June 13, 2000
10 Sivan, 5760
JerusalemThe Jewish Agency Will Expand its Support For Bringing Ukrainian Children to Israel
Following a request by The Ukrainian Government, the Jewish Agency for Israel will expand its support for bringing to Israel for recuperation and vacation, groups of orphans and children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This was announced by the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Sallai Meridor who is currently visiting The Ukraine.
At a meeting which took place between the Deputy Prime Minister of The Ukraine Mikula Sholinsky, Meridor expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the Education Agreement between Israel and The Ukraine and added that he hoped that its implementation would benefit both sides.
Sholinsky said that the Ukrainian Government did not want Jews to emigrate, but that this was their free choice. He expressed his appreciation for the contribution that Jews had made to Science and Technology and praised the study programs for Ukrainian Jewish youth in Israel. Furthermore he stated that it is for the children themselves to decide, if they wish to return to The Ukraine or to stay in Israel on the completion of their studies.
At the beginning of the week, Sallai Meridor inaugurated a new educational center in Kiev 'The Gateway to Aliyah' ('Sha'ar Le' Aliyah). This center will serve as an umbrella for all education activities of the Jewish Agency for Jewish youth and students in the Ukrainian capital. At the center over 3,000 Jewish youngsters will take part in courses for studying Hebrew, Judaism and art.
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