On November 8, 2026, Israel Open 2026 will be held for potential repatriates from Ukraine — a free online fair dedicated to relocation, education, and life in Israel. The event will take place from 12:00 to 17:00 Kyiv time. The main feature of the current format is the opportunity not only to listen to speeches but also to sign up in advance for individual consultations with representatives of Israeli cities and absorption programs.
Author: Pavel Shveiko
Official registration for Israel Open 2026. The number of spots for personal online meetings is limited.
The event poster features the Jewish Agency for Israel “Sokhnut”, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, Ofek Israeli (“Ofek Israeli”), the Department for the Promotion of Aliyah of the World Zionist Organization, and Keren Hayesod (“Keren Hayesod”). These are organizations that have been working with Jewish communities and potential repatriates for many years.
One of the key structures here is Ofek Israeli, created in 2016 with the participation of Sokhnut, the Israeli ministry, the World Zionist Organization, and Keren Hayesod. Its task is to help people understand the possibilities of repatriation, professional integration, and everyday life in Israel even before moving.
What Ukrainian families will receive: from choosing a city to an individual repatriation plan
The Israel Open 2026 program is designed for people who consider Israel as a place for future residence but do not yet know where to start. The organizers promise presentations of Israeli cities, educational projects, adaptation programs, as well as information about housing, professional prospects, and available benefits.
For families with children, choosing a city is especially important. It’s not just a matter of rental costs. Schools, kindergartens, job availability, Hebrew learning, medical infrastructure, and support for new repatriates are important.
That is why the format of individual consultations deserves attention. A person will be able to discuss their own situation with a representative of a specific program, clarify participation conditions, and understand what documents or additional actions may be needed.
Participation in the fair does not automatically grant the right to repatriation. It is determined by the Israeli Law of Return and confirmed in the prescribed manner. Ukrainian citizenship itself does not grant such a right.
MASA, SELA, and NAALE: what opportunities Israel offers to youth
In the announcement of Israel Open 2026 published in Ukraine, three educational directions are separately mentioned — MASA, SELA, and NAALE. These are programs with different goals and age requirements, so they cannot be considered interchangeable.
MASA (Masa Israel Journey) combines numerous programs of study, professional internships, volunteering, and acquaintance with Israel. Participants can gain practical experience in Israeli organizations and companies. Funding conditions and age restrictions depend on the chosen direction.
SELA is aimed at preparing young people for academic life in Israel. In particular, the program in Nitzana provides for Hebrew study, educational preparation, and acquaintance with the Israeli higher education system.
NAALE (Naale Elite Academy) is intended for teenagers who meet the established criteria. It allows for three or four years of study in an Israeli school, living in an educational institution, and obtaining an Israeli matriculation certificate.
For NANews Israel News Nikk.Agency, the topic of educational repatriation has a special significance: the connection between Ukraine and Israel continues not only through the relocation of adults but also through the education of the new generation. However, specific admission conditions, age limits, and availability of places for 2027 need to be clarified directly with program representatives.
From a fair in wartime Kyiv to online meetings in 2026
The current Israel Open is a continuation of an already existing story.
On October 19, 2025, a face-to-face repatriation fair was held in Kyiv. As previously reported by NANews, the event was attended by at least 800 people. The meeting took place in the underground space of a shopping center, where organizers were able to provide safer conditions during the war.
At that time, Ukrainians were presented with opportunities for employment, education, social support, and relocation. The event also involved the organization Israeli Friends of Ukraine led by Anna Zharova. Its representatives talked about the humanitarian ties between the two countries.
Even before that meeting, NANews thoroughly examined the Israel Open program in Kyiv, including youth directions and the participation of Israeli organizations.
In 2026, organizers are moving to a fully remote format. For Ukrainian families who are in different regions of the country or temporarily living outside its borders, this eliminates the need to travel to Kyiv to obtain initial information.
I consider it important and another: the continuation of such events shows that Israel continues to work with potential repatriates from Ukraine, despite the ongoing Russian war and its own security challenges.
However, the final list of participating cities, the schedule of presentations, and the specific amounts of financial support have not yet been published. The promised consultations should be seen as an opportunity to receive personal information, not as a guarantee of housing, work, or subsidies.
For registration, the Jewish Agency form is used. It requests contact details, information about education, profession, and family composition. There is also a notification about the processing and transfer of personal information for further support.
Israel Open 2026 will take place on November 8, from 12:00 to 17:00 Kyiv time. Participation is free, pre-registration is mandatory, the number of individual consultations is limited.