April 7, 2000
2 Nisan, 5760
Jerusalem

As part of the Jewish Agency's "Yachad BaSeder" initiative hundreds of new immigrants in Israel without families to be the guests of veteran Israeli families including those of the Prime Minister and other Ministers

Two hundred and fifty new immigrants in Israel without families will be the guests at the Seder of veteran Israeli families as part of the "Yachad Baseder" initiative of the Jewish Agency. Hosts include Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Minister for Regional Development Shimon Peres, Minister of Education Yossi Sarid, members of Knesset, mayors, heads of local councils, and members of the Jewish Agency executive.

In preparation for this event, a meeting will take place this Sunday at the President's Residence between representatives of the new immigrants and the volunteering families to enable them to become acquainted with each other. President Ezer Weizman, Jewish Agency Treasurer, Chaim Chesler, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency's Immigration Committee, Arieh Azoulay will take part in the ceremony.

Chaim Chesler noted that specifically on the seder night, when the Jewish family sits down together, the loneliness felt by the young immigrants is particularly acute. "I hope," said Chesler "that Israeli society will continue to adopt the new immigrants throughout the year, and that being guests at the homes of veteran Israeli families will provide them with a complete Jewish experience, that they were denied during the 70 years of the Soviet regime. "

Arieh Azoulay pointed out that this is the third year of the project, and noted that this is only one link in the Jewish Agency's attempt to strengthen the bond between the veteran Israeli population and the new immigrants.

According to the Jewish Agency's Immigration Department, this year there was also wide response by the public to the campaign to adopt immigrants on their own. Furthermore, an additional 2000 immigrants and tourists taking part in various Jewish Agency programs - most of whom are in Israel without families - chose to spend Seder night at group seders organized by the Jewish Agency at 15 absorption centers and on kibbutzim.

The reception in preparation for "Yachad BaSeder" will take place on Sunday, 9th April at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

15:00 Gathering of guests
15:30 Refreshments
16:30 Entrance of the President and Mrs. Weizman

For further information contact:

Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media, JAFI
Tel: 972-2-6202780
Fax: 972-2-6202708
Mobile: 972-51-601706