CUSTOMIZED CONNECTIONS Programs for New Olim Ages 18-35 Updated June 2013 TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TO A LIFETIME IN ISRAEL For more than 80 years, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been synonymous with Aliyah. So far, more than three million people from around the world have come and built their homes in Israel with our help. This booklet will introduce you to absorption programs designed for young immigrants. Participation in any of these programs will give you the opportunity to learn Hebrew, visit important heritage sites TABLE OF CONTENTS throughout the country, and learn to become part of Israeli society. Our absorption professionals will be there for you along the way, providing guidance while you take your first steps in Israel. Introduction 3 The programs described here are located in every region of Israel. Some have two sessions a year; others have start dates every few weeks. Some have been running for decades and have tens of thousands of The Basics 4 successful alumni; others are new programs we established to address different groups’ needs. There are diverse options: Hebrew language courses on kibbutzim and in cities; preparation for college or Ulpan Etzion Network 5-7 graduate studies; guidance for employment; and preparation for recruitment into the IDF. TAKA 9-11 What all of the programs have in common is that they were developed to help new young immigrants Beit Brodetsky 12 integrate into the country, taking your unique needs into account. Ulpan Kinneret 13 The decision to immigrate to Israel is a significant choice. We suggest that you contact our representatives (see below and the back cover), who will be happy to meet with you and assist you Kibbutz Ulpan 14-15 in your immigration process. First Home in the Homeland 16-17 We wish you a “soft landing” and successful absorption. Welcome to Israel. Garin Tzabar 18 Yehuda Sharf Director Wings 19 Aliyah, Absorption and Special Operations Unit Hechven Guidance Center 20 Connect Israel 21 Babayit B’Yachad 21 Get Connected and Get Started Programs by Location, Price, Age, and Education 22-23 If you are already in Israel, call the Global Center at 1-800-228-055. Contact Us Back Cover If you live North America: To apply for Aliyah, call our partner, Nefesh B’Nefesh, at 1-866-4-ALIYAH. For details on Jewish Agency programs, call 1-866-835-0430 (USA), 1-866-421-8912 (Canada), or 1-888-572-8269 (Russian-speakers in USA or Canada). If you live in South America, Europe, the FSU, or anywhere else in the world, contact your local Jewish Agency shaliach or the Global Center (see the back page of this booklet for contact information from Note: All information in this brochure is accurate as of April 2013. Costs and your location), or fill out the forms atjewishagency.org/PersonalAliyah. other details are subject to change. Most programs require a refundable security deposit of 500 NIS; see pages 22-23. 3 ULPAN ETZION NETWORK Tens of Thousands of Alumni Speaking Hebrew Every Day ABOUT THE PROGRAM Ulpan Etzion was the very first ulpan in Israel, founded in 1949 in Jerusalem, and has served as the model for all The Jewish Agency’s highly successful Hebrew-language courses. Since 1949 it has welcomed tens of thousands of young new immigrants, and has expanded to locations around the THE BASICS country. At Ulpan Etzion, the halls are abuzz with a variety of languages and the comings and goings WHAT IS ULPAN? The key to success in Israel is Hebrew fluency, so most of the programs of young professionals and students from all over the world who are learning Hebrew at different in this booklet include “ulpan”: intensive, immersive Hebrew-language instruction for five levels. The studies include trips around the country, social and recreational activities, and workshops about Israeli society and career-building. hours each day, five days a week, for five months. The instructors, certified by the Ministry of Education, weave together a variety of techniques, technology, and subject matter to Each Etzion location has two starting dates per year; speak with your shaliach to find out which one help students improve their language skills. The Jewish Agency’s state-of-the-art courses might be best for you. are given at different levels and include units on Israeli culture and trips around Israel, to ADMISSION enhance your learning experience. Classes are open to college graduates aged 22-35. HEADED TO UNIVERSITY? The Israel Student Authority operates through the Ministry On-campus accommodation is available to singles (in all Etzion locations) and married couples of Immigrant Absorption. It provides tuition grants for up to three years to eligible without children (in Jerusalem, Ra’anana, and Be’er Sheva). new immigrant students for undergraduate and graduate degrees, and for practical Admission for all off-campus students, of any family status, is on a case-by-case basis. engineering and some certificate studies. It also provides social activities, career counseling, and tutoring. u ULPAN ETZION - JERUSALEM Ulpan Etzion Jerusalem is located at the Beit Canada Absorption Center in the quiet, residential You can contact the Student Authority at [email protected] (in English), [email protected]. neighborhood of Armon Hanatziv. From Beit Canada it is a 15-30 minute bus ride to the city center, il (French), [email protected] (Spanish), or [email protected] (Russian). If you’re nervous universities, and entertainment venues. Within walking distance are a supermarket, pharmacy, post about jumping straight into Israeli college or graduate school, check out our TAKA office, health clinic, community center, and banks. Beit Canada has 116 housing units, classrooms, a preparatory programs on pages 9-11, or ask the Student Authority about “mechinah.” TV lounge, laundry room, synagogue, wireless internet, library, gym, and computer room. A NOTE ABOUT THE IDF: Depending on your age, marital status, and other factors, you The apartments each have one or two rooms (with two students sharing each room), a kitchenette, may be required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces at some point after your move to and a bathroom. The rooms come with basic furnishings, central heating, hot water, and utilities; Israel. Your shaliach can explain how long you may be required to serve (if at all) and what residents bring their own linens, blankets, and dishes. The dining hall serves lunch and dinner each to expect from the draft process. If you are making Aliyah by yourself, you are likely to be day, with a vegetarian option. eligible for special assistance as a “lone soldier.” A GIFT FROM THE ISRAELI PEOPLE: As a new immigrant, you will receive sal klitah FYI: (“absorption basket”) payments from the government of Israel each month for the first Movilim Jerusalem is a separate track within Ulpan Etzion for olim aged 33 and up; it includes 6 months to assist you as you get started. The amounts probably won’t cover all your specialized career workshops for more seasoned professionals. For more details speak with your shaliach or call the Global Center. expenses, but are large enough to be a significant help. Talk to yourshaliach or the Global Center to find out precise details. 4 5 u ULPAN ETZION – RAMLA Ramla is a sizable city in Israel’s central region, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is a diverse city with a large number of immigrants. In the past it has struggled economically, but is currently in the process of dynamic improvements, and is making strides in business, quality of life, education, and infrastructure. This is an exciting time to live in Ramla. Ulpan students live in Kiryat Menachem, one of Ramla’s best neighborhoods, in apartments of four or five rooms, with one student in each room. The apartments each include a kitchenette, bathroom, basic furnishings, and internet connection. u ULPAN ETZION CARMEL – HAIFA Israel’s third-largest city, Haifa has a breathtaking coastline on one side and the Carmel mountains on Ulpan Etzion Ramla partners with a local municipal center to provide assistance in career counseling the other. It offers a high quality of life, with world-class educational institutions, a hi-tech zone, and and give you the chance to meet Israelis your own age. The program places an emphasis on six hospitals. The city is characterized by its pluralism. encouraging volunteer activities and will connect you with an “adoptive” Israeli family to make you feel at home. Registration at Ulpan Etzion Ramla entitles you to free entrance at Ramla’s swimming Although the majority of Ulpan Carmel students live off-campus, those who reside in its Port pool and gym, free entrance to the city’s sporting events, and a ten percent discount at some local Campus are housed in newly-renovated, four-bedroom apartments with one student per room. businesses. Each apartment includes a bathroom, kitchenette, basic furnishings, air-conditioning, and wireless internet. Lunch is provided. Residents must provide their own bedding and towels. The facilities u ULPAN ETZION YE’ELIM – BE’ER SHEVA include a laundry room. As the largest city in the Negev Desert, Be’er Sheva is considered “the capital of the Negev,” and is known for its large student population and high percentage of young-adult residents. Be’er Sheva is u ULPAN ETZION – RA’ANANA home to Ben-Gurion University and the renowned Soroka Medical Center. Many high-tech companies Ra’anana is a thriving, upscale city near Tel Aviv that was first established by Jewish pioneers from the and plants, including those of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Israel Aerospace Industries, are United States.