For the People of

YOUR IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL

2018 REPORT TO OUR DONORS Without Keren Hayesod there would have been no State of Israel, plain and simple.”

REUVEN RIVLIN, PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL

2 OUR VISION Keren Hayesod – UIA is and will continue to be the world’s leading fundraising organisation for the People of Israel. It enables all those who want to support Israel as the Jewish homeland, enhance the lives of the People of Israel, and strengthen the connection between them and Jewish communities around the world. It enables them to express their commitment by contributing funds to activities, projects and enterprises Keren Hayesod – UIA deems of value and priority in promoting these causes. Keren Hayesod – UIA will continue to be a bridge that embodies this unbreakable connection, and makes it possible for all to act as a collective — working for a strong Israel at the heart of the Jewish world; a secure Israel that can provide a home and safe haven for all Jews; and a successful Israel that everyone can be proud of. Keren Hayesod – UIA’s work is based on the lessons of the Jewish people’s history and at its core is the Jewish principle of mutual .ערבים זה לזה — responsibility will always — עם ישראל — The People of Israel be there for one another.

3 FOR THE OLIM

2018 ALIYAH NUMBERS

30,124 TOTAL OLIM

2% INCREASE IN ALIYAH FROM 2017

Former Soviet Union

Europe

North America, Oceania and South Africa

Latin America

Rest of Asia and Africa

Turkey and Middle East

Ethiopia

4 The State of Israel was founded on the spirit of immigrants. Aliyah and absorption hold great importance and remain a top priority for Keren Hayesod – UIA. This past year, we supported 30,124 olim (new immigrants) make our homeland their home. Together with you, we have placed significant emphasis on supporting all aspects of the aliyah process: from pre-aliyah to the arrival of new olim and their absorption into their new homes and surroundings.

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT

7 6,500 NEW OLIM programs were able to attend ulpans programs operated

all of which assisted new 6 immigrants 22–35 years old from ulpan etzion programs operated 35 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

At our ulpans, olim learn Hebrew and meet other new immigrants going through the same process as them. Residential ulpans offer added benefits of a first home in Israel, extracurricular programs promoting Jewish identity and Israeli culture and assistance in helping to find their next steps in Israel — housing, employment, further education and more. Your generosity also helps us provide olim with career advancement opportunities through A Profession for Life. In 2018, 435 olim benefitted from the program’s 15 fast tracks for licensing and re-licensing in various fields, including medicine, engineering and technical specialities. Participants benefit from both general Hebrew classes and additional courses that help them gain the necessary Hebrew for their chosen professions, training in their specialities and courses to re-license themselves as doctors in Israel. Together with their families, they also benefit from housing in absorption centres and help for the entire family as new immigrants to Israel.

5 FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

All children, no matter their socioeconomic reality, deserve equal access to quality education, resources and support. With your help, we make it a priority to help Israel’s disadvantaged children and youth succeed. We are ensuring that critical interventions are available at all stages of development and of varied kinds, from mentorship to extracurricular learning that will help them advance in the future.

Now, my friends listen to me and value what I share. Youth Futures gave me the tools to feel confident within myself. Now, I can succeed.”

6 For younger children, our Youth Futures project empowers over 14,000 at-risk children (ages 6–13 years old) and their families in 36 locations and 148 schools annually. The program provides personalised attention, positive social experiences and educational enrichment that help Israeli youth to develop their strengths and bridge scholastic, social, and cultural gaps. A recent study looked at children after three years of participation and found that they had improved in all four spheres of focus that Youth Futures is active in (personal, social, family and scholastic). For families, 85% claimed that they improved their tools and skills as parents and 83% reported an improvement in their relationships with their children. 94% of alumni report being satisfied with their life situation and credit their Youth Futures experience with that contentment. A majority of alumni (79%) demonstrated increased motivation to serve in advanced Israel Defence Forces (IDF) roles or perform civil service. 73% of alumni also attribute their ability to attend higher education to their involvement in Youth Futures.

14,000 36 148 youth-at-risk locations schools and their families

The ability to overcome their difficulties, and give them a real push is the true role of the trustee. They need that role model who is always whispering to the child, ‘You can. You are capable. You are successful.’”

EINAT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, YOUTH FUTURES

7 FOR THE YOUTH OF ISRAEL

Israel’s technology sector has taken off, and Israelis are taking advantage of the new opportunities to build their financial and professional futures. Thanks to your generosity, Keren Hayesod – UIA is able to support the Net@ program, which is one of the most effective agents of social mobility in Israel. This program bridges the technological divide in Israel, creating social mobility for under-served youth living in Israel’s socioeconomic and geographic periphery. In 2018, 1,280 secondary school students benefitted from the program’s20 locations across Israel. Net@ instils technological excellence and leadership skills for children in grades 5–12 and is the only long-term youth program in Israel that brings together Jewish, Muslim and Christian youth. This is a joint initiative of Keren Hayesod – UIA, , Cisco and Appleseeds Academy. Another avenue through which Keren Hayesod – UIA supported youth- at-risk was through 4 Youth Villages for 785 students in secondary education. This assisted with integration difficulties, to break the cycle of poverty and to become contributing members of Israeli society. Youth Villages provide a remedial education in a supportive, residential home atmosphere and helps these at-risk youth create a better future.

8 2018 NET@ ACHIEVEMENTS General Population Net@ Alumni

Maths and Successful Completion High School English Studies of National Matriculation Specialization Track Exams

97% 76% 89% of Net@ alumni take 66% level 4 or 5 Math 57% matriculation exams 52%

36% 82% of Net@ alumni take level 5 English matriculation exams Completion of Tech Science Matriculation Matriculation Matriculation Exams Computer Chemistry, Science Physics & Biology

Return on Investment Military Higher Employment The added value of Service Education Net@ to alumni's future earning potential 68% 56% 51%

41% +20% 32% 34% Net@ alumni earn 20% more than their peers Serving in Studying Working in the Tech Units Professional Tech Sector Tech Tracks

9 FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL'S PERIPHERY

The and Galilee comprise 70% of Israel’s territory, yet are home to only 30% of its population and produce only 8% of its economic output. Many residents of the periphery, including new immigrants, are cut off from the economic, cultural, and educational opportunities that are available in the centre of the country. The widening socioeconomic gap poses a serious threat to the country’s future. Therefore, with the support of Keren Hayesod – UIA supporters, we prioritise projects like Choosing Tomorrow and Ketzev. Both programs encourage young adults to live and contribute to communities in Israel’s periphery. Choosing Tomorrow works with motivated university students to encourage and help them live in these areas for at least two years after graduating universities in the periphery. Ketzev works with young idealistic adults to create self- sustaining programs with long-term stability. These projects promote social activism values while bringing new businesses, increased employment and volunteer community building to Israel’s periphery.

207 COLLEGE STUDENTS participated in our Choosing Tomorrow platform for volunteerism

54 GROUPS built “social businesses” (for-profit ventures that provide social benefits) with guidance from our Ketzev program

184,000 ISRAELIS participated in resulting educational and socially-conscious initiatives

10 BRINGING YOUNG, DYNAMIC PEOPLE TO SETTLE IN THE NEGEV, AND PROMOTING SOCIAL ACTIVISM

11 FOR THE ELDERLY OF ISRAEL

The shortage of low-rent housing in Israel imposes great hardships on many elderly Israelis who do not own their own homes. The situation is particularly severe for and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, who have no assets and lack an extensive support system of family and friends. Welfare allocations are often far too inadequate to even rent the most basic apartment. Keren Hayesod – UIA and our supporters believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity, and we have therefore prioritised our work with the Amigour Housing Management Company.

If I wasn’t living at Amigour, in a place like this, I’m not at all sure I would have survived.”

YITZCHAK, AMIGOUR RESIDENT

12 Amigour is Israel’s leading operator of public and sheltered housing facilities and the key agent responding to this critical need. Today, over 7,500 low-income seniors across the country enjoy affordable housing and independent living. Thousands more are on the waitlist and, thanks to Keren Hayesod – UIA donors, major building projects are underway to create additional apartments to meet the growing demand. In addition to affordable housing and independent living, residents also benefit from the sense of community. Each residence has a dedicated staff, including a social worker, to help the residents and to ensure that all their needs are met. Residents also benefit from a variety of programs, classes, trips around Israel, holiday celebrations and more. All of this is designed to ensure residents enjoy personal enrichment and dignified living. We are leading a new national project that will add 2,650 units across 17 locations in Israel. This expansion will help us meet the significant demand for sheltered housing for Israel’s elderly.

7,500 57 low-income beneficiaries locations throughout Israel

PROJECTED 17 NEW LOCATIONS

13 FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN DEFENDING ISRAEL

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is considered the great equalizer in Israeli society and provides the space in which national solidarity and camaraderie are forged. As such, Keren Hayesod – UIA and our donors have prioritised projects that help disadvantaged youth and new olim that serve in the IDF. Mechinot are pre-military academies that empower young Israelis to prepare for service before entering the army. In 2018, Keren Hayesod – UIA supported 23 mechinot that gave 940 disadvantaged Israeli youth and young Jews from abroad. These programs strengthen their personal identity and Jewish understanding while paving the way for acceptance to higher-level IDF units. In addition, we also assist soldiers to successfully transition from army to civilian life. Every year, approximately 1,300 Lone Immigrant Soldiers complete their service. Most Israelis have their families to help them deal with this transition; finding a place to live, managing a budget, obtaining an education and pursuing a career path. With our partners, we are helping these olim through the Wings seminar towards the end of their service, a release grant and a Wings alumni network that extends supports after they have completed their service.

23 1,300 Mechinot lone soldiers supported

940 DISADVANTAGED YOUTH BENEFITTED FROM MECHINOT

14 With a little bit of support and help like these programs, it helps us stay. It helps us grow this country. Make it stronger. It helps us feel like we’re more at home in this place.”

JASON, WINGS PROGRAM ALUMNI

15 FOR THE JEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Keren Hayesod – UIA serves as the bridge between Israel and Jewish communities and friends of Israel around the world. Together, we are dedicated to the continuation of the Jewish people and ensuring our connectivity to one another. Keren Hayesod – UIA and our supporters have therefore prioritised projects that promote Jewish identity building, the strongest Zionist education and the security of Jews around the world. Thanks to your generosity, we support , the leader in immersive international experiences in Israel for young people ages 18–30 years old. Participants come from more than 60 countries and enjoy over 200 affiliated programs offering 2–12 months programs in Israel. These programs are transformative for young Jews and have proven more successful than any other means in ensuring lifelong bonds with Israel and involvement in Jewish life. Masa programs have added value as they serve a pre-aliyah function for interested participants. Masa also help Israel’s periphery by bringing these communities young, motivated leaders passionate about community service and contributing to the people in these areas.

16 Additionally, as representatives of the only Jewish state, we also have a responsibility to the global Jewish community. In the face of growing anti-Semitism, the Fund for Security Assistance to Jewish Communities was established to help protect and secure Jewish institutions around the world. The Fund has been active for 6 years and has allocated over $11.2 million to 260 Jewish communities and institutions in 58 countries. In 2018, the Fund allocated $1.4 million to 63 communities and institutions.

MASA IN NUMBERS

18–30 2–12 60 years month programs countries

200 120,000 programs offered alumni

Joint initiative of Volunteerism, leadership Jewish Agency and development, Prime Minister’s Office career advancement

Studies show that Masa’s immersive programs are among the most efficient way to strengthen Diaspora Jewry’s connection to Israel

17 Together we supported Israel's past. We need to ensure its future.

Leave your Legacy through Keren Hayesod – UIA and help secure the future of the People of Israel.

18 OUR impact YOUR SUPPORT MAKES THIS HAPPEN FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL

ABSORPTION ALIYAH Profession for life From all over the provides special world, especially from absorption vocational countries where Jews training programs are still experiencing for young adults hardship and persecution

YOUTH-AT-RISK DIGNITY FOR Programs for youth- HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS at-risk with tailored Sheltered housing intervention solutions, solutions and activities education and for elderly Holocaust therapy through Survivors and Youth Villages and Immigrants thorough Youth Futures the Amigour Program

STRENGTHENING ISRAEL PROGRAMS THE PERIPHERY The Masa program Creating a pioneering builds leadership-level spirit by building connections and Young Communities enduring commitment in the priority regions to Israel and the of the Negev Jewish people and Galilee

CHILDREN WITH THE NEXT GENERATION DISABILITIES OF HI-TECH Rehabilitative care Net@ bridges Israel’s for severely disabled social gap with hi-tech, children through the leadership and Aleh Program volunteering commitment to Israel and the Jewish people For the People of Israel

For more information on any of our programs in Israel or to get involved, please contact WA 61 Woodrow Ave YOKINE, 6060 08 9275 1186 WWW.UIAAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU