April 10, 2003
8 Nisan, 5763
Jerusalem

Jewish Agency Director General Giora Romm at Graduation Ceremony of Joint Jewish Agency-IDF Course on Judaism and Zionism: You now know for what you are fighting
130 new immigrant soldiers graduate

130 new immigrant soldiers graduate yesterday (9 April) from an intensive eight-week course on the essentials of Judaism and Zionism. The course entitled Nativ (path) is offered by the Jewish Agency's Institute of Jewish Studies in conjunction with the IDF Education and Youth Corps. The number of graduates in this class is double that of the previous class, reflecting a sincere desire of young immigrants to become part of the Jewish People in the fullest sense of the term. The present class includes new immigrant soldiers from the Former Soviet Union, France, Spain and Ethiopia.

Addressing the Graduates, Jewish Agency Director General Giora Romm said, "You, who have come here will be taking responsibility for Israel. In a war it is impossible to win if you are not sure of what you are fighting for. Having completed the course you know what you are fighting for." Also addressing the graduates was the Chairman of the Jewish Agency's Institute for Jewish Studies, Prof. Benny Ish-Shalom, who said that the graduates embodied the imperatives of Passover: to know and retell and to do. Chief Education and Youth Corps Officer, Brig. Gen. Elazar Stern said "You are the true heroes of the course because you have come to Israel to be part of the Jewish People."

In addition to formal lectures and class work, and field trips, the students spent Sabbaths with host families, eating meals with them so that they could learn the Sabbath customs and practices. The intensive course enriches the students' knowledge of Judaism and Zionism. Curriculum includes seminars, field trips, and encounters with cross-sections of Israeli society. During the course students reside in dormitories on the Jewish Agency's Kiryat Moriya Educational Campus in Jerusalem. Following this course graduates may go on to do advanced courses. Those who require it and so desire may continue with procedures for conversion.

Outstanding graduate was Cpl. Michael Paldi from Ukraine. The first class was held in September 2001, with 36 students. To date six classes have been held in which 450 students participated. Parallel to the Nativ course for soldiers, the Jewish Agency's Institute for Jewish Studies runs two additional courses intended for immigrants desiring to enrich their knowledge of Hebrew while also enhancing their knowledge of Judaism: The B'reishit ("Genesis") course in which 165 immigrants to date have participated, is conceived for soldiers in basic training, and the Dvir course, in which 42 new immigrant soldiers have participated is conceived for graduates of the Jewish Agency and Ministry's Na'aleh (Hebrew acronym for 'Youth before Parents') high school studies program.

For additional information contact
the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013