 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
|
JEWISH AGENCY TREASURER: "OLIM FROM THE FSU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ISRAEL'S CULTURE AND ECONOMY" "The immigration to Israel of nearly one million people from the FSU over the past decade has changed the face of the country," said Jewish Agency treasurer, Chaim Chesler, in a speech entitled "Israel and Aliya" at the Limmud conference held this week in Nottingham, UK. Addressing a large audience at a session that was moderated by Limmud Executive Director, Clive Lawton, Chesler spoke of the successful integration of immigrants from the FSU into Israeli society and economy. "The rate of unemployment among immigrants who have been here for ten years, is lower than the national average. Compared to the total number of immigrants, their participation in the civilian workforce is higher than that of veteran Israelis," he said. "While immigrants from the FSU make up only 14% of the Israeli population, they constitute 20% of the doctors, 30% of the engineers and a full 45% of the electrical and electronic engineers in Israel." Chesler also highlighted the contribution of this immigration to Israel's cultural life. "Today Israel can boast one of the world's best theater companies, "Gesher," which was started by a group of immigrants before they even got on the plane from Russia!"
|
