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The Masorti Movement has long been involved in the absorption of new immigrants, receiving olim from around the world with open hands and hearts in the Movement’s congregations. The absorption process is often difficult and thwart with problems, as families adapt to their new life in Israel. Masorti members, many of them who themselves immigrated in the past, are always happy to assist these new Israeli citizens to acclimatize to the Israeli way of life.
The following are the main programs presently operated by the Masorti Movement on behalf of new immigrants.
Absorption of Latin American Olim
With the recent influx of olim from Latin America, two congregations – Hakrayot in Kiriat Bialik and Amitai in Raanana – are at the forefront of the Movement’s absorption efforts for Latin Americans. Both kehilot are led by Argentinean-born rabbis.
Rabbi Mauricio Balter of Hakrayot (also president of the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel) and Rabbi Gustavo Surazsky of Amitai (who made aliya in 2002) hold weekly “clinics”, in which the new immigrants are welcome to speak to the rabbi in a private meeting. At Hakrayot, the rabbi also holds fortnightly group meetings, in which the olim share their experiences and receive counseling. The rabbis also receive many other requests for assistance outside of these frameworks and dedicate much time to the well being of the olim.
At Hakrayot, volunteers meet immigrant families on their arrival at Ben Gurion Airport and accompany them during their first days in Israel, including visits to the bank, post office, Interior Ministry, Absorption Ministry, medical clinics, schools and other important locations. The families are contacted before their arrival to verify special needs (e.g. medical). After the initial absorption, volunteers assist the olim in finding housing and employment, as well as essentials such as furniture. Rabbi Balter and his congregation work in cooperation with the local municipality of Kiriat Bialik.
At Rosh Hashanah, both synagogues grant a year’s free membership to the olim who have arrived during the last year. The congregations also subsidize Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies for many immigrant children, and ensure that they have an enjoyable ceremony. Throughout the year, festivals and other notable days are celebrated together.
Both congregations run the Shabbat Shalom food program: the weekly distribution of food parcels to olim in need, who live in absorption centers. At Hakrayot, they hold a regular Kabalat Shabbat on Friday evening, with refreshments after the service. At Amitai, they host the olim for a Friday evening meal once a month.
At Amitai, in a joint project with NOAM and the Raanana municipality, a Spanish-speaking youth counselor has been employed to work with young olim. The youngsters meet each week for both learning and leisure activities. The Amitai congregation offers various workshops and lectures to aid both the olim and other members of the community to cope in times of stress.
Shorashim
Project Shorashim, in Bat Yam, directed at olim from the Former Soviet Union, offers educational programs that focus on teaching basic Judaism, Jewish texts and traditions, and the Jewish calendar of life cycle events and holidays. Shorashim also utilizes Masorti’s NOAM Youth Movement and Camp Ramah/NOAM as educational resources for adolescent immigrants.
Participants enjoy educational, social, cultural and traditional Jewish activities, such as Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner, Tu Bishvat and Pesach sedarim, and Shabbat retreats.
The activities are inter-generational and programming takes into account the needs of youth, adults and elderly immigrants. Youth are also integrated into activities of NOAM and many participate in the Ramah-NOAM Summer Camp.
Summer Camps for Olim
For the last few years, the Ramah-NOAM Summer Camp has hosted some 40 immigrant-children from Upper Nazareth, for the two-week Kaytana, or day camp. While the children enjoy their own special programming at the Hodayot Youth Village, in the Galilee, they also benefit from the unique atmosphere of the Ramah-NOAM camp and get to meet other children from around the country.
Ramah-NOAM also runs a weeklong summer camp at the Masorti kibbutz, Hanaton, for Spanish speaking young olim.
Contact Information
Kehilot Coordinator: Aviva Groen
Address: P.O. Box 7559, 91074 Jerusalem, ISRAEL
Telephone: +972 (2) 624 6510 ext 27
Fax: +972 (2) 624 6869
Email: aviva@masorti.org
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