any misunderstandings our original
article may have caused and suggests that competent halachic
guidance should be sought based on all the information, if
anyone is considering applying to them for money.
