RUSSIAN MIGRATION TO The Analysis of a Refugee Movement and Its Impact on Israeli Society

EPHRAIM TABORY Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

The immigration of several hundred thousand to Israel wdl change the whole face of Israeli society, affecting the peace process, relations between Israel and the super­ powers, and economic, religious, political, and social development within Israel. The assistance given to the new immigrants not only wdl affect them but also the absorbers— the who are providing that assistance. This article analyzes the multifaceted impact ofthe large-scale Russian immigration on Israeli society.

mmigration is a demographic impeiative that such a laige-scale immigiation can I for Istael, as well as a moial indicatoi have in such a short peiiod of time is vast. of the veiacity of the Zionist dream. The The puipose of this article is to analyze 180,000 immigrants who ariived from the the aieas of Isiaeli society that can be ex­ duiing 1990, in addition to pected to be affected by the laige-scalc the 15,000 newcomeis from othei cotmtiies, immigiation. incieased Istael's Jewish populadon by 5 %. Tbis impact is analyzed in tetms of its Government leadeis continue to take piide macro-level effect on Istaeli society in gen­ in the daily immigiation of Soviet Jews, eial and of the micio issues that lelate to even though the numbei attiving is less the individual. An additional frame of than piedicted. The Ministiy of Immigiant tefeience uses an instiumental/expiessive Absoiption (1990) had piepaied guidelines dimension. Instiumental issues telate to foi the absorption of 400,000 immigrants material and physical needs and wants. in 1991, and theie wete some who claimed The expiessive dimension includes mote that this was too low an estimate. Actually, intangible and absttact issues, sucb as the less than half that numbei emigrated to natuie of social identity, values, cultuial Isiael in that year. It is imdeai what impact orientations, and a feeling of satisfaction the bieak-up of the Soviet Union will have and well-being. on futuie immigiation. The absoiption of 400,000 immigiants HOUSING annually oi even "only" 200,000 peisons is Immigiation has cieated a housing shortage a challenge that few countiies can meet fot the immigiants themselves, as well as easily. The leadiness to accept such latge fot young Isiaeh couples. The tension that numbeis of peisons, tegaidless of theii age, housing shortages can cieate was seen in health, educational levels, and occupational the summet of 1990 when Israeli couples tfaining, and tegaidless of the economy, established tent cities in public areas as the social composition, and the basic infia­ a protest against insufl&cient affbtdable stiuctuie of the absoibing society is an housing. ideological ptinciple of Istaeli society. It is To alleviate the possibility of an imme­ leflected in the Law of Return and by the diate housing shortage in 1990, the gov­ affective-laden Hebiew terms used to de­ ernment agreed to forego taxes on lental sciibe migration to and from lsta.el—aliyah payments. Investment in teal estate has (ascent) and yeridah (descent). The impact been one of the best safeguaids against

268 Russian Migration to Israel I 269 inflation in Israel and it was thought that of the positive effects of immigfation — and there were many empty apartments that of the Intifada, which led to the withdfawal could be rented out with this added incen­ of cheap Arab labor—has been tbe impetus tive. Indeed, many unoccupied apattments provided to the constiuction industty to were rented out duting the yeat. However, le-evaluate its building pioceduies and to the subsidies for rental payments had an adopt moie cost-efficient and speedy build­ indirect negative effect in that the housing ing methods. Yet, it appeals that the allowance provided to new immigrants immigtants aie benefiting from the new became the base rent in Israel. Apartment wave of constfuction only indirectly, as owners demanded similar sums from other veteran Israelis are upgrading their lifestyle occupants, including students and young by purchasing the new apanments. In turn, couples. the immigrants afe moving into the apart­ Unless low-cost rental housing is con­ ments that the veterans are vacating. structed on a large scale, the most feasible To shoften the constfuction pfocess, the housing solution is the constfuction of government has pfoposed a relaxation of low-cost condominiums. Construction of the building codes and standafds accepted permanent housing has been delayed, how­ until now. This short-term solution is ever, because contractors wish to guarantee fraught with negative long-tefm implica­ a return on their investment even before tions, inasmuch as sloppy constfuction they begin to build. In fact, they are asked unfegulated by accepted standards could to begin constmction for a population that turn into slum settlements rather quickly. has not yet arrived. They also know that Because the housing built is fof sale on those who have already emigrated cannot the open market and because these hous­ really afford the cost of purchasing the ing projects are located in urban areas, not apartments that they are building. The far removed from other residential areas, government is relatively generous with this has not yet happened. Proposals to mortgages, especially in areas that it wishes estabhsh temporary caravan cities have met to develop, but the Israeli banking system much opposition, not the least of which is demands a system of guarantofs that puts on the municipal level. Municipalities ate a tremendous handicap on new immigrants. not anxious to have what they fear will It is unfathomable how anyone in Israel, become permanent slum areas in their from a rational economic perspective, can midst, and they see caravan cities to be sign a bank guarantee for a Russian immi­ like the ma'abarot of the past, the camps grant. In fact, what has happened is that for immigfants from North Africa and immigrant families have pooled theif mort­ Yemen built in the 1950s. gage rights, and they are purchasing com­ Housing arrangements also have a direct mon apartments for themselves. Guarantois effect on employment and social segrega­ to sign the contract can be "bought" for a tion. Today, Soviet immigrants are often fee. So the immigrants receive a speedy asked by apartment owners to pay a yeai's lesson in Israeli legal cultute and how to rent in advance. This long time commit­ manage in a bureaucratized society. The ment effectively limits theif search for long-term impact of seveial families living suitable employment. Living in more dis­ together in one apaitment in a society in tant settlements with no local industry and which that is not the noim can only be that are almost entirely inhabited by other viewed with tiepidation. Russian immigrants means they will have Although new housing constiuction took to travel quite far for employment. Thefe consideiable time to get undeiway, housing are cases today of immigrants leaving tbeir starts leached new levels in 1991, and it is families during the week, like migrant claimed that avetage constfuction time has wofkets, to go to theif wofk sites and decreased from 2 years to 18 months. One fetutning home only on weekends. 270 / Joumal of Jewish Communal Service

Living together among other Russian cultuies can be exacetbated, as is discussed immigrants, even though they may come below. from diffetent parts of the former Soviet Union and may actually be a quite hetero­ geneous gfoup, also retards social integta­ EMPLOYMENT tion. The experience with immigration in Although housing is important foi adjust­ the early years of the State indicates that ment, the most ciucial factoi in absoiption social isolation should be limited to the is employment. In a time of rising unem­ degfee that it can. In effect, some cities ployment, allocating jobs to immigiants today are absorbing a disproportionate over veteians thieatens the social fabiic of numbet of immigrants, whereas upper society. On the othet hand, giving jobs to middle and upper class areas attract very veteians instead of new immigtants thieat­ few immigrants. The immigration move­ ens the absoiption of the lattet, as well as ment is hardly felt in Notth , for continued immigration. Since unemploy­ example, where apartment prices effectively ment is a geneial problem in Isiael now, keep immigiants away. thete are insufficient jobs fot everybody. Although housing is a problem on the Unpublished Israeli government figures instiumental level, the immigiation can indicate that 54% of the 180,000 Soviet be expected to have a very positive effect Jews who immigfated in 1990 identified on Isiaeh society on the expiessive-cultuial themselves as having a specific pfofession. level. Even though the immigiant popula­ The creation of pioductive jobs that ate tion is quite diveise, emanating ftom all peisonally lewarding fot these peisons and aieas of the foimei Soviet Union, one can that can earn adequate profits foi the long- geneialize that, in contiast with many (but tetm benefit of the employei, the wotkets, not all) migiatoiy movements woddwide, and the state tequites caieful planning and this immigiant gioup is chaiacteiized by laige-scale investment. Isiael's economic high cultuial levels. Its membeis are already pohcy in its 43 years has been dictated by having an impact on local cultural life in its geopolitical position, by internal coali­ outlying cities and towns. Among the im­ tion politics, by proteksia (influence) and, migrants are many people who appteciate when proteksia was not enough, by plain fine cultute, music, and ait. Once the favoiitism (Danet, 1989). Cieating jobs for sboit-teim pfoblems of housing and em­ hundreds of thousands of tiained immi­ ployment aie solved, as seveie as they aie, gtants is an exceptionally difficult entetptise, one can expect a lenaissance of cultuie especially if entiepieneuis aie inteiested in thioughout the countiy and a fbuiishing a letuin on theii investment. In a time in of cultuial activities. The new population, which mukinational coipoiations decide spiead thioughout the land, can have a wheie to establish enteipiises based on the moie general impact on Isiaeli society as available tesoutces at a given location, the the "ciitical mass" ot the minimal numbei natuie of the potential wotk fotce at hand, of persons needed for justifying and sup­ and tax incentives piovided by the local porting local institudons is leached leladvely government, Istael is foiced to seek investois quickly. This will teduce the centiality of who ate mainly motivated by Zionism. such areas as Tel Aviv as main shopping Theie indeed aie such peisons, but peihaps and cultural centeis. The high cuhuial not enough to employ a wotk fotce of sev­ levels of the migrants will result in the etal bundled thousand peisons in such a creation of strong cultural-intellectual cen­ short time span. teis thioughout the countiy fot the benefit Unemployment is tiaditionally fertile of Isiael as a whole. Yet, one must note giound fot social unrest. Russian immigiants that this movement is mote of an Ashkenazi aie not fich, although a vety few individual immigiation movement, and the conflict immigrants ate wealthy and have made between the Sephaidic and Ashkenazic aftangements to maintain theit ptimaty Russian Migration to Israel I 111 means of income in wliile residing weakening of the power of the Histadrut, in Israel just as do some Western immi­ the General Federation of Labor. One can grants. Israeli prices are somewhat man­ also envision the speaacle of new industries ageable for famihes with two incomes. striving to be economically self-sufficient Immigrants struggling to manage on the and profitable while contending with relig­ initial money they receive from the gov­ ious laws that require a cessation of opera­ ernment definitely cannot enjoy luxuries tions on Shabbat. The immediate problem and may have to make do with relatively is that, while economists ponder, one has sparse diets. There are reports of immigrants the impression that not much is actually frequenting the markets at closing time to being done on the governmental level to purchase inferior quality fruit and vegeta­ create jobs. It is an open question whether bles at lower prices or even to rummage government leaders are capable of really for discarded produce. Some immigrants responding to the challenge at hand. The have been caught stealing bread from super­ lack of sufficient employment is already markets. These examples raise serious having an impact on the level of immigra­ doubts about the level of assistance ren­ tion, and the possibility that unemployed dered to the immigrants if they are reduced immigrants will find ways to leave the to stealing such a basic commodity. Even country, despite the obstacles placed in working immigrants find it difficult to their path, threatens to turn this current take advantage of the bountifijl shelves in opportunity into one of the truly colossal the supermarkets overflowing with a wealth failures of Israeh society in recent years. of products, particularly compared with On the positive side, one of the remark­ the sparse shops of Moscow. The difference able aspeas of this migration is the seeming is that the immigrants can now see what flexibility of the immigrants as manifested they cannot have. in their willingness to work in any type of The byproduas of unemployment found employment available. This flexibihty is in many countries—the increased use of necessary because there is an oversupply of dmgs and drug addiction (especially among trained personnel in certain fields. For fmstrated youth), alcoholism, and crime — example, the migration wave is reported must be prepared for in Israel as an even­ to include thousands of unneeded physi­ tuality. Dmg and alcohol treatment centers cians. There are special courses to bring must be planned now, as well as other their training up to an Israeli level (which forms of psychological counseling and psy- upsets some Russians for its inference that chiauic treatment. Social workers are aheady they are inferior doctors). However, one hard pressed, but there is relatively little reads in the press many accounts of Soviet they can do to alleviate the real problems doctors, musicians, and professionals being that famihes face. One wonders whether willing to undertake any work in a wide Soviet immigrants will tum to gambling range of other fields as long as they have a in the hope of winning their fortune. Just job. A more imaginative solution would in case they might, the state lottery, Mifal be to think of a way to take advantage of Hapayis, distributes Russian-language the laige numbei of physicians in Israel, pamphlets describing all of the gambling by turning Israel into a regional medical oppoitunities it offers and how to play its center for people in African countries or games. using medicine as an export service. Economists will surely debate the struc­ tural changes that Israel must make to take advantage of the opportunities presented TRANSPORTATION AND THE by the immigrant population, as well as ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE the legislation required to encourage invest­ Dispersed housing and employment, to­ ment. One can expect increased pressure gether with the general increase in popu­ for more privatization, with a resultant lation, place an added burden on the roads 272 / Joumd of Jewish Commund Service and public transportation. More people the latge numbei of peisons living in a traveling the same nimiber of busses affects lelatively small area of land. Again, theie a genetal sense of well-being. Ciowding in will suiely be ptessuie to relax standards public transportation leads to a heightened "tempoiaiily" because the absorption of demand fot private cats, which tesults in immigrants is the piiority issue at hand, an inctease in the numbet of motoi vehi­ but short-teim decisions have long-teim cles on the toads. An inadequate highway effects that cannot be undone, and these system fot large volumes of ttaffic incteases should be avoided. the tisk of traffic accidents and sttains An additional "utility" that will be af­ medical and emetgency setvices (with a fected by the mass immigiation is the ripple effect on insuiance premiums). health cate deliveiy system. About 12% of There is rhus an immediate need foi a the immigiants ate 65 and ovet and can moie efficient, cheap, mass tiansit system. be expected to be in need of medical caie. Rail tiansportation takes yeais to develop, In addition, there are reports that many and if it had been bettet planned, oi even younget peisons ate also in need of medical built, in the past, the settlement of immi­ tteatment that was eithei not piovided in grants in the north and the south of the the foimei Soviet Union oi that requires countfy would not be as problematic as it additional or remedial tieatment in Isiael. is today. The impact of Chernobyl and ladiation- Although transportation and the toad lelated illnesses will continue to be felt as infrastmcture are maao instrumental issues, immigiants from the affected aieas con­ they have a micro expressive dimension as tinue to atrive. well. Even a superior mass tianspottation Further expansion of geriatric services is system will not stem the desiie to puichase also needed to help cope with the laige cats if the system does not opeiate when number of eldeily peisons who will need people want to tiavel. One can assume that attention. The Israeli system is woefully many of the immigiants have family dis­ deficient in pioviding seivices to this age peised thioughout the countiy and, as with gtoup and in many cases lelies on cate many othei Isiaelis, the only ftee time fot being provided by children. This is an visiting them is on Shabbat and holidays. unrealistic expeaation with legard to Soviet Immigiants will puichase cats when they immigiants. The general impression that can, if fot no othet teason than to be able one feceives, though, is tbat the pfovision to tfavel on Shabbat. of substantial assistance fot the elderly is an unrealistic expectation. Istael's grear hope for this migiation lests with the chil­ umrriES DST GENERAL dien, who can be expected to become full- The netwofk of toads is not the only pan fledged Isiaelis and make a pfoductive of the infrastructure of society that will be contfibution to society. Given the limited affcaed by immigradon. One must consider fesources available, it appears that policy­ as well the whole electric system, which makers have decided that money spent on will have to adjust to inaeased consumpdon the eldefly is a luxury the country cannot on the personal level and, it is hoped, to affbtd, with all the negative implications a tiemendous upsuige in usage as a lesult this policy has for Israel as a caring, Jewish of the establishment of new industiies and society. plants. The problem of Israel's chronic watet shortage will likewise be exacerbated, and -nON the sewage system will be affected. EDUCA In general, Israeli society will have to be The school system is one institution that much more sensitive to ecology and pies­ usually does not have to base its enrollment eivation of the enviionment because of on estimates, but rather can use the coun- Russian Migration to Israel I 273 try's birth rate to determine how many system —they are actually raising the levels children will be registering for kindergarten and standards in the schools in which they and first grade. In the case of a mass are placed. Immigrant teachers in specialized migration movement, however, one cannot subjects are also teaching on a higher level plan for a gradual increase, as might hap­ than was traditional in the schools, and pen with changes in birth rates. One also there are initial reports that this is having does not know the ages of the children a beneficial impact on many children. coming and therefore the grades they will On a micro expressive level, the school be entering. In any case, the education experience is an important sociahzing system has to cope with many children framework for the children. What the from a variety of social and ethnic back­ children and their parents encounter in grounds (even from within the former the schools can affect their general orienta­ Soviet Union) and levels (even in the same tion toward Israeli society and culture. grade), who are trying to get along together Sometimes this encounter is fraught with in an environment that tends to be com­ tension as Russian children need to learn petitive, even though cooperation and to dress more informally and to behave in mutual effort are encouraged. conformity with the expectations of their The macro-level challenge facing the peers. In some cases this confhcts with the educational system is to absorb the large conservative orientation of their parents, numbers of immigrants, strapped as it and the problem of the undermining of constantly is for enough money to carry on authority in the family, with immigrant its routine activities. The school system parents who represent the Old World char­ apparently could accommodate expansion acteristic of the waves of mass migration pressures until recently, for it was able to of the past, repeats itself here. emoll an additional 40,000 children during 1990 with hardly needing to open new classes. This situation will not last, but POUTICS AND REUGIOUS IDENTITY at least it provided a breathing spell for An influx of several hundred thousand administrators to plan for the new waves Soviet immigrants can be expected to of immigrants that can now be expected. change the whole face of society, especially The ability of the educational system to with regard to the impact on the rehgious adapt is not just a function of money. It and political domains. takes time to train teachers, even if there In general, the Jewish identity of the are adequate funds to open new classes in new immigrants is reported to be quite temporary housing. Once they manage the weak, as those who were more Jewishly language, some of the immigrants can identified came to Israel in years past. Even surely function as specialized teachers, but those coming now who do identify as Jews it is much harder to fill elementary school do so more on a civic or national level positions with immigrants. One could than on a religious plane. They care little argue that teachers who are now in the about halacha. Therefore, the new immi­ system would benefit from training courses grants can be expected to be interested in in proper methods for deahng with immi­ hving in a state that leaves them alone as grant populations. much as possible with regard to their Jewish Adjusting to large numbers of students and rehgious identity. has both instmmental and expressive imph­ For years American Reform and Con­ cations. By and large, the immigrant chil­ servative leaders who argued for greater dren entering these schools are coming religious plurahsm in Israel were told by from a system that is very respectful of the Israeli politicians that it could be achieved educational milieu, and they are already by the immigration of large numbers of making their mark on the Israeh school non-Orthodox American Jews. Those per- 274 / Joumal of Jewish Commund Service sons are still not coming, but to the delight new immigrants. Even if the rightist pardes of the nonreligious politicians, and to the garner only 60% of the vote and the leftist dismay of the ultta-Orthodox Haredi pardes pardes 40%, it does appear that the rightist in Israel, the Soviet immigrants may fill bloc will increase in overall strength and that void. As Uti Avneri has written in the reUgious bloc will lose the most because the Hebiew language daily, Ha'aretz (June of the mass migration. 23, 1991), "Those who are interested in The exact nature of the political culture the flouiishing of the State of Israel as a of the Russian immigrants is unclear. One secular, modern and progressive state may ask how the highly centralized author­ should welcome the 'goyjews' who are ity that characterized Soviet society for so coming to us, and to invite them as long has affected leadership, creativity, bfothers." Ofthodox Jewish movements and initiative. One occasionally hears Rus­ are now actively engaged in the former sian immigrants complain about there being Soviet Union in efforts to eiuoll Soviet "too much democracy" in Israel. It is childfen in religious establishments there. unclear what their support for the tight in The Reform movement has also established Israel means in terms of their tolerance for a synagogue in Moscow and is seeking to civil rights and the demoaadc ptocess itself. establish synagogues in othei cities as well, There is periodic talk about the estab­ and it publishes a Russian-language paper lishment of a "Russian immigiant" party, for distribution in Israel and in the former but it should be noted that "immigrant" Soviet Union. The struggle over the immi­ pardes tend to focus on issues of immediate grants that characterized the mass migradon concern fot new immigrants. They are less in the first yeats of the state, including attiactive the longei the immigrant is in the school system in which they should the countiy and overcomes the initial prob­ study and even the Sick Fund in which lems involved in the absoiption process. they should enroll, continues today. The Their potential success depends on whether General Federation of Labor's Sick Fund the absoiption process fails to such an extent even broadcast a commercial on Moscow that support for such a paity is seen to be television in 1991 aimed at futuie emi­ one's only lecourse. grants and extolling the virtues of the In sum, the macio expiessive impact of services that it offers in Israel. the immigiation movement is a move to the Initially it was thought that the Soviet tight politically and the incteased seculaii- migrants would strengthen the lightist zation of Istael, caiiying with it the poten­ patties on the political scene because of tial fot gieatei conflict between teligious theif antagonism toward all socialist enter­ and nonreligious segments of society. Many prises. (Labor party officials in Israel even problems will suiely aiise in the rabbinical discussed abolishing May Day celebrations courts when these immigtants wish to marry in ofder to downplay this stigmatizing or divorce, and questions of religion and symbol.) However, it is very possible that state will be exacerbated. Religious ele­ a substandal number, although far from the ments in Israel seem to be more aware of majority, of the current wave of migrants these potential problems than are the non­ and those who follow will be interested in religious, and many seminars and forums suppoiting leftist patties, both because of of one type or anothet ate conducted in their and-ieligious stand, and theii orienta­ attempts to instill Russian immigiants tion toward the peace process. The crucial with a Jewish identification that is telig­ time for ascertaining the political stance of iously based. Likewise, efforts ate undet­ the immigiants is Elecdon Day. Polls taken taken to ensute that Hebrew ulpanim any time until then become out of date contain several hours a week of Jewish within a month with the steady influx of study. The Secular League of Humanist Russian Migration to Israel / 275

Judaism is similarly seeking to train boycott of Israeli products was beginning instructors to convey its point of view to to have an impact on internal production the immigrants. levels. Thus, the increased consumption by immigrants with some purchasing power has compensated partly for the lessened ETHNIC RELATIONS demand. An additional expressive issue that may Perhaps more importantly, the willing­ well be affected by the mass migration is ness of Russian immigrants to work in any the relationship between Eastern and field has effectively led to the replacement Western ethnic groups. The seeds for a of Arabs in many low-status jobs. Super­ problematic relationship are in place, inas­ market workers in Tel Aviv and street much as it could be claimed that the new cleaners are increasingly Jews, although immigrants are being provided with assis­ the low wages paid to constmction workers tance that the masses of Eastern immigrants arc still keeping immigrants from this occu­ did not receive years ago when they came. pation. (One Tel Aviv street cleaner from At the present time, however, the difficult Greorgia has apparently already earned situation in which the Russian immigrants enough to improve his standard of living— find themselves is generally acknowledged he now works while listening to a Walk­ by all members of society. man.) The status gap between educational A substantial amount of the ethnic con­ levels, aspiration levels, and actual employ­ fhct in Israel is related to status inequality. ment may become problematic in the There is considerable status inconsistency future, but for the present, the willing­ among Soviet immigrants at present, with ness to occupy low-status position direatens a discrepancy between their educational to freeze Arabs out of the Israeh labor levels and former employment and their market. This is detrimental to Arab-Jewish current occupation. Although theh migra­ relations, if one holds that a situation of tion to Israel has not yet seriously under­ interdependence fosters tolerance and mined Eastern-Western relationships, they understanding. Such does not seem to are still in a liminal period. Their social have been the case over the past 20 years, mobility as a group may yet fiiel ethnic but perhaps economic cooperation requires discord. a minimal level of pohtical acceptance for it to have a stronger impact. If the Russians are the new Arabs, then the old Arabs are ARAB-JEWISH RELATIONS being pushed even lower into a situation of economic frustration and need. Russian inomigration has had an impact on Arab-Jewish relations on several levels. On the intergovernmental level, Russian foreign policy reflects a very positive rela­ CULTURE SHOCK tionship between that country and Israel. As well prepared as one might be for Arab states and organizations have protested immigration, having tried to learn as much against Russia's Jewish emigration policy, as one can about the new society even but to no avail. One fear in Israel is that before making aliyah, there are always dif­ although Russia's influence on Arab coun­ ferences in culture that require adjusting tries has diminished, it can still seek to to and that may raise self-doubts about affect Israeh policy by threatening to limit whether the migration process was worth­ immigration. while. The difference in lifestyles with With regard to internal Israel affairs, regard to etiquette, bureaucracy, work the migration of hundreds of thousands of habits, and all varieties of social norms Soviet Jews came at a time when the Arab requires a period of adjustment. The adjust- 276 / Joumal of Jewish Communal Service ment is difficult because normally people Russian-language classes for "absorbeis" are unaware of the degree to which theif are also now being held in a variety of cultuial orientations ate unique —in fact, locations. the more they have been closed off from Some of the cultural differences that the outside world, the less they realize Russian immigrants encounter relate to how relative culture is. They are used to instrumental issues. Soviet immigrants do their own "light" way of doing things. not undeistand how women can work if Realizing that theie is a different way can the schoolday ends at 12 or 1 o'clock and come as a shock; hence, the term "culture they must pick up their childien at that shock." hour. The migiation wave also appeals to Culture shock is an expressive problem be a setback for the feminist movement in on the micro level. Some immigrant asso­ Israel. The Russian immigrants are well ciations in Israel have special culture shock steeped in gender-based roles. (Fears that workshops to help theii members bridge immigtants might find it cultiually difficult the differences between the cultuial noims to get used to shopping in well-stocked they were used to and the ones they en­ stotes without having to wait endlessly on counter in Israel. line cairying theii "peihaps" bags have Russian customs and manners are also thus far proven to be unfounded.) diffeient from those prevalent in Israel. One attitude that has been problematic Companies have been created to teach in Israel's past is the tendency to view Israeli businesspeople these differences and Israel's cultiue as superior to that of the thus to facilitate their business dealings immigiants. In the past, Israeli society was with Russian authorities. For the immi­ seen as having the responsibility to deso- grants themselves, though, one of the cialize the immigrants from their earlier, manifestations of the differences is their inappropriate behavior and attitudes and desire to preserve rheir Russian way of life then to resocialize them. Of coutse, this in Israel. Some wish to tetain their Russian attitude is one of the soutces of ethnic cultural heritage, including appreciation conflict, inasmuch as the agents of change of the , art, music and Ht- were Westerners deahng. with Eastern and erature. Some of these peisons will remain Oriental immigrants. A feligious element veteran Russians in Israel just as some vet­ was injected into this argument in June, eran inmiigrants from many countries are 1991, when Ministei of Absoiption Yitzhak actually still expatiiates in Israel to this Peietz claimed that seculai kibbutz settle­ day, rathet than full-fledged Istaelis. ments had fotced early Oriental immigrants Because Russian immigiants constitute to Israel to adopt a secular way of life. such an important segment of society, There appears to be more tolerance for various pioducts are now marketed with cultural pluralism in 1991, although the Russian-language packaging. There are a tolerance is manifested toward a highly variety of Russian-language newspapers regarded group. The manner in which the and magazines, as well as special Russian- Ethiopian immigrants who arrived as part language supplements in the daily press of Operation Solomon in 1991 are being and an immigrant radio station broadcast­ treated suggests that cultural toletance ing in Russian 12 hours a day. If speaking a might be limited to those who ate similar foreign language is a key difficulty in feel­ to the dominant culture. ing at home in a new society, the wide­ spread use of Russian is an indicator of the warmth with which the Istaeli popula­ THE ABSORBERS tion accepts the new immigrants on their The assistance given to the Russian immi­ terms, in accordance with their needs. gtants has had an effect not only on the Russian Migration to Israel / 277 immigrants but also on the providers of their physical needs, as well as providing the assistance themselves. Although national them with a warm feeling of welcome. The services are theoretically provided by the voluntarism manifested is very beneficial government, the real work of absorption for the immigrants and for the absorbing in many areas is being done on the local society itself as it renews the commitment level. The national government is doing a to civil values and to identification with very good job providing the slogans, and the State and its purposes. It is one thing the local municipalities are doing the to gather the immigrants "from the four work. Government workers in airports pro­ corners of the earth." It is quite another vide newly arrived immigrants with possible to turn such diverse groups of people, addresses for their "direct absorption," immigrants from such different parts of without necessarily mentioning that the the former Soviet Union, as well as im­ same address was given to other famihes migrants from Albania and Ethiopia, into as well. Once they arrive, it is the local one unified people. This task can only be municipality that must ascertain that the achieved from within, and the fact that it immigrants have a place to sleep, and is being done by individuals is making it many of them organize volunteer services, successful. This process will have a long- including soliciting contributions of sup­ term impact on the new immigrants becom­ plies ranging from groceries and clothing ing full-fledged Israehs, as well as on the to fiirniture and appliances for the new volunteers themselves, who are devoting immigrants. so much of their time and effort in a proj­ The increasing independence of the local ect that is as self-rewarding as it is beneficial municipality is a changing feature of Israeh to others. society that may alter the entire relation­ ship between local and central government authorities. The problems of urbanization CONCLUSION in Israel are severe, and it might just be as It is a matter of fate that Russian Jews, well that those who have to live with who played such a critical role in the estab­ them will be the ones who have to reach lishment of the State, continue to be on decisions about them and act upon them. center stage today. This immigration move­ The impact of immigration is felt at ment has ramifications for the peace process, even a more micro level. Without doubt relations between Israel and the super­ there are Israelis who are concerned about powers, and economic, political, social the impact of the migratory movement of and religious development within Israel. Russian Jews to Israel on theh personal The Russians are emigrating for instru­ welfare and view the immigrants as com­ mental reasons—they wish to improve their petitors in a zero-sum game for resources. standard of living in a state that does not A survey of high-school youth in intervene in theh private hves. Yet, they found that 42 % of eleventh graders feel are encountering a state that is manifestly that the number of Jews admitted annually based on expressive considerations. It is to Israel should be limited to between important to recognize that the motivation 20,000 and 100,000. According to the daily for migration is intrinsically related to the Hebrew newspaper, Yediot Acharonot absorption process and to the impact of (March 20, 1990), 66% feel that immi­ the migration on Israeli society. When grants affea negatively the chances of those determining absorption policy, one must currently unemployed to find jobs. How­ consider the needs of the state and the ever, in local communities throughout the needs of the individuals themselves. The country, individuals and local groups are traditional Israeh attitude of "yihiye beseder" organizing to help the new immigrants with (it will be alright) is insufficient as a policy 278 / Joumal of Jewish Communal Service formulation wiien seeking to bridge the gap between what the immigrants want SUGGESTED READINGS and what the state needs and can offer. Heitman, Sidney (1989). Soviet emigration under Gorbachev. Soviet Jewish Affairs, 19 (2): 15-24. REFERENCES Moin, Victor (1990). The situation before the Danct, Brenda (1989). Pulling strings: Bicul- elections: Voters' opinions (results of inter­ turalism in Israeli bureaucracy. Albany: State regional comparative analysis). Moscow: Sociol­ University of New York Press. ogy Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences Ministry of Immigrant Absorption (December, (Russian). 1990). The preparations by the Ministry of Tabory, Ephraim (1991). Jewish identity, Israeli Immigrant Absorption for the absorption of nationalist and Soviet Jewish migration. 400,000 immigrants in 1991. : Joumal of Church and State, 33: 601-613. Author (Hebrew).

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