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Language Studies and Professional Status of Immigrants: the Case of Israel

Language Studies and Professional Status of Immigrants: the Case of Israel

The State of Ministry of and Immigrant Absorption

Dr. Vladimir (Ze’ev) Khanin Language studies and professional status of immigrants: the case of Israel Presented at the EU-OECD DIALOGUE ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION On the behalf of the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption

Brussels, 24-25 February 2014 General facts about Israel (2012) Population: 7,984,500 75.1% Jewish (5,999,600) 20.4% (1,628,500) Muslim 17.4%,Christian 2.0%, Druz 1.6%

1.9% Pop. Growth – 1.7% , 2.5% Muslims, 1.5% Druz, 1.7% Christians)

Official Languages – Hebrew, Arabic

Capital City – (815,300 Residents)

Unemployment - 6.9%

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Jewish Population - 7,739,000 (based on statistics from 2010) WEST EUROPE EAST EUROPE FSU 1,098,500 60,300 330,000 14.2% 0.8% 4.3%

NORTH AMERICA ASIA 5,650,000 19,200 73.0% 0.2%

SOUTH AMERICA 389,600 5.0% OCEANIA 115,100 1.5% 5,300 70,800 0.1% 0.9%

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption The - 1950

The Law of Return bestows the right to every to “make aliyah” to Israel, and thus become an Israeli citizen.

In 1970 the law was amended and accorded the right to immigrate to non-Jews who are either: 1. Children or grandchildren of Jews 2. Spouses of Jews or spouses of children or grandchildren of Jews Israeli citizenship becomes effective on the day of arrival. State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption 3,127,770 Immigrants Since the foundation of Israel (1948) 800,000 756,602 742,300

600,000

400,000 360,324

290,197 279,572 263,302

200,000 151,549 124,390 107,083

52,451 -

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption

since the year 1989

1,351,295

Immigrants arrived to Israel

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption *until 12/2013 Number of Immigrants 1989-2013

200000

150000

100000

50000

0 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption The Number of Returning Residents 1989-2013

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption 48,809 44,085 13,738 69,896 72,892 FSU 77,177 Other USA & 1,024,698 Britain

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption according to age group 1989-2013 – 1,351,295 individuals

268,045 150,983 395,982 20% 11% 29% +65

19- 45-65

536,285 40% 20-44

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Education level at the time of Immigration

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Immigrants’ major occupations 1989-2013 SCIENTISTS 17,140

ARTISTS 29,510

MEDICAL DOCTORS 58,000 & NURSES

TEACHERS 65,122

STUDENTS 196,200

ENGINEERS 118,700

FREE PROFESSIONS 230,800 (architects, economists, etc.) State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Reasons of Immigration

Immigrants by reasone of immigration

18.4 18.0 17.6

13.2 12.1

7.8 6.4 6.4

Political Desire to live Desire to Desire to Decision of Immigration of Other situation in as a Jew in advance insure the parents, family country of the Jewish professionally children's spouse or members origin(1) State or future another and/or friends economically relative to Israel

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption The immigration-related laws of the State of Israel

. The Law of Return

. The Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Integration Policies

. "Direct Absorption" – Government-sponsored integration of immigrants in established communities upon immigrants’ choice

. "Indirect Absorption Policy" – integration of immigrants through absorption centers

. "Combined Absorption" Policy – Various models of short-term adaptation in Absorption Residences followed by entrance into "open absorption market"

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Direct Absorption Path

From a strategy of full intervention to a strategy of absorption by market forces.

. Freedom to choose and decide where to live.

. Financial assistance - ”Sal Klita” - designed to help immigrants to make initial arrangements, with living expenses during the period of study (6 months) and includes rent for their first twelve months in Israel.

. Ongoing Ministry assistance in various fields of life.

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Indirect Absorption Path

Provides the new immigrants a moratorium period by accommodating them in Absorption Centers.

Temporary housing arrangement where immigrants start their initial absorption process with a tailored supportive system made to fit the immigrants' needs.

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Absorption Centers

. Participation in activities promoting their integration in Israel: Hebrew studies, familiarization with Israel’s history and culture, etc.

. Personal guidance regarding suitable possibilities – schooling, employment.

. The absorption process is very monitored with the aim of establishing an independent life.

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Areas of Ministry Assistance

. Guidance and counseling in all areas of life. . Financial assistance and support. . Assistance in learning Hebrew. . Assistance in employment and entrepreneurship. . Housing assistance . Social integration of immigrants into Israeli society services . Financial aid and counseling for higher education . Convergence to – by the immigrant’s choice

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption The total does not include special payments for studies, additional expenses related to housing, social services, professional courses, etc. Minimum wage in Israel – 1,131$ per month

State of Israel *1 $ =3.8 New Israeli Shekel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Employment after immigration

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Hebrew Studies Centres (Ulpanim)

Immigration has always been a serious Israeli concern, as evidenced by the ministerial rank given to the official in charge of immigration and the absorption of immigrants. Various institutions and programs have helped integrate immigrants into Israeli society.

Perhaps the most ubiquitous of the absorption organizations is the ulpan, a term for intensive Hebrew language school. Since Israel's founding, the ulpan (plural ulpanim) were funded by municipalities, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption or the Jewish Agency. On most cases, ulpanim were heavily subsidized and were thus free for new immigrants. Many were residential, offering dormitory-like accommodations intended for single immigrants while giving half-day instruction for six months.

Municipal ulpanim usually offered less intensive night classes and many kibbutzim also ran ulpanim which combined half-day language instruction with a half day's labor on the .

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Knowledge of Hebrew

Age

Total 18-25 26-40 41-54 55-64 65+ Not at all 5% -- 1% 2% 3% 19% Weak 15% 1% 5% 10% 22% 40%

So-so 20% 3% 11% 28% 31% 24%

Good 28% 14% 31% 38% 33% 15%

Excellent 31% 82% 52% 22% 12% 2% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

1,016 102 295 249 193 177

Khanin, 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Knowledge of Hebrew

Education

Total Secondary BA or prof. MA/T ech or diploma Ph.D. Not at all 5% 4% 5% 5% Weak 15% 13% 16% 18%

So-so 20% 20% 20% 23%

Good 28% 28% 28% 31%

Excellent 31% 34% 32% 24% Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

1,016 449 352 215

Khanin, 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Knowledge of Hebrew

Year of immigration Total 1988-1991 1992-1994 1995-1998 1999-2013 Not at all 5% 4% 6% 5% 8% Weak 15% 12% 11% 12% 29% So-so 20% 18% 20% 21% 24% Good 28% 30% 32% 29% 22% Excellent 31% 37% 34% 34% 18% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 1,016 369 240 200 207

Khanin, 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Language of communication at home

Age

Total 18-25 26-40 41-54 55-64 65+ Just Hebrew 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 2% Mostly Hebrew and partly of the country of 7% 22% 12% 4% 2% 2% origin Hebrew and of the country of origin 18% 25% 28% 23% 6% 2% equally Mostly of the country of origin and partly 25% 33% 26% 27% 30% 8% Hebrew Just of the country of origin 49% 20% 32% 44% 62% 85%

Khanin, 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Language of communication at work

Age

Total 18-25 26-40 41-54 55-64 65+ Just Hebrew 19% 44% 28% 13% 17% 3% Mostly Hebrew and partly of the country of 25% 38% 34% 423 22% 7% origin Hebrew and of the country of origin 23% 12% 23% 34% 20% 16% equally Mostly of the country of origin and partly 17% 5% 12% 21% 20% 23% Hebrew Just of the country of origin 9% -- 3% 6% 16% 22% Irrelevant 8% 1% 1% 4% 6% 29% Per cent 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% N 1,016 102 295 249 193 177 Khanin, 2013

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Immigrants' views of need of mastering Hebrew and preservation of the mother language

Age

Total 18-24 25-29 30-44 45-59 65+ No need to learn Hebrew, Russian is (0.5) -- -- (1.3) -- (0.4) enough To preserve Russian and to learn Hebrew 4.0 (1.6) (1.5) (2.6) (4.5) 7.2 for minimal utilitarian needs To preserve Russian and to master Hebrew 75.9 66.2 69.8 79.4 76.0 79.6

To conduct life in Hebrew and to preserve 19.6 31.7 38.3 16.7 19.5 12.8 Russian only for minimal utilitarian needs To conduct life in Hebrew, no need in (0.1) (0.5) (0.4) ------preservation of Russian Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Leshem, 2006

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Satisfied of their knowledge of Hebrew, 2005

Age Total 18-24 91.7

25-29 79.0 30-44 62.2

45-59 26.8 60+ 9.3

Total 43.0

Leshem, 2006

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Hebrew Learning and Identity Perception among Russian Speaking Immigrants in Israel: An Impact of the Hebrew Studies Centres (Ulpanim)

Source: “Hebrew Learning and Identity Perception among Russian Speakers in Israel” by Rinat Golan and Malka Muchnik // Journal of Jewish Identities, 4 (1) [2011], pp. 105–127

State of Israel Ministry of AliyahImmigrant and ImmigrantAbsorption Absorption Employment of Immigrants from the FSU in Israel compared to that of native

Source: “The Immigration from the former to Israel” by Yoram Weiss, Sarit Cohen Goldner and Zvi Eckstein ( University: The Sapir Center for Development, 2012), p. 18 State of Israel Ministry of AliyahImmigrant and ImmigrantAbsorption Absorption Patents per million citizens* Correlation between estimated number of patents Estimated by Actually granted to those actually Countries the Index by USPTO granted 165.6 169.9 1.0 Sweden 148.6 156.6 1.1 Israel 88.6 154.6 1.7 Finland 173.4 151.3 0.9 116.0 124.6 1.1 Canada 98.9 106.3 1.1

*Average for 1999–2007 Source: Gans & Hayes (2009), Zatcovetsky (2010).

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Immigrant entrepreneurship promotion

Total cost of immigrants’ Benefit for placement in 2009 in Cost to benefit ratio Israeli economy the entrepreneurship, vocation and science

1 : 52 3,600,394,104 NIS 69,875,308 NIS

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption Thank You and Shalom

State of Israel Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption

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