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VOLUNTEERS FROM ABROAD: PAINT KINDERGARTENS, RAISE MONEY FOR SICK CHILDREN BRITISH "ZIONIST YOUTH" RAISES MONEY FOR SICK KIDS, "HABONIM-DROR" PAINTS A KINDERGARTEN IN JERUSALEM
 Members of "Zionist Youth" posing in front of raft that they built at Hokuk beach, lake Tiberias Tens of British Jewish teens, members of youth movements, are in Israel now participating in the Jewish Agency's "Israel Experience" summer programs. This year, like every year, the youth arrived in Israel for a few weeks of educational, social and enrichment tours around the country. Like all the Israel Experience groups, the British groups arrived eager to learn about Israel by walking through the Galilee, the Negev and the Central regions. Most are first-timers in Israel, but the British youth movements have a long tradition of sending groups to Israel every summer for social and community activities. Members of the "Zionist Youth" movement have a tradition of raising funds every year to benefit children suffering from physical and mental handicaps in need of therapy. No one keeps track of what portion is donated by non-Jews, but each year the group manages to raise a sizable sum. While in Israel, the youth travel each year to the north, build a raft and sail on Lake Tiberias. They call the raft "the Rafsody," and each year's group tries to outdo the previous by building a bigger and more luxurious raft. 35 members of the youth movement built the raft this year. The "Habonim-Dror" movement operates a social responsibility project as well. The 35 members presently in Israel volunteered to renovate and paint six kindergartens in the Katamonim neighborhoods in Jerusalem. The project was coordinated with the city's Education Department, and in this framework the youths pulled weeds, cleaned and painted the kindergartens and playground equipment. The reactions to the work were so outstanding that the movement decided to make the project an annual tradition, and they have already promised to return next summer for more of the same.
42 THOUSAND ARRIVED SINCE BEGINNING OF DISTURBANCES - 1000 OLIM ABSORBED IN JUDEA & SAMAREA SETTLEMENTS Despite the security situation, immigration to Israel continues. According to Jewish Agency figures 41,224 new immigrants (32,660 of them from the FSU) have arrived in Israel since the start of the recent violence. Jewish Agency statistics also reveal that in spite of the threat of violence, over 1,000 olim chose to settle in the settlements of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip (Yesha). Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor welcomed a group of 43 new immigrants from Mexico who arrived this morning in Israel to settle in the town of Kochav Ya'akov in the Mate Binyamin Regional Council. Rafael Dagan who immigrated from France last week and settled in the village of Kochav Hashachar, also part of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, said that his settlement is a beautiful place and "it's as if we're living in Paris. This is the Land of Israel and people have to come and live here. If, for example, many more Jews came to live in Hebron, we wouldn't be having the problem that we have there now." The World Zionist Organization Settlement Division coordinates efforts of the Yesha settlements to attract new immigrants. Olim wishing to move to these settlements are absorbed during their first year in Israel in special absorption centers where they learn Hebrew and are assisted in finding employment. At the end of their ulpan the olim move to their chosen settlement or one closer to their place of work. About 1,000 new immigrants from France, England, the CIS, USA and Latin America were absorbed this way over the last year through programs of the WZO Settlement Department. The settlements that absorbed the most olim were: Kochav Hashachar, Hinanit, Eli, Gedid, Beit Yatir, Kochav Ya'akov, Shavei Shomron and the Golan Heights settlements.
Despite the security situation in Israel, the Aliyah figures from North America rose during the month of July and the beginning of August, and Aliyah during the first half of 2001 has remained comparable to that of last year. "We had feared that the unrest and uncertainty would adversely affect Aliyah. However, we were pleasantly surprised," said Akiva Werber, the Jewish Agency official responsible for North American Aliyah. "The figures show that the immigrants are motivated by positive ideological considerations and strong attachment to Israel." During the month of July 261 immigrants came to Israel - a slight increase over the number of immigrants who came to Israel from North America during July of last year (258). The first week of August saw 51 North American immigrants arriving. "This marked increase over the weekly average of 25 is, of course seasonal, since most families move during the summer months. However the important point is that Aliyah has remained steady," Werber said. During the first half of 2001 620 immigrants have come from North America, just slightly less than the 653 who arrived during the first half of 2000. Last year 12050 immigrants came from North America and an additional 550 North Americans changed their status to immigrant in Israel. North American immigrants are well-educated professionals, with enterprising spirit.
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