Beit Canada is located in a relatively new residential
neighborhood in southern Jerusalem-a complex of three six-story buildings
covered in golden-hued Jerusalem stone. For the many immigrants who have passed
through its doors, it remains a fond memory of their first home in Israel.
In the hallways, the lobby and on the manicured grounds,
families with children, students, and young adults, the majority professionals
from Western countries, become acquainted with each other and their new
surroundings.
Residents
Vikki and Spencer Bruce from London.
Students and young immigrants on specific programs such as Selah,
Professional Internship Program, and Aliyah 2000.
Singles, families up to the age of 55.
Climate
Located within the Judean Hills, Jerusalem's climate is dry
and comparatively cool. Temperatures in the winter rainy season range from
six to eleven degrees C (43-52 F) and in the long, hot summer from
nineteen to twenty-eight degrees C (66-82 F). Summer in the hilly
Jerusalem region is characterized by cooler evenings.
Location
A view from an apartment to the entrance and playground.
Beit Canada is situated in the East Talpiot neighborhood (also known
as Armon Hanatziv) of southern Jerusalem. Founded in the 1970s, it
features multi-floor and duplex homes built in the local style of
Jerusalem stone. The neighborhood center contains all the basic services,
which include a bank, pharmacy, grocery store, post office, health clinic,
schools, synagogues, and an active community center. Transportation from
the city center to Beit Canada is via the #8 bus line.
Accommodations
The Absorption Center complex includes three buildings
interspersed with gardens and a playground. It comprises 116 housing units,
classrooms, a television lounge, a synagogue, a multilingual library, a computer
room with internet access, a fitness room and offices. The one to four-room
apartments include a kitchenette and bathroom, and are furnished with beds,
table, chairs, a closet, desk and shelves. Connections to cable television and
telephone service are available through the local providers on an individual
basis, and residents pay for their own gas, electricity and water. A laundry
room with token-operated washers and dryers is available to the residents for
daily use.
Top: A standart aparment's living-room, below: the lounge on the ground floor.
Culture/Recreation
Swinging at the Center playground.
Situated in Jerusalem, Israel's capital and spiritual center,
Beit Canada is a twenty minute bus ride from the city's major commercial areas,
popular entertainment venues and institutes of higher learning. However, all
day-to-day necessities-banks, pharmacy, grocery store, post office, health
clinic and a community center - are within walking distance.
Lectures on Jewish holidays and history, cultural events,
group singing and folk dancing, Shabbat and holiday celebrations are held on the
premises.
Member families of neighborhood orthodox and conservative
synagogues have "adopted" individual olim, regularly opening their
homes for Shabbat and holiday celebrations. A pleasant walk from the center
leads to the popular Haas Promenade, offering unforgettable vistas of the
eastern and southern sections of Jerusalem.
Conveniences
Central heating, hot water (individual small electric
boilers for each apartment), laundry room (washers and dryers available at
a minimal charge), public telephones, a small multi-lingual library, and a
lounge with television, cable, and VCR are available for use. Individual
connection to cable television and telephone service is available through
the providing companies. Soon to be available are a computer lab with
e-mail and Internet access.
Hebrew/Ulpan
Beit Canada offers beginning and intermediate classes on the
premises, while more advanced students attend municipally-run ulpanim. Classes
are held five hours a day, five days a week for a period of five months, and a
language lab is available on the premises.
Services
Director David Elad, receiving an honor at the brit of a boy born
in the Absorption Center.
Information sessions are provided to assist the oleh in the
intricacies of acquiring a home and finding employment. The professional staff
are readily available to help the oleh negotiate the unfamiliar technicalities
of a new country. There is a focus on the special emotional needs of young
students, beginning their klita in Israel, and on the social ties among the
residents.
Children
Day-care facilities, nursery schools and elementary schools
are located in the neighborhood. The cultural director works with children,
parents and local schools to help facilitate smooth integration for all
children. A lively afternoon center offers organized activities and homework
assistance daily. During holidays and vacations, enrichment programs and day
camps are run on the grounds of Beit Canada.
A young olah enjoys a ride.
Education
Nurseries (day care), kindergartens, and elementary schools
are located in the neighborhood. Junior high and high schools are located
throughout the city and are available for you to choose according to your
orientation. In the afternoon hours, Beit Canada provides assistance with
homework, and during holidays and vacations offers enrichment programs.
Assistance is extended in registering children at the appropriate
educational institutions.
General Atmosphere
Director David Elad receives an enthusiastic hug from a former
resident of Beit Canada who was on a student program and is now serving in the army.
The absorption center serves as a home for the students and not just as temporary housing. They enjoy personal attention and care and there is great focus on the special emotional needs of young students beginning their Klitah in Israel. The staff maintains close contact with the students, providing counseling and giving emotional and social support. They strive to create a home atmosphere and a feeling of belonging. The social and cultural activities are offered in order to provide
experiential exposure to Israel, Zionist values and Jewish history and
tradition as well as to develop a strong social bond among the residents.
Notes
Rental fees, the signing of a contract and a deposit are
required for residence in the absorption center. For details, please check
with your Aliyah representative or contact the absorption center directly.
Feature Article
Click here to read the feature article on the East Talpiot
Beit Canada Absorption Center in the Aliyah Spotlight.
(Note: The Aliyah Spotlight is a quarterly magazine outlining the major activities of the Immigration and
Absorption Department of The Jewish Agency for Israel. It is published by the department three times a
year, to coincide with the Board of Governors meetings. The magazine includes eight pages of both the
latest update and focus of the departments energies in addition to features of on going programs and
projects. The articles are geared towards donors as well as others interested in reading about the variety
of activities that the department initiates.)
PDF Pamphlet
The material for this page was taken from the Beit Canada pamphlet.
To download and read the pamphlet in PDF format, please click here.
A view from an apartment to the entrance and playground.
Top: A standart aparment's living-room, below: the lounge on the ground floor.
Director David Elad, receiving an honor at the brit of a boy born
in the Absorption Center.
A young olah enjoys a ride.
