She and about 250 other North American Jews were greeted in Tel Aviv by Israeli officials, who say the new arrivals are among a record 23,000 Jewish immigrants this year.

Lifteg says her faith convinced her that "if God wanted us to be in Israel then he's going to help us when we get here."

Charley Levine, whose private group helps Jews immigrate, says the new settlers can now light this week's Hanukkah candles in their new Israeli homes.

Jewish Agency officials say this year's emigres include more than 3,000 from North America and nearly 3,000 more from France.

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