JERUSALEM (VINnews) — More than 1,100 North Americans immigrated to Israel in August, a monthly record for Nefesh B’Nefesh, the organization that facilitates aliyah from the United States and Canada. Officials said the surge puts 2026 on track to bring more than 4,000 newcomers from North America by year’s end.

The August total includes about 150 olim who landed Thursday at Ben-Gurion Airport on six group flights, with nearly 100 arriving within a half-hour span. The organization said the month capped one of its busiest summer seasons, with more than 2,200 North Americans expected to complete aliyah between June and September on nearly 100 group flights or through processing already underway inside Israel.

About 2,700 North Americans have made aliyah since January, Nefesh B’Nefesh said. If the current pace holds, 2026 would rank among the strongest years since the organization was founded in 2002. In 2025, Nefesh B’Nefesh reported more than 4,100 North American olim, the highest annual figure in four years.

This summer’s arrivals are unusually young. The average age is 29, down from 32 two years ago, and the group ranges from a 5-month-old infant to a 98-year-old. Officials said the summer wave includes about 1,100 singles, 480 families and 250 retirees. Roughly 700 school-age children also arrived, including about 80 who are expected to start first grade next month. About 300 young adults are expected to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces or national service after settling.

“It’s record-breaking for us,” said Marc Rosenberg, Nefesh B’Nefesh’s vice president of diaspora partnerships. “It’s quite a summer. Over 2,300 people are arriving. It’s really been a very busy summer.”

Rosenberg said many parents want their children raised in Israel. “They want to be a part of the project that built Israel. They see a big quality of life here, and they admire what young people in Israel are doing.”

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, tied the August arrivals to a larger milestone. The organization recently marked its 100,000th oleh.

“Welcoming hundreds of olim in this record-breaking month reflects the continued momentum of what has already been an incredible summer for aliyah,” Fass said. “As we recently celebrated our 100,000th oleh, it is particularly inspiring to see so many young people choosing to make Israel their home, to build their careers and families here, put down roots and invest their futures in this country.”

Nefesh B’Nefesh works with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and Jewish National Fund-USA. Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer called the influx “inspiring,” and Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog said the newcomers were choosing “to build their lives here and be part of the future of the State of Israel.”

New olim this summer came from communities across the United States and Canada, with large numbers from New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Maryland, Illinois, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas and Georgia. Popular destinations include Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Modi’in, Ra’anana and Beit Shemesh. About 650 newcomers are settling in communities in Israel’s north and south.