UPGRADING ABSORPTION CENTERS:
INTEGRATING ISRAEL’S
VULNERABLE IMMIGRANTS

Starting over is never easy. Exchanging known hardships in rural or undeveloped countries for Israel's modern, fast-paced, terror-tinged society is challenging at best; and for many new immigrants overwhelming. Many olim from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and most from Ethiopia arrive unprepared for the complexity of challenges they will face as they start their new lives in the Jewish homeland. Compounding the expected adjustments are the prolonged war on terrorism and the worst recession in Israel's history. The extended conflict has heightened the need for social services at a time when the government is least able to provide for many human needs.

Unemployment and poverty rates are up, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable sectors of Israeli society—particularly olim. New immigrants lack supportive social networks and are unequipped to deal with terror. While a small percentage of highly skilled professionals may find positions utilizing their education and experience, many more from rural parts of the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia may have only a rudimentary education and lack even the most basic job skills. Without knowledge of Hebrew or relevant job skills, they have a harder time competing for jobs, explaining unemployment rates that are a full 2.5 percent higher than among veteran Israelis.

While the people of Israel have demonstrated strength, resolve and indefatigable spirit in facing the matsav, issues that threatened the very fabric of Israeli society before the crisis remain unresolved. Disparities in economic and geographic advantage; in education and equal opportunity. The integration of immigrants our partnership has brought to Israel is a major part of the Jewish Agency aliyah responsibility. Meeting the dramatically increasing needs in their successful integration was and remains at the top of the Jewish Agency request for increased funding.

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