Episode 172 - The Nefesh B'Nefesh Co-Founder and Director: A Conversation with Yehoshua Fass

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass is Co-Founder of Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that has revolutionized the Aliyah process for over 60,000 Western Olim, assisting them in moving to Israel by acting to remove financial, logistical, and professional obstacles.  After receiving his rabbinic ordination, as well as degrees in biology and education, Rabbi Fass felt compelled to put his faith into action after learning of the murder of a relative in a terrorist bombing in 2001.

Nefesh B’Nefesh has contributed greatly to the fabric of Israeli society since its founding in 2002, with Jews of all denominations, ages, and backgrounds seeking their assistance in the Aliyah process.  With a 90%+ retention rate, Rabbi Fass has been highly effective in helping Western Olim through the often arduous Aliyah process, and is a “Jew You Should Know”.

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EPISODE TIME STAMPS

4:06  Yehoshua’s childhood and early beginnings

5:54  The death of a cousin in a suicide bombing brings a calling

14:41 How Rabbi Fass’ education in medicine and the rabbinate shaped him 

19:44 The realization that Yehoshua had a drive to do something more.  Meeting his partner, Tony Gilbert, and the beginnings of Nefesh B’Nefesh

22:37  The Aliyah process at the time, and their efforts to improve it

30:46  The challenges of the immigration process

39:00  The steps one should consider if looking at the Aliyah process

44:52  Lessons learned in the growth of managing a non-profit

48:53  Some of Rabbi Fass’ most moving personal stories of those who have made the trek

53:02  The meaning behind the name “Nefesh B’Nefesh”

 

CONNECT WITH Yehoshua Fass and Nefesh B’Nefesh

For more information about Nefesh B’Nefesh and their mission and programs, visit their website at Nefesh B'Nefesh, and Nefesh B'Nefesh on Wikipedia.

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Jews You Should Know introduces the broader community to interesting and inspiring Jewish men and women making a difference in our world. Some are already famous, some not yet so. But each is a Jew You Should Know.

The host, Rabbi Ari Koretzky, is Executive Director of MEOR Maryland (www.meormd.org), a premier Jewish outreach and educational organization. MEOR operates nationally on twenty campuses and in Manhattan; visit the national website at www.meor.org.

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