JERUSALEM, Israel - The economic crisis in America has prompted dozens of Israelis to turn their hearts toward home.

According to the Hebrew-language daily Yediot Ahronot, Israelis living in the States who lost solvency in the recent financial crisis have approached Israeli consulates for help in returning to Israel.

"We've had cases of Israelis telling us they were being evicted from their homes after faltering on their mortgage payments," Florida's Israeli consul general Eli Yifrach said.

"In one case, I gave an Israeli $100 for food, and I know many contact Chabad centers and synagogues for good," an official with a different consulate said.

The Absorption Ministry is working with consulates in the U.S. to help returning Israelis who cannot afford airfare.

Absorption Ministry Director General Erez Halfon has instructed us to look into ways in which we can cooperate with the Foreign Ministry and form an aid fund that will help those in need to purchase tickets back to Israel," Absorption Ministry staffer Sharon Glassman told the paper.

Source: YNet news