Got a question about aliyah? Ask a chatbot

Making aliyah is not only a huge decision, but, for many, it is also a leap into the unknown. Now those interested in moving to Israel will be able to have all their questions answered – with the help of a chatbot.

Shivat Zion, the only aliyah NGO officially recognised by the Jewish Agency for Israel, has launched AliyahGPT, a multilingual, AI-powered assistant.

The tool allows users to ask any question from their phone or computer and receive research-based responses in seconds. Designers say that it provides answers from Shivat Zion’s comprehensive information database, which has been fully researched by their team.

Shraga Evers and Hannah Kaminski from Shivat Zion (Photo: Shivat Zion)[Missing Credit]

Shraga Evers, CEO of Shivat Zion, and himself an oleh (immigrant) to Israel, said: “When making aliyah, people understandably have many questions and too often those answers have historically been hard to find or spread across multiple sources. That’s why we created AliyahGPT, a smart, multilingual assistant that brings everything together in one place. It’s designed to offer clear, accurate, and compassionate support at every step of the journey.”

Using the same AI software as tools like ChatGPT, AliyahGPT, can interpret all types of questions, including open-ended or loosely phrased ones.

Evers says that unbiased information is available for any question, whether it is about community recommendations based on religious observance, understanding the Israeli school systems or exploring the tax implications of moving to Israel.

Every answer ends with an invitation to contact the Shivat Zion’s helpdesk for further assistance, “ensuring no one feels left without support”, says Evers, adding: “AliyahGPT is part of our vision to make the aliyah journey less overwhelming and simpler. It’s about bringing clarity, confidence, and community to every step of the process.”

Shivat Zion, which literally translates as “Return to Zion”, launched in the UK earlier this month at the Aliyah Day.

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While there are already a number of existing organisations which support those considering aliyah, as well as new olim, Evers stressed that Shivat Zion was “complementary” to those services. “We’re here to strengthen and support the incredible work already being done by both governmental and non-governmental organisations.

“Our approach is collaborative, not competitive. By utilising all available resources, we aim to make the Aliyah process as smooth and successful as possible.”

Many of the Shivat Zion team have themselves made aliyah, so have an understanding of “the emotions, challenges, and aspirations. Ultimately we’re not just offering a service; we’re also building a community".

Evers added: “Making Aliyah is a profound and life-changing decision, but the process can be complex and, at times, overwhelming…Our mission is to provide a clear, personal, and fully supported Aliyah experience, from the very first step to full integration in Israel.”

AliyahGPT is now live and available to the public at www.shivat-zion.com. Or you can click here