In an effort to bring these decisions to fruition, the Aliyah and Klitah Department is currently undertaking market research to develop marketing strategies based on the three strategic principles adopted by the Taskforce: marketing; educating toward aliyah; and partnership and empowerment. In parallel, the Department has begun mapping selected towns and cities in Israel in order to assess their potential and ability to successfully absorb olim into their community. We will integrate all of these findings and recommendations, and formulate programs and work plans accordingly.

In March 2004, the interim conclusions of the Taskforce were presented to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Minister of Absorption Zipi Livni, Minister of Finance Binyamin Netanyahu, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Natan Sharanksy, Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Agency for Israel Sallai Meridor and other top government officials. The Prime Minister's office accepted the Taskforce's recommendation, and it was decided to establish a professional Inter-Agency Steering Committee, co-headed by the Director Generals of the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Agency Aliyah and Klitah Department. Mirla Gal and Mike Rosenberg convened the first meeting at the start of May with representatives from almost all relevant government ministries in attendance.

Nefesh B'Nefesh: At the February 2004 BOG meetings, and in the spirit of the Taskforce, the Jewish Agency adopted the decision to enter into a strategic alliance with Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN). Since then, the Aliyah and Klitah Department has worked hand-in-hand with NBN to translate this decision into an operative mode of cooperation and action. An unprecedented development of this newly forged alliance was the appearance of a special advertisement in the Passover supplements of leading North American Jewish newspapers. This advert, which was co-signed by the Jewish Agency, Nefesh B'Nefesh, the United Jewish Communities and all three religious streams (Orthodox Union, Reform and Conservative Movements), applauded North American aliyah and encouraged others to follow in the footsteps of North American olim.

Partnerships on Behalf of Absorption: On the one hand, we await the recommendations of the marketing strategists in our effort to create a real "turnaround" in aliyah. However, at the same time, we are forging ahead with new ideas and concepts. Most outstanding is our new program developed in partnership with the Ministry of Absorption. The "Community Absorption" program is based on assessing the needs of olim at the pre-aliyah stage, and then customizing absorption packages to best meet their needs. This pilot program is currently being marketed in France, the FSU, and is scheduled to be marketed in North America next year. We anticipate the arrival of the first groups of olim from France this summer.

Furthermore, in keeping with the tenet that successful klitah is the key to continued aliyah, the Jewish Agency, the Ministry of Absorption and the Union of Local Councils have expanded the "At Home and Together" program designed to enlist Israeli society in the absorption process. Since its launching in September 2003, the program has succeeded in matching more than 2,100 olim households and singles with veteran Israelis (some 6,500 participants in all). In 2004, we involved the Israeli school system in the "At Home and Together" program, and most recently, Israel's business sector also joined this important absorption effort.

We hope that through these efforts and others described below, we will be able to broaden our platform for aliyah encouragement, successfully absorb those olim who made aliyah in 2004, and put into place a klitah structure that will act as a catalyst for the many olim who will arrive in years to come.

Charts

Statistical Overview (PDF 27K*)

Immigrants and Israelis Handled by Aliyah Emissaries (PDF 45K*)

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For more than ten years, aliyah from the Former Soviet Union was all consuming. Numerically speaking, olim from the FSU continue to constitute the single largest number of immigrants arriving to Israel's shores, but the numbers are far from what they were prior to the outbreak of violence in September 2001. Yet, violence is not the foremost reason for this change. The concern of not finding employment has been the greatest deterrent, as potential olim choose to either delay their aliyah or not come at all. The quality of life throughout the FSU - at least in the larger cities - is beginning to close the gap with metropolitan cities in many Western countries. And even if the quality of life isn't exactly like Paris and New York, the hope for a better future is so prevalent that it is almost tangible.

There are currently an estimated one million eligible olim in the FSU, a high percentage of whom are elderly. While the rate of decline from this region has begun to level off, our greatest concern is our race against time, as we are quickly losing a significant portion of this Jewish community to assimilation, especially among young people. Jewish weddings, births, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other Jewish rites of passage are becoming more of a rarity despite the religious freedoms that prevail.

1. Identifying new populations: Only some ten percent of potential olim in the larger cities have participated in Jewish Agency activities. In an effort to significantly increase this number, we have launched intensive marketing efforts in the media to make people aware of what Israel has to offer, and have organized mass social and cultural events such as fairs, seminars, symposiums and conferences. To help position Israel's image in a more positive light, an increased number of individual's, including successful olim, businesspeople and other public figures have addressed audiences in the FSU.

2. Focusing on Family Needs: In 2004, emphasis has been placed on developing absorption programs which address the needs of the family unit, including education, housing and employment. A special focus has been placed on the families of Na'aleh and Selah candidates who were not accepted into the program, and on those whose children are already in Israel.

3. Increasing involvement among veteran participants: Among those who have participated in previous Jewish Agency activity, we have organized tailor-made programs which meet the needs, interests and expectations of the various population groups. It is equally important to have this target population take part in our activities in order to keep them involved.

4. Deepening identity with the State of Israel and nurturing ideological motivations for aliyah encouragement: Since the economic and political factors which once acted as catalysts for aliyah are becoming much less of a factor, we must develop an array of programs through which we can nurture Jewish-Zionist identity, and instill an ideological bond with the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Young people are an important population group, and we aim to develop an array of Israel oriented activities, such as student camps, volunteer activities, and young leadership training. These kinds of activities are being developed in conjunction with the Jewish Agency's Department of Jewish Zionist Education.

This approach to aliyah, which for many years has been an integral part ofour work in the West, is based on the premise that if someone has a positive experience in Israel,then chances are that they may want to return, in some cases culminating in aliyah. In the FSU,special attention is also concentrated on the families of young adults currently participating in Jewish Agency programs in Israel.

Manof Krovim

The goal of this program is to reach out to the parents and relatives of those young adults from the FSU who are currently in Jewish Agency programs in Israel without their families. This year, all 1,035 young adults in the Selah and Na'aleh program are participating in Manof Krovim . The program is comprised of three stages:

1. Orientation meeting with the young adults in Israel so that they can send material on aliyah and absorption options to their family and friends.
2. Inviting officials from different government and public institutions to provide aliyah information.
3. Operating a hotline that enables the young adults and aliyah professionals to contact family and relatives in the FSU, and directly answer any questions concerning aliyah and life in Israel.

Keshet Program for Parents of Lone Soldiers

This program brings the parents of lone soldiers from the FSU to Israel. The parents come for a one-week pilot tour in which they travel through Israel, receive information concerning aliyah and participate in a joint weekend with their sons and daughters. In the first five months of 2004, some 130 parents have participated in Keshet, which had a tremendous influence on their attitude toward aliyah and toward their children's participation in the IDF.

A New Path: Pilot Tour for Young Professionals

On their first visit to Israel, 30 young professionals including nurses, doctors, engineers and technicians came to see, first hand, absorption options that include training, re-licensing and housing solutions. In addition to meeting with olim and hearing about their experiences, they learned about the "At Home and Together" program, the educational, banking and employment sectors, and rights offered to olim.

Young people who come to study in Israel, and make aliyah before their families, remain a top priority in our work agenda, and we are pleased that participation in the Selah, Takah and Na'aleh programs remains strong. The pilot program for the recruitment to Na'aleh, which was conducted directly in schools and enabled us to reach out to entirely new populations, has been expanded.

Highlights of 2004

• In the 2003-2004 academic year, 530 young adults from the FSU participated in the eighth Selah program, 100 in "Selah Technology" (see section on Programs for Young Adults), and 300 joined the Na'aleh high school program.
• At the beginning of September, the largest Aleh group ever (70 students) made aliyah through the Aleh study program that features a special engineering track. The advantages of Aleh are that applicants are given an answer on the same day of screening, and as soon as they begin the program in Israel, they are linked to an institute of higher education.
• In September, 100 students arrived on the Taka program to begin their studies: some are learning Hebrew at the Kibbutz Ulpan programs at Ein Hashofet and Kibbutz Shoval, while others are residing at the Kfar Saba and Ashkelon absorption centers.
• In 2004, emphasis has been placed on developing absorption programs that address the needs of the family unit, including education, housing and employment. Special attention has been given to the families of Na'aleh and Selah candidates who were not accepted into the program. A pilot program called "NOAM" has been conducted in cooperation with the "First Home in the Homeland" Kibbutz program, providing a comprehensive absorption program for parents and children.

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Aliyah from Eastern Europe

Despite the general socio-economic improvements prevailing in many of Eastern European countries, aliyah has almost doubled from 2003. This is in sharp contrast to the pessimistic forecasts that many of us anticipated due to the entry of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary into the European Union, which brings with it hopes of improved prosperity. Unfortunately, growing anti-Semitism is also a factor in some of the olim's decision to make aliyah.

However, first and foremost, these positive trends in aliyah are the result of much hard work: our shlichim , together with our specially-trained local aliyah coordinators, have increased their outreach in peripheral areas and cultivated new and growing groups of potential olim. Similar to the FSU, young adults are an important focus group, and in Bulgaria, for example, we are witnessing a new and growing interest in higher education in Israel and kibbutz ulpan programs.

In order to increase the current pace of aliyah, we are:

• Developing attractive aliyah encouragement programs designed to deepen the emotional connection to Israel and Zionism;
• Alleviating the uncertainty and fear about visiting Israel;
• Building a stronger absorption safety net in Israel.

Target Populations:

• Young adults and students aged 15-25;
• Young couples and families;
• Parents of young adults who have made aliyah.

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In stark contrast to changes in aliyah trends from the FSU, aliyah from the West is on the rise. Still far from being the numbers that we would like to see, immigration from almost every major Western country has risen over the past two years, most notably from the United States, Canada, Great Britain and France, as well as many countries in Latin America. Also reflective of a growing interest in or affinity with Israel is the continued rise of the number of young people participating in our various long-term programs. This is even more striking when noted in the context of the ongoing intifada and the continued demise of Israel's tourist industry. As aforementioned, we have placed Western aliyah more prominently in our aliyah encouragement programming, and we hope to see these positive trends take an even sharper turn upward in the near future.

• In the beginning of April 2003, the Aliyah and Klitah Department announced the launching of a new program, "Elite", for high school students. Elite is the North American version of the Na'aleh program. Close to 40 young adults were recently interviewed for the program, and we anticipate increased participation in the 2004-2005 school year.
• Recognizing the potential for aliyah among FSU immigrants residing in North America, a special operational program has been crystallized in cooperation with the Education Department of the Jewish Agency. Within this framework, a number of delegations of students and Israeli public figures from the Former Soviet Union visited North America to encourage aliyah, with a special emphasis on Jerusalem. A special Russian-speaking emissary has been designated to work with this population.
• In an effort to strengthen that community's ties with Israel, in March 2004, hundreds of FSU émigrés came on a solidarity mission to Israel. During their weeklong visit, they toured many historical and cultural sites and were exposed to various options and opportunities available in Israel.
• Strengthening our Marketing Infrastructure: In an effort to increase our presence on North American campuses and increase our outreach among the student population, we have trained 80 "student reps" to market our long-term Israel experience programs. Many of the "student reps" are graduates of these very programs, and thus bring with them their personal excitement and experience from their time in Israel. A number of these young adults are FSU émigrés who work specifically among that population on campus and in the community. The results speak for themselves, as there has been a significant increase in program participation, particularly Professional Internships and Magen David Adom.

For the third consecutive year, aliyah from France continues in substantial numbers -the first five months of 2004 marking a 30 percent increase from the previous year. The high level of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment has caused a large number of French Jews to reassess their future - and for many Israel is their natural choice. In addition to aliyah, we are witnessing new types of "aliyah-instages" where a growing number of French Jews are purchasing apartments in Israel for when their aliyah date arrives.

Highlights of Activity:

• Bringing Israel to the Community: This year, we held a series of Aliyah and Student Fairs in all major Jewish communities in France and Belgium. At all of these fairs, employment and housing options were prominently highlighted. Well over 10,000 people have attended these fairs, and the number of aliyah files opened has significantly risen. The two largest Aliyah Fairs were held in Paris and Marseilles in May 2004, with some 8,000 members of the Jewish community in attendance.
• Focusing on the Negev: Dozens of families planning to make aliyah in the summer of 2004 attended a seminar which provided in-depth information and absorption options for those interested in striking down roots in the Shafir and Ashalim regions located in the heart of the Negev.
• Following the success of the Aliyah Program for Dentists last year, the Department succeeded in securing approval from the Ministry of Health to conduct licensing exams for dentists in France which eases their initial absorption. Twenty-five dentists sat for their exams in September 2003, and a second course was opened in February with more than 20 participants.
• A re-licensing program for French lawyers has completed its first stage, and the participants are now taking the required exams for become practicing lawyers in Israel.

Activities for French Jewish Tourists

Passover 2004 was precedent setting with 30,000 French tourists spending their holiday in Tel Aviv, Eilat and Netanya. We used this opportunity to conduct "Aliyah Fairs" on the promenade of Eilat and Netanya, where we provided information on opportunities in Israel including long and shortterm experiences, university study programs, absorption options in various municipalities, and more.

One of the most outstanding and successful aliyah encouragement models developed in England is "Quick Start in Israel" (QSI), a new model of facilitating the aliyah of potential olim. QSI is a new feature at our Aliyah Fairs and Israel Days. The concept is to meet personally with potential olim and together formulate the aliyah package of services which will most effectively meet their needs. On hand at QSI are various professionals who can offer expert advise on various aspects of making a new home in Israel. Specifically, our shlichim set up a series of back-to-back meetings with interested parties at the Aliyah Fairs where they discuss details regarding employment, education, housing, rights, etc. At every Fair, we were surprised at how many potential olim who had not made QSI interviews, asked to be added to the appointment list. This model is now being emulated at other Fairs being conducted in Europe, including Germany.

We are continuing to focus our efforts on the FSU émigré community in Germany. Similar to the FSU, we are in a race against losing this community to widespread assimilation. We are working in cooperation with the Education Department, which is conducting intense Jewish-Zionist activities among the student and young adult population, as well as the local Jewish community.

• In an effort to expand our outreach infrastructure, we have trained 12 local aliyah coordinators, who have succeeded in increasing interest among young adults in long-term Israel experience programs, such as Ulpan Kibbutz and Professional Internships.
• An Aliyah and Employment Fair was held in Germany, featuring "Quick Start in Israel" (QSI).
• We have increased our outreach by conducting a significantly greater number of parlor meetings. This has been made possible through our increasing cooperation with Lehava shlichim .

Aliyah trends from Latin America have decreased in the first half of the year, although there are marked increases in aliyah from Brazil and Venezuela. We are making major efforts to reach out to new communities, and to provide as much information as possible to those who are considering making aliyah. Highlights of these efforts include:

• Spring 2004: Israel Fairs held in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico featuring study options, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship and absorption programs in various local authorities.
• A special aliyah encouragement delegation sent to Argentina and Uruguay included representatives from the Latin American Olim Association in order for them to meet with soon-departing olim, thereby helping to better facilitate the absorption process.
• A group of 60 young adults joined the Zohar and Atid programs in Israel in December 2003. In February 2004, a small group of Atid "graduates" met with 400 of their peers in Venezuela and Columbia to share their experiences in Israel and encourage them to join the program.

Three new programs were developed, each addressing a different target population: the "Shachar" program for young families; the "Alma" program for single-parent families; and "POP" for singles who make aliyah through the "First Home in the Homeland" Kibbutz Program. 

Both family-oriented programs begin with a pre-aliyah process in Argentina, which includes Hebrew language and employment preparation and re-training, all of which continues after their aliyah to Israel. In the "Shahar" program, for example, the olim are residing in absorption centers throughout Israel, and are participating in short-term vocational training programs in order to integrate as quickly as possible to the Israeli labor market.

In response to the growing economic distress and growing political instability in Venezuela, a special fund was established to provide financial assistance to olim from this Latin American country to facilitate the move.

In the first five months of 2004, some 1,000 olim arrived from Ethiopia. The pace of aliyah approval from Israel's Ministry of the Interior determines the number of olim. While the pace of aliyah approval was down in the first four months of the year, we have returned to the arrival of some 100 olim per week, and expect this rate to continue at least until the end of 2004.

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Absorption in Israel

As has been widely acknowledged, immigration is not a separate process from absorption; quite the contrary: they are entirely inter-related in what has been coined the "aliyah continuum". Successful klitah ensures continued aliyah (as encouraging messages about life in Israel are shared with friends and family overseas), and successful klitah is tantamount to satisfied olim. In response to recent challenges, we have significantly strengthened the absorption safety net through the development of employment and other special programs which provide direct services to the olim in the field. However, most notable has been the "At Home and Together" program which couples new olim with veteran olim and native Israeli families. In these areas, all of our activity is closely coordinated with Israel's Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

In 2003, the Jewish Agency crystallized a new approach to absorption, which has been expanded and strengthened in the current year. This multi-faceted approach integrates all of the bodies dealing with the absorption of olim in the local municipalities and is based on three main components: employment, connecting to Israeli society and volunteerism.

"At Home and Together" Volunteer Program

The "At Home and Together" program is based on the value of shared responsibility, volunteerism and transforming aliyah into a publicly recognized national challenge. Developed and implemented in conjunction with Israel's Ministry of Absorption and the Union of Local Authorities, the response of Israeli society has been heartwarming - with more than 6,500 new olim and veteran Israelis joined in partnership to help the new immigrants become successfully absorbed, thereby building a strong and healthy civic society.

The impact on olim cannot be overstated - a framework through which they can develop friendships with someone close-by, who knows the ropes, is of tremendous value to their psychological well-being. These ties make an unparalleled contribution to both the olims' social absorption and the nurturing of a healthy social fabric in Israel. The main goals of "At Home and Together" are:

• To establish a firm infrastructure for the social absorption of olim.
• To facilitate the integration of olim into the Israeli workforce.
• To create informal and ongoing meetings between veteran and new olim families.

Highlights:

A key component of the "At Home and Together" program is the social activities organized for the olim and volunteers. It is not enough to simply "pair" families and then hope for the best. We, therefore, organize scores of activities - large and small - in order to give the new relationships a boost. A day at "Mini Israel" provided four busloads of "At Home and Together" participants with a day of fun and learning about Israel. Scores of gatherings have been organized on or around Shabbat and the Jewish holidays, including the hundreds of olim who were hosted at the Seder Table in the framework of Yachad B'Seder (At the Seder Table) this Passover.

For the first time potential olim from France have been connected to veteran Israelis prior to their aliyah. We are working towards making the connection as far in advance as possible, in order to help ease the aliyah and klitah process. In 2004, we began to target lone soldiers and lone students, two particularly vulnerable populations.

Employment

In the realm of the aliyah continuum, employment efforts are being stressed as much as possible during the pre-aliyah stage. Private manpower companies are connected with potential olim, providing them with consultation and guidance. This project began operating in September 2003, and since then more than 300 soon-to-be olim received employment consultation before their aliyah, and follow-up after arrival in Israel.

In the area of individual assistance, the Department is dealing with job placement of olim in a methodical way through regional employment coordinators, an Ethiopian employment coordinator and through the various olim and volunteer organizations. In 2004, the regional coordinators found job placements for nearly 850 olim, with increasing numbers among the Ethiopian new immigrant population.

Employment Absorption Programs:

The Department's Employment Unit is developing new absorption projects that meet the needs of Israel's labor market and are suited to the olim. In some cases, the olim begin their studies in their countries of origin, and are provided with courses after arriving in Israel to continue the program as olim. A short list of these programs include:

• Car Mechanics Project
• High-tech Mechanics
• Project ORT: Air-conditioning, refrigeration, and computer communications
• Nurses Re-licensing Program
• Medical Doctors (in the IDF and in Poriyah Hospital)
• Lawyers
• Dentists
• Pharmacists Project
• Training for Physical Fitness Trainers
• Early Childhood Home Environment Centers
• Retraining Academics for Nursing Aides
• Training of Heavy Vehicles and Bus Drivers
• Plastics Industry Technicians

Absorption Centers and Ulpanim

• There are currently 35 absorption centers operated by the Jewish Agency throughout Israel, 19 of which specifically cater to Ethiopian olim.
• Some 6,000 Ethiopian olim reside at the absorption centers.
• In the first four months of 2004, some 11,000 olim received services at the Jewish Agency absorption centers.
• 10,500 olim students received Student Authority scholarships.
• An additional 45 students-in-need received grants of $1,000 each.
• Some 2,550 students are currently studying in Ulpan Aleph, one-third at absorption centers.
• Kibbutz Ulpan: Some 600 young adults are on the Kibbutz Ulpan program at 25 different locations.

Enhanced Absorption Programs for Ethiopian Olim

Training Ethiopian Professionals

The adjustment to life in Israel for Ethiopian olim is overwhelming, and it is common for the younger immigrants to integrate at a much faster pace.

The children and young adults quickly absorb into Israeli society, learning the language and the culture in school, and as a result the gap between the parents and their children widens. The Aliyah and Klitah Department has developed a program for the training of Ethiopian professionals who understand the community and can work toward its well-being in Israel.

Focusing on Treatment

• Professional discussions on the subject of suicide prevention within the Ethiopian immigrant community, and training social workers in this sphere.
• Extending activities relating to preventing violence in the family among Ethiopian newcomers, through building training programs for Ethiopian mediators. These activities are carried out in cooperation with the Center for Prevention of Family Violence in Be'er Sheva.
• Expanding teacher-training programs with the Feuerstein Institute within the framework of the Kedma program.
• Operating support groups for emergency situations through psychologists who speak the language, for families and young adults in absorption centers.

Programs for Young Adults

Study programs for young adults remain one of the most important pillars of our work. These programs, in addition to being aliyah and klitah programs, provide young adults with a comprehensive and embracing absorption framework during their first year in Israel. They provide every young adult with an ulpan, complementary studies preparing them for higher education institutions and/or colleges, and a social network. In the first five months of 2004, some 1,100 young adults from the FSU, France, Latin America and Ethiopia participated in these programs.

The Institute for Jewish Studies: Enhancing Jewish Studies for Selah

In the current academic year (2003-2004), the Shorashim (Roots) program was introduced to Selah. The Shorashim program is operated in cooperation with the Joint Institute for Jewish Studies, whose goal is to teach these young adults about Jewish tradition and religion, and to raise their awareness about the various conversion options available to them (for those in need) in the early stages of their absorption. Shorashim recruits and identifies the youngsters abroad through seminars and weekend retreats. 

The Shorashim program is operated for six-weekly hours during the course of the ulpan, in addition to weekend seminars. Some of the team counselors are religious young adults who can serve as role models. At the end of their studies, Selah students can choose to continue their studies at an intensive one-month study program at a religious kibbutz, where they can prepare for their final conversion process at the rabbinical court. The Joint Institute for Jewish Studies is a joint body of the Jewish Agency and the government of Israel. The Jewish studies at the Institute are pluralistic, with the teachers coming from the various streams of Judaism. All of the Selah students learn Jewish studies as part of their curriculum, whether they are in need of conversion or not.

Selah - FSU

The 2004-2005 academic year will mark the ninth Selah session. Due to the change in the overall profile of the student population, as well as our desire to best meet the needs of the students, we recently conducted an in-depth evaluation of the Selah program. In general, it was decided to expand available study tracks, thereby enabling us to accept a greater number of students in programs that are more suited to their level of achievement - ranging from highly advanced students to those who did not complete their matriculation exams. It was further recommended that a larger number of students be placed at a smaller number of absorption centers in order to create a critical mass for the formulation of several levels of studies. In addition, an educational coordinator will direct the studies at each absorption center. The evaluation's recommendations are currently being implemented so that they will be put into place for the forthcoming academic year in September.

New Program: Selah Technology - Close to 100 young adults participated in this new program which is available to students from the FSU who do not have matriculation certificates. Taught in Russian, the technical courses include electricity, computer graphics and technical storeroom management. New courses will be made available in the 2004-2005 school year, such as car mechanics, welding and cooking. 

Atid - Latin American

Atid is the Latin American version of the Selah program. In 2004, a group of 36 students studied in this framework at the Kfar Saba absorption center.

Atid - France

Over the years, the Department developed various study programs for young adults from France, but with little success. After assessing the current wave of aliyah, and the needs of the young adults, a new program called Atid Etzion was developed. Based in Jerusalem's Ulpan Etzion (a popular destination), it provides a religious, traditional environment within a study program preparing participants for academic studies (without the need for a preparatory program). This program was marketed at the beginning of 2003 in France. As a result, more than 50 young adults began their studies at the start of the academic year, in two separate programs: Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem and for the more religiously observant, Chemdat Darom in the South. We hope, based on this year's success, that an even greater number of young adults will sign up for the coming academic year.

Kedma: Personal Advancement for Ethiopian Olim Youth

This program allows young adults from Ethiopia, in their first year of absorption, to study in an educational framework tailored not only to their level, but to their potential. The results of Kedma Aleph's first absorption year are highly impressive, with the Ethiopian students making progress way beyond our expectations. At the start of 2004, two new Kedma courses were opened, and as of May 2004, 190 young Ethiopian olim are participating in this study program.

However, after three years of running Kedma, it was concluded that one year is not enough to enable the students to complete their education, and thus Kedma Bet was launched in cooperation with the Association for Educational Advancement and regional colleges. Kedma Bet includes two study track options:

1. The completion of 8-10 years of high school with vocational training (2 years).
2. Full high school studies and preparation for full matriculation.

Maintaining Contact with Graduates from Youth Study Programs

An important goal of the Absorption Division is to maintain contact with young adults who have completed our study programs. This is in order to help ensure that they do not fall by the wayside, in particular during transition periods such as between the army and work or study. For the first time, a 5-day course was held for IDF soldiers close to the end of their service - all graduates of Selah - designed to help ease the transition back to civilian life.

Our work plan also includes:

• Placing Selah graduate "reps" at each major institute of higher learning in order to maintain contact with their fellow graduates.
• Building a website for the graduates.
• Working closely with the IDF and its various divisions.
• Increasing cooperation with non-profit and volunteer organizations working with soldiers and students who are graduates of our programs.
• Expanding the project, "Somebody to Run With" - a day center for wayward young adults operated through "Elem". Due to the increase in the number of participants in this program, the budget has been increased. We are now preparing for the next step of the project, which is to provide housing for the rehabilitated participants. Support for this special program is provided by the New York-UJA Federation.

In Israel there are 8,500 needy youth immigrants without their parents, including 6,000 lone immigrant students and 2,500 lone soldiers. In addition, there are 20,000 high school olim, 15 percent of whom fail to complete high school. In an effort to help these highly vulnerable new immigrant populations reach their full potential, the Jewish Agency, in conjunction with the Ministries of Absorption and Education and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is in the process of establishing two new loan funds.

The Fund for High School Olim-at-Risk is designed to prevent these youth from dropping out of school. The fund will assist in improving Hebrew language skills, strengthening learning skills and providing basic school supplies.

The Fund for Lone Students and Soldiers will help cover basic living expenses, provide rental assistance and subsidize tuition (beyond current assistance).

In addition to the activities within the absorption centers, there were mass events that contributed to the olim's connection to Israeli society and culture, and Jewish tradition and heritage:

• All of our absorption center residents participated in festivities organized for Passover, Holocaust Day, Memorial Day, Israeli Independence Day, and most recently Shavuot.
• In mid-May, 1,100 olim youth within the framework of the young adult programs went on a study tour in the Negev and climbed Masada together.
• In the beginning of June, hundreds of olim from Jerusalem and the Central Region came to Jerusalem for a day of touring, and participated in the Jerusalem Day ceremony at Ammunition Hill.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies for Ethiopian olim, including field trips with their parents.
• Sport Day at Wingate Institute for hundreds of olim within the framework of Selah, Atid and Kedma.

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"Aliyah 2000" is one of the most important contributing factors in our effort to encourage aliyah and strengthen the symbiotic relationship between aliyah and klitah. It is a program which reaches out to potential olim in their country of origin, offering an array of living, employment and educational absorption frameworks, thereby eliminating many of the uncertainties involved in aliyah.

As in all of our work, we are responsive to the shifting trends impacting our agenda, both in regard to the needs of olim as well as in regard to the economic and societal realities in Israel. For example, our missions featured:

• New employment programs that address an identified need in the Israeli workforce and are realistic options for the olim population.
• An increased number of employment-absorption programs in the FSU.
• An increased number of delegations to France.
• An increased number of "success stories" targeting young adults.

Scores of "Aliyah 2000" delegations in the FSU, Eastern Europe and Western countries met with thousands of potential olim. Hundreds of olim registered for a variety of direct municipal and employment absorption programs.

These teams of professionals, including representatives of local municipalities, kibbutzim, businesses, educational institutions, etc. are sent abroad by the Jewish Agency where they meet with groups of potential olim and offer concrete options regarding initial absorption in Israel.

• In the FSU, special emphasis was placed on bringing "Israel" to both large and small communities. To date, Aliyah Fairs have been highly successful, attracting more than 12,000 participants.
• In the West, well over 20,000 participants attended Aliyah, Israel and Student Fairs which took place in Argentina, France and Belgium, and other locations.

• In 2004, special emphasis was placed on providing information and consultation regarding the Israeli workforce and employment programs in Israel.
• The "First Home in the Homeland" (Bayit Rishon B'Moledet ) program continues to attract significant numbers of olim from the Ukraine and Southern Caucasus.
• Based on the success of our past experience, we continued to send "olim matslichim " (successful olim) to share their first-hand experiences with potential olim.

Despite the difficult situation in the Israeli job market, we succeeded in implementing an increasing number of special employment projects this year. The provision of employment at the initial absorption stage is undoubtedly a major factor in the successful klitah of the participating olim. (For a listing of these programs, see the section on "Absorption in Israel".)

• "Aliyah 2000" works in cooperation with approximately 40 local authorities to encourage aliyah from the FSU and a number of countries in the West.
• Municipal Direct Absorption programs have proven to be highly successful in Latin American countries, particularly Argentina.

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Long and short-term programs for tourists in Israel are an integral factor in the aliyah-in-stages approach of our work. Without having first had a taste of life in Israel, it is extremely difficult to be able to make a decision regarding aliyah. Our goal is to increase awareness, motivation and knowledge about aliyah and klitah possibilities, while strengthening the bond with the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

We offer an array of programs such as Professional Internships, WUJS Institute, Otzma, Kibbutz Ulpan, The Magen David Adom Overseas Ambulance Volunteer Program, a myriad of other volunteer programs, university studies, pilot tours and more. In all of these programs, there is a strong emphasis on bringing the program participants in contact with the Israeli people and Israeli society. Personal counseling is also provided regarding future options in Israel.

We take great pride in the fact that participation in all of our long-term programs has increased over the past three years (see chart).

In part, this is the result of our development of a cadre of 200 “Aliyah Ambassadors” in North America, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Germany and the FSU, all of whom received special training in a week-long training seminar in Israel designed to give them the tools to effectively market our long and short-term programs in their communities and on university campuses.

The Magen David Adom Overseas Ambulance Volunteer Programin Memory of Yochai Porat z"l

Since the start of 2004, some 340 volunteers have participated in the Magen David Adom program, already exceeding the total number of participants in 2003. This increase allowed for the placement of additional volunteers in Afula, Akko, Beit Shean, Eilat, Katzerin, Kiryat Gat, Nahariya, Rehovot, Rishon L'Zion, Shlomi, Tivon and Upper Nazareth.

In March there was a memorial ceremony for Yochai Porat (z"l), the former MDA Overseas Program director who was tragically killed by a terrorist while doing his reserve duty in the IDF. The event's highlight was the screening of a documentary prepared by a young cinema student and MDA graduate, who filmed his volunteer experience to share with his peers abroad, including a smiling and charismatic Yochai shortly before his death.

The Israel Professional Internship Program

As of May 2004, there are some 80 professional volunteer interns from all over the world who have been placed in jobs in high tech, research, hospitals, communication and the Knesset. Again, we are pleased by the continued annual increase in participation. This year, an increased number of interns are working in the Knesset, the Institute for Terrorism Research, local banks, etc.

In keeping with trends of previous years, a significant percentage of participants in these programs, as well as in pilot trips, will arrive in the summer months.

Pilot trips are available for potential olim who have opened aliyah files and who want to see first hand the absorption options available to them. While each pilot tour is customized to the interest and age group of its participants, in general, they focus on education, employment, housing, health, rights and benefits, and other areas of interest to potential olim. For example:

• Bringing olim to the Negev and Galilee: A pilot tour of 20 families from France explored their absorption possibilities in the communities of Mitzpe Netufa in the Galilee, and Ramat HaNegev and Shafir in the Negev. They visited with families residing in those communities and explored educational options for their children.
• Aliyah garin Magshimim from Montreal: Following on the heals of the garin from Montreal that made aliyah to Beer Sheva (Montreal's twin city), in the summer of 2003, a second group of 20 young adults came on a pilot trip in advance of their scheduled aliyah in the summer of this year.
• Some 20 professionals (aged 45-65) came on a pilot tour that combined volunteering and exposure to Israel and options in Israel.

Keshet Program for Parents of Lone Soldiers

This exciting and emotionally-filled program brings the parents of lone soldiers from the FSU to Israel. The parents come for a one-week pilot tour in which they travel through Israel, receive information concerning aliyah and participate in a joint weekend with their sons and daughters in the army. This year, 80 parents have participated in the program. This project has tremendous influence on the attitude of the parents toward aliyah and toward their children's serving in the IDF.

Manof Krovim

The goal of this program is to reach out to the parents and relatives of those young adults from the FSU who are currently in Jewish Agency programs in Israel without their families.

Israel/Aliyah Fairs and Information Days are organized for thousands of students and young adults who come to Israel on birthright israel, Israel Experience, Young Judea, Ramah, and a long list of other youth movement groups. These activities included meeting with program participants, bringing speakers and professionals to provide relevant information, university tours, visits to kibbutz ulpan and hands-on Israel experience activities. From January through May 2004, more than 4,000 people participated in these fairs and activities.

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Olim Associations are the bridge connecting new olim with Israeli society. Improving the services provided by the Olim Associations eases the absorption process of olim and helps relay a positive message to those in their home country who are considering aliyah.

• There are currently 25 Olim Associations operating.
• In keeping with the new model for allocations, the Jewish Agency only supports activities that are related to initial absorption and aliyah encouragement. As a result, the Olim Associations focus on the following activities:
  1. Meeting olim at the airport upon their arrival in Israel.
  2. Providing relevant information both verbally and in writing in the language of the oleh.
  3. Visiting the oleh in his first home.
  4. Assisting olim in all areas of absorption, such as employment, housing and education.
  5. Celebrating the holidays with the olim.

General

• Working closely with Olim Associations to run various activities and assist young olim to integrate into Israeli society. Activities include encouraging olim to create ties and friendships with their Israeli peers through joint activities, such as the olim teaching the Israelis and the Israelis assisting the olim with Hebrew, volunteering in the Civil Guard, and more.
• In cooperation with the Olim Associations, the establishment of information centers which provide a one-stop address for olim and tourists (in a number of languages) who have questions regarding aliyah options.
• Strengthening and formalizing the connection between the Associations and the various departments of the Jewish Agency. Two joint forums have been established for planning and for joint activities with the Olim Associations.

(see section on Absorption)

• An "employment headquarter" for the Olim Associations has been established in conjunction with the Council for Immigrant Organizations to identify employment opportunities for olim, and assist in their integration into the Israeli workforce. The program is based at our Tel Aviv Information Center.
• Turning Hobbies into a Livelihood: The South African Olim Association (TELFED) volunteers provide new olim assistance in turning their hobbies and talents into lucrative businesses. In a series of workshops, they provide olim with skills and know-how on how to open a small business, marketing, sales, packaging, etc. TELFED has also organized arts and crafts fairs to give the olim a venue to display and sell their handicrafts.

The Council for Immigrant Organizations serves as an umbrella organization for the Olim Associations, providing support, and lobbying for the various needs of the olim:

• Establishing an "employment headquarter" which will assist olim in finding employment.
• Providing public supervision for the various institutions that deal with aliyah and absorption.
• Operation of a support project for lone soldiers whereby Israeli families adopt them, including visits on IDF family days.
• Operating a lobby in the Knesset on behalf of the interests of the olim population.

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This support unit of the Immigration and Absorption Department conducts relevant surveys and research, providing the Department's policymakers and staff with updated information that enables them to initiate short and long-term planning, formulate effective strategic decisions and improve programming.

Research completed in 2004

• Research of Argentinean olim who made aliyah in 2002 (second round of follow-up)
• Assessing models of "Friends of Absorption Centers"
• Research of Argentinean olim in the northern region
• Research on Olim Associations
• Evaluating the Kedma model for absorbing young adults from Ethiopia.

Continuing Research and Projects in 2004

• Studies on the aliyah and absorption projects within the framework of "Partnership 2000", in conjunction with the Israel Department.
• Evaluating the "Auto Mechanics Project".
• Evaluating the "At Home and Together" Program.
• Focus Groups with FSU émigrés in the USA and Germany.

• Distributing research findings and evaluating the conclusions with the Department, regional and field staff as a basis for operational conclusions.
• Collecting and distributing research and scientific publications on aliyah that come from sources outside the Department, in Israel and around the world.

• Providing support to departmental units in the development of annual work plans.
• Initiating and operating "think-tanks" in order to advance strategic planning processes, including the preparation of position and policy papers.
• Providing strategic support for departmental reorganization and structural changes.
• Monitoring/assessing the Department's activities in Israel and abroad, and effectively applying conclusions in subsequent work plans and activities.
• Collection and organization of information on olim rights, returning minors, foreign-born citizens and returning Israelis, and disseminating this information to relevant bodies.
• Collection and distribution of research studies and scientific publications on the subject of aliyah and absorption.

• Aliyah encouragement model in light of the competition between Israel and alternate immigration places, especially among the FSU immigrants in Western countries.
• "Communal aliyah" and "communal klitah" in the local authorities.
• Development of a computerized question and answer system for interested aliyah candidates.

The Information, Planning and Evaluation Section is a partner in the general planning processes of the Jewish Agency, in cooperation with the Jewish Agency Unit for Research and Strategic Planning.

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The Publications and Information Section provides production and consultation services in approximately 10 different languages for the marketing of departmental programs and activities. It also produces and distributes relevant information for tourists and potential olim. The Section produces booklets, brochures, posters, CD's and videos, as well as managing the Department's web site in four different languages. This year more than 90 different publications were produced.

The extent of these activities is reflected in the increased amount of material sent out in 2004. To date, the Section has supplied material to shlichim and aliyah representatives for their day-to-day activities, as well as for the increased number of Aliyah, Israel and Student Fairs held worldwide.

The information provided includes both written and audio-visual material on direct absorption programs, long and short-term programs, absorption benefits and aliyah motivational material. In addition, the Section is periodically involved in providing relevant updates and information that reflect the work of the Department.

• Audio-visual and computer presentations are prominent in our work. We are continuing with the production of a number of relevant films in various languages. This year we have produced films in English, Spanish, French and Russian, on a variety of subjects.
• Some of our audio-visual and written materials have been produced in CD-Rom format. Currently they are available in Russian, Spanish and English.
• The Department's four Internet sites have been redesigned and surfers have access to updated information in Russian, English, Spanish and French.
• Production of publications in Russian and English for Russian-speakers in Western countries. Our "Gorozonti" magazine for students and young adults, is now available in an electronic, interactive format.
• The "At Home and Together" publicity campaign, designing the slogan, and producing brochures in five different languages, posters, postcards and letterheads.
• The latest issue of the "Aliyon" magazine has recently been published, focusing on motivational material and giving an in-depth view of the State of Israel's achievements.

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Last updated: Sunday, June 20, 2004