Investing in Outreach

The program supports thirty coordinators around the country who work in strategic cooperation with the Union of Local Authorities and the Ministry of Absorption. "This triangle of institutional support is a breakthrough," says Ariela. "Rather than fight for turf and credit, the three bodies have developed a seamless apparatus, each contributing their own expertise. We use the Ministry of Absorption's lists to help identify new immigrants and their whereabouts, while the Union of Local Authorities creates an open-door policy vis-a-vis the municipalities. The Jewish Agency coordinators recruit volunteers, through inter alia , universities, hospitals, workers' committees and volunteer organizations.

Ads featuring Spanish and Russian accents in stilted Hebrew accompanied by a catchy jingle have made their entrée onto Israeli airwaves, appealing directly to Israelis to become part of Babait Bayahad. A toll-free number is given and "the response has exceeded all our expectations," says Ariela. "We received over 3000 calls in a month!"

The November series of events, featuring the WZO Zionist General Council, the UJC General Assembly, the Jewish Agency Assembly and Board of Governor's meetings reflect the on-going efforts of world Jewry to preserve its own future and that of Israel. "For those of us in the Jewish Agency, and particularly in the Immigration and Absorption Department, continued aliyah is the answer for both," stresses Mike Rosenberg, Director-General of the Immigration and Absorption Department. "With regard to Israel, the reason is self-evident - more olim help protect the State of Israel's Jewish majority. However, aliyah also acts as a living bridge between Jewish communities and families, and Israel and its people. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to make more clearly understood the critical role that aliyah plays in the future of the Jewish people."

Building New Networks

The family-to-family connection is sealed through a common denominator above and beyond geographic proximity. "It may be professional interests, a hobby, children in the same class, whatever the glue is that can turn an acquaintance into a relationship. Before an Israeli family meets a new immigrant, we run preparatory workshops to define goals and expectations. We organize on-going group events for participants - including picnics, lectures or trips."

"A group of students at Hebrew University, inspired by the idea of the program, decided to hook-up with a group of immigrants studying at Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem. Rahel, from Brazil, admits that, although she had been in Israel for over three months, "it was the first time I met Israelis socially. Friendships flourished, and when Rahel recently moved into her own apartment it was her new Israeli friends who went over the lease with her, and helped her get organized."

A Win-Win Situation

Convinced by friends to come to an introductory evening of Babait Bayahad in Ashdod, Nissim and Mali Heiman were tentatively paired with Samuel and Liora Kravitz from Uruguay. The chemistry was so immediate that the two couples left that evening for a night on the town, and over the following two weeks saw a great deal of each other. One morning Mali called Samuel, a brakes mechanic, and said, "This morning, I'm taking you two for a tour of Ashdod." She picked them up and soon the car stopped in front of a huge garage in Ashdod's industrial district. Nissim's father and uncles came out to greet them. After a meal and a tour of the garage, Nissim's father pulled open a large metal door leading into a empty section of the garage and said, "Samuel, we used to have our brakes department in here, but we closed it down a few years ago. Take money to buy a pair of overalls, and you can start work tomorrow."

"People are giving of their talents," says Ariela. "Many choose to tutor children and adults in Hebrew. Lawyers have offered a number of hours a week to review leases, teachers of everything ranging from theater to history are willing to run workshops or give weekly classes.

"We have struck a chord in Israeli society, and through strategic cooperation, efficient outreach and coordination, we have created a wonderful network, with both veterans and immigrants - each giving and receiving."

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