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Meridor: 35,000 immigrants arrived in Israel in 2002 - a significant achievement during these times; Treasurer Shai Hermesh: Jewish Agency budget increased to $477 million this year, thanks to contributions of world Jewry
 R to L: Director-General of the Jewish Agency, Giora Romm, Chairman Sallai Meridor, Treasurer Shai Hermesh, Spokesman Ephraim Lapid, at a press conference summarizing Jewish Agency activities for 2002 Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor reported that in 2002 some 35,000 immigrants arrived in Israel. "This is a significant achievement considering Israel's security situation," he said. Meridor, speaking in a press conference summing up the Jewish Agency's activity during 2002, said that last year saw a 25% increase in immigration from North America; the number of immigrants from France doubled, and the number of immigrants from Argentina and Uruguay grew significantly. Meridor added that in 2003 the Jewish Agency will devote great efforts to maintaining the number of immigrants, and to extend the emergency operation in Argentina and Uruguay for an additional year. The goal is to prevent a drop in the number of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and if possible to increase the number. Referring to the subject of conversions of new immigrants, Meridor noted that Jewish awareness on the part of FSU immigrants increased greatly in 2002. 35,000 individuals are enrolled in Jewish Identity classes in the FSU. Over 7,000 students studied at the Jerusalem Institute of Jewish Studies (that prepares new immigrants for conversion), which was founded by the Jewish Agency. However, graduates of this institute are confronted with a harsh reality. Of the over 2,000 graduates wishing to convert to Judaism, only 500 were converted by the rabbinic courts. The others were refused for various reasons. Meridor criticized the Chief Rabbinate's handling of the conversion issue, and called upon the Chief Rabbinate to help immigrants wishing to convert. Some 20,000 youngsters and young adults participated in the Jewish Agency's Israel Experience programs during the past year, most in the context of the birthright program. The Jewish Agency likewise devoted various efforts to "bring Israel" to Jewish youth in the Diaspora, including sending 2,500 young counselors to work in educational capacities in Jewish summer camps and Zionist seminars. Meridor said that Jewish communities abroad have demonstrated increased solidarity with Israel during the past year. Eight new partnerships in the Agency's Partnership 2000 program that links Diaspora and Israeli communities were established, raising the total number to 39. Likewise Jews throughout the world demonstrate on behalf of Israel. Close to 2,000 volunteers recruited by the Jewish Agency came to Israel, and world Jewish communities raised a quarter of a billion dollars as part of the Israel Emergency Campaign. Jewish Agency Treasurer Shai Hermesh reported that the Jewish Agency's budget increased during 2002 to $477 million (compared to $400 during the preceding year). Much of the increase is attributable to the Israel Emergency Campaign. Hermesh stressed contributions from Jewish communities abroad account for the lion's share of the Jewish Agency budget, and that NIS 40 was raised in Israel by the Spirit of Israel Campaign, which was established by the Jewish Agency. Reflecting on the demographic problem Israel in the Galilee and Negev, Hermesh stated that the Jewish Agency will launch an initiative called, "The New Challenge - A Zionist Majority in the Galilee and Negev." The Agency's Board of Governors, which convenes next week, will discuss setting up a senior planning team to propose ways of realizing this program. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Giora Romm, Director- General of the Jewish Agency, reported that the Jewish Agency's 35 absorption centers are prepared for the possibility of a war. Protective kits were distributed to the 10,000 immigrants who live in these centers and emergency drills were carried out. Emergency announcements were recorded in four languages. The Jewish Agency is also responsible for the over 1,000 students in four youth villages as well as for tourists on Jewish Agency programs, and volunteers on Agency programs. The Jewish Agency has set up a situation room in its main building to coordinate activities in case of emergency.
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